Kim Hye Soo and Jo Yeo Jeong Top Brand Rankings with 'The Affair Was Just the Beginning'

Kim Hye Soo and Jo Yeo Jeong are generating considerable buzz with their joint appearance in the Coupang Play original series 'The Affair Was Just the Beginning.' This project marks their reunion after 23 years, drawing significant attention, and their synergy was recently highlighted as Kim Hye Soo ranked first and Jo Yeo Jeong second in the latest actor brand reputation survey.

'The Affair Was Just the Beginning' is an 8-episode drama that premiered on July 31, 2026, with its finale on September 4. Directed by Lee Chang-hee and written by Jung Eun-kyung and Park Soo-rin, it blends black comedy, crime, and thriller genres. Kim Hye Soo portrays Park Kyung-hee, a success-driven interior CEO, while Jo Yeo Jeong plays Su-jeong, a central character. The series follows an influencer couple who project a happy family image and their doctor neighbors embroiled in a divorce, as they become entangled in an unbearable secret.

Bloggers noted the intriguing title of the drama, finding its exploration of a larger incident beyond infidelity to be captivating. The fact that Kim Hye Soo and Jo Yeo Jeong ranked consecutively at the top of brand reputation lists is seen as an interesting outcome, suggesting their on-screen chemistry extends to real-world recognition. The sustained popularity of Kim Hye Soo and the over 70% increase in Jo Yeo Jeong's brand reputation from the previous month are considered contributors to the series' success.