Dear X

Dear X (친애하는 X) is a 12-episode TVING original psychological melodrama-thriller based on the popular Naver webtoon of the same name by Vanziun. Co-directed by Lee Eung-bok (Goblin, Mr. Sunshine, Sweet Home) and Park So-hyun, and co-written by Choi Ja-won and webtoon author Vanziun, the series explores the sinister underbelly of human survival, fame, and emotional exploitation.

The narrative centers on Baek Ah-jin, a celebrated A-list actress who presents an angelic, impeccably kind persona to the world. Behind her dazzling smile lies a severely traumatized survivor of severe childhood domestic abuse who has developed sociopathic tendencies. Viewing all human relationships through the lens of utility and survival, Ah-jin classifies people as stepstools or obstacles—her personal "Xs"—and manipulates them ruthlessly to claw her way to the apex of high society and the entertainment industry.

Bound to her through shared trauma and complex affection are two men: Yoon Jun-seo, her stepbrother and lifelong anchor who finds himself torn between his deep devotion and a horrific realization of her dark nature, and Kim Jae-oh, a fiercely loyal companion from her past who willingly becomes her enforcer. As Ah-jin reaches the pinnacle of stardom, her past lies, discarded victims, and a sinister new adversary threaten to collapse her carefully constructed palace of cards, driving everyone into a tragic spiral of retribution and ruin.

The central thesis of Dear X is that unresolved trauma and a survival-driven loss of humanity transform victims into the very monsters they sought to escape. Through Baek Ah-jin's meteoric rise and tragic story, the creators critique the brutal commodification of emotion, beauty, and celebrity culture in modern society.

The series asserts that power built on the exploitation and suffering of others is an illusion—a gilded cage that ultimately insulates the perpetrator in absolute loneliness and paranoia. True liberation cannot be found through dominance or revenge, but through confronting one's past with genuine vulnerability.

Key interpretative perspectives on Dear X include:

Dear X debuted in late 2025 during a peak era for Korean picaresque and dark psychological thrillers. It marked TVING's flagship global expansion project alongside international distribution on HBO Max, Disney+, and Rakuten Viki.

The show sparked significant cultural discussions in South Korea regarding the portrayals of antiheroines, antisocial personality disorders, and childhood domestic trauma. While praised for subverting typical K-drama romance tropes by presenting an unrepentant female sociopath, it generated intense debate over its 19+ maturity rating due to harrowing depictions of child abuse in early episodes. Despite the controversy, the show broke records as TVING’s top original series for paid subscriber conversion and watch time in late 2025.

Initial Reception: Early episodes received praise for Kim You-jung’s bold performance, moving away from her traditional romantic roles into dark antihero territory. Director Lee Eung-bok's cold visual direction was widely praised.

Controversies: Early episodes sparked minor backlash regarding the severity of childhood domestic violence scenes portrayed by child actors.

Finale Backlash: The 2-part finale (Episodes 11–12) polarized fans. Many viewers expressed disappointment with changes from the webtoon's original storyline—particularly the deaths of both Jae-oh and Jun-seo and Ah-jin's survival—leading to active online debates comparing the original source material with the TV series.

Overall Verdict: Hailed as a compelling dark thriller with standout performances, though its altered finale remains a point of discussion among adaptation purists.