SBS is leaning fully into fantasy comedy with its upcoming drama My Royal Nemesis, and newly released stills suggest Lim Ji Yeon may be bringing one of her most unpredictable characters yet to the small screen.
The upcoming romantic comedy follows Shin Seo Ri, played by Lim Ji Yeon, a struggling modern-day actress whose life is turned upside down after she becomes possessed by the spirit of a notorious villainess from the Joseon era. Opposite her is Heo Nam Jun, who stars as Cha Se Gye, a ruthless chaebol heir described as a “monster created by capitalism.”
The newly revealed photos offer a first look at one of the drama’s more chaotic moments—and it perfectly captures the tone the series appears to be aiming for.
In the stills, Shin Seo Ri is seen fearlessly confronting an attacker while wielding a laundry bat, showing absolutely no hesitation as she fights back. The scene highlights the aggressive and uncompromising personality of the Joseon-era villain spirit now living inside her.
Rather than portraying a traditional damsel-in-distress storyline, My Royal Nemesis seems determined to flip familiar rom-com expectations by giving viewers a female lead who is more than capable of handling villains herself—even if she technically is one.
Director Han Tae Seop previously hinted that much of the drama’s appeal will come from the cultural clash between an 18th-century woman and modern society.
He explained that viewers should pay attention to the many moments when Shin Seo Ri uses old-fashioned language and Confucian-era values to sharply criticize people in the present day.
According to the director, those moments will deliver both comedy and surprising emotional depth.
That unusual character setup is already generating curiosity, particularly because Lim Ji Yeon has spent recent years building a strong reputation through darker and more intense performances.
From emotionally layered villains to psychologically complex women, she has consistently shown a willingness to take unconventional roles.
My Royal Nemesis appears to offer another fresh challenge—allowing her to blend historical eccentricity, physical comedy, and romance in one project.
The drama will premiere on May 8 at 9:50 p.m. KST, taking over the time slot currently occupied by Phantom Lawyer.
