The first table read for the highly anticipated drama "My Royal Nemesis"―starring Lim Ji-yeon and Heo Nam-joon―has been revealed.
Set to premiere in May on SBS as a new Friday-Saturday drama, "My Royal Nemesis" (written by Kang Hyeon-joo, directed by Han Tae-seop) is a high-stakes, war-like romantic comedy. It follows Shin Seori (Lim Ji-yeon), an unknown actress possessed by the soul of the most notorious villainess of the Joseon era, Kang Dan-sim. She collides with Cha Segye (Heo Nam-joon), the ruthless “monster of capitalism” and heir to a powerful conglomerate. Director Han Tae-seop of Hot Stove League and Cheer Up teams with rising writer Kang Hyeon-joo.
On April 2, SBS’s official YouTube channel dropped a video from the script reading. The room was packed with Lim Ji-yeon (as Kang Dan-sim/Shin Seori), Heo Nam-joon (Cha Segye), Jang Seung-jo (Choi Mundo), Kim Min-seok (Baek Gwang-nam), Lee Se-hee (Yoon Ji-hyo), Chae Seo-an (Mo Tae-hee), Yoon Joo-sang (Cha Dalsu), Yoon Byung-hee (Son Jae-han), Jung Young-joo (Cha Juran), Baek Eun-hye (Cha Jumi), Baek Ji-won (Hong Buseon), Park Jin-woo (Gu Chongmu), Oh Min-ae (Geum Bosal), and special appearance Kim Hae-sook (Nam Ok-soon). Actors across generations brought the characters to life with vibrant energy.
Lim Ji-yeon cranked up the heat from the first line: “What on earth is my sin?!” As Shin Seori―an actress suddenly saddled with the spirit of Joseon’s most infamous femme fatale―she nailed the character’s scrappy, lovable survival mode and made the role pop.
Heo Nam-joon commanded attention as Cha Segye, the sole heir to the powerhouse Chail Group. In front of Shin Seori, his “abusive power prince” facade hilariously crumbles, and Heo sells the contrast with charm, boosting the fun. His back-and-forth with Lim―sharp, flirty, and tense―showed off instant chemistry that felt anything but a first pairing.
Jang Seung-jo, as Cha Segye’s distant relative Choi Mundo, layered a cold, ambitious duality beneath a gentle exterior, dialing up the suspense. Kim Min-seok brought laughs as Baek Gwang-nam, a job seeker who crosses paths with Shin Seori by chance. Lee Se-hee plays top star and rival Yoon Ji-hyo, sparking a love-to-hate dynamic with Lim Ji-yeon. Chae Seo-an, as Mo Tae-hee―the third daughter of Mochang Group―exuded a chic, mysterious aura that hints at fresh complications in Cha Segye and Shin Seori’s romance.
Rounding out the cast, Yoon Joo-sang, Yoon Byung-hee, Jung Young-joo, Baek Eun-hye, Baek Ji-won, Park Jin-woo, and Oh Min-ae―and special appearance Kim Hae-sook―built a tight ensemble that firmly grounds the show’s world. With snappy line deliveries and committed performances, the room stayed buzzing with laughter throughout.
Production shared, “It was a script reading with perfect synergy you wouldn’t believe was a first meeting. With powerhouse performances and chemistry from Lim Ji-yeon, Heo Nam-joon, Jang Seung-jo, Kim Min-seok, Lee Se-hee, Chae Seo-an, Yoon Joo-sang, Yoon Byung-hee, Jung Young-joo, Baek Eun-hye, Baek Ji-won, Park Jin-woo, Oh Min-ae, and Kim Hae-sook, please look forward to "My Royal Nemesis" that will set hearts racing.”
"My Royal Nemesis" will premiere in May on SBS, following the currently airing "Phantom Lawyer."
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)