Native Title	얄미운 사랑
Also Know as	Annoying Love, Petty Love, Ugly Love, Mean Love, Yellow Love, Yal Ugly Love, Yalmiun Sarang
Director	Jung Yeo-Rang
Writer	Kim Ga-Ram
Distributor	tvN
Air Time	Monday, Tuesday 20:50
Content Rating	15+ - Teens 15 or older
Runtime	16 episodes
Genre	Comedy, Romance, Office
Language	Korean
Country	South Korea
Release Date	2025-11-03
End Date	2025-12-30

"Nice to Not Meet You" is a witty romantic comedy about fame, typecasting, and office politics, starring global icon Lee Jung-jae in his first K-drama in six years. Directed by Kim Ga-ram, this tvN series promises sparks, scandals, and self-reinvention as an actor chases rom-com dreams and a journalist fights her demotion.

Overview

"Nice to Not Meet You" (Korean: 얄미운 사랑, lit. "Annoying Love," also known as "Petty Love," "Ugly Love," or "Mean Love") is a 2025 South Korean romantic comedy directed by Kim Ga-ram, known for "Good Partner" and "Nevertheless," and written by Jung Yeo-rang, acclaimed for "Doctor Cha." Produced by Studio Dragon, Studio & NEW, it consists of 16 episodes, each approximately 70 minutes long, rated 15+ for teens and older. The series airs every Monday and Tuesday at 20:50 KST starting November 3, 2025, until December 23, 2025, on tvN. It explores themes of identity, ambition, and unlikely romance in the entertainment world. Casting was confirmed in early 2025, with script readings in August showcasing lively chemistry.

Plot Synopsis

Im Hyun-joon, a celebrated actor trapped in the role of righteous detective Kang Pil-gu from the long-running hit "Good Detective Kang Pil-gu," yearns to break free from typecasting and star in a heartfelt rom-com or melodrama. As he prepares for the series' fifth season, his mannerisms and frustration mount, craving a softer, romantic image.

Enter Wi Jeong-sin, an award-winning political journalist – the youngest recipient of a prestigious press award – who's ousted from her elite desk after tangling with a massive corruption scandal. Demoted to the entertainment beat at Sports Eunsung magazine, Wi Jeong-sin – now a reluctant fan of Im Hyun-joon's show – meets the real man and is dismayed by his off-screen quirks, far from his heroic persona.

Their prickly encounters ignite a love-hate dynamic amid backstage chaos, media scoops, and personal upheavals: Wi Jeong-sin's adjustment to celebrity fluff, Im Hyun-joon's quest for reinvention, and entanglements with his ex and rivals.

As scandals brew and ambitions clash, their "annoying" chemistry blossoms into something unexpectedly tender, questioning if opposites can rewrite each other's scripts.

Cast & Characters

Main Cast

Lee Jung-jae as Im Hyun-joon: The charismatic yet frustrated A-list actor desperate to escape his detective mold for romantic leads.
Lim Ji-yeon as Wi Jeong-sin: The sharp, justice-obsessed reporter demoted to entertainment, whose fangirl disillusionment fuels fiery banter.

Supporting Cast

Kim Ji-hoon as Lee Jae-hyung: The warm, ex-baseball player turned CEO of Sports Eunsung, kind to all but laser-focused on one woman – sparking a devoted pursuit after meeting Wi Jeong-sin.
Seo Ji-hye as Yoon Hwa-young: The eloquent, razor-witted head of entertainment at Sports Eunsung and Lee Jae-hyung's ex, whose cold charisma and verbal prowess unsettle Wi Jeong-sin in their tangled web.
Oh Yeon-seo as Kwon Se-na: Im Hyun-joon's glamorous first love and "Hallyu Goddess" top star, who abandoned him years ago but reenters his life with lingering impact.
Includes Choi Gwi-hwa as CEO Hwang, Jeon Sung-woo as Park Byeong-ki, Kim Jae-chul as Lee Dae-ho, Na Young-hee as Sung Ae-sook, Jeon Soo-kyung as Oh Mi-ran, Kim Hyun-jin, Jin Ho-eun, Kim Bup-rae, and Jo Hee-bong, enriching the media frenzy.

Reception

Script Reading Chemistry Buzz

Fans are buzzing over the "electrifying chemistry" from August 2025 script reading photos.

Viral Posters and Teaser

The September 2025 posters and teaser – featuring Im Hyun-joon's commanding detective strut and Wi Jeong-sin's phone-juggling intensity – have amassed millions of views, praised as a "hilarious rom-com return" for Lee Jung-jae post-"Squid Game."

Meta Delight in Trailer

Critics called the trailer a "meta delight," highlighting Jung-jae's action flips and Lim Ji-yeon's "piercing gaze."

Explosive Quartet Dynamic

Some news outlets noted the "explosive dynamic" among the quartet, while the others lauds the "fresh mismatched pair."

Anticipated Fall Hit

Early sentiment positions it as tvN's fall hit, blending "Doctor Cha"-style wit with "Good Partner" heart, though some await the full bloom of its love-hate arc.

Fun Facts & Highlights

Lee Jung-jae's Rom-Com Return

After six years away from K-dramas (last in "Delayed Justice" 2021), "Squid Game" star Lee Jung-jae dives into comedy, channeling Im Hyun-joon's swagger in meta teasers.

Lim Ji-yeon's Fangirl Flip

Lim Ji-yeon, fresh from "The Glory," plays a disillusioned fan whose "bumpy adjustment" to entertainment news sparks humor, with posters showing her one-handed typing frenzy.

Script Reading Sparks

The August 2025 reading buzzed with laughs, as Lee Jung-jae nailed Im Hyun-joon's growth and Lim Ji-yeon amped Wi Jeong-sin's adaptation woes.

Meta Detective Tease

The trailer spotlights Im Hyun-joon's iconic "Kang Pil-gu," with him hiding behind a massive poster yelling, "I’m not Kang Pil-gu. I don’t know that man!"

Powerhouse Duo

Director Kim Ga-ram's rom-com flair meets writer Jung Yeo-rang's emotional punch, promising a "razor-sharp" blend of rivals-to-lovers.

Ensemble Intrigue

Oh Yeon-seo's special appearance as Im Hyun-joon's ex-goddess adds spice, while Kim Ji-hoon and Seo Ji-hye's ex-lovers tangle with Lim Ji-yeon's Wi Jeong-sin gives multi-layered tension.

Final Thoughts

"Nice to Not Meet You" feels like a breath of fresh rom-com air, flipping typecasting tropes into a clever tale of reinvention and reluctant sparks. Lee Jung-jae and Lim Ji-yeon's mismatched duo, backed by a tangled supporting cast, promises the perfect mix of snark, swoons, and self-reflection. In tvN's stacked 2025 slate, it's primed to be a feel-good escape – proving that sometimes, the most annoying encounters make the best love stories.