Kim Young Kwang and Lee Ju Myoung are officially set to lead ENA’s upcoming Monday-Tuesday romantic comedy The Queen of Taming. The production team confirmed the casting on September 30, 2026, ending months of speculation that began when both actors were first reported to be reviewing offers back in July. The drama is scheduled to premiere in the first half of 2027, with a simulcast on KT Genie TV.
Kim Young Kwang Returns to Rom-Com as a Hedge Fund Beast
Kim Young Kwang takes on the role of Ma Ji Yong, a hedge fund manager described as fierce as a wild beast. Ji Yong handles enormous sums of money and has a genius-level instinct for investments. He survives in the cutthroat world of conglomerate families by staying constantly alert, refusing to rest until he gets what he wants. The character carries a sharp contrast: in finance he is ruthless and calculating, but in love he is a complete beginner, a detail that gives him an unexpected charm.
This project marks a return to the romantic comedy genre for Kim Young Kwang, who has spent recent years in darker, more intense roles. He appeared in the thriller drama Trigger and the emotional series A Good Day for Eun-soo in 2025. Before The Queen of Taming airs, viewers will see him in the Netflix romance Take Charge of My Heart, which is set to release on October 9, 2026, alongside Chae Soo Bin. That back-to-back run of romance projects has led Korean media to call him a “rom-com king” again.
Lee Ju Myoung Plays the Fearless Queen of Taming
Lee Ju Myoung stars as Jo Woo Ri, a contract veterinarian working at a zoo that Ji Yong’s company acquires. Woo Ri is known as the “Queen of Taming” for her rare ability to calm even the most difficult animals. She does not back down in front of wild beasts or unfair treatment, and she carries a warm side that cares deeply for the wounds of the animals she treats.
Woo Ri’s life shifts when she meets Ji Yong, a man who is as untamed as any animal she has handled. Their relationship develops into an unexpected power dynamic between employer and employee, a structure that Korean outlets have described as a “master-servant romance” with reversed emotional roles.
The role marks Lee Ju Myoung’s first full-fledged romantic comedy. She recently wrapped up JTBC’s weekend drama Reborn Rookie, which ended on July 5, 2026, with a peak nationwide rating of 13.6 percent according to Nielsen Korea. She moved into The Queen of Taming almost immediately after that series concluded, signaling a quick pivot into lighter, romance-centered territory.
You May Also Like:
Director Song Hyun Wook and Writer Lee Min Young Lead the Production
The Queen of Taming is directed by Song Hyun Wook, whose credits include Another Miss Oh, The Beauty Inside, The King’s Affection, and Would You Marry Me?. Song’s reputation for sensitive and visually polished direction has been a point of interest for viewers tracking the drama’s development. The screenplay is written by Lee Min Young.
Production is handled by Samhwa Networks and Studio Bom, with KT Studio Genie in charge of planning. The drama is being prepared as an ENA Monday-Tuesday series, a slot that has hosted several of the network’s recent romance titles.
What the Drama Is About
The Queen of Taming follows Ma Ji Yong and Jo Woo Ri as their lives become tangled through an employer-employee arrangement that neither expected. Ji Yong acquires the zoo where Woo Ri works as a contract veterinarian. The power imbalance between a wealthy hedge fund manager and a temporary zoo employee creates the setup for what Korean media have called a “battle romance” — a romantic comedy where the emotional upper hand keeps shifting between the two leads.
The drama’s Korean title, “조련의 여왕” , translates literally to “Queen of Training” or “Queen of Taming.” Some English-language outlets have used the title The Queen of Training, while others have settled on The Queen of Taming. The production has not yet announced a finalized international English title.
Release Info for Global Viewers
The Queen of Taming is set to air in the first half of 2027 on ENA as a Monday-Tuesday drama. The series will also be available through KT Genie TV. For audiences outside South Korea, streaming details have not been confirmed at this stage. ENA dramas have previously found homes on platforms such as Viki and Netflix in various regions, but no international distributor has been announced for The Queen of Taming yet.
A specific premiere date within the first half of 2027 has not been set. The production team confirmed the casting on September 30, 2026, and the drama remains in pre-production ahead of its 2027 broadcast window.
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more K-drama casting updates and release news as they happen.
Leave a Reply