(Seoul=News1) Reporter Yoon Hyo-jung: Lee Jung-jae, who became a global star thanks to “Squid Game,” is now heading towards a romance genre.
Lee Jung-jae will appear in the tvN drama “Annoying Love,” set to air in the second half of this year, marking his return to TV dramas for the first time in six years since “Chief of Staff” in 2019.
“Annoying Love,” a new work by writer Jeong Yeorang of “Doctor Cha Jung-sook,” follows the mutual growth story of a national actor who has lost his initial passion and an elite journalist who has lost her position, as they overcome their own biases. Lee Jung-jae plays Im Hyun-joon, an actor specializing in detective roles who desires to become the “prince of romantic comedies,” and develops a romance with Lim Ji-yeon, who portrays Wi Jung-shin, a reporter transferred from the political to the entertainment section.
Since the premiere of “Squid Game” Season 1 in 2021, Lee has been on a long journey with the character Seong Gi-hun, continuing until Season 3 in 2025. “Squid Game” disrupted the world with its phenomenon, recording as Netflix’s most successful hit, and catapulted Lee from Korea’s top star to a global figure, earning him the Emmy Award for Best Actor.
After achieving spectacular success, attention is focused on his choice of romance in “Annoying Love.” It’s notable as Lee Jung-jae’s return to the romance genre in a long time and his project following the “Squid Game” series. There are mixed feelings of expectations and concerns regarding his chemistry with Im Ji-yeon.
The most talked-about aspect of the drama even before its release is the “age difference.” Lee Jung-jae pairs up as a male lead with his junior in the same agency, Im Ji-yeon. Born in 1972, Lee is 18 years older than Im, who was born in 1990. Since the casting announcement, netizens have continually expressed concerns that the significant age gap could hinder romantic chemistry.
In a recent interview following the release of “Squid Game 3,” Lee Jung-jae stated, “Though ‘Squid Game’ was a great success, an actor can’t work only seeking success. I’ve worked for a long time, with both successful and less successful projects. An actor should focus on being faithful to the work and how to strive harder. I’m concentrating on how to make ‘Annoying Love,’ which I’m currently filming, more enjoyable,” emphasizing his focus on his next project after “Squid Game.”
It will be interesting to see how the actors’ real-life chemistry unfolds on screen post-broadcast, and whether the pre-air concerns will turn into a backdrop for a pleasant surprise.
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