Dear X has officially arrived, and it’s nothing short of a psychological rollercoaster. Starring Kim Yoo-jung in one of her boldest roles to date, this TVING thriller pulls back the curtain on fame, ambition, and the hidden cruelty that fuels both. The first four episodes waste no time immersing us in a world of lies, revenge, and manipulation — a gripping start that’s impossible to look away from.
Episode 1: The Mask of Innocence
The premiere introduces Baek Ah-jin (Kim Yoo-jung), a celebrated actress who hides a fractured soul behind her flawless smile. We see flashes of her troubled childhood — a life marked by pain and survival — before transitioning to her glamorous present. What stands out is how easily she manipulates everyone around her, from co-stars to the press.
This episode sets the tone: dark, elegant, and emotionally charged. Kim Yoo-jung shines as Ah-jin, balancing fragility with terrifying composure. Every glance and calculated pause reveals the emotional damage driving her actions. The premiere builds sympathy even as it warns us to keep our distance.
Episode 2: The Power Play
As the story deepens, Ah-jin’s control over her public image starts to unravel. We see her manipulating both rivals and allies, twisting every situation in her favor. But cracks begin to form — guilt, jealousy, and secrets begin to surface.
Episode 2 heightens the tension with sharp writing and fierce confrontations. The show explores the cost of success and the quiet desperation behind Ah-jin’s perfect image. A particularly striking scene — where she publicly humiliates a rival — defines the series’ tone: ruthless yet heartbreakingly human.
Episode 3: The Fallout
By Episode 3, Dear X expands beyond Ah-jin’s personal struggles into a larger web of betrayal and consequence. Those who once stood by her begin questioning their loyalty. Flashbacks link her rise to moments of moral compromise, revealing how far she’s willing to go to protect her empire.
The pacing is intense, and the stakes keep escalating. This episode is where the emotional and psychological warfare truly begins — exposing not just Ah-jin’s darkness, but the rot within the entertainment industry itself. Kim Yoo-jung’s performance grows more haunting with every scene, perfectly embodying the weight of self-inflicted loneliness.
Episode 4: The Breaking Point
Episode 4 ties together the emotional build-up of the previous episodes and delivers a satisfying wave of payoffs. Betrayals surface, masks drop, and Ah-jin finds herself cornered by the very lies she built. The finale of this arc sets the stage for a revenge-driven story where no one is safe, and trust becomes a currency too expensive to afford.
Visually stunning and emotionally raw, this episode balances shock value with meaning. The direction captures both glamour and decay, making Ah-jin’s downfall feel inevitable yet captivating.
Dear X’s first four episodes create an unforgettable introduction — a deep dive into fame, power, and the cost of ambition. Kim Yoo-jung gives a career-defining performance, proving she can carry a morally complex anti-heroine with both empathy and menace. With its sharp pacing, suspenseful storytelling, and haunting emotional core, Dear X promises to be one of 2025’s most talked-about K-dramas.
Image Source: X @TVING
