Actress Lim Ji-yeon has once again proven her unrivaled presence with a shocking transformation into a Joseon-era villain.
In SBS’s new Friday–Saturday drama Brave New World, which premiered on the 8th, Lim simultaneously portrays two polar-opposite characters, Kang Dan-sim and Shin Seori, instantly grabbing viewers’ attention. Propelled by her dazzling dual-role performance, the series is racing down a hot streak from the start.
According to ratings tracker Nielsen Korea, Brave New World climbed rapidly to a 5% nationwide average after just two episodes. It also debuted at No. 1 on Netflix’s Top 10 series chart upon release, proving its massive popularity both online and off.
Episode 2 dialed up the fun by diving into Shin Seori’s 21st‑century fish‑out‑of‑water journey after she crash‑lands in the present while retaining memories of the Joseon era. Her slapstick misadventures amid unfamiliar modern life delivered fresh laughs, and the broadcast’s minute peak surged to 6.9%, placing the show squarely at the center of the buzz.
Another key driver of immersion is the chemistry between Lim Ji-yeon and Heo Nam-joon. The pair’s explosive synergy powers the narrative, and the reveal that their fates have been tangled for 300 years is stoking curiosity about the unfolding past‑life storyline.
Right after the episode aired, online communities and social media lit up with praise such as "I love the brisk pacing," "The cast must have had a blast filming this," and "The acting is just on another level."
Seamlessly blending comedy and romance to craft another career‑defining role, Lim Ji-yeon’s Brave New World airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m.