K-Drama Villainess's Vicious First Meeting

The first episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama "A Wonderful New World" depicted the soul of Kang Dan-shim (played by Im Ji-yeon), a wicked woman from 300 years ago in Joseon, possessing the body of Shin Seo-ri (played by Im Ji-yeon), an unknown actress in 21st-century South Korea. Along with this, her first encounter with the infamous chaebol Cha Se-gye (played by Heo Nam-joon) was revealed, heightening anticipation for the "hate-love romance" that is to unfold.

In the 6th year of King Anjong's reign in Joseon, Kang Dan-shim, known as the "wicked woman of the ages," met her death by drinking poisoned wine. With her death, the shaman Do Mu-nyeo's (played by Oh Min-ae) spell was activated, causing a natural disaster, and Dan-shim's soul opened her eyes 300 years later, in 2026, possessing the body of the unknown actress Shin Seo-ri on a historical drama set. Seo-ri, displaying the spirit of a Joseon villainess on set, recalled the shaman's words, "You are someone who must die to live," sparking curiosity about future developments.

Meanwhile, Cha Se-gye, a "malicious chaebol" surrounded by notorious reputations such as "cruel M&A butcher" and "prodigal son abandoned by the business world," made an unusual entrance by acquiring a company that had caused him losses at a bargain price. He showed a confident attitude, saying, "What's wrong with a bad reputation? Is there any bodyguard as reliable as a bad reputation?" However, he drew laughter with his sensitive and contrasting behavior when he clicked "dislike" on malicious comments about himself.

Choi Mun-do (played by Jang Seung-jo), Se-gye's cousin and CEO of Cha Il Construction, was asked about Cha Se-gye during an interview. He responded with a chilling smile, "Did you perhaps fail to secure your interview subject? It seems I'm a substitute," creating a strange sense of tension.

From their very first meeting, Shin Seo-ri and Cha Se-gye engaged in a dizzying and fierce "flower-beating duel," marking the prelude to their hate-love romance. Se-gye, mistaking Seo-ri who had collapsed in front of his car for a con artist, was slapped by Seo-ri, who retorted, "You rascal! How dare you spew such foul words!" The scene of Seo-ri retaliating against Se-gye with a palm frond on the main street, and Se-gye countering with a flower, caused bursts of laughter. Se-gye, after the situation was resolved, quickly returned to his car, muttering, "Is she crazy?"