The upcoming romance drama 'Mean Love' continues sparking debate over the real-life age gap between its lead actors.
Lee Jung Jae and Lim Ji Yeon are teaming up for tvN’s new drama 'Mean Love,' set to air later this year. The story follows Im Hyun Joon (played by Lee Jung Jae), an aspiring seasoned melodrama actor, who crosses paths with political reporter-turned-entertainment journalist Wi Jung Sook (played by Lim Ji Yeon) after a mysterious incident, kicking off an unconventional romance.
From the moment casting was announced, 'Mean Love' has garnered much attention due to the lead casting. Lee Jung Jae, born in 1972, is 18 years older than Lim Ji Yeon, who was born in 1990. Despite the considerable age difference, the two are expected to portray a believable romantic dynamic. Ironically, Na Young Hee, being considered for the role of Lee Jung Jae’s mother, is only 11 years older than the actor, having been born in 1961. This means the fictional mother is closer in age to the male lead than his on-screen girlfriend is.
The supporting cast includes Seo Ji Hye (born in 1984) as a second female lead, who is 12 years younger than Lee Jung Jae. On top of that, Lee Jung Jae's younger brother is played by Kim Hyun Jin, born in 1996, and Lim Ji Yeon's younger brother is played by Jin Ho Eun, born in 2000. This means Lee Jung Jae is the outlier in terms of age among the cast.
Since the casting reveal, public opinion has been divided. While some express anticipation for a romance that bridges generational gaps, others question whether the significant age disparity might hinder the focus on the plot. On platforms like Naver KnowledgeIn, questions such as, “What do you think of Lee Jung Jae and Lim Ji Yeon’s age difference in casting?” have surfaced. Responses range from “The age gap could be a unique selling point,” and “I hope strong acting skills can overcome it,” to “It’s hard to focus on the plot with such a big real-life age gap.”
This isn’t the first time K-dramas have featured large age differences. 'A Witch’s Romance' starred Uhm Jung Hwa and Park Seo Joon with a 19-year age gap, and 'Secret Affair' featured Kim Hee Ae and Yoo Ah In with the same gap. However, those dramas intentionally highlighted the “older woman-younger man” dynamic as a core theme.
'Mean Love' differs in that it doesn’t frame the generational gap as part of the plot, instead focusing purely on the romance, making the casting choice more controversial. Some industry insiders suggest the issue stems from a lack of suitable male leads in their 20s and 30s. Female actors of the same age range as Lee Jung Jae are said to be mostly taking on middle-aged roles now, making “age-matched” casting difficult.
One broadcasting official commented, “It’s tough to find a male actor in his 20s or 30s who has both strong acting skills and visual appeal. That’s why productions lean on big-name actors with proven success.” Another insider added, “Female actors within the ideal age range for Lee Jung Jae’s counterpart are mostly in mid-career or middle-aged roles now. Realistically, finding someone age-appropriate and bankable is tough, so they likely chose someone from the same agency who meets those conditions.”
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