Brace yourselves — action icon Lee Jung-jae is back, but this time he’s trading bullets for banter in the upcoming romantic comedy Nice to Not Meet You. This teaser may scream action flick, but hidden beneath the punches lies a heartfelt, hilarious twist you won’t want to miss!
tvN’s first teaser for Nice to Not Meet You introduces Lee Jung-jae not just as Im Hyun-joon, but as his in-show alter ego “Detective Kang Pil-gu.” Decked in a black suit, he storms into fight scenes, flips bad guys with flair, and delivers killer lines like, “You don’t fix people. But I fix them.” Think AllKpop 2025.
Though the teaser plays like a noir detective flick, the actual series promises something unexpected: emotional vulnerability and rom-com charm. Hyun-joon is more than his punches — he’s got a soft spot, highlighted in a tearjerking scene where he rescues a child and promises to protect them, calling himself “ahjussi” — a nod to The Man From Nowhere.
Im Ji-yeon stars opposite Lee Jung-jae as Wie Jung-shin, a former political journalist ousted due to scandal. Reassigned to the celebrity beat, she meets Hyun-joon, and sparks (and sarcasm) fly. Can love blossom between a jaded star and a cynical reporter?
Best known for his Emmy-winning performance in Squid Game, Lee Jung-jae is flipping the script — quite literally. In TOI 2025, he says he relishes the challenge of rom-coms and separating life from roles. Fans are buzzing: will he deliver swoon-worthy charm?
Backing up the leads is an ensemble cast that includes Kim Ji-hoon and Seo Ji-hye as an ex-couple, with scene-stealers Choi Gwi-hwa, Jeon Sung-woo, and Kim Jae-chul rounding out the drama. The chemistry is expected to be fiery and full of twists.
The series is helmed by director Kim Ga-ram (Good Partner) and scripted by Jung Yeo-rang, the powerhouse behind Doctor Cha. With 16 episodes lined up, this creative duo promises a blend of tension, tenderness, and a dash of humor.
The teaser being a trailer for an in-world drama is a genius twist. It’s a clever play on celebrity personas and how media manipulates identity — giving us both a spoof and a spotlight on Hyun-joon’s inner crisis.
Nice to Not Meet You premieres on November 3, airing Mondays and Tuesdays on tvN. Globally, it’s heading to Prime Video, excluding South Korea. Mark your calendars — the rom-com event of the fall is here!
Combining Hollywood-grade action with heartfelt storytelling, this drama has the potential to be tvN’s next sensation. Lee Jung-jae’s transition to romantic lead? That alone is headline-worthy.
Online chatter is electric. Viewers are dissecting every second of the teaser, from Hyun-joon’s punch combos to emotional monologues. Will this be the most mind-blowing K-drama shift of the year?
It’s the transformation no one saw coming — the man who once navigated death games now navigates awkward dates and emotional walls. And we’re here for it.
Q1. Is this Lee Jung-jae’s first rom-com?
A. Yes, it marks a rare genre shift for the actor.
Q2. Will the series be available globally?
A. Yes, via Prime Video (except South Korea).
Q3. How many episodes?
A. 16 episodes, airing twice weekly.
“This teaser is a brilliant blend of genre satire and genuine character depth. Expect layers — and laughs.” — Hyejin Ryu, K-Drama Critic