Actors Lim Ji Yeon and Heo Nam Jun are teaming up for Brave New World, SBS’s new weekend drama set to premiere in 2026.
Directed by Han Tae Seob and written by Kang Hyun Joo, Brave New World weaves an otherworldly romance between Sin Seo Ri, a notorious villainess from Korea’s Joseon dynasty, and Cha Se Gye, a modern-day chaebol heir. The series, produced by Studio S and Gill Pictures, has already become one of the most talked-about upcoming K-dramas thanks to its unconventional premise and star-studded leads.
Lim Ji Yeon will play a dual role as Sin Seo Ri, a struggling actress in modern-day Seoul, who becomes possessed by the spirit of Kang Dan Sim—a legendary seductress from the Joseon era executed for her crimes. When Kang awakens in 2026 inside Sin Seo Ri’s body, she must navigate a strange new world while confronting her past misdeeds. Lim, known for her transformative performances in The Glory, Lies Hidden in My Garden, and The Tale of Lady Ok, is expected to showcase a new dimension of her acting range in this ambitious fantasy-romance.
Opposite her, Heo Nam Jun stars as Cha Se Gye, the only heir to the powerful Cha Il Group—a symbol of modern-day excess and privilege. His meticulously ordered life is thrown into chaos after a bizarre encounter with a mysterious woman wearing a shaman’s hanbok. Heo, who impressed audiences with Your Honor, When the Phone Rings, and A Hundred Memories, is taking on what could be one of his most emotionally layered roles yet.
Both actors are known for their compelling portrayals of morally complex characters—Lim Ji Yeon’s chilling turn as the vengeful Park Yeon Jin in The Glory and Heo Nam Jun’s conflicted role as Kim Sang Hyeok in Your Honor left lasting impressions on viewers. Their reunion as two equally powerful forces promises to deliver tension, chemistry, and a fresh twist on the time-travel romance genre.
Brave New World is scheduled to air on SBS in 2026, marking one of the most anticipated K-drama releases of the year.
