Kim Yoo Jung’s carefully built filmography is often remembered for its warmth, sincerity, and gentle emotional depth.
In Love in the Moonlight, she portrayed the fresh, fluttering feelings of youth her gaze and subtle breaths all radiated pure affection that made viewers root for her. In Lovers of the Red Sky, she revealed a different side, constructing the inner world of a strong-willed painter and conveying the turmoil of a character torn between duty and love.
Now, Kim Yoo Jung has unveiled a completely different face. Her transformation into a villain is far beyond the word “shocking.”
In the TVING original series Dear X, Kim Yoo Jung plays Baek Ah Jin, an actress who appears bright and warm on the outside but remains emotionally detached. Relationships are merely tools to achieve her goals, and people are variables. She charges forward with a blurred sense of empathy, focused solely on reaching the top.
In an interview with Sports Seoul, Kim Yoo Jung said, “I was drawn to her precisely because she was unlike any character I’ve played before. That’s why I chose this role.”
She explained, “Ah Jin’s emotional texture is very unique and extreme. That alone was a challenge for me. I didn’t want her to be consumed as just a ‘bad person.’ She’s a character who constantly makes you question why she acts a certain way, what she fears, and where her limits are. I hoped viewers would find themselves hating her but also understanding her.”
Throughout filming, Kim Yoo Jung suppressed rather than exploded emotions. She controlled her speech tempo, eye angles, and body movements with precision to maintain the character’s icy center.
“Scenes where I lash out at Sung Hee (Kim Yi Kyung) or clash with my father required huge energy. As an actor, those moments gave me a sense of catharsis. But staying within this extreme emotional zone for long was stressful. I realized what it truly means to play a character living at the edge.”
Fans of the original webtoon responded with comments like “She really feels like Baek Ah Jin,” giving her immense relief. According to TVING, the series ranked No.1 in new weekend subscriptions for three consecutive weeks. Overseas reactions were strong as well No.1 on Viki US for three weeks, No.1 on Disney+ Japan, and No.2 on STARZPLAY in MENA regions.
“I didn’t expect the teaser to receive such a strong reaction. After the premiere, I was even more nervous. So I felt grateful when fans said they enjoyed it especially fans of the original work.”
The strong chemistry among the cast also played a major part in the drama’s success. While on-screen tension was fierce, off camera the actors maintained a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. This harmony naturally flowed into the final product.
Because of their close friendship, Kim Yoo Jung and co-star Kim Do Hoon were unexpectedly swept up in dating rumors after a photo surfaced online implying they traveled together to Nha Trang, Vietnam.
She clarified, “It was actually a group trip with the entire Dear X team. Among ourselves we joked that maybe the dating rumor would help the show do well. I have plenty of photos on my phone not just of me and Do Hoon, but with the director and other team members too.” (laughs)
Debuting as a child actress, Kim Yoo Jung has now grown into one of the most prominent actresses of her generation. With Dear X shedding new light on her range, expectations for her future work continue to soar.
“I want to continue taking roles that viewers can enjoy comfortably while doing my best to bring each character to life. I don’t want to rush, but I’ll keep preparing steadily in my own way.”
Sources: Daum
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