Seoul [South Korea], May 13: My Royal Nemesis tells the story of Kang Dan Sim (played by Lim Ji Yeon), a notorious Joseon-era concubine considered an "evil woman" by history. After being poisoned and unjustly killed, her soul unexpectedly travels through time to 2026, inhabiting the body of an unknown actress, Shin Seo Ri, in modern-day Seoul. From a woman who once lived in a royal court filled with intrigue and power struggles, Kang Dan Sim is forced to learn how to survive in the completely unfamiliar world of the 21st century. However, unlike many time-travel dramas that often prolong the acclimatization period, this series handles everything at an extremely fast pace. In just the first two episodes, the character gradually adapts to modern society, while simultaneously entering a new series of events revolving around the world of tycoons and online media.
After just the first two episodes, My Royal Nemesis has achieved impressive milestones. According to statistics from FlixPatrol & Tudum on May 12th, after four days of release, the series climbed straight to number 1 on Netflix's global non-English language TV show rankings and ranked 4th overall. The show entered the top 10 in 84 countries and territories, topping the charts in 24 markets including Brazil, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In South Korea, Nielsen Korea estimated the viewership rating for the second episode at 6.9%, a significant increase from the 5.4% of the first episode.
'Goddess of steamy scenes' Lim Ji Yeon tries her hand at a new genre.
Unlike her heavy, psychological dramas such as *Lies Hidden in My Garden* or * The Tale of Lady Ok* , Lim Ji Yeon's latest project has a humorous and witty tone. According to The Korean Herald , Lim Ji Yeon shared at a press conference in Seoul that the primary reason she accepted the role in * My Royal Enemy* was the comedic element of the script. The actress revealed that after a series of roles portraying melancholic characters, she truly longed to try her hand at a "bright, lively, and cheerful" image.
Although it was a big challenge, her eagerness to reinvent herself in the comedy genre motivated her to agree to the project. "I tried my best to create the right atmosphere on set and really focused on making the comedic part a success," Ji Yeon added.
Director Han Tae Seop asserted that Lim Ji Yeon is the film's "biggest competitive advantage." Her ability to seamlessly transition between the cold demeanor of a concubine and the naive innocence of a modern woman earned her widespread praise from both critics and audiences.
Despite being labeled a "villain," Lim Ji Yeon's character creates hilarious and awkward situations as she tries to adapt to the 21st century. Scenes like Kang Dan Sim using her culinary skills to sell kitchen knives via livestream, or performing martial arts to sell vitamin drinks, have turned her into a "clearance sales machine" on online e-commerce platforms.
In particular, the line, "How dare you utter such filthy words in front of a first-class concubine?" quickly went viral, becoming a popular meme known as "possessed by Jang Hui Bin."
Besides its comedic elements, the drama is also captivating due to the "enemies-turned-lovers" relationship between Shin Seo Ri and Cha Se Gye (played by Heo Nam Jun) - a cold and ambitious heir to a powerful conglomerate. One is a villainess who once lived in a treacherous royal court, the other a modern, ambitious tycoon; they constantly clash, argue, and struggle for power before gradually becoming drawn to each other. This "neither is entirely good" dynamic sets the couple apart from traditional rom-com tropes.
Many Korean viewers commented that the chemistry between Lim Ji Yeon and Heo Nam Joon was both tense and addictive, creating a rare "toxic romance" not seen on Korean screens recently. Despite this being his first time playing a male lead, Heo Nam Joon was praised for not being overshadowed by his more famous co-star.
My Royal Nemesis is currently airing every Friday and Saturday, directly competing with the strong contender Perfect Crown starring IU and Byeon Woo Seok.
Born in 1990, Lim Ji Yeon began her acting career in 2011 and quickly became a prominent "sexy scene beauty" on the Korean screen with her daring performances in the R-rated films * Obsessed * and *The Treacherous *. The actress also demonstrated her versatile acting abilities through films such as *Luck Key*, *Soul Walker*, * Royal Gambler * , and *The Garden of Lies*.
Source: Thanh Nein Newspaper
