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My Royal Nemesis

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My Royal Nemesis
Promotional poster
Also known asWicked World[1]
Hangul
멋진 신세계
Hanja
멋진 新世界
Lit.Brave New World
RRMeotjin sinsegye
MRMŏtchin sinsegye
Genre
Written byKang Hyun-joo
Directed byHan Tae-seop
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes4
Production
ProducerKim Min-tae[2]
Production companies
Original release
NetworkSBS TV
ReleaseMay 8, 2026 (2026-05-08) –
present

My Royal Nemesis (Korean: 멋진 신세계) is an ongoing South Korean romantic comedy fantasy television series written by Kang Hyun-joo, directed by Han Tae-seop, and starring Lim Ji-yeon, Heo Nam-jun, and Jang Seung-jo. The series tells the story of a legendary Joseon villainess whose soul transmigrates into the body of a nameless actress and her love-hate relationship with a modern ruthless tycoon. It premiered on SBS TV on May 8, 2026, and airs every Friday and Saturday at 21:50 (KST). It is also available for streaming on Netflix.

Synopsis

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During the Joseon Dynasty, Kang Dan-shim gains notoriety at court for her cunning and ambition. Through manipulation and intellect, she ascends to the rank of royal concubine. In the 6th year of King Anjong's reign, Dan-shim died after being forced to drink the poison bowl. Her death triggered a shaman's spell, causing unnatural events such as midsummer frost and a total lunar eclipse.

However, her fate does not end with her death. Her soul awakens in 21st-century South Korea, inhabiting the body of Shin Seo-ri, an unknown actress who plays minor roles in historical dramas. In this unfamiliar era, Dan-shim gradually takes control of Seo-ri's life and, due to her unpredictable nature, quickly adapts to the modern world. She crosses paths with Cha Se-gye, the ruthless chaebol heir. The two develop a tense, conflict-driven relationship complicated by a love-hate dynamic.

Navigating the unfamiliar world, Kang Dan-shim realizes this twist of fate gives her a chance to escape her predetermined destiny and reshape her life.[3]

Cast and characters

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The cast of My Royal Nemesis at the press conference, May 2026 (L to R): Kim Min-seok, Lim Ji-yeon, Heo Nam-jun, Jang Seung-jo, and Lee Se-hee

Main

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An aspiring actress, Shin Seo-ri, becomes possessed by the spirit of the Joseon-era villainess Kang Dan-shim and develops a vicious personality. Dan-shim is a ruthless and cunning concubine of the Joseon dynasty, known as the most reviled villainess in the court. She rose from low birth to the position of first-rank concubine without strong support, leveraging her sharp wit and manipulative tactics. She has an incredibly strong sixth sense. Following her death by poisoning, she awakens 300 years later in 2026 and inhabits the body of Shin Seo-ri, who is filming a poison scene for a historical drama. In that new world, she crosses paths with Cha Se-gye, who may be her last chance to rewrite her fate.[4]
The infamous third-generation chaebol heir to Chail Group and CEO of Biojei, he is known as a "monster of capitalism". As he crosses paths with Seo-ri, who's possessed, he is confronted by her.[4]
The president of Chail Construction and Se-gye's cousin. He made repeated efforts to gain the attention of his uncle, Dal-su. He also volunteered as a liver donor for his uncle, who was suffering from acute liver failure. After becoming President of Chail Construction, he deemed the role insufficient and continued to pursue his uncle's position, while perceiving Cha Se-gye as superior.[4]

Supporting

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People around Seo-ri

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Seo-ri's next-door neighbor who becomes her manager[5]
A top star with 19 years of experience in the entertainment industry.[5]
Seo-ri's beloved and care grandmother, who raised her since she was a child[5]
A shaman who knows that Seo-ri is a spirit from Joseon[5]
A Gosiwon manager[5]

People around Se-gye

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The precious daughter of Mo Chang Group, who is Se-gye's blind date[6]
Se-gye's grandfather, who is the Chairman of Chail Group[6]
Se-gye's right-hand man[6]
CEO of Chail Food and Se-gye's eldest aunt[6]
CEO of Chail Apparel and Se-gye's second aunt[6]
  • Jung Jae-kyung as Sunwoo Jung-hyun
Se-gye's friend and a psychiatrist[6]

Others

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  • Kim Gye-rim as Kwak Eun-ah
Seo-ri's fellow actress[7]
a Biojei executive, who was once a founding member of the Chail Group[7]
  • Jeong Jae-hyeok as Seo Nam-jin (Secretary Seo)
Moon-do's attendant[7]
  • Shin Jeong-won as Kim Hyun-hee (Secretary Kim)
Se-gye's secretary, who is raising two children[7]
  • Kim Hyun as Kwon Jin-ok
The butler in charge of the affairs of Dal-su's mansion[7]

Production

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Development

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Han Tae-seop, who helmed Cheer Up (2022) and Hot Stove League (2019–2020), was attached to direct the series, and the screenplay is written by Kang Hyun-joo. The production is handled by Studio S, Studio Dragon and Gill Pictures.[8]

Casting

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In June 2025, Artist Company confirmed that Lim Ji-yeon had received an offer to play the role of Shin Seo-ri and was considering it.[9] The next month, Heo Nam-jun was offered to play the male lead.[10] Lim and Heo's appearances were officially confirmed by October 2025,[11] and Lee Se-hee, Chae Seo-an, Kim Min-seok, and Jang Seung-jo were reportedly cast.[12][13][14][15]

Filming

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Principal photography began in the second half of 2025.[9]

Release

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My Royal Nemesis was reportedly scheduled to premiere on SBS TV in the first half of 2026, airing on a Friday–Saturday timeslot.[11][9] The series' special teaser was unveiled at the 2025 SBS Drama Awards and confirmed for a May 2026 release.[16] By April 2026, the series was confirmed to premiere on May 8, 2026. It is also available for streaming on Netflix.[17][18]

Original soundtrack

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Part 1

All lyrics are written by Kim Seo-jeong; all music is composed by Park Sung-il.

Released on May 8, 2026
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Anyway" (하여튼)Nam Jong3:29
2."Anyway" (하여튼; Inst.) 3:29
Total length:6:58
Part 2

All lyrics are written by Lee Chi-hoon; all music is composed by Park Sung-il.

Released on May 16, 2026
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Season of Us" (다시 돌아온 계절)Young K3:36
2."Season of Us" (다시 돌아온 계절; Inst.) 3:36
Total length:7:12

Reception

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Critical Reception

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My Royal Nemesis received positive early reviews for being a surprisingly fresh and fast-paced rom-com despite its familiar time-slip premise, and much of the acclaim centers on Lim Ji-yeon’s standout performance. Lim is described as the “true anchor” of the drama. Her acting reportedly balances slapstick comedy, emotional depth and romantic tension without making the fantasy setup feel exaggerated or cartoonish. Critics praised how naturally Lim switches between a Joseon-era concubine’s formal speech and modern comedic situations, while still keeping the character emotionally grounded. Lim strong screen presence was highlighted, comparing it to the intensity she showed in The Glory and The Tale of Lady Ok.[19]

Writing for Cine21 cultural critic Oh Soo-kyung praised My Royal Nemesis for it's active and self-determined female protagonist, describing Hee-bin Kang Dan-sim as one of the more proactive time-travel characters in recent Korean dramas. The review highlighted the series’ blend of historical fantasy and modern survival narrative, noting how Dan-sim adapts to contemporary society using instincts developed in the Joseon court. The critic also commended the drama’s feminist themes, particularly its reinterpretation of historical “villainous women” such as Jang Hui-bin, and its resonance with modern young women through themes of independence, education, and rejecting restrictive social roles. Actress Lim Ji-yeon’s performance was additionally noted for reimagining a historically maligned figure with greater nuance and sympathy.[20]

Kim Sung-soo, a cultural critic praised the drama for humanizing its Joseon-era villainess and highlighted Lim strong character analysis and performance, saying she skillfully balances comedy and tragedy while expanding on the villain roles from her previous works.[21]

Ranking

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On their first week, the series ranked No 1 in Netflix's Top 10 Non-English shows globally with 3,900,000 views for the 4th May 2026 to 10th May 2026. My Royal Nemesis ranked Top 10 in 44 countries worldwide, including not only Asian regions such as Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand, but also Europe and South America, such as Greece, Brazil, and Mexico. [22] [23]

Viewership

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My Royal Nemesis : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
1234567891011121314
178810321117TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBD
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[24]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)[24]
Nationwide Seoul
1 May 8, 2026 4.1% (10th) 4.3% (8th)
2 May 9, 2026 5.4% (3rd) 5.3% (3rd)
3 May 15, 2026 5.8% (5th) 5.7% (5th)
4 May 16, 2026
5 May 22, 2026
6 May 23, 2026
7 May 29, 2026
8 May 30, 2026
9 June 5, 2026
10 June 6, 2026
11 June 12, 2026
12 June 13, 2026
13 June 19, 2026
14 June 20, 2026
Average — —
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

References

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  1. ^ "Wicked World". SBS (in Korean). Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  2. ^ 프로그램 소개 [Program Introduction]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  3. ^ My Royal Nemesis: Who’s in the Cast? What to Know About the Korean Rom-Com retrieved May 12, 2026
  4. ^ a b c 주요 인물 [Main characters]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d e f 신서리의 사람들 [People around Seo-ri]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  6. ^ a b c d e f 차세계의 사람들 [People around Se-gye]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d e 외 인물들 [Others]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  8. ^ Kim, Hye-yeong (October 16, 2025). '멋진 신세계' 임지연, 1인 2역 도전...갑질 황태자 허남준과 혐관 로맨스 [Lim Ji-yeon takes on dual roles in My Royal Nemesis... A romantic relationship with the abusive crown prince Heo Nam-jun]. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c Lee, Hae-jeong (June 17, 2025). "멋지다 연진아" 임지연, 新 레전드 악녀 탄생할까.."'멋진 신세계' 출연 검토" [공식] [Official: Will Lim Ji-yeon become a new legendary villainess? "Considering appearance in My Royal Nemesis]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  10. ^ Park, Ro-sa (July 29, 2025). [단독] '대세' 허남준, 임지연 만날까...'멋진 신세계' 주연 물망 [[Exclusive] Will Heo Nam-jun meet Lim Ji-yeon? A candidate for the lead role in My Royal Nemesis]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  11. ^ a b Park, A-reum (October 16, 2025). "반갑다 연진아" 임지연 허남준, 역대급 악인 캐릭터 컴백 '멋진 신세계'[공식] [Official: Lim Ji-yeon and Heo Nam-jun return as villains of all time in My Royal Nemesis]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  12. ^ Jeong, Ga-yeong (October 15, 2025). [단독]이세희, '멋진 신세계' 임지연 라이벌 된다 [Exclusive: Lee Se-hee as the female lead's rival in My Royal Nemesis]. Sports Worldi (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  13. ^ Jeong, Ga-yeong (October 15, 2025). [단독] '학씨 부인' 채서안, 차차기작은 '멋진 신세계'...허남준과 호흡 [[Exclusive] Chae Seo-an cast in My Royal Nemesis with Heo Nam-jun]. Sports Worldi (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  14. ^ Jo, Ji-young (October 17, 2025). [단독] '이준호 절친' 김민석 잘 나가네..'태풍상사' 이어 임지연 '멋진 신세계' 캐스팅 [Exclusive: Following Typhoon Family, Kim Min-seok cast in My Royal Nemesis]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  15. ^ Park, Jeong-seon (October 29, 2025). 장승표, 드라마 '멋진 신세계' 출연...허남준 오촌 형 역할 [Jang Seung-jo to star in My Royal Nemesis as the male lead's cousin]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  16. ^ Park, A-reum (January 1, 2026). 임지연 조선판 연진이? 사약까지 마신 악녀 기세(멋진 신세계) [Lim Ji-yeon as a Joseon version of Yeon-jin? A villainess who even drinks poison in My Royal Nemesis]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  17. ^ Choi, Soo-bin (April 8, 2026). 임지연·허남준 '멋진 신세계', 5월 8일 첫 방송 확정 [Lim Ji-yeon and Heo Nam-jun's My Royal Nemesis Confirmed to Premiere on May 8]. The Fact (in Korean). Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  18. ^ Drum, Nicole (April 26, 2026). "Netflix Releases Full List of New Movies and TV Shows Coming in May 2026". ComicBook.com. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  19. ^ Park, Jin-hai (May 13, 2026). "My Royal Nemesis becomes bold new contender in rom-com genre". The Korea Times. Retrieved May 13, 2026. Lim Ji-yeon carries time-slip beyond cliché.
  20. ^ Oh, Soo-kyung (May 15, 2026). "[오수경의 TVIEW] <멋진 신세계>". Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  21. ^ Lee, Joo-in (May 13, 2026). "[줌인] 재해석된 희빈…임지연이 연 '멋진 신세계'" [[Zoom In] A Reinterpretation of Hee-bin… Lim Ji-yeon Opens 'My Royal Nemesis']. Edaily (in Korean). Naver Entertainment. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  22. ^ Netflix. (2026). Top 10 non-English shows on Netflix right now. Netflix Tudum. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/top10/tv-non-english
  23. ^ Kang, S.-a. (2026, May 13). *SBS dramas captivate global audiences: “Brave New World” ranks No. 1 and “Sold Out Again Today” No. 3 in simultaneous success*. SBS Entertainment News.https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/416/0000323363
  24. ^ a b Nielsen Korea ratings:
    • "Ep. 1". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). May 8, 2026. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
    • "Ep. 2". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). May 9, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
    • "Ep. 3". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). May 15, 2026. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
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