SBS’s new Friday–Saturday drama A Wonderful New World spotlights Lim Ji‑yeon, who channels the venomous aura of a Joseon‑era villainess. Last December, she starred opposite Lee Jung‑jae — 18 years her senior — in tvN’s Irritating Love, a series critics and viewers said lacked chemistry and polish. In the new show, she’s paired romantically with Heo Nam‑joon, who is three years her junior, offering a fresh romantic dynamic.
Premiering May 8, A Wonderful New World is a rom‑com that revolves around the combustible relationship between Shin Seori, an unknown actress possessed by the vengeful spirit of a notorious Joseon villainess, and Cha Segye, a ruthless chaebol executive dubbed a “monster of capitalism.” Director Han Tae‑seop — known for Stove League and Cheer Up — teams with rising writer Kang Hyun‑joo. With Lim Ji‑yeon (Kang Dan‑sim / Shin Seori) and Heo Nam‑joon (Cha Segye) leading the cast, the series is banking on potent, unpredictable chemistry.
Production stills emphasize Lim Ji‑yeon’s imposing presence as Kang Dan‑sim, the so‑called “Joseon villainess,” and have amplified anticipation. On screen, Kang Dan‑sim spits at mockery and strikes back mercilessly at slander. Born into low status, she claws her way to the rank of Hee‑bin (a royal consort) and becomes a scandalous figure who shook Joseon.
In a burst of fury she flings the bowl that held the poison, and even four court ladies rushing in struggle to subdue her. That primal desperation, as she senses her last moments, deepens curiosity about the character. Viewers are now eager to see what upheaval the Joseon villainess will trigger after awakening in 2026 South Korea inside the body of struggling actress Shin Seori — a woman who, to survive, had to summon every ounce of venom.
A Wonderful New World premieres May 8 at 9:50 p.m. KST on SBS.
By Lee So‑jung, TenAsia Reporter
