The SBS Friday-Saturday drama "My Royal Nemesis" (written by Kang Hyun-joo, directed by Han Tae-seop and Kim Hyun-woo) is a high-stakes, war-like romantic comedy about Shin Seo-ri (played by Lim Ji-yeon), an unknown actress possessed by the soul of a notorious Joseon-era villainess, and Cha Se-gye (played by Heo Nam-jun), a ruthless chaebol heir dubbed a "monster of capitalism."
Currently, "My Royal Nemesis" has reached a peak viewership rating of 11.3%, securing the absolute No. 1 spot not only in its time slot but also among all weekend and weekly miniseries. Furthermore, according to the buzz rankings for the first week of June released by Good Data Corporation's FUNdex, the series firmly held onto the No. 1 spot in the integrated TV-OTT buzz category for the third consecutive week. In addition, the show's stars swept the performer buzz rankings, with Lim Ji-yeon (playing Shin Seo-ri/Kang Dan-shim), Heo Nam-jun (playing Cha Se-gye), and Jang Seung-jo (playing Choi Mun-do) ranking 2nd, 3rd, and 6th, respectively. This double sweep of both buzz and ratings perfectly proves the drama's undisputed reign over the Friday-Saturday slot.
At the center of this sensational success is Lim Ji-yeon's thrilling performance, which captivates viewers in every episode. Director Han Tae-seop previously expressed his deep trust in the actress, stating, "Lim Ji-yeon was the absolute top choice for both the writer and myself. The spirit of Shin Seo-ri, who steadfastly believes in and carves out her own path, along with her multifaceted charm, is inherently present in Lim Ji-yeon herself, making her the 'one and only' choice." Proving this, Lim is driving the show's immersive experience with her solid acting skills and unrivaled character digestion, delivering a performance that practically amounts to playing four different roles.
Playing Shin Seo-ri, an unknown actress possessed by the soul of Kang Dan-shim—a notorious villainess who once shook the Joseon Dynasty—Lim Ji-yeon seamlessly transitions between multiple personas. She portrays the "possessed Seo-ri" from Joseon navigating the 21st century, the past villainess "Royal Noble Consort Kang" (Hui-bin Kang) who once ruled Joseon, the pure 20-year-old court maid "Dan-shim," and the original "host Seo-ri" during her days as an unknown actress. Even while maintaining the same physical appearance, she subtly adjusts her speech, facial expressions, and even her vocal tone depending on the situation and the passage of time, perfectly crafting a multi-dimensional character.
Above all, Lim Ji-yeon captivates audiences by seamlessly pulling off the unique fantasy premise of a Joseon villainess transported to the 21st century. She breathes vibrant life into the character, delivering distinct Joseon-style lines with both fiery charisma and lovely charm.
In response, viewers are showering her with enthusiastic support and praise, leaving comments such as: "It's insane how Lim Ji-yeon feels like completely different people as a court maid, a royal consort, and a modern woman," "I can't imagine anyone else but Lim Ji-yeon playing Shin Seo-ri," "How does even her voice sound younger? Is she really the same person?", "Her acting is so good it makes the plot make sense," "Lim Ji-yeon is absolutely flying in this role," "Lim Ji-yeon is showing serious drama, comedy, and historical acting all in one show," and "Lim Ji-yeon's acting makes me root for Seo-ri."
As anticipation builds for Lim Ji-yeon's continued dominance on screen, the preview released right after the broadcast of Episode 10 shocked viewers by showing Shin Seo-ri returning to the Joseon Dynasty following a mysterious truck accident.
Whether Seo-ri, now back in Joseon, can overcome her harsh fate and return to 21st-century South Korea remains to be seen. Episode 11 of "My Royal Nemesis" will air on Friday, June 12, at 9:50 PM.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)