After ‘Squid Game’, Lee Jung-jae Returns to TV with a Romantic K-Drama—Yes, Really
After years of global recognition as Seong Gi-hun in Netflix’s megahit ‘Squid Game’, Lee Jung-jae is finally stepping out of the arena—and into something completely unexpected: a romantic drama.
Later this year, the veteran actor will star in tvN’s upcoming series ‘Mean Love’ (working title), marking his first Korean TV drama in six years since ‘Chief of Staff’ in 2019. The project is already drawing attention not just for his return, but for the genre itself—a full-fledged melodrama.
🎬 From Death Games to Romantic Games
In ‘Mean Love’, Lee plays Im Hyun-jun, a nationally beloved actor who once rose to fame playing detectives, but has long since lost his spark. Opposite him is Lim Ji-yeon as Wi Jung-shin, a once-elite political journalist who finds herself reassigned to the entertainment desk after falling out of favor.
Together, they navigate a world of professional regret, emotional detachment, and mutual rediscovery—challenging each other’s biases and slowly forming an unexpected bond. It’s a story about personal reinvention and the messy, often inconvenient timing of love.
🧠 Why It Matters
Lee Jung-jae has been synonymous with Squid Game for nearly half a decade, having led the franchise from its 2021 debut through its upcoming third season in 2025. His role as the morally conflicted Seong Gi-hun catapulted him to international stardom and earned him an Emmy—the first for a non-English-language lead actor.
So why go from that to romance?
Because, in many ways, it’s a greater risk.
After playing characters driven by survival and vengeance, Lee is now challenging himself with vulnerability, timing, and emotional nuance. And in a genre often associated with younger leads and lighter tones, his presence immediately signals a more mature and possibly layered take on love and regret.
💬 The Casting Buzz—And Backlash
While the drama is still months away from airing, one detail has already sparked heated debate online: the casting of Lee Jung-jae and Lim Ji-yeon as romantic leads.
The actors are 18 years apart in age—Lee was born in 1972, Lim in 1990—and the noticeable generational gap has prompted mixed reactions. Some fans have expressed discomfort, suggesting the pairing might lack natural romantic chemistry. Others are withholding judgment, pointing out that on-screen dynamics often transcend numbers.
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that the two actors belong to the same agency, which has fueled further discussion about industry decisions and viewer expectations around age-appropriate romance in Korean dramas.
🌟 What to Watch For
Despite the casting noise, ‘Mean Love’ has strong potential to subvert K-drama norms:
Reverse coming-of-age narrative: A story of middle-aged characters trying to rediscover meaning, not just fall in love.
Entertainment-meets-journalism backdrop: A ripe setting for satire, ego clashes, and emotional vulnerability. Two powerhouse actors with contrasting energy: Lee’s calm gravitas vs. Lim’s emotionally raw delivery.
For fans who only know Lee Jung-jae from Squid Game, this is a chance to rediscover his range—and perhaps see a different kind of survival story: one about the heart.
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