Lee Jung Jae is returning to television with a brand new romance drama titled ‘Annoying Love’. This marks his first TV drama role in six years since ‘Chief of Staff’ in 2019. The show is set to air in the second half of 2025 on tvN.
Fans know Lee Jung Jae best as Seong Gi Hun from the global hit ‘Squid Game‘, which made him an international star. After winning an Emmy Award for his role, all eyes are now on his next project.
What Is ‘Annoying Love’ About?
The drama tells the story of Im Hyun Joon, a famous actor known for detective roles who dreams of becoming a romantic comedy star. He meets Wi Jung Shin, a journalist who was moved from the politics desk to entertainment reporting. Together, they overcome their struggles and grow as people.
Lee Jung Jae plays Im Hyun Joon, while Lim Ji Yeon takes on the role of Wi Jung Shin. The two characters develop a romantic relationship, which has already sparked discussions among fans.
Concerns Over Age Gap Between Leads
One big topic around this drama is the 18-year age difference between Lee Jung Jae (born in 1972) and Lim Ji Yeon (born in 1990). Some viewers worry this might make their romance hard to believe.
“The pairing looks more like a father-daughter duo than a romantic couple.” – Netizen comment
“Age gaps in K-dramas are common, but 18 years is a lot. Hope they can make it work.” – Fan reaction
Despite these concerns, both actors are highly respected in the industry. Lim Ji Yeon is known for her strong performances in ‘The Glory’ and ‘Lady Oksu’s Story’, while Lee Jung Jae’s work in ‘Squid Game’ earned him worldwide fame.
Lee Jung Jae’s Thoughts on the Project
In a recent interview, Lee Jung Jae talked about why he chose this role after such a big success with ‘Squid Game’.
“Actors can’t work just chasing success. I’ve been in this career a long time and have had both successful and less successful projects. With ‘Annoying Love,’ I’m trying to figure out how to make this project even more enjoyable.” – Lee Jung Jae
He also mentioned that he wants to keep improving as an actor, rather than just repeating past successes.
More About the Cast and Story
The drama also stars Oh Yeon Seo as Kwon Se-na, Lee Jung Jae’s character’s first love. Her return into his life adds more drama to the story.
The show is directed by Kim Ga-ram (‘Good Partner’) and written by Jung Yeo-rang (‘Doctor Cha’). With such a strong team, expectations are high.
How Fans Are Reacting
While some fans are excited, others are unsure about the age gap. Social media has mixed reactions:
“Lee Jung Jae is a legend, but I’m not sure about this pairing.” – Twitter user
“Lim Ji Yeon is amazing, so I’ll give it a chance!” – Reddit comment
The drama’s success may depend on how well the two leads create chemistry on screen.
When Will ‘Annoying Love’ Air?
The drama is scheduled to premiere in late 2025 on tvN. Exact dates have not been confirmed yet.
This is a big step for Lee Jung Jae after ‘Squid Game’. Fans will be watching closely to see if he can pull off a romantic lead role. The age gap discussion adds extra interest, but the real test will be the on-screen chemistry.
