From Jang Hee-bin to Kim Du-han! Im Ji-yeon’s Versatile Acting Shines in ‘Wonderful New World’ as She Asks Heo Nam-jun, “Do You Love Me?”

Im Ji-yeon in ‘Wonderful New World’ has moved from the ‘Jang Hee-bin meme’ to now channeling Kim Du-han.

In the SBS Friday-Saturday drama ‘Wonderful New World’ aired on the 16th, Shin Seo-ri (played by Im Ji-yeon) smiled happily at Cha Se-gye’s (played by Heo Nam-jun) kindness, only to burst into sorrowful tears upon realizing it was actually pity.

After a confrontation in the previous episode, Shin Seo-ri met Cha Se-gye. Seeing her swollen face, Se-gye gave her a water bottle while nagging her. Seo-ri didn’t understand at first, but after seeing herself in the mirror, she realized why. She teased him, saying, “When did my face get this swollen? You didn’t give this to me to drink, but to dab on my face, right? Cha Se-gye, you’re such a softie!”

Seo-ri learned terms like ‘fan heart,’ ‘fan,’ and ‘reverse support’ from the goshiwon manager and Baek Kwang-nam (played by Kim Min-seok). Seo-ri asked, “Is a fan someone who worries about me every day and acts like a guardian deity?” to which Baek Kwang-nam replied, “Stars are thankful just for existing, but Yoon Ji-hyo even writes handwritten letters to fans.”

Seo-ri wrote a letter to Cha Se-gye and included some dried persimmons. The letter read, “How was your well-being last night? If I remained in your dreams, that garden would be full of butterflies,” and “My wonderful fan.” Seeing this, Cha Se-gye completely misunderstood, wondering, “Is this a love letter? My wonderful side?” He couldn’t hide his racing heart, thinking, “This woman likes me.”

Before starting her acting career, Seo-ri needed to figure out her identity for an interview. Her only living relative was her grandmother, Nam Ok-soon (played by Kim Hae-sook), who raised her. Nam Ok-soon looked at her granddaughter strangely, asking, “Is your childhood memory fuzzy? You were like that for a while after that accident where you almost died.” Just then, gangsters appeared for a redevelopment resort project, and Seo-ri bravely stepped forward.

Seo-ri declared, “I have no intention of bowing my head to your boss. That would be no different from bowing to Japan! This is a line Kim Du-han said in episode 18 of Rustic Period.” Following the Jang Hee-bin meme, she perfectly brought Kim Du-han’s lines to 2026. She practically brushed off the gangsters. While passing by, Cha Il-do and Cha Se-gye encountered her.

Cha Se-gye told his grandfather that he helped Shin Seo-ri because “her situation is pitiful.” For Seo-ri, who had endured everything alone, died unfairly in the past, and was now struggling to live again in the modern era, those words were devastating. She sobbed alone on the rooftop.

Cha Se-gye appeared and asked, “Why are you crying?” Seo-ri replied, “That look of pity, don’t look at me as if I’m pitiful. That’s why I misunderstood. Since you’re not even a fan, I thought you actually loved me.” She added, “Anyone would think that if someone they have no relationship with worries about them and cheers them on.”

Cha Se-gye responded, “What if it’s not a misunderstanding? I’m a believer in black-and-white logic. Either black or white, ally or enemy. But you’re neither. You keep confusing me.” Seo-ri placed her hand on his chest and said, “There’s no fluttering. See, I was right, wasn’t I?” trying to end it cleanly. However, Cha Se-gye said, “No, if we’re doing this, let’s do it properly,” and held her in a deep embrace for a long time.