There are actors who perform, and then there are actors who make you feel something real. Kim Yoo-jung belongs firmly in the second category. For over two decades, viewers have watched her grow—from a gifted child actress into one of South Korea’s most emotionally powerful performers. But even with all her experience, Yoo-jung says her latest role in “Dear X” pushed her into emotional territory she had never stepped into before.
In this Kim Yoo-jung Dear X interview, she talks about the psychological weight of becoming Baek Ah-jin, the global reaction to the series, the loneliness of portraying a character shaped by trauma, the lessons she learned on set, and the bittersweet memories she carries of the late Lee Soon-jae — the legendary actor she deeply admired.
This isn’t just an interview. It’s a rare look into an artist trying to understand her character, her fears, and herself.
Understanding the Heart of “Dear X”
Before diving into Yoo-jung’s experiences, it’s important to understand what “Dear X” actually represents. It isn’t a simple melodrama. It is a psychological character study — a raw look at trauma, survival, ambition, and the cost of hiding your true self.
Yoo-jung plays Baek Ah-jin, a woman who grows up in a violent, loveless household and later becomes one of Korea’s top actresses. On the outside, she is celebrated. Inside, she is constantly calculating, manipulating, and fighting for emotional survival.
From the beginning, Yoo-jung said the script demanded something different from her:
“It’s not just acting. It’s experiencing.”
The role required her to sit with the character’s pain, not perform it. She had to understand someone who is cruel but wounded, manipulative but desperate, admired but completely alone. This contradiction is what defines “Dear X”, and it’s also what defines Yoo-jung’s performance.
A Role That Demanded Real Emotion
Yoo-jung admitted that she struggled in the early days of filming. She couldn’t fully understand Baek Ah-jin — and at first, this bothered her. But then she realized the confusion was valuable. The character herself is confused about who she is and what she feels.
So Yoo-jung decided to act instinctively, moment by moment.
She said:
“Baek Ah-jin was a character I couldn’t fully comprehend. So I stopped trying to understand everything and started acting from instinct. I let her anxiety become part of my performance.”
Her approach was simple:
feel first, think later.
It wasn’t easy. The emotional scenes were draining. The silence was heavy. Even the moments where Ah-jin smiles had a tension underneath them.
Yoo-jung said she had to constantly protect herself:
“The biggest challenge was distancing myself from being consumed by the character.”
But as the episodes go on, viewers can see what she means — there is pain behind her eyes, even when she barely moves.
The Physical Transformation: Eyes That Tell a Story
In another interview, Yoo-jung revealed a lesser-known detail — she designed Ah-jin’s gaze with purpose.
She said:
“I tried not to blink on purpose. I wanted her presence to hit instantly.”
Her eyes are naturally large, and she used that to create tension.
Sometimes she widened them slightly, showing more of the whites — the subtle sign of someone who is constantly calculating.
Other times she used a half-lidded, sleepy gaze that looked calm but unreadable.
This combination made viewers uneasy — just as the character intended.
And Yoo-jung confessed she wanted people to react strongly:
“I wanted viewers to curse Ah-jin and ask, ‘What’s wrong with her?’”
But what surprised her was how many viewers ended up supporting Ah-jin instead.
Why Viewers Connected With Such a Dark Character
Despite playing someone manipulative and morally ambiguous, Yoo-jung said viewers expressed empathy and even affection toward Baek Ah-jin.
She herself explained why:
“Underneath everything, she is someone deeply wounded.”
This is what keeps viewers conflicted. They know she is doing terrible things, yet she feels strangely familiar — a reminder of how trauma shapes people in ways they can’t control.
Yoo-jung wants viewers to reflect:
“Ah-jin never stops to think about her actions. Her story is a reminder that everything has consequences.”
Challenges Behind the Camera
Portraying emotional violence is mentally exhausting, but Yoo-jung said she also worried about child actors on set. She has been one herself, so she understands how sensitive young performers can be.
She made sure that every difficult scene was emotionally safe for the children involved. She asked the production for support, ensured the atmosphere remained healthy, and made herself available for guidance.
This wasn’t just professionalism. It was empathy — the same empathy she hopes viewers take from the series.
Why She Chose the Role
Yoo-jung said she already knew the webtoon, but the final decision came after a long conversation with the director.
She felt they shared the same vision — a story not about right and wrong, but about human frailty, wounds, and relationships.
She said:
“We wanted to create something that would resonate deeply with viewers today.”
And it clearly has.
Global Success and Emotional Growth
“Dear X” has topped charts on Viki U.S., Disney+ Japan, and even HBO Max in multiple countries — something Yoo-jung did not expect.
She said the global reaction was both shock and relief.
“Since this was TVING’s first global project, I felt pressure. I’m relieved viewers overseas connected with it.”
To her, this project did more than boost her career:
“I feel like I grew as an actor.”
She says “Dear X” will remain one of the projects she’s most attached to — not because it was popular, but because it changed her.
Her Emotional Tribute to Lee Soon-jae
One of the most moving moments in her interviews came when she talked about the late Lee Soon-jae. Yoo-jung worked with him when she was young, and her memories of him remain deeply personal.
She said:
“He never taught with words, but with presence.”
He lived with discipline, humility, and unwavering respect for the craft. She remembers watching him read scripts even in the car on the way to performances.
He once quietly told her:
“Acting is not about showing. It’s about being truthful.”
Yoo-jung said it was an honor to have acted in the same era as him — a sentiment that touched fans across the world.
Why This Interview Matters
Fans are talking about this Kim Yoo-jung Dear X interview because it shows two sides of her:
The actor who pushes her limits,
And
The human being who still questions, feels, learns, and remembers.
Her honesty makes the interview memorable. She didn’t hide her struggles. She didn’t pretend the role was easy. She showed vulnerability — something audiences rarely see from celebrities.
Isn’t that what makes her special?
What “Dear X” Means for Her Future
Critics believe “Dear X” may become one of the defining roles of her career.
It pushed her out of comfort.
It demanded emotional maturity.
It required her to break down and rebuild.
Some say Kim Yoo-jung is entering a new era — one where every project she chooses will have lasting impact.
And honestly, “Dear X” feels like the beginning of that chapter.
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Final Thoughts
This Kim Yoo-jung Dear X interview isn’t just promotional material.
It is a reflection of her growth, her sincerity, her emotional depth, and her artistry.
She gave everything to bring Baek Ah-jin to life — not just her acting skills, but her heart, her empathy, and her emotional courage.
If her interviews are any indication, her performance in the drama will stay with viewers long after the final episode ends.
If you want to watch the full interview, you can check it out here:
