The upcoming tvN Monday-Tuesday drama Nice to Not Meet You (working title) has officially confirmed its cast and completed a lively script reading session. Photos from the event, revealed on August 1, showcased an impressive ensemble led by Lee Jung-jae and Lim Ji-yeon, whose on-screen pairing has captured attention thanks to their 18-year age gap.

This marks Lee Jung-jae’s return to K-dramas after six years, following global acclaim for Squid Game. In Nice to Not Meet You, he plays Im Hyun-joon, a faded national heartthrob known for his passionate romantic roles. Lim Ji-yeon, fresh from her powerful performance in The Glory, stars as Wi Jung-shin, an elite political journalist demoted to the entertainment beat after a career-crippling corruption scandal.

Despite initial reactions to their age difference, insiders say the duo’s chemistry during the script read was undeniable. Fans are now buzzing with anticipation over how their characters’ relationship — forged through media scandals and industry chaos — will evolve.

Lee Jung-jae Lim Ji-yeon dramapeople' 'script' 'reading' 'jacket' 'serious.

Directed by Kim Ga-ram (Good Partner, Nevertheless) and written by Jung Yeo-rang (Doctor Cha), the drama explores themes of reputation, reinvention, and unexpected romance within the high-stakes world of Korean showbiz.

The series also boasts a star-studded supporting cast:

  • Kim Ji-hoon as Lee Jae-hyung, a former baseball pro turned CEO smitten with Jungshin.
  • Seo Ji-hye as Yoon Hwa-young, the sharp and ambitious youngest-ever head of an entertainment desk — and Jae-hyung’s ex.
  • Choi Gwi-hwa plays Hyun-joon’s loyal manager, while Jeon Sung-woo brings humor as eccentric writer Park Byung Ki.
  • Oh Yeon-seo makes a special appearance as Kwon Se-na, a global star and Hyun-joon’s ex-girlfriend.
Lee Jung-jae Lim Ji-yeon dramawomen' '' 'orean' 'glasses' 'smiling' 'earrings.

Veteran actresses Na Young-hee and Jeon Soo-kyung inject dramatic weight as matriarchs from rival entertainment families, while rising talents Kim Hyun-jin and Jin Ho-eun play younger siblings with storylines of their own.

Nice to Not Meet You promises a whirlwind of sharp dialogue, romantic tension, and industry satire. With Lee Jung-jae’s return and Lim Ji-yeon’s momentum, it’s shaping up to be one of tvN’s most talked-about dramas of 2025. The drama is slated to premiere in the second half of 2025 on tvN.

Sources: wikitree