The “Underestimated Casting” Line of Lee Chae Min and Kim Jae Won 😭

In the world of K-dramas, casting announcements almost always spark debates online. Fans already have their dream picks, especially when a series is adapted from a beloved webtoon or when the role comes with huge expectations. And somehow, two actors who recently experienced that pressure firsthand are #LeeChaeMin and #KimJaeWon.

What makes it even more interesting? These two actors actually worked together before in the Netflix original teen thriller, Hierarchy — a drama that introduced viewers to the intense and competitive world of Korea’s elite high school students. 

While the series highlighted their different charms and acting styles, nobody probably expected that both actors would later go through almost the same public reaction regarding their next major projects.

Lee Chae Min and His Breakthrough Sageuk Moment

When #LeeChaeMin was cast in Bon Appetit, Your Majesty, many people were honestly unsure if he could pull off a sageuk role. Historical dramas are known for being one of the hardest genres in Korea because they require strong delivery, emotional control, traditional diction, and a screen presence powerful enough to match the grandeur of the setting.

At first, some viewers felt he looked “too modern” for the role, while others doubted whether he had enough experience to lead a historical romance drama.

But the moment the series aired, everything changed.

Viewers quickly fell for his deep voice tone, expressive acting, and the way his chemistry blended so naturally with #YoonA. Instead of looking awkward in a historical setting, Lee Chae Min ended up bringing a refreshing charm to the genre — balancing softness, emotional intensity, and royal charisma all at once.

The response became so strong that he eventually received the Best Rookie Actor in Drama award at the Baeksang Arts Awards for his performance in Bon Appetit, Your Majesty — proving that the actor many initially underestimated was more than capable of carrying a major sageuk project.

Honestly, it became one of those casting decisions people doubted at first but later couldn’t imagine anyone else doing.

Kim Jae Won Had the Tougher Challenge

Meanwhile, #KimJaeWon stepped into a completely different kind of pressure.

Joining Yumi's Cells as Soonrok was never going to be easy. The franchise already had a massive fanbase, and webtoon readers had spent years imagining what the character should look and feel like. When casting news dropped, many fans immediately compared him to their own “ideal” version of Soonrok.

Some even questioned whether Kim Jae Won had enough acting experience for such a beloved role.

But after the release, the conversation changed almost instantly.

Viewers began praising how soft yet emotionally grounded his portrayal felt. More importantly, fans completely fell for his chemistry with #KimGoEun. Instead of trying too hard to imitate the webtoon version, Kim Jae Won made the character feel natural and sincere in his own way — which is probably why audiences eventually connected with him.

Now, the same people who once doubted the casting are basically saying:

“Oh… so they really WERE the right people for the roles after all.” 😭

The Similarity Between Their Journeys

What’s fascinating is how parallel their experiences became.

Both actors:

• Faced skepticism immediately after casting announcements
• Entered projects with huge expectations attached
• Had to prove themselves through performance rather than hype
• Won viewers over once the dramas actually aired

And maybe that says a lot about how quickly audiences judge casting decisions before seeing the full picture.

Sometimes, actors don’t need to match the version fans already imagined. Sometimes they just need the chance to make the role their own.

Lee Chae Min and Kim Jae Won may have started as the “underestimated choices,” but now they’re becoming two of the most talked-about rising actors among K-drama fans — and honestly, seeing that turnaround happen in real time feels incredibly satisfying.