Lim Ji Yeon Movies and Tv Shows: Essential Viewing List Through 2026

Lim Ji-yeon has established herself as one of the most versatile and fearless actresses in the South Korean entertainment industry. Known for her ability to navigate between intense erotic thrillers, gritty revenge dramas, and lighthearted romantic comedies, her filmography is a testament to a career built on calculated risks and undeniable talent. As of 2026, she continues to dominate both domestic and international streaming platforms with a slate of projects that showcase her evolving range.

Recent and Upcoming Projects: 2024-2026

The period between 2024 and 2026 has been a significant era for Lim Ji-yeon, marked by a return to historical epics and a successful venture into the romantic comedy genre. These projects have solidified her status as a top-tier Hallyu star who can lead a series across any platform.

Wonderful New World (2026)

In the current television landscape of 2026, Wonderful New World (also referred to as Wicked World or Brave New World) stands out as Lim's latest major television appearance on SBS. In this series, she portrays the character Sin Seo-ri (or Kang Dan-sim), a woman navigating a complex societal structure with resilience. This role is a departure from her previous high-tension thrillers, focusing more on nuanced human emotions and social commentary. The drama has been noted for its high production values and Lim's grounded performance.

Nice to Not Meet You (2025)

Released in 2025, Nice to Not Meet You (also known as Mean Love) marked Lim Ji-yeon's highly anticipated return to the romantic comedy genre on tvN. Playing the character Wi Jeong-shin, she demonstrated a comedic timing that many international fans, who primarily knew her from The Glory, found refreshing. The show centers on the realistic and often messy aspects of modern relationships, allowing Lim to display a more relatable and softer side of her acting spectrum.

The Tale of Lady Ok (2024-2025)

The Tale of Lady Ok is a historical drama that premiered in late 2024 and concluded in early 2025. Lim Ji-yeon took on the dual-natured role of Goo-deok, a slave who assumes the identity of Lady Ok Tae-young. This project was a massive undertaking, requiring her to master the complexities of sageuk (historical drama) speech and mannerisms while portraying a character living a life of deception for survival. Her performance earned critical praise for depicting the internal struggle of a woman caught between her true identity and her noble facade.

Revolver (2024 Film)

On the big screen, the 2024 film Revolver featured Lim Ji-yeon alongside industry veterans like Jeon do-yeon. Playing the mysterious Jung Yoon-sun, Lim contributed to the film's tense, noir-like atmosphere. The movie follows an ex-police officer who, upon being released from prison, pursues a singular goal. Lim's character serves as an unpredictable variable in the protagonist's journey, further cementing her reputation for playing characters with hidden depths and questionable loyalties.

The Turning Point: The Global Phenomenon of The Glory

No discussion of Lim Ji-yeon's career is complete without addressing the 2022-2023 Netflix original series The Glory. This project was the definitive turning point that shifted her trajectory from a respected domestic actress to a global household name.

The Glory (2022-2023)

In this revenge epic written by Kim Eun-sook, Lim Ji-yeon delivered an iconic performance as Park Yeon-jin, the primary antagonist and a remorseless school bully. Her portrayal of a wealthy weather caster with a dark past was chilling and meticulously layered. Unlike typical "flat" villains, Lim brought a sense of entitlement and fragile vanity to Yeon-jin that made her eventual downfall incredibly impactful for audiences.

For her role in The Glory, Lim Ji-yeon swept several prestigious awards, including Best Supporting Actress at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards and the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards. The "Yeon-jin-ah!" meme became a cultural phenomenon, reflecting the character's massive footprint in popular culture.

Critical Acclaim and the Thriller Era

Following the success of The Glory, Lim Ji-yeon strategically chose projects that avoided typecasting while maintaining the high-intensity energy she had become known for.

Lies Hidden in My Garden (2023)

Starring alongside Kim Tae-hee, Lim Ji-yeon played Chu Sang-eun in this suspense thriller. Her character, a victim of domestic violence living in poverty, was the polar opposite of the glamorous Park Yeon-jin. One particular scene, where her character eats ravenously after a traumatic event, went viral for its raw and animalistic depiction of emotional release. This performance proved that her success in The Glory was no fluke, but rather a result of profound character study and commitment.

The Killing Vote (2023)

In The Killing Vote, Lim played Joo Hyeon, a cyber security expert working within the police force. This role showcased her ability to lead an ensemble cast in a fast-paced, procedural environment. The drama explored themes of justice and morality in the digital age, with Lim providing the moral compass for the story.

Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area (2022)

In the Korean adaptation of the hit Spanish series, Lim Ji-yeon joined the second part as a character named Seoul. This role was created specifically for the Korean version and allowed her to engage in high-octane action sequences. As a mercenary aiding the heist crew, her character added a layer of mystery and combat expertise to the series.

Early Career and Big Screen Breakthroughs

Before becoming a queen of streaming platforms, Lim Ji-yeon made her mark through daring film roles that many of her peers might have shied away from.

Obsessed (2014)

Lim Ji-yeon’s feature film debut in the erotic thriller Obsessed was a bold entry into the industry. Set in 1969 at the end of the Vietnam War, the film tells the story of an elite colonel who falls into a forbidden affair with the wife of his subordinate. Lim played Jong Ga-heun, a woman with a quiet but magnetic presence. Her performance earned her Best New Actress honors at the Grand Bell Awards and the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards, marking her as a "monster rookie" to watch.

The Treacherous (2015)

She continued her streak of bold choices with the period film The Treacherous, set during the reign of the tyrannical King Yeonsan. As Dan-hee, a woman seeking revenge under the guise of becoming a concubine, Lim handled the film's intense psychological and physical demands with maturity. This project solidified her ability to handle complex historical settings and emotionally draining narratives.

Spiritwalker (2021) and Tazza: One Eyed Jack (2019)

In the years leading up to her global breakout, Lim diversified her filmography with action and crime genres. In Spiritwalker, she played Moon Jin-ah, involved in a high-concept sci-fi action plot where a man’s soul jumps into a new body every 12 hours. In Tazza: One Eyed Jack, she played Young-mi, a bold and savvy member of a high-stakes gambling team, showing her capacity for ensemble-based character work.

Evolution in TV Dramas

Lim Ji-yeon's transition to television was equally diverse, ranging from weekend family dramas to fantasy romances.

• High Society (2015): In her first major TV role, she played Lee Ji-yi, a bubbly and hardworking girl who falls for a chaebol. Her chemistry with co-star Park Hyung-sik was a highlight of the show, earning her New Star awards and proving she could handle lighter, mainstream romance.
• The Royal Gambler (2016): She returned to the sageuk genre as Dam-seo, a woman driven by revenge against the King. This role allowed her to showcase her sword-fighting and action skills.
• Blow Breeze (2016-2017): In this 53-episode weekend drama, Lim took on the challenge of playing Kim Mi-poong, a North Korean defector. She was praised for her dedication to mastering the North Korean dialect and depicting the hardships of defectors in South Korean society.
• Welcome 2 Life (2019): Playing detective Ra Shi-on, she starred in this fantasy procedural about parallel worlds. Her performance won her the Top Excellence Award for an Actress in a Monday-Tuesday Miniseries at the MBC Drama Awards.

Comprehensive Filmography List

For readers looking for a quick reference, here is a categorized list of Lim Ji-yeon’s major works by year.

Movies

Television and Web Series

The Range of an Actress

Lim Ji-yeon’s career path is not typical for a leading lady in South Korea. Where many might have opted for safe, consistently likable roles, Lim has deliberately sought out characters that are morally ambiguous, socially marginalized, or outright villainous. This willingness to be "unlikable" on screen is precisely what has made her so respected by critics and loved by audiences.

From the quiet, repressed emotions in Obsessed to the explosive, manic energy of The Glory, and the comedic charm found in Nice to Not Meet You, she has demonstrated a rare ability to transform. Her success is not just built on a string of hit shows, but on her technical proficiency and her ability to make every character, no matter how brief their appearance, feel like a fully realized human being.

As 2026 progresses, the industry and fans alike remain attentive to her choices. Whether she is leading a big-budget historical drama or an intimate indie film, Lim Ji-yeon remains a pillar of contemporary Korean acting, constantly redefining what it means to be a versatile performer in the modern age.