Kim You-jung's 'Dear X' Earns Spot on STARZPLAY's 'Best of 2025' List, Cementing K-Drama's MENA Dominance
CJ ENM's romance-thriller climbed STARZPLAY charts throughout its run, finishing as a top title across the Middle East and North Africa
By Jang Hojin
CJ ENM's gripping romance-thriller Dear X has secured a prestigious place on STARZPLAY's curated year-end list, Best of 2025. The annual selection highlights 10 standout titles compiled from viewership data across the platform, and Dear X's inclusion marks another milestone for Korean content's expanding footprint in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
A Steady Climb to the Top
Dear X premiered on STARZPLAY on November 6, 2025, through a simulcast arrangement that allowed MENA viewers to watch episodes nearly in real time with Korea. To maximize accessibility and engagement, the platform offered Arabic subtitles — a move that proved instrumental in drawing local audiences into the drama's complex narrative world.
According to STARZPLAY, Dear X demonstrated remarkable upward momentum throughout its run. The series entered the platform's Top 4 during its early episodes, climbed into the Top 3 through its mid-run stretch, and ultimately reached the Top 2 as it approached its finale. This consistent trajectory reflects both the show's narrative pull and its growing word-of-mouth appeal among MENA subscribers.
Behind the Beautiful Facade
The drama stars Kim You-jung as Baek Ah-jin, a woman who conceals deep pain behind a flawless exterior. As she strategically climbs to the top, she leaves behind a trail of those she has manipulated — her so-called "X" figures. The cast also features Kim Young-dae, Kim Do-hun, and Lee Yul-eum in a story that blends romance with psychological tension, exploring themes of ambition, deception, and the cost of wearing emotional masks.
The series is directed with a keen eye for character complexity, weaving together moments of vulnerability and calculation that kept audiences guessing throughout its run. Critics have noted that Kim You-jung's portrayal of Baek Ah-jin represents some of her most mature and nuanced work to date, a departure from the bright, youthful roles that first brought her fame.
K-Content's Growing Presence in MENA
Dear X's success on STARZPLAY is part of a broader trend of Korean content resonating with audiences across the Middle East and North Africa. The region has seen a significant surge in K-drama viewership over the past several years, with platforms like STARZPLAY actively investing in Korean licensing deals to meet growing demand.
CJ ENM has been at the forefront of this global expansion, leveraging its extensive drama catalog to build partnerships with international streaming services. The company's strategy of simultaneous releases with localized subtitles has proven particularly effective in building loyal viewer bases outside traditional Korean entertainment markets.
What This Means for 2026
With Dear X closing out 2025 on such a strong note, expectations are high for CJ ENM's upcoming slate. The selection for STARZPLAY's Best of 2025 not only validates the drama's creative quality but also signals that MENA audiences are hungry for more Korean storytelling that combines emotional depth with genre-bending suspense. As the K-drama wave continues to expand beyond East Asia and the West, the Middle East emerges as one of the most promising growth markets for Korean entertainment content.
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저작권자 © KEnterHub 무단전재 및 재배포, AI학습 및 활용 금지
Entertainment Journalist · KEnterHub
Entertainment journalist specializing in K-Pop, K-Drama, and Korean celebrity news. Covers artist comebacks, drama premieres, award shows, and fan culture with in-depth reporting and analysis.
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