Nam Ji-hyun, Lee Joo-bin, Kim Hye-yoon... New Youthful Actresses to Lead the New Year

Young actresses such as Nam Ji-hyun, Lee Joo-bin, and Kim Hye-yoon are set to take over the small screen in the new year through dramas spanning a wide range of genres. Rather than relying on high-profile star power, these productions are drawing attention for positioning actors who can maximize genre-specific strengths at the center of their narratives.

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Nam Ji-hyun returns to historical drama for the first time in eight years in KBS2's weekend miniseries "To My Beloved Thief", which premieres on the 3rd. She plays Hong Eun-jo, a woman who lives a double life as a physician by day and a thief by night. The series tells a tale of salvation that unfolds after the souls of a legendary female thief and a royal prince are switched, offering a fusion sageuk that subverts the conventions of traditional historical dramas. Known for her emotional solidity, stable vocal delivery, and controlled performances, Nam is expected to bring depth and nuance to Hong Eun-jo's dual existence. Recently, KBS weekend miniseries have moved away from rigid classical formats, experimenting instead to connect with younger viewers. In this context, Nam Ji-hyun's casting is seen as an attempt to demonstrate both tradition and experimentation.

Lee Joo-bin stars as Yoon Bom, an emotionally reserved high school teacher, in tvN's Monday–Tuesday drama "Spring Fever", which premieres on the 5th. Based on a web novel targeting teens and viewers in their twenties, the drama incorporates classic romantic-comedy elements along with a heightened high-teen sensibility. Compared to the original work, the drama delves more deeply into the characters' emotional arcs. Yoon Bom contrasts with the emotionally expressive male lead, and her gradual internal transformation through relationships becomes a key narrative thread. Lee has recently built a reputation for calm yet emotionally resonant performances, and she is expected to further expand her acting range in this project.

Kim Hye-yoon takes on the role of Eun-ho, a gumiho (nine-tailed fox) who refuses to become human, in SBS's Friday–Saturday drama "No Tail to Tell", set to premiere on the 6th. Described as a 'baked romance', the series follows the entanglement between a gumiho and a highly self-absorbed human, offering a modern reinterpretation of the traditional folklore. While past gumiho dramas layered melodrama atop fantasy settings, this series foregrounds questions of identity and self-definition, challenging conventional notions of 'being human'. Combined with MZ-generation sensibilities, Kim Hye-yoon's sharp yet witty performance is expected to deliver a fresh appeal.

The growing prominence of young actresses as the central drivers of drama narratives is being interpreted within the industry as a sign of shifting production priorities, from star-centered casting to story-driven structures. Rather than emphasizing an actor's name value, producers are increasingly placing performers who can carry and finely shape a narrative's emotional texture at the forefront, as a strategy to maximize dramatic immersion.

A broadcasting industry insider commented, "These three works, which open the year, stand on the front line of that transition. Across different genres, actors in their 20s and 30s are now positioned to design both character and narrative density together, clearly signaling a change in production criteria". The source added, "In an industry environment that must account for both audience sensibilities and fatigue, demand will continue to grow for actors who can convincingly carry content forward".