* [[Kim Yoo-jung]] as Baek Ah-jin<ref name=”SportsDonga” />
* [[Kim Yoo-jung]] as Baek Ah-jin<ref name=”SportsDonga” />
** Ki So-yu as young Ah-jin
** Ki So-yu as young Ah-jin
: A top South Korean actress who suffers from [[antisocial personality disorder]], she’s a [[sociopath]] who hides her cruel nature behind her beautiful face and wears a mask to survive. Abused and abandoned when she was a child, it had made her a master manipulator, using her charm and intelligence. During her school days, she mostly used Yoon Jun-seo and Kim Jae-oh to support and protect her to get ahead. She harbors a grudge towards her father, who caused her to fail to enter college. She climbs the ladder of success step by step, treading on childhood traumas, but everything begins to crumble the moment she reaches the top.
: A stunning actress with a dark past, she uses her charm to manipulate others and rise to fame, fueled by her [[sociopathic]] nature. To others, she’s a perfect angel, who is smart, kind, and pretty. But beneath the facade, she’s driven by darkness and ambition, ruthlessly stepping on others to reach the top. Abandonment and abuse had made Ah-jin a master manipulator, using her intelligence and charm to control her world. Her original goal was to enter university and study law, but she lost the opportunity because of her father.
* [[Kim Young-dae]] as Yoon Jun-seo<ref name=”SportsDonga” />
* [[Kim Young-dae]] as Yoon Jun-seo<ref name=”SportsDonga” />
** Park Hoo as young Jun-seo
** Park Hoo as young Jun-seo
2025 South Korean television series
| Dear X | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster |
|
| Hangul |
친애하는 X |
| RR | Chinaehaneun X |
| MR | Ch’inaehanŭn X |
| Genre | |
| Based on | Dear X by Vanziun |
| Developed by | Studio Dragon |
| Written by | Choi Ja-won Vanziun |
| Directed by | |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Gaemi |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Executive producers | |
| Producers |
|
| Cinematography | Kim Woo-seung |
| Editor | Oh Joo-ri |
| Running time | 70 minutes[1] |
| Production companies | |
| Network | TVING |
| Release | September 18, 2025 (BIFF) (2 episodes) November 6, 2025 – present |
Dear X (Korean: 친애하는 X) is an ongoing South Korean melo–thriller television series co-written by Choi Ja-won and Vanziun, directed by Lee Eung-bok and Park So-hyun, and starring Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Young-dae, Kim Do-hoon and Lee Yul-eum. Based on Naver Webtoon of the same title by Vanziun, it depicts the downfall of top actress Baek Ah-jin and her two faces hidden behind it. The series premiered on TVING with its first four episodes on November 6, 2025, at 18:00 (KST), followed by two new episodes every Thursday, for a total of 12 episodes. It is also available on HBO Max in selected regions.
Dear X follows Baek Ah-jin, a top actress who leverages her beauty and popularity to further her career through manipulation. She harbors a lot of grudges behind her somewhat good-natured demeanor.
Cast and characters
[edit]
- A top South Korean actress who suffers from antisocial personality disorder, she’s a sociopath who hides her cruel nature behind her beautiful face and wears a mask to survive. Abused and abandoned when she was a child, it had made her a master manipulator, using her charm and intelligence. During her school days, she mostly used Yoon Jun-seo and Kim Jae-oh to support and protect her to get ahead. She harbors a grudge towards her father, who caused her to fail to enter college. She climbs the ladder of success step by step, treading on childhood traumas, but everything begins to crumble the moment she reaches the top.
- Ah-jin’s childhood friend. He’d stop at nothing for Ah-jin.
- A man who becomes Ah-jin’s shadow, driven by a deep connection rooted in their shared trauma, and is fiercely devoted to protecting her at all costs.
- She’s an idol-turned-actress and Ah-jin’s rival.
- Ah-jin’s rival. She’s jealous and resentful of Ah-jin due to her insecurities.
- Ah-jin’s heartless father, who abandoned her when she was young for greed, returns only to abuse her and take away her finances.
- Jun-seo’s mother.
- The CEO of Longstar Entertainment who turns Baek Ah-jin into a star.
Special appearances
[edit]
- An idol-turned-actor with a secret. He is Ah-jin’s boyfriend for 1 year.
- Ex-baseball pro turned cafe owner. He’s Ah-jin’s boss at the cafe where she works part-time.
Dear X was co-directed by Lee Eung-bok and Park So-hyun and written by Choi Ja-won, who won the grand prize at the 2018 KBS One-Act Drama Script Contest.[8] The series is based on a popular Naver Webtoon of the same title by Vanziun, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Choi. It is planned by Studio Dragon, produced by Monster Union and Siwoo Company, and provided by TVING.[9]
On June 4, 2024, Kim Yoo-jung was reportedly offered a role in the series and was considering it.[10] A day later, Kim Young-dae was also considering joining.[11] According to OSEN, both actors were confirmed to star together.[12] On June 25, Kim Do-hoon received an offer and was in talks to join the series.[13] The next day, Hwang In-youp was confirmed for a special appearance after receiving an offer.[5] On August 8, TVING officially confirmed the casting of Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Young-dae, Kim Do-hoon and Lee Yul-eum.[2]
Original soundtrack
[edit]
| Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Run & Run” | ssuVy | Lim Kim | 2:54 | |
| 2. | “Run & Run” (Inst.) | 2:54 | |||
| Total length: | 5:48 | ||||
| Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Insane” | ssuVy | Elaine Kim | 3:24 | |
| 2. | “Insane (Soft. ver)” | ssuVy | Elaine Kim | 1:40 | |
| 3. | “Insane” (Inst.) | 3:24 | |||
| 4. | “Insane (Soft. ver)” (Inst.) | 1:40 | |||
| Total length: | 10:08 | ||||
| Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Devil’s Angel” | ssuVy | Minnie | 2:48 | |
| 2. | “Devil’s Angel” (Inst.) | 2:48 | |||
| Total length: | 05:36 | ||||
| Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Goodbye” | Sam Ock | Sam Ock | 4:26 | |
| 2. | “Goodbye” (Inst.) | 4:26 | |||
| Total length: | 8:52 | ||||
Dear X premiered on TVING on November 6, 2025, at 18:00 (KST).[14] The first four episodes were released on November 6, followed by two new episodes every Thursday, for a total of 12 episodes.[15][16] It is also available on HBO Max in selected regions.[17][18]
The 2 episodes of the series premiered at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in the ‘On Screen‘ section on September 18, 2025.[19]
Recent articles highlight how Dear X has become a global phenomenon almost immediately, and much of the acclaim centers on Kim Yoo-jung’s performance as Baek Ah-jin. According to MK, the series “receives an explosive global response,” not only topping HBO Max’s TV show chart in seven countries — including Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Taiwan — but also ranking strongly on other international platforms.[20][21][22]
- ^ 친애하는 X [Dear X]. WATCH CJ ENM. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Hong, Se-young (August 8, 2024). 김유정·김영대·김도훈·이열음 ‘친애하는 X’ 출연확정 [공식] [Official: Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Young-dae, Kim Do-hoon, and Lee Yeol-eum confirmed to appear in ‘Dear X’]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Dong-A Ilbo, Co. Archived from the original on August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Kim, Ji-won (September 20, 2025). 김유정, 한번에 두 남자 ♥사랑 받는다…”방법은 달라”(‘친애하는 X’) [종합] [Kim Yoo-jung, loved by two men at once… “The methods are different” (‘Dear X’) [Comprehensive]]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Kim, Min-ji (October 23, 2025). 김이경X배수빈X김유미X김지영→‘친애하는 X’ 욕망캐 4인 스틸컷 공개 [Kim Yi-kyung X Bae Soo-bin X Kim Yu-mi X Kim Ji-young → Dear X 4 Desire Characters Still Cuts Released]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ a b Kim, So-yeon (June 26, 2024). [단독] 황인엽 ‘친애하는 X’ 특별출연…신스틸러 활약 예고 [Exclusive: Hwang In-yeop makes a Special Appearance in Dear X]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Kim, Min-ji (October 29, 2025). 김지훈, ‘친애하는 X’ 특별출연…김유정 만나 진정한 어른美 펼친다 [Kim Ji-hoon makes a special appearance on “Dear X” and shows off his true adult beauty alongside Kim Yoo-jung]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ Song, Bong-seok (November 21, 2025). ‘친애하는 X’ 홍종현, 첫 등장과 함께 폭발한 존재감! [‘Dear X’ Hong Jong-hyun, his explosive presence with his first appearance!]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- ^ Yeon, Hwi-seon (August 8, 2024). 김유정X김영대 ‘스위트홈’ 이응복 감독 만난다, ‘친애하는 X’ 2025년 공개 [공식] [Official: Kim Yoo-jung and Kim Young-dae Meet Director Lee Eung-bok of Sweet Home in Upcoming 2025 series Dear X]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Ha, Ji-won (August 8, 2024). 김유정 김영대→김도훈 대세만 모였네 ‘친애하는 X’ 라인업 완성 [Dear X Line-up Revealed: After Kim Yoo-jung and Kim Young-dae, Kim Do-hoon has gathered.]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Park, Hyo-joo (June 4, 2024). 김유정 측 “‘친애하는 X’ 제안 받은 작품 중 하나” 소시오패스 될까 [Kim Yoo-jung: “‘Dear X’ is one of the works I was offered”] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Park, Hyo-joo (June 5, 2024). 김영대 측 “‘친애하는 X’ 검토중” 신민아 이어 김유정 만날까 [The production of Dear X: Will Kim Young-dae meet Kim Yoo-jung after Shin Min-ah?]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Yeon, Hwi-seon (June 5, 2024). [단독] 김영대X김유정X이응복 감독, ‘친애하는X’ 믿고 보는 조합 완성 (종합) [Exclusive: Kim Young-dae and Kim Yoo-jung will star in Director Lee Eung-bok’s drama Dear X]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Kang, Hyo-jin (June 25, 2024). [단독]김도훈, 김유정 만나나…드라마 ‘친애하는 X’ 합류 [Exclusive: Kim Do-hoon and Kim Yoo-jung will cast in ‘Dear X’]. SPOTV (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Lee Min-ji (September 8, 2025). “눈빛부터 달리진 김유정, 티빙 ‘친애하는 X’ 11월 6일 공개” [Kim Yoo-jung’s eyes are different from the others, and her new drama “Dear X” will be released on TVING on November 6th.]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
- ^ Yoo, Jeong-min (November 6, 2025). 김유정, 구원 받을 수 있을까…’친애하는 X’ 파멸 멜로 서스펜스 [Will Kim Yoo-jung be saved? ‘Dear X’ is a suspenseful, doomed romance]. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ Moon, Ki-hoon (October 31, 2025). “Kim Yoo-jung embraces her dark side in ‘Dear X’“. The Korea Herald (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ Mallorca, Hannah (October 21, 2025). “Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Young-dae’s ‘Dear X’ to premiere on Nov. 6”. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ “Warner Bros. Discovery and CJ ENM Ink Strategic Partnership”. www.cjenm.com. October 15, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ “Kim Yoo-jung and Kim Young-dae’s ‘Dear X’ selected for Busan International Film Festival”. Osen. ChosunBiz. August 11, 2025. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ “‘Dear X’ draws explosive reactions as Kim Yoo-jung sheds her ‘Nation’s Little Sister’ image”. mathrubhumi. November 10, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ^ “Inside mind of ‘Dear X’: Monster made by absence of love – The Korea Times”. The Korea Times. November 11, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ^ “Live-Action Dear X Series Release Drives Surge in Original Webtoon Readership”. Anime News Network. November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
