Lee Jung Jae will star in the upcoming tvN drama ‘Annoying Love,’ set to air in the second half of this year. This will be his first TV drama appearance in six years since ‘Chief of Staff’ in 2019.
‘Annoying Love,’ tells the story of a national actor who has lost his passion and an elite journalist who has lost her position. As they overcome their prejudices, they experience growth and change together.
Lee Jung Jae will play Im Hyun Joon, an actor specializing in detective roles who dreams of becoming a ‘rom-com prince.’ He will develop a romance with Lim Ji Yeon’s character, Wi Jung Shin, a journalist who has recently transferred from the politics desk to entertainment reporting.
Since season 1 of ‘Squid Game’ in 2021, Lee Jung Jae has been on a long journey as Seong Gi Hun, a role that will continue through season 3 in 2025. ‘Squid Game’ became a global phenomenon and one of Netflix’s biggest hits, expanding Lee Jung Jae’s presence from top Korean actor to international star. He also made history by winning the Emmy Award for Best Actor.
Now, attention is focused on his next step — a romance drama. This is not only his first melodrama in a long time but also his first project since ‘Squid Game,’ creating both excitement and concern, especially about his on-screen chemistry with co-star Lim Ji Yeon.
Lee Jung Jae and Lim Ji Yeon, who are part of the same agency, will co-star as the male and female leads. Born in 1972, Lee Jung Jae is 18 years older than Lim Ji Yeon, who was born in 1990. Since the casting was confirmed, some viewers have voiced concerns that the significant age difference may make it difficult to feel a believable romance.
In a recent interview following the release of ‘Squid Game’ season 3, Lee Jung Jae said, “Although ‘Squid Game’ was a huge success, 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. Actors should stay focused on their work and keep thinking about how to improve. With ‘Annoying Love,’ I’m trying to figure out how to make this project even more enjoyable.”
Viewers are now curious to see how the chemistry between the two leads will unfold on screen. Whether the concerns raised before the drama airs will turn into a surprising twist remains to be seen.
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