Smashing the absurd and catching traitors.. Kim Ji-won and Kim Yu-jeong, fueled by resentment, sharpen their blades [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

• October living room warning: A female wind is coming..'Doctor X' Kim Ji-won and '100 Days of Lies' Kim Yu-jeong

October is set to bring something truly monumental. Actors Kim Ji-won (34) and Kim Yu-jeong (27) are poised to deliver rich entertainment with their unprecedented acting transformations.

Kim Ji-won and Kim Yu-jeong share a common ground as undisputed "ratings queens" who, over many years, have proven themselves solely through their work without a single scandal. Since her debut in 2010, Kim Ji-won has built an exquisite filmography including 'The Heirs', 'Descendants of the Sun', 'Fight for My Way', 'Mr. Sunshine', 'My Liberation Notes', and 'Queen of Tears', which solidified her status as a top star.

Kim Yu-jeong, who debuted in 2003 and was widely loved as the "national younger sister," did not rest on her laurels but continuously expanded her acting spectrum. Through solid child actor performances in 'Moon Embracing the Sun', 'Me Queen', and 'Gate of Secrets', she has showcased diverse roles ranging from 'Goblin' to 'Hongcheon-gi', 'My Demon', and most recently, 'Dear X', where her fatal charm reached its peak.

These two actresses, as if by agreement, are set to return this autumn with their most challenging works in their filmographies, garnering immense expectations. Kim Ji-won will appear on October 9 via SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Doctor X: The Era of the White Mafia' (hereinafter 'Doctor X'), while Kim Yu-jeong will take to the living room screens the following day, October 10, with tvN's new Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies'.

'Doctor X' is based on the popular Japanese TV Asahi drama of the same name. It is a satisfying medical noir that follows the activities of Dr. X, Kye Soo-jeong (played by Kim Ji-won), known as the "mad dog of the operating room" who shatters massive absurdities with her genius surgical skills, never accepting failure or compromise. The drama is directed by Lee Jung-rim, who created 'VIP', 'The Night Watchman', and 'You Killed Me', with a screenplay by writer Pyeon Seong-geun.

In the drama, Kim Ji-won portrays Kye Soo-jeong, a genius surgeon who is a "dark hero" relying solely on her surgical skills. Kye Soo-jeong is a surgeon dispatched from a medical staffing agency who overturns the hierarchical order of Guseo University Hospital, rife with corruption, using only her abilities—a so-called "mad dog of the operating room." Kim Ji-won has perfectly embodied not only an untouchable aura that could go anywhere but also the unexpected beauty revealed outside the hospital, heralding the birth of a new type of "medical dark hero."

In particular, it is reported that Kim Ji-won put in intense efforts to perfect her portrayal of the "genius surgeon" for 'Doctor X'. Director Lee Jung-rim stated, "Kim Ji-won learned surgical techniques from doctors even before filming. She not only memorized complex surgical procedures perfectly but also demonstrated dexterity in suturing and tying knots comparable to actual doctors. The visiting medical consultants were so impressed they applauded her."

The director added, "Kim Ji-won convincingly navigated the vast gap between Kye Soo-jeong's overwhelming presence in the operating room and her quirky, human side outside it. Every time I saw her performance, I wondered, 'How would this have been expressed if it weren't Kim Ji-won?' As filming progressed, it became increasingly difficult to imagine anyone other than Kim Ji-won as Kye Soo-jeong."

Returning to the living room after two years, Kim Ji-won has truly sharpened her blade. She shared, "The gap between Kye Soo-jeong's outward appearance and the new aspects discovered upon closer inspection was charming, and I wanted to express that charm well," explaining her reason for joining 'Doctor X'.

Regarding 'Doctor X', she added, "The premise of a surgeon dispatched from a medical staffing agency itself seems like a fresh viewing point. As you follow the stories Kye Soo-jeong creates at Guseo University Hospital after being dispatched from the agency, you will encounter various narratives involving each character's choices, regrets, desires, and pain."

'100 Days of Lies' is a spy romance that depicts the dangerous and precarious love between Lee Ga-gyeong (played by Kim Yu-jeong), the top pickpocket in Gyeongseong who infiltrates under the guise of an interpreter for the Jo Seon (총독) government, and Kim Tae-woong (played by Sato Hideo, played by Park Jin-young), a newly appointed interpreter for the Chief Administrator of Civil Affairs (Yang Ja-in (총독)). The story also conveys their brilliant longing for independence.

The drama promises fresh entertainment through unique suspense, utilizing the theme of interpretation, which allows one to see both truth and lies simultaneously, and the setting of an informant planted directly by independence fighters within the enemy's heart. Director Yoo In-sik, known for directing 'Romantic Doctor Kim Sun-woo' series, 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo', and 'Wonderful World', has teamed up with writer Ryu Bo-ri from 'Do You Like Brahms?'.

In the drama, Kim Yu-jeong takes on the role of an "independence activist," aiming for a more weighty acting transformation. Her character, Lee Ga-gyeong, is a top pickpocket in Gyeongseong who infiltrates under the guise of an interpreter for the Jo Seon (총독) government for 100 days. While desperately saving money to leave for America, she becomes an informant due to an irresistible proposal from the anti-Japanese organization Gukgudan. Lee Ga-gyeong, who was busy surviving in reality, faces unexpected crises and upheavals as she enters enemy territory under a false identity.

Kim Yu-jeong is expected to convey a meaningful message to the living room by delicately expressing the complex psychology of a character who became an informant without any sincerity, solely focused on achieving her own dreams without even dreaming of Korea's independence.

Regarding her reason for joining '100 Days of Lies', Kim Yu-jeong said, "When I first read the script, I remember getting so absorbed that I lost track of time. I felt the depth of the story and thought deeply about those who lived in that era. Even after reading the script, the lingering impression remained for a long time, and I was convinced it was an excellent work, which is why I decided to participate. Feeling the will and love of people from that time, I wanted to express it as an actor."

In fact, Park Sang-hyuk, Head of the Media BU at CJ ENM's Platform Business, recently selected '100 Days of Lies' as the most anticipated work of 2026 during the 'tvN Creator Talk 2026' event.

Jang Sin-ae CP, who participated in the event alongside '100 Days of Lies', highlighted the chemistry between Kim Yu-jeong and Park Jin-young as a key differentiator. CP Jang stated, "To put it simply, it starts as a 'hate relationship' (hyeongwan). Ga-gyeong enters the Governor-General's Office hiding her intentions as an informant, where she meets Tae-woong. Tae-woong is actually of Korean descent but lives as a Japanese adoptee, carrying both identity confusion and a desire for recognition. Ga-gyeong and Tae-woong meet with their own purposes, suspecting and guarding each other. However, all of them are youths living in that era, experiencing worries, conflicts, and dilemmas. Although their relationship begins with suspicion, they come to want to trust each other and open their hearts. '100 Days of Lies' vividly portrays these changing processes among the youth."

In particular, CP Jang emphasized, "The story of these two eventually intertwines with adult narratives, unfolding an independence movement storyline. Of course, there is a romance that makes them flutter for each other, but it's not just a simple romance; there is also the intensity of pushing through the hardships within it. Kim Yu-jeong and Park Jin-young are set to express many things like a comprehensive gift set."

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*This content was translated by AI.