Jang Seung-Jo Joins Lim Ji-Yeon & Heo Nam-Jun in New Drama Project

1. Big News for the Cast

There’s exciting news in the K-drama world: veteran actor Jang Seung‑Jo has been confirmed to join the cast of an upcoming SBS Friday-Saturday drama tentatively titled Brave New World (working title).
He’ll be joining already-confirmed leads Lim Ji‑Yeon and Heo Nam‑Jun, who were announced earlier. 

2. What We Know About the Drama

Title & network: The working title is “Brave New World” (literal translation) and it’s scheduled to air on SBS in the Friday-Saturday slot. 
Premise:

• Lim Ji-Yeon plays Shin Seo Ri, an obscure actress in modern Korea whose body becomes possessed by Kang Dan-Shim, a notorious villainess from the Joseon era. 

• Heo Nam-Jun plays Cha Se-Gye, the heir of a powerful conglomerate (Cha Il Group) known for abusing his power. 

• The story explores their troubled love-hate relationship across time and identity, blending historical fantasy with modern drama.
  Jang Seung-Jo’s Role: According to recent reports, he will portray Choi Moon-Do, an ambitious construction firm president and a fifth cousin in relation to the chaebol heir. His character is described as combining ambition and charm.
  Creative Team: The drama is directed by Han Tae‑Seob and written by Kang Hyun‑Joo. 
  Air Date: The drama is slated for 2026. 

3. Why This Casting Matters

• Lim Ji-Yeon has been undergoing an evolution in her acting roles, often taking on darker or more complex characters (for example in “The Glory” and “The Tale of Lady Ok”). Her dual-role concept here — an actress + historical villainess spirit — adds extra dimension.

• Heo Nam-Jun is stepping into a distinctively villainous, wealthy heir role — a shift from his earlier supporting turns. That makes the dynamic between him and Lim Ji-Yeon highly anticipated. 

• Jang Seung-Jo’s addition enriches the ensemble with a seasoned actor who brings gravitas to supporting roles — from his past in “Strangers Again” (2023) and others. This suggests his character may be central to the power drama side of the story. 

• The blend of genres — historical fantasy, modern corporate intrigue, romance, identity transformation — increases the stakes and expectation.

4. What to Watch For / Fan Expectations

• Chemistry & power dynamics: With three strong actors each bringing a different tonal energy, the conflicts and alliances between their characters will be key. For example: how Lim’s dual-character handles the modern world; how Heo’s heir wields power; how Jang’s ambitious industrialist fits into the power game.

• Setting & aesthetics: From Joseon era villainess to modern conglomerate, expect costume, set design, and time-shifting visuals to play a big role.

• Themes of identity: The possession concept + dual-roles means identity, body-mind split, retribution from past lives, and the modern consequence of legacy will likely be explored.

• Corporate intrigue & villainy: The presence of a chaebol heir and a construction company president hints at corporate rivalry, moral corruption, and high-stakes business warfare underpinning the romance.

• Scheduling & airing slot: Because this is a Friday-Saturday drama on SBS and set for 2026, early teasers and promotional materials will likely drop in late 2025, so fan attention should ramp up soon.

• Global streaming: While not yet confirmed, given the scale and cast, global streaming or international licensing is highly possible — something to keep in mind for overseas fans.

5. What This Means for the Actors’ Careers

• For Lim Ji-Yeon: Another opportunity to diversify and deepen her “transformative” actor brand.

• For Heo Nam-Jun: A chance to elevate from supporting roles into a major villain-type lead in a high-profile frame.

• For Jang Seung-Jo: A strategic inclusion that reinforces his versatility and value as a supporting cast actor in big-budget dramas.

• For the drama industry: The love-hate, time-crossing romance + corporate intrigue formula is trending, so this project taps into current audience tastes while mixing historical fantasy—a hybrid appealing to both K-drama buffs and wider attention.

6. Summary & Looking Forward

In summary:

• Jang Seung-Jo is officially on board the upcoming SBS drama “Brave New World” alongside Lim Ji-Yeon and Heo Nam-Jun.

• The drama blends historical fantasy (possession of a Joseon villainess), modern corporate drama (chaebol heir, construction president), and romance/conflict.

• It’s scheduled for 2026, and casting + creative team suggest strong production value and story ambition.

• Fans should keep an eye out for teasers, teasers of character previews, and announcements of streaming platforms or international distribution.