Global superstar Lee Jung-jae and acclaimed actress Lim Ji-yeon are teaming up for the upcoming romantic comedy K-drama “Nice to Not Meet You,” which will stream exclusively on Prime Video. In this e-mail interview with Hallyudorama, the unexpected pair talk about building their chemistry and their gratitude towards Filipino fans.
What is ‘Nice to Not Meet You’ about?
The series follows Lim Hyeon-jun (played by Lee Jung-jae), a popular actor who dreams of being recognized for his melodramatic skills but is constantly typecast as a detective. His world collides with Wi Jeong-sin (played by Lim Ji-yeon), a former war correspondent and hard-hitting political reporter who ends up working in entertainment news after a mishap. What begins as a clash between ambition and circumstance quickly turns into a heartfelt romance.
Aside from Lee Jung-jae and Lim Ji-yeon, the drama will also feature Kim Ji-hoon (“Flower of Evil”) and Seo Ji-hye (“Crash Landing on You”) in pivotal roles, adding more star power to the cast.
From ‘Squid Game’ to rom-com
Lee Jung-jae skyrocketed to global fame after “Squid Game” and has since become a household name worldwide. Despite the pressure of international recognition, he says he remains focused on choosing roles that showcase different sides of his acting.
“At first, the unexpected attention and recognition I received felt both overwhelming and something to be grateful for. But I felt it was important not to let those factors continuously influence my choices when selecting projects. More than anything, I simply hope that fans can enjoy seeing a different side of my acting compared to my previous work,” he shared.
Meanwhile, Lim Ji-yeon — fresh off her acclaimed performances in “The Glory” and “The Tale of Lady Ok” — saw Wi Jeong-sin as one of her most relatable roles to date.
“I felt she was the character that women of my age living and working in today’s society could relate to the most among my recent roles. Of course, it’s a rom-com that carries the fantasy of a romance with a celebrity, but when it comes to Jeong-sin herself, I put a lot of thought into making her a character that audiences could truly relate to,” she explained.
Building chemistry despite the age gap
One of the biggest talking points about “Nice to Not Meet You” is the age difference between the two leads. But both actors revealed that their off-screen teamwork naturally translated into on-screen chemistry.
Lee Jung-jae shared, “Ji-yeon and I often talked about our characters and the scenes, and we tried to align our thoughts along the way. Through that process, we naturally grew closer, and it allowed us to bring more fun and charm to the romance and comedy scenes.”
Lim Ji-yeon echoed his thoughts: “I find myself talking with him a great deal. Since there are so many scenes where the chemistry between us is what creates the fun, I felt that simply sticking to the script wouldn’t be enough. We’ve been sharing a lot of ideas with each other while filming, and I think once the drama is released, viewers will naturally be able to feel that.”
Filipino fans are on their minds
With the immense popularity of K-dramas and Korean stars in the Philippines, both actors recognize how deeply their work resonates with Filipino fans. Lee Jung-jae shared, “I often check the messages I receive from fans in the Philippines through DMs. I know that audiences across Asia have been supporting and loving our work even before ‘Squid Game,’ and I’m always deeply grateful for that. I truly look forward to the day I can meet you all in person.”
Lim Ji-yeon expressed the same sentiment, adding, “I’ve felt a little disappointed that I haven’t yet had the chance to meet my fans in the Philippines in person. But I know how much you’ve been watching and supporting my work, and I truly hope this project becomes an opportunity to finally meet you.”
Why Pinoy fans should watch ‘Nice to Not Meet You’ on Prime Video
With Lee Jung-jae’s global star power, Lim Ji-yeon’s relatable charm, and the promise of heartfelt romance mixed with comedy, “Nice to Not Meet You” is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated K-dramas of the year. Coming soon to Prime Video, the drama is set to delight Filipino fans eager to witness the electric chemistry between these two top-tier actors.
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