K-drama fans, this one feels special.
Two of Korea’s most popular leading men — Lee Jong-Suk and Lee Jun-Hyuk — are officially heading separate upcoming dramas. But here’s the twist: both shows exist inside the same fictional universe.
Yes, two different office romance dramas. Two different love stories. One shared world.
And the internet is already buzzing.
The Official Announcement
Production company ACE FACTORY confirmed on February 23 that:
- Lee Jong-Suk will headline Iseop’s Romance (working title)
- Lee Jun-Hyuk will lead A Casual Lie (working title)
Both series are adapted from popular web novels written by author Kim Eon-Hee.
While the dramas will tell separate stories with different protagonists, the source novels are set within the same fictional universe — meaning the drama adaptations are expected to maintain that connection.
And yes, fans are already speculating about crossovers.
How The Stories Connect
At the heart of both shows is the powerful TK Group — and two cousins caught in love and corporate politics.
📌 Iseop’s Romance
This drama follows Tae I-Seop, a third-generation chaebol heir who seemingly excels at everything — except romance.
His life changes when he meets Kang Min-Kyeong, a brilliant and ambitious employee known as the “secret weapon” of TK Group. The story focuses on emotional growth, vulnerability, and the complicated dance between power and love in a high-stakes corporate setting.
With Lee Jong-Suk stepping into the role, expectations are high. He has built a career playing emotionally layered characters who balance arrogance with softness.
📌 A Casual Lie
Meanwhile, A Casual Lie centers on Tae Jun-Seop — the grandson of TK Group’s chairman — and copywriter Yeon Woo-Kyung.
Their relationship unfolds amid a brewing succession battle within the conglomerate. Romance sparks as boardroom tensions rise.
Here’s the key connection: Tae I-Seop and Tae Jun-Seop are cousins.
Which means the two male leads exist in the same family, same corporate empire, same timeline.
Filming for both dramas is reportedly scheduled to happen simultaneously, increasing the chances of cameo appearances between the two shows.
Why This Casting Feels So Smart
Lee Jong-Suk and Lee Jun-Hyuk have very different acting energies.
- Lee Jong-Suk often leans into emotionally expressive, romantic leads with internal conflict.
- Lee Jun-Hyuk tends to bring quieter intensity and sharp charisma to his roles.
Seeing them anchor parallel stories inside the same universe adds an intriguing layer — especially for viewers who enjoy interconnected storytelling (think shared drama worlds, but grounded in romance and corporate power).
Their Recent Work
Lee Jong-Suk has delivered memorable performances in series like:
- W
- While You Were Sleeping
- Big Mouth
He was last seen in Law and the City in 2025.
Lee Jun-Hyuk, on the other hand, recently gained renewed popularity with:
- Love Scout
- Vigilante
- 365: Repeat the Year
Fresh off the success of The Art of Sarah, he has firmly established himself as a versatile leading man.
What Fans Are Hoping For
Because both dramas share a universe:
- Viewers are expecting crossover cameos.
- Fans are hoping for shared family scenes.
- Some are even predicting a future spin-off merging both storylines.
The idea of two chaebol cousins navigating love, rivalry, and legacy within the same corporate empire feels tailor-made for long-form storytelling.
Final Words
Shared universes aren’t new to Hollywood — but they’re still relatively rare in romance-driven K-dramas.
By pairing Lee Jong-Suk and Lee Jun-Hyuk in connected stories, producers are betting on star power and fan curiosity.
Two leading men. Two love stories. One corporate dynasty.
If executed well, this could become one of the most interesting K-drama rollouts of the year.
