Native Title	친밀한 리플리
Also Know as	Intimate Ripley, Chinmilhan Ripley
Director	Son Seok-Jin
Writer	Lee Do-Hyun
Distributor	KBS2
Air Time	Monday-Friday 19:50
Content Rating	15+ - Teens 15 or older
Runtime	102 episodes
Genre	Drama, Family, Mystery, Suspense, Picaresque
Language	Korean
Country	South Korea
Release Date	2025-09-22
End Date	2026-02-20

"A Graceful Liar" is a gripping daily drama that unravels a web of deception, family secrets, and ruthless ambition within a chaebol dynasty. Directed by Son Seok-jin, this KBS2 series delivers high-stakes revenge and emotional turmoil, starring Lee Shi-a in a transformative lead role.

Overview

"A Graceful Liar" (Korean: 친밀한 리플리, lit. "Intimate Ripley") is a 2025 South Korean daily drama directed by Son Seok-jin and written by Lee Do-hyun. Produced for KBS2, it consists of 100 episodes, each approximately 40 minutes long, rated 15+ for teens and older. The series airs Monday through Friday at 19:50 KST starting September 22, 2025, until February 13, 2026. It explores themes of identity, betrayal, and power struggles in a wealthy family, where lies threaten to destroy blood ties. Filming began in early 2025, with the premiere drawing immediate acclaim for its fast-paced narrative.

Plot Synopsis

To secure a marriage into the powerful Geonhyang Group and escape her impoverished past, Cha Jeong-won assumes the identity of her high school friend Joo Yeong-chae, a privileged heiress. Scarred by tragedy – her father Cha Ki-beom's wrongful murder framing and her mother Han Hye-ra's abandonment amid poverty – Cha Jeong-won infiltrates the elite world with calculated grace, aiming to claim the fortune and status she craves. Her facade crumbles when she discovers Han Hye-ra, now a formidable matriarch, is her biological mother who fled for power and wealth, leaving Cha Jeong-won to fend for herself. Vowing vengeance, Cha Jeong-won wages a covert war as the "daughter-in-law," navigating lavish galas, corporate betrayals, and family rifts. As lies pile upon lies, the drama escalates into a fierce mother-daughter showdown, questioning if blood will triumph over deception or be consumed by another layer of falsehood.

Cast & Characters

Main Cast

Cha Jeong-won / Joo Yeong-chae: Vengeful Protagonist

Lee Shi-a stars as Cha Jeong-won, who assumes the identity of Joo Yeong-chae, blending fragility with fierce determination as she infiltrates the Geonhyang Group for revenge.

Han Hye-ra: Power-Hungry Matriarch

Lee Il-hwa plays Young-soon, known as Han Hye-ra, Cha Jeong-won's estranged mother, whose elegant yet ruthless ambition hides poignant longing revealed in moments like viewing old photos.

Joo Ha-neul: Unwitting Fiancé

Sul Jung-hwan portrays Joo Ha-neul, the male lead and Han Hye-ra's stepson, whose engagement to Cha Jeong-won adds romantic tension to her deceptive scheme.

Joo Yeong-chae: Stolen Identity

Lee Hyo-na plays the real Joo Yeong-chae, Cha Jeong-won's friend whose privileged identity is stolen, underscoring themes of envy and loss.

Jin Se-hun: Second Male Lead

Han Ki-woong takes on the role of Jin Se-hun, the second male lead, entangled in the Geonhyang family’s power struggles and romantic dynamics.

Supporting Cast

Includes Park Cheol-ho as Cha Ki-beom (Cha Jeong-won's framed father), Lee Seung-yeon as Gong Nan-sook (ruthless rival matriarch returning after six years), Choi Da-eum as Jin Se-mi, Choi Jong-hwan, Seol Jeong-hwan, and others enriching the web of betrayal.

Reception

Stellar Premiere Ratings

Premiering September 22, 2025, "A Graceful Liar" debuted with a stellar 7.9% nationwide rating, topping all channels in its time slot and signaling strong viewer engagement from the outset.

High-Intensity Opening Acclaim

Episode 1's high-intensity plot – opening with an affair and flashing between past traumas and present schemes – earned praise for its "non-stop action" and fast pace, with netizens commenting, "Starting with an affair from the opening?" and "The pace is fast and so entertaining, I’ll watch every episode."

Celebrated Cast and Revenge Buzz

Early sentiment celebrates the "treat to watch" skilled cast and "super intense" revenge arc, positioning it as KBS2's daily hit, though some await deeper character arcs beyond the makjang flair.

Fun Facts & Highlights

Sensational Debut Ratings

Episode 1's 7.9% rating marked an immediate chart-topper, with viewers raving about the "time flew" montage of Jeong-won's wedding vow and rain-soaked breakdown.

Flashback Intensity

The premiere interweaves 25-year-old tragedy – young Cha Jeong-won's tears as her father is arrested – with present-day high-society thrills, amplifying curiosity about the mother-daughter reunion.

Cast's Depth

Veterans like Lee Il-hwa convey "25 years of suppressed longing" in safe-peeking scenes, while Lee Shi-a's "vivid realism" in Cha Jeong-won's part-time struggles sets a strong tone.

Daily Drama Pace

Airing weekdays at 19:50 KST, its "non-stop" format promises escalating lies and betrayals through 100 episodes.

Similar Vibes

Echoes "The Penthouse" for chaebol revenge and "Eve" for calculated infiltrations, ideal for makjang fans craving family wars.

Final Thoughts

"A Graceful Liar" catapults into 2025's daily drama arena as a masterclass in deception's double-edged sword, where Lee Shi-a's fierce Cha Jeong-won battles her own blood for elusive power. With a pulsating premiere blending flashbacks and facades, and a stellar cast unearthing buried longings, it's a riveting reminder that in the golden palace, truth cuts deepest. KBS2's newest obsession delivers addictive intensity – perfect for viewers hooked on lies that bind tighter than love.

Where to Watch

Broadcast Schedule

Airing on KBS2 in South Korea Monday through Friday at 19:50 KST since September 22, 2025.

Streaming Access

It streams on Wavve.

Gallery

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