"Im Ji-yeon will soon be a competitive force." Will 'Beautiful World' surpass '21st Century Grand Duchess' and break the 20th% viewership barrier? [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

Im Ji-yeon, who is taking on her first comedy role, will lead the SBS Friday-Saturday drama with Heo Nam-jun in a 'hate-love romance.'

On the afternoon of the 7th, the production presentation for SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Beautiful World' (script by Kang Hyun-ju) was held at Mokdong SBS in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. With broadcaster Park Gyeong-rim serving as MC, PD Han Tae-seop and actors Im Ji-yeon, Heo Nam-jun, Jang Seung-jo, Kim Min-seok, and Lee Se-hee attended.

'Beautiful World' is a romance comedy drama telling the story of Shin Seo-ri, a nameless actress possessed by the soul of the notorious Joseon villainess Kang Dan-sim (played by Im Ji-yeon), who becomes evil, and Cha Se-gye (played by Heo Nam-jun), a vicious chaebol called a monster born of capitalism.

On this day, PD Han stated, "The writer said, 'Good women go to heaven after death, but evil women go anywhere.' In 'Beautiful World,' the process of a character who has experienced death living in a new world is itself unpredictable."

'Beautiful World' will face off against MBC's Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Grand Duchess.' Regarding the unique strengths of 'Beautiful World,' PD Han said, "The character of Shin Seo-ri herself is the plot and the genre," adding, "(Im Ji-yeon) performed with 120% effort, to the point where you wonder, 'Can she really do action to this extent?' Im Ji-yeon is a competitive force," expressing his affection for Im Ji-yeon.

In the drama, Im Ji-yeon plays Kang Dan-sim, a Joseon villainess who rose from a commoner to the position of Heebin, and Shin Seo-ri, a nameless South Korean actress possessed by her soul. Heo Nam-jun plays Cha Se-gye, a capitalist monster who views marriage as mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

Im Ji-yeon, who is taking on her first comedy role, said about her reason for choosing the work, "When I was falling in love with the comedy genre, I came across the script for 'Beautiful World.' It is a big challenge. Since I have done dark genre works until now, I wanted to do a bright, lively, cheerful, and fun genre."

She continued, "I did my best, loved the character, and tried hard to embody her well. I think it will become a very charming drama that will shine brightly without tarnishing the reputation of SBS's Friday-Saturday dramas. It will feel completely different from previous villainesses. I really gave my all," showing her confidence.

Regarding the character he played, Heo Nam-jun explained, "Things that appear 'evil' on the surface are actually things he wants to protect, and there are moments where his human side comes out."

He also said, "In fact, it is a character I have never played before. Although not to the extent of Im Ji-yeon, I put my heart into comedy, romance, and a bit of a genre feel, so I think good results will come out."

Jang Seung-jo plays Choi Moon-do, a key business unit of the group Cha Il-geon-seol (President), Kim Min-seok plays Baek Gwang-nam, a job-seeker living next door to Shin Seo-ri, and Lee Se-hee plays Warnerbi top star Yoon Ji-hyo.

Jang Seung-jo introduced the character Choi Moon-do he played as "a man with ambition to own the Cha-il Group," and added, "This is my first SBS Friday-Saturday drama, so I am looking forward to it. He is a villain with a sense of restraint, and he doesn't even laugh out loud when he smiles. I think I can show another kind of evil," expressing his confidence.

Lee Se-hee, who is in a rival relationship with Im Ji-yeon in the drama, said, "Since I have never lived as a top star, I looked up many interviews of those called top stars. I studied by watching them, and even without consulting with Im Ji-yeon, I felt that just by looking into each other's eyes, we understood each other."

Kim Min-seok said, "I think even those around me got immersed in my manager role. I even opened the script and brought it to Im Ji-yeon," revealing this and bringing laughter.

How was the acting chemistry between the actors? Regarding the chemistry with Im Ji-yeon, Heo Nam-jun said, "It was amazing. I am confident. Everything was so good that it ranks among the best I have seen in my life."

Im Ji-yeon also replied, "I cannot imagine a world without Heo Nam-jun. As Shin Seo-ri, there were times I was tired because there was so much to do, but I relied heavily on Heo Nam-jun. He was like a vitamin that helped us overcome the difficult set. It was sad to part ways. To bring out the hate-love chemistry, the two of us naturally blended together."

Previously, Im Ji-yeon worked with actor Lee Jung-jae in the tvN drama 'Hateful Love.' Regarding Lee Jung-jae and Heo Nam-jun, she said, "I relied on Heo Nam-jun in a different way than with Lee Jung-jae," and added, "Heo Nam-jun feels like someone I have known for a long time, like a friend or a younger brother. Both are actors I love too much."

'Beautiful World' will take over the baton of successful SBS Friday-Saturday dramas such as 'Model Taxi,' 'Passionate Priest,' and 'Chaebol X Detective.' It is also the sequel to the previous work 'God's Law Office,' which has been consistently loved by viewers.

When asked about viewership ratings, Im Ji-yeon confidently stated, "I think the highest viewership will exceed 20%." Heo Nam-jun also shared his confidence, saying, "As filming was wrapping up, I told the director, 'Filming was so much fun, so I think the viewership will come out well.' I think the highest viewership will exceed 20%," just like Im Ji-yeon.

Jang Seung-jo also said, "I think it will naturally exceed 10%. We worked really hard." Kim Min-seok predicted 19%, and Lee Se-hee predicted 23%.

They also made viewership pledges. Kim Min-seok said that if he succeeds in hitting the viewership target, "I will really work as a manager for two weeks," and Lee Se-hee said, "I will do your makeup." Im Ji-yeon, Heo Nam-jun, and Jang Seung-jo promised, "We will greet you in hanbok and formal wear at Gyeongbokgung Palace."

Meanwhile, 'Beautiful World' will premiere on the 8th at 9:50 p.m.

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*This content was translated by AI.