Kim Ji Hoon joining Lee Jung Jae, Im Ji Yeon in tvN drama Mean Love? Here’s what we know

Love to Hate You star in a new rom-com?

News out of South Korea this morning says actress Kim Ji Hoon (Love to Hate You) is currently in talks to star in the upcoming tvN drama Mean Love.

The 43-year-old actor’s name has popped up alongside Lee Jung Jae (Squid Game) and Im Ji Yeon (The Tale of Lady Ok) as in talks to head the new romantic comedy.

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Kim Ji Hoon’s agency, BIGPICTURE ENT, responded to the news reports by confirming their actor is currently reviewing an offer he has received to star in Mean Love, but that no decision has yet been made.

As for Lee Jung Jae and Im Ji Yeon, their agency, Artist Company, has previously confirmed their possible involvement in the tvN drama.

What we know about Mean Love?

Titled 얄미운 사랑 (aka A Nasty Love) in Korean, the K-drama is written by Jung Yeo Rang, who recently had a big hit with Doctor Cha.

Kim Ga Ram, director of Good Partner and Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency, is directing.

The new tvN rom-com tells the story of an actor specializing in detective roles who aspires to change his career path into melodrama or romantic roles, but is stuck repeating the same mannerisms he has become known for, and a previous “Reporter of the Year” journalist (Im Ji Yeon) who was demoted from the political desk to the entertainment desk after she covered a corruption case.

After meeting actor Im Hyeon Jun (Lee Jung Jae), who she has always admired, she decides to become a fan and help promote his career.

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Kim Ji-hoon has reportedly been offered the role of a sports star-turned-newspaper CEO and a second-generation chaebol. But, instead of being the stereotypical chaebol, he is a man who is honest and kind.

Kim Ji Hoon’s career

If he accepts the Mean Love role, it will be Kim Ji Hoon’s second starring role this year as his latest drama Haunted Palace is due out in April.

In 2023 and 2024, Kim Ji Hoon had support roles in Death’s Game and Celebrity, but it was his starring roles in K-dramas Love to Hate You and Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area and in the hit Netflix film Ballerina prior to this that recently brought him to more people’s attention.

Especially internationally.

Before this, the actor had starring roles in a slew of dramas, beginning with the 2005 weekend drama Love Hymn on MBC, and on to main roles in other primarily weekend or daytime dramas like Goddess of Marriage, How Much Love?, Rich Family’s Son and Bad Thief, Good Thief, with an evening drama thrown in here and there.

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