SBS’s Friday-Saturday drama ‘Wonderful New World’ is on an unstoppable roll, completely capturing the hearts of viewers. The “contract signing ending” between the Joseon villainess Lim Ji-yeon and the ruthless chaebol Heo Nam-jun sent viewers’ heart rates skyrocketing, breaking yet another personal best rating.
Episode 3 of ‘Wonderful New World’ (directed by Han Tae-seop, written by Kang Hyun-joo, produced by Studio S and Gil Pictures), which aired on May 15 at 9:50 PM, recorded a national rating of 5.8%, 5.7% in the metropolitan area, and peaked at 6.7%. The 2049 rating also peaked at 2.3%. The show is receiving rave reviews for perfectly balancing the script, directing, and the actors’ powerhouse performances, capturing both buzz and ratings (according to Nielsen Korea).
In this episode, the comic yet heart-fluttering chemistry shone between Shin Seo-ri (played by Lim Ji-yeon), who declared she would carve her own destiny as an actress, and Cha Se-gye (played by Heo Nam-jun), who began falling for her without even realizing it.
Seo-ri used Se-gye as a shield to avoid crises and fully awakened her dream of becoming an actress after receiving cheers for her divine “Queen” acting at a mart. Meanwhile, the chaebol Cha Se-gye displayed his “tsundere” charm by subtly treating her to Hanwoo beef. He even caused laughter by subconsciously picking up the tongs when Seo-ri told him, “The meat is burning, flip it,” showing he was already completely wrapped around the “Joseon villainess” Seo-ri’s finger.
Se-gye especially made viewers’ hearts flutter during his intense period of “denial,” focusing all his attention on Seo-ri’s advertising contract while insisting, “Do I even care about a woman like that?”
The highlight of episode 3 was undoubtedly Seo-ri’s refreshing boldness and Se-gye’s heart-stopping rescue. When confronted by top star Yoon Ji-hyo (played by Lee Se-hee), who tried to interfere with her ad contract and slapped her, Seo-ri responded with a chilling smile and a unique counterattack, creating a thrilling scene reminiscent of a fierce palace power struggle.
Just as the scene turned into chaos, Cha Se-gye appeared like a savior. Seeing Seo-ri’s reddened cheek, he delivered a shocking twist by revealing he had actually started an entertainment agency just for her, saying, “Let me introduce myself formally. I’m Cha Se-gye from BOJ Enter, Shin Seo-ri’s new agency.” The ending, where the two shouted “Contract signed!” while pressing their handprints together, provided a surge of romantic dopamine and left fans eager for their future romance.
Additionally, the immersion reached its peak as the past-life narrative of court lady Kang Dan-sim (Lim Ji-yeon) and Grand Prince Lee Hyun (Heo Nam-jun) from 300 years ago in Joseon began to unfold. Tension mounted as the current Choi Moon-do’s (Jang Seung-jo) plot to shake Se-gye by using Seo-ri mirrored the actions of Crown Prince Lee Jae (Jang Seung-jo) in the past. In particular, Se-gye’s tears after seeing a court lady with the same face as Dan-sim in a dream emphasized the deep, fateful connection between the two.
Immediately after the broadcast, viewers poured out explosive feedback, saying things like, “The male lead wants to be a cold boss but is a total pushover for Seo-ri, I love it,” “The scale of a chaebol male lead starting an entire agency is insane,” “Lim Ji-yeon’s voice-switching acting is a masterpiece,” and “My heart aches because of the past narrative.”
