Netflix’s Shocking Cast Announcement For “Min Hee Jin Inspired” K-Drama Sparks Explosive Reactions

Netflix’s latest casting news has taken K-Drama fans by surprise, especially after the platform confirmed the production of its upcoming original series Variety and revealed the leads.

| HYBE

K-Dramas about the idol industry aren’t rare in the Korean entertainment world. However, they rarely include some of the best actors in the industry. On July 21 KST, Netflix announced that the highly anticipated series will be led by none other than Crash Landing on You’s Son Ye Jin and former IZ*ONE member — who recently gained acting fame from Squid Game — Jo Yuri.

The announcement quickly went viral after news emerged that Son Ye Jin’s role bears a striking resemblance to one of Korea’s most talked-about entertainment figures in recent months: former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin.

According to a previous Sports Seoul report, “[Son Ye Jin had] reportedly been offered a charismatic and refreshing ‘straight-shooter’ character, reminiscent of former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin.”

While Netflix has not officially confirmed any connection to Min Hee Jin, the parallels are difficult for many fans to ignore. The company has also now confirmed that Son has accepted the offer.

Fact Check: Will Son Ye Jin Play Min Hee Jin In Upcoming K-Pop Idol K-Drama?

In Variety, Son Ye Jin plays “Sae Eun,” a highly capable entertainment company executive known for her unmatched planning and ambition. She is described as someone who makes cold, calculated decisions to protect the idol group she created — even risking everything to secure a contract renewal. The character arc and connection to the idol industry have drawn comparisons to the real-life former ADOR executive who gained attention for her influence in shaping idol branding through NJZ (NewJeans) and for her recent legal disputes with HYBE.

| Netflix

Jo Yuri, best known for her acting in Squid Game seasons 2 and 3, joins the cast as “Seung Hee,” a passionate fan who obsessively follows her favorite idol. Desperate to get close to them, she uses any means necessary, which promises to add an intense and unpredictable layer to the story.

| Netflix

With a bold premise and a high-profile cast, Variety is already sparking massive interest for the real-life parallels viewers believe it’s drawing inspiration from.

Netflix has green lighted the Kpop Netflix series “Variety”

inspired by the heroic actions of min heejin

The cast features Jo Yu -ri and Son Ye-Jin pic.twitter.com/62HPNK7Ha0

— Lia (@Splias) July 21, 2025

Min heejin mother THAT'S HER IMPACT. y'all outside sk, have the audacity to speak on the behalf of SK's women themselves, despising them fo siding with min heejin??? WHO TF ARE YOU? listen to the women who live and going through shit in that country not fanwars opinions https://t.co/0ln3scEwe8

— .ℛℴ𝓈 ֶֶֶָָָ֢֢֢☘︎ྀ (@_Honeyily) July 21, 2025

ain't this the drama they were making about mhj….. https://t.co/57GG1Aqnvs

— ` (@missingmedics) July 21, 2025