TVING is gearing up for the highly anticipated premiere of its upcoming drama Dear X, set to air on November 6. The series is based on a popular webtoon and follows the intense life of Baek Ah Jin, played by Kim You Jung.
Baek Ah Jin is a celebrated actress who climbs from the lowest point of her life to reach stardom, but her success comes at the cost of using others. Alongside her, Kim Young Dae takes on the role of Yoon Joon Seo, a man who chooses to endure suffering to protect her.
The drama promises a layered story of ambition, love, and downfall, highlighting both the glamorous and destructive sides of the entertainment industry.
The controversy over the poster
While anticipation for Dear X has been building, the show recently faced an unexpected setback. TVING released its first promotional poster, which featured Baek Ah Jin staring coldly through a torn sheet of paper. The bold red title letters against the stark white background added a chilling effect to the teaser.
However, the design quickly sparked criticism online. Fans and netizens noticed that the poster closely resembled the promotional material for the 2017 Chinese film The Devotion of Suspect X . The movie, adapted from Keigo Higashino’s bestselling novel, used a nearly identical concept in its official artwork.
TVING drama “Dear X” official poster (Credits: TVING)
TVING responds with an apology
On September 9, TVING acknowledged the issue and released a statement addressing the controversy. A representative admitted that the similarity had been overlooked during production.
They explained, “We belatedly recognised the similarity to a particular reference and immediately discontinued its use. We have also decided not to use it in the future.”
The statement also included an apology to viewers, noting, “We sincerely apologise for causing discomfort due to our failure to thoroughly review the production process. We will strengthen our review procedures to ensure such incidents do not happen again.”
By withdrawing the poster and promising stricter oversight, the production team hopes to rebuild confidence ahead of the drama’s release.
Anticipation for the drama’s release
Despite the setback, interest in Dear X remains strong. Kim You Jung’s transformation into the complex character Baek Ah Jin has already generated buzz, while Kim Young Dae’s casting adds further excitement.
The drama’s storyline, which centred on ambition, manipulation, and romance, has positioned it as one of TVING’s most anticipated releases this year. With a talented cast and a gripping plot, expectations are high for its November debut.
Fans are now looking forward to seeing how the series balances its dark themes with emotional depth, and how the on-screen chemistry between Kim You Jung and Kim Young Dae unfolds.
Dear X premieres on November 6, and TVING is expected to release new teasers and promotional materials in the weeks leading up to the broadcast. Viewers will be watching closely to see if the drama lives up to the hype surrounding its release.
The anime adaptation of The Beginning After the End has been one of the most discussed shows of the year, though not always for positive reasons. Produced by Studio A Cat, the series quickly gained attention from fans of the original web novel and manhwa.
However, when the anime aired, it faced widespread criticism for its animation quality, pacing, and presentation. Many viewers felt that the adaptation did not capture the charm, depth, or intensity of the source material. Now, Crunchyroll has announced that the series will receive a second season, a decision that has sparked debate across the anime community.
For supporters of the sequel, the news brings hope that the production team can improve on the shortcomings of the first season. Fans of the story argue that the world-building, characters, and emotional arcs in the original material are strong enough to deserve another chance.
They believe that if the studio listens to criticism, the sequel could offer a much more faithful and visually appealing version of the story. This optimism is based on the idea that many anime have improved significantly in their later seasons, learning from feedback and investing more resources into animation and storytelling.
On the other side, critics question whether The Beginning After the End deserves renewal at all. The first season was heavily criticized for inconsistent animation and lifeless visuals, with many fans describing it as disappointing compared to their expectations.
Some argue that renewing the series rewards poor execution and sets a bad example in the industry, suggesting that studios can produce low-quality work and still secure another season. This view reflects a broader concern in the anime community about the balance between business decisions and artistic quality.
The Beginning After the End Franchise (Credits: TurtleMe)
The Beginning After the End Renewal Divides Fans Over Anime Quality
The controversy also highlights how much weight fans place on animation quality. While story and characters are central to any series, poor visuals can overshadow even the strongest plot. Viewers often share screenshots and clips online, pointing out awkward frames or lackluster action sequences.
These moments quickly spread, shaping the reputation of a show in the wider anime community. For The Beginning After the End, the visual shortcomings became one of its defining features, announcing of a second season, surprising to many.
Another part of the debate focuses on the role of streaming platforms like Crunchyroll. As one of the biggest distributors of anime outside Japan, Crunchyroll has significant influence over which series get promoted and continued.
Some fans feel that the decision to renew The Beginning After the End is more about securing content for its platform than responding to audience satisfaction. Others suggest that Crunchyroll sees long-term potential in the series, given the popularity of the web novel and manhwa, and is willing to invest in hopes of a turnaround.
It is also important to recognize that adaptations are always challenging. Compressing long, detailed source material into limited episodes often means cutting scenes or changing pacing, and not every creative decision pleases fans.
For The Beginning After the End, the disappointment may stem from the fact that expectations were so high. The original story has a passionate following, and many fans dreamed of an adaptation on the level of major fantasy anime. When the reality fell short, frustration turned into strong backlash.
Crunchyroll’s Season 2 Announcement Sparks Debate on Deserved Adaptations
Looking ahead, the second season now carries heavy expectations. Supporters hope that the studio will improve animation quality, expand character development, and stay closer to the source material. Critics remain skeptical, warning that without major changes, the sequel could repeat the same mistakes. In either case, the debate itself shows how invested fans are in the story and how much they care about seeing it adapted properly.
The announcement has also sparked broader conversations about the state of anime production. Studios are often under pressure to produce content quickly, which can lead to lower quality. Fans argue that patience and investment are necessary to create adaptations worthy of their source material.
The Beginning After the End Franchise (Credits: TurtleMe)
At the same time, the financial realities of the industry mean that popularity and profit often outweigh artistic concerns. The Beginning After the End sits at the center of this conflict, symbolizing the tension between fan expectations and industry decisions.
In the end, the renewal of The Beginning After the End reflects both hope and controversy. It shows that the story’s popularity remains strong, but it also raises questions about what fans should expect from adaptations. Whether the second season redeems the anime or deepens the disappointment will depend on how the studio responds to the criticism. For now, the debate continues, reminding everyone of the delicate balance between business, creativity, and the passion of fans who want to see their favorite stories done justice.
