“Dear X” has quickly become one of 2025’s most talked-about Korean dramas, blending psychological tension, emotional depth, and a haunting exploration of fame’s darkest corners. This melodrama-thriller stands out for its bold storytelling, stunning cinematography, and unforgettable performances led by Kim Yoo-jung and Kim Young-dae. With its complex characters and morally twisted arcs, “Dear X” pulls you into a world where ambition, betrayal, and manipulation drive every relationship — and no one is as innocent as they appear.
Quick Drama Facts — Dear X
- Title: Dear X
- Genre: Melodrama, Psychological Thriller
- Format: 12-episode Korean drama
- Release Schedule: Weekly release (two episodes per week)
- Main Leads: Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Young-dae, Kim Do-hoon, Lee Yul-eum
- Director: Lee Eung-bok, Park So-hyun
- Writer: Choi Ja-won, Vanziun
- Based On: Popular webtoon Dear X
- Setting: Korean entertainment industry — fame, rivalry, manipulation, and hidden trauma
- Tone & Style: Dark, emotional, intense, character-driven
- Platform: TVING (global availability varies)
- Central Theme: The rise and downfall of a starlet whose perfect façade hides a dangerous truth
- Highlight: A morally complex female lead unlike any typical K-drama heroine
Overview & Setting
Set in the ruthless entertainment world, “Dear X” follows the journey of Baek Ah-jin, a famous actress adored by the public but feared by those closest to her. Behind her perfect smile is a deeply flawed, emotionally fractured woman whose desire for success pushes her to cross dangerous lines. Her carefully constructed image starts to crack as past secrets return, rivalries intensify, and relationships grow more toxic with every episode.
The drama balances glitz and gloom, showing the red-carpet glamor of celebrity life while revealing the manipulation, gaslighting, and emotional warfare simmering underneath. Each character adds a fresh layer to the tangled narrative, making the series both a character study and a psychological puzzle.
Main Characters: Dear X
Baek Ah-jin (Kim Yoo-jung)
A top actress with powerful charm, Ah-jin is ambitious, calculated, and emotionally unpredictable. She presents herself as the perfect celebrity, but beneath the surface lies someone shaped by trauma, neglect, and an overwhelming fear of losing everything she built.
Yoon Jun-seo (Kim Young-dae)
Ah-jin’s loyal childhood friend who becomes her protector and emotional anchor. His love for her is unwavering, but it also makes him vulnerable. As he gets dragged deeper into her troubled world, he struggles between protecting her and preserving his own sanity.
Kim Jae-oh (Kim Do-hoon)
A complicated figure whose connection to Ah-jin reveals the emotional wounds they both carry. His storyline navigates survival, dependency, and the blurred line between love and obsession.
Im Re-na (Lee Yul-eum)
A rising actress and Ah-jin’s biggest rival. Re-na’s presence introduces jealousy, competition, and chaos into the story — and her romantic tension with Jun-seo only heightens the drama.
If you’re searching for a Korean drama that dives deep into the darkness behind fame, “Dear X” is a must-watch. It’s bold, addictive, beautifully acted, and packed with emotional tension that leaves a lasting impact. Whether you love thrillers, character-driven stories, or high-stakes romance, this series gives you everything — and more.
