Lee Jong-suk Is Back in a Rom-Com And K-Drama X Is Already Divided
If you've been missing Lee Jong-suk on your screen, get ready because the king of brooding eyes and heart-fluttering smiles is officially making his romantic comeback. The beloved Korean actor has been confirmed as the male lead in the highly anticipated drama "Iseop's Romance" (Yi-Seob's Yeonae), an adaptation of the wildly popular web novel and webtoon of the same name.
What Is Iseop's Romance?
Iseop's Romance is a romantic office drama based on a beloved web novel and webtoon series that already has a massive and devoted fanbase. The story centers on Tae Iseop, a third-generation chaebol who, on the surface, has everything (looks, wealth, status) but is hopelessly unlucky when it comes to love. The drama promises the classic slow-burn tension, enemies-to-lovers energy, and all the swoon-worthy moments that rom-com fans live for.
Lee Jong-suk as Tae Iseop
Lee Jong-suk, 36, will be stepping into the role of the charming and complicated Tae Iseop. For fans who've followed his career, this feels like a natural fit the man practically invented the soft-yet-intense leading man trope in K-dramas. From the sharp wit of Pinocchio to the dreamy tension of W: Two Worlds and the warm chemistry of Romance Is a Bonus Book, Lee Jong-suk has proven time and again that he knows how to make hearts race.
His most recent drama, Law and the City (tvN, 2025), saw him play a competent but emotionally guarded lawyer a departure from the romantic genre. So Iseop's Romance marks a welcome return to the rom-com territory where he truly shines.
The Fan Reaction: Excitement, Hope, and a Dash of Drama
Of course, whenever a beloved webtoon gets adapted, the fans have feelings. And this casting announcement is no exception.
Reactions online have been split right down the middle. Some fans of the original source material have raised their eyebrows, feeling that Lee Jong-suk doesn't quite match the Tae Iseop they pictured while reading. Comments like "Ah... He doesn't suit Tae Iseop" and "This isn't what I pictured" have been circulating on platforms like theqoo.
But the defense squad is equally loud. Long-time fans of Lee Jong-suk are quick to point out his track record with complex romantic characters, with one fan summing it up perfectly: "Lee Jong-suk has a proven ability to reinterpret characters, and I trust he will bring something fresh to Tae Iseop."
And honestly? They have a point. Actors often surprise us. Some of the most beloved drama performances came from castings that initially raised eyebrows.
Why This Drama Matters
For K-drama fans, this project carries a lot of weight for several reasons:
1. A Rom-Com Renaissance for LJS Lee Jong-suk hasn't done a proper rom-com since Romance Is a Bonus Book in 2019. That's nearly six years. The demand for him in a lighter, love-forward project has been loud and consistent fans have been screaming for this since Big Mouth wrapped in 2022.
2. A High-Stakes Adaptation Adapting a popular webtoon is always a double-edged sword. The built-in audience is massive, but so are the expectations. The production team will need to nail not just the casting but the tone, pacing, and chemistry to satisfy fans of the source material.
3. The Anticipation Is Already Sky-High Despite no confirmed premiere date or broadcast platform yet, the buzz around Iseop's Romance is already deafening. That level of pre-production excitement is rare and speaks volumes about how much people care about this project, and about Lee Jong-suk's comeback to romance.
What We Know So Far
- Drama Title: Iseop's Romance (Yi-Seob's Yeonae / 이섭의 연애)
- Male Lead: Lee Jong-suk as Tae Iseop
- Genre: Romantic office drama
- Based on: Popular web novel and webtoon
- Premiere Date: TBA (reportedly targeting 2027)
- Female Lead: Not yet confirmed
Final Thoughts
Love the casting or not, one thing is certain: Iseop's Romance is already one of the most talked-about upcoming K-dramas, and it hasn't even started filming yet. Lee Jong-suk has a long history of taking on roles that fans were uncertain about and then absolutely delivering.
Whether you're a die-hard LJS fan ready to stream whatever he's in, or a webtoon loyalist waiting to be convinced, this is definitely a drama to keep on your radar.
One thing's for sure, the moment that first teaser drops, K-drama X is going to combust.