Following the international success of My Demon and offbeat Netflix series Chicken Nugget, Kim Yoo Jung makes her 2025 debut with some of her most interesting projects to date. This post centers on Kim Yoo Jung’s future projects in 2025, with such details like Dear X and 100 Days of Lies news being included through credible sources as of late 2024.
[Summary] Kim Yoo Jung in the lead up to 2025
The following are things that Kim Yoo Jung has done in the recent years.
- Headed hit dramas such as Love in the Moonlight, Backstreet Rookie, Lovers of the Red Sky and My Demon
- Won a legion of foreign fans on platforms like Netflix
- Developed a reputation for versatility, transitioning easily from historical, to modern, to fantasy and comedy roles
On a certain level, her slate for 2025 marks a shift: she is selecting darker, more complex, more challenging roles now.
Dear X (2025) – Kim Yoo Jung’s Real First Dastardly Lead
Casting Status and Production
- Status: Confirmed
- Role: Baek Ah‑jin (female lead)
- Original Source: Popular webtoon (the title is sometimes written as Dear X)
Kim Yoo Jung is already signed in for Dear X, a project gaining interest as it will be a huge departure from her previous work.
Plot and Genre
Plot Dear X revolves around the character of Baek Ah-jin, a woman who:
- Looks soft, warm and great on the outside
- Is in fact, a sociopath acting master manipulator
- Strategically uses people to get what she wants
The story will be based on the original webtoon and is anticipated to mix psychological drama, melodrama, and character study about traditional romance but the dark area of this human relationship and ambition.
Why Dear X Is A Groundbreaking Moment For Kim Yoo Jung
- First full villain lead
- Unlike previous roles where she might have had flaws or darker moments, here she is expected to be the primary source of tension and conflict.
- Image transformation
- Kim Yoo Jung has often been associated with bright, sincere, or brave characters (e.g., Hong Ra‑on in Love in the Moonlight, Do Do‑hee in My Demon).
- Baek Ah‑jin is a cold, calculating personality with no hesitation to manipulate others.
- Acting challenge
- Playing a sociopath requires subtlety: controlled expressions, layered emotions, and the ability to appear charming and dangerous at the same time.
- This kind of role often attracts critical attention and can be a key step toward more prestigious or award‑focused projects.
What Viewers Can Expect
- A very different side of Kim Yoo Jung’s performance capabilities
- A darker tone compared to most of her previous main roles
- A story likely centered on psychological tension rather than light romance
For fans who have only seen her in lighter or more sympathetic roles, Dear X may feel like a completely new experience.
100 Days of Lies (Working Title, 2025) – Gyeongseong Spy Thriller
Casting Status
- Status: Kim Yoo Jung has been offered the lead role and was reported to be positively reviewing it as of 2024.
- Important note: As of the latest available information, her casting has not been officially confirmed, and details may change as production develops.
Setting and Story
- Period: Gyeongseong era (Japanese occupation period)
- Core premise:
- Focuses on the best thief in Joseon
- This thief becomes an undercover spy for the Korean independence movement
While detailed character descriptions for Kim Yoo Jung’s potential role have not been fully disclosed publicly, the premise suggests:
- A mix of historical drama, action, and espionage
- Strong potential for emotional and patriotic themes connected to the independence movement
- A chance to see her in a more physically active and intense role compared to many of her previous leads
Why 100 Days of Lies Fits Kim Yoo Jung’s Strengths
- Experience with historical (sageuk) dramas
- She has a long history in sageuk:
- Dong Yi
- Moon Embracing the Sun
- Love in the Moonlight
- Lovers of the Red Sky
- Viewers and producers trust her ability to carry period dramas convincingly.
- She has a long history in sageuk:
- Proven emotional range
- From the pain and courage seen in Angry Mom to the complexity and vulnerability in My Demon, she has demonstrated that she can handle characters who face moral dilemmas and life‑threatening situations.
- Opportunity to expand into action/thriller territory
- If the story emphasizes undercover missions, danger, and resistance activities, it would allow her to add action and spy thriller elements to her portfolio.
From My Demon to Dear X: A Shift in Image
Do Do-hee (My Demon) vs Baek Ah-jin (Dear X)
- Do Do‑hee (My Demon)
- Outwardly cold but fundamentally decent and capable of deep love
- A chaebol heiress who gradually opens up and becomes more vulnerable
- Part of a fantasy romance that balances humor, emotion, and supernatural elements
- Baek Ah‑jin (Dear X)
- Outwardly warm and perfect but inwardly dangerous
- A true manipulator who exploits others for personal benefit
- Expected to be at the center of a dark, psychological narrative
This contrast shows a clear strategic move: Kim Yoo Jung is not content to remain in similar character types. Instead, she is actively choosing projects that challenge her image and expand her range.
How 2025 Projects Complement Her Previous Work
Continuity with Her Career So Far
- Historical roots: If she accepts 100 Days of Lies, it continues her strong presence in period productions, but with an added focus on spy activities and resistance, which is less common in her prior work.
- Fantasy and intensity: Coming from My Demon and Lovers of the Red Sky, viewers already know she can handle blended genres (romance, fantasy, drama). Dear X focuses more purely on psychology and human darkness.
Strategic Positioning
Taken together:
- Dear X pushes her into serious, villain-focused acting that can appeal to critics and mature audiences.
- 100 Days of Lies (if confirmed) would likely appeal to fans of historical action and national history, broadening her reach.
This combination suggests that Kim Yoo Jung is entering a phase of her career where she is actively redefining her image and positioning herself among the most versatile actors of her generation.
What to Watch Before Her 2025 Dramas
For readers who want to prepare for Dear X and potentially 100 Days of Lies, the following titles are recommended:
To See Her Emotional and Romantic Range
- Love in the Moonlight (2016) – Warm, charming historical romance
- My Demon (2023–2024) – Modern fantasy romance with darker, emotional moments
To Understand Her Historical Drama Foundation
- Moon Embracing the Sun (2012) – As a child actress; a key early hit
- Dong Yi (2010) – Another major early sageuk
- Lovers of the Red Sky (2021) – Fantasy sageuk with supernatural elements
To See Hints of Her Darker Side
- Grudge: The Revolt of Gumiho (2010) – Historical horror/fantasy co‑lead as a child
- Angry Mom (2015) – Not villainous, but deals with serious, heavy themes
These works showcase the skills that will likely support her transition into a full villain role in Dear X and a high-tension historical spy setting in 100 Days of Lies.
Conclusion
Kim Yoo Jung’s upcoming dramas in 2025 mark a significant evolution in her career:
- Dear X (confirmed) positions her as a complex villain, a sociopathic manipulator who is far from the warm leads she has often played.
- 100 Days of Lies (offered, in talks) could place her at the center of a Gyeongseong-era spy story, blending historical drama with action and suspense.
For fans and industry observers alike, these projects signal that Kim Yoo Jung is moving confidently into a more mature, risk‑taking phase, choosing roles that are both challenging and memorable.
