Actor Im Ji-yeon is making a shocking transformation into a notorious femme fatale who shakes the Joseon era to its core.
On the 9th, SBS's new Friday–Saturday drama Brave New World unveiled character stills of Kang Dan-sim, played by Im Ji-yeon.
Brave New World follows the chaotic clashes between rookie actress Shin Seori (played by Im Ji-yeon), who is possessed by the soul of a Joseon-era villainess, and Cha Segye (played by Heo Nam-jun), a vicious chaebol emblematic of modern capitalism.
Im Ji-yeon delivers a gripping dual performance, switching between the villainess Kang Dan-sim of Joseon and Shin Seori, the unknown actress overtaken by her spirit. Dan-sim spits back at ridicule and answers slander with ruthless revenge. Rising from lowborn status to the rank of Royal Consort Huibin, she is the very definition of a self-made, infamous antiheroine.
The newly released stills capture Dan-sim, driven out of the palace and forced to her knees, glaring with murderous resolve. In particular, she hurls away the bowl of poison handed down to her and radiates unyielding charisma, unfazed even as four court ladies rush in—fueling viewers' anticipation.
Netizens reacted, saying, "She knows exactly what genre she excels at," "The malice in her eyes is overwhelming," and "I'm already hooked."
The roller-coaster 21st-century survival story of Joseon's villainess Im Ji-yeon in Brave New World premieres on May 8 at 9:50 p.m.