Five years after winning fans’ hearts in Start-Up, Bae Suzy and Kim Seon-ho return in a gothic fantasy series set to stir emotions and ignite new chemistry on Disney+.
A long-awaited reunion with a dark twist
It’s the reunion fans have been waiting for — though probably not in the way they expected. Five years after their memorable performances in the hit South Korean drama Start-Up, Bae Suzy and Kim Seon-ho are set to share the screen once again, this time in Delusion, a genre-bending vampire romance from Disney+.
Set against a mysterious, moody backdrop, Delusion is adapted from a popular webtoon of the same name. The series has officially begun production and is already generating buzz among K-drama enthusiasts and Start-Up loyalists alike. With Bae taking on the role of a disillusioned vampire and Kim portraying a sensitive painter, Delusion promises an emotional ride — part romance, part fantasy, and entirely different from their last on-screen collaboration.
Inside the story: Heartbreak, immortality, and art
At the heart of Delusion is the character of Song Jeong-hwa (played by Bae Suzy), a centuries-old vampire burdened by time and haunted by a long history of loss. Tired of her hollow existence, she commissions a portrait from a human painter — not just as a keepsake, but as a quiet farewell to the world she no longer feels connected to.
Enter Yun I-ho (Kim Seon-ho), a talented yet emotionally guarded artist with his own hidden scars. As he sets out to capture Jeong-hwa’s likeness, a quiet tension begins to grow between the two. What starts as a professional agreement soon becomes something more intimate — a connection that defies their respective worlds. The dynamic between them holds the promise of healing, but also the threat of destruction.
With themes of longing, mortality, and redemption, Delusion explores what it means to feel alive — even when life seems long gone. The premise may sound like classic gothic fantasy, but in the hands of director-writer Han Jae-rim (The 8 Show), the story is expected to unfold with a layered, psychological depth rarely seen in mainstream K-dramas.
From Start-Up to Delusion: Evolving on-screen chemistry
Bae Suzy and Kim Seon-ho first captured hearts as Seo Dal-mi and Han Ji-pyeong in Start-Up, the 2020 tech-business drama that launched countless debates over the show’s central love triangle. Although the romance between their characters never fully materialized on-screen, their magnetic chemistry left a lasting impression.
Both actors received critical acclaim for their performances. Bae won Outstanding Korean Actress at the Seoul International Drama Awards, while Kim was crowned Most Popular Actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2021 — accolades that underscored their growing influence in the Korean entertainment industry.
Delusion marks a significant departure from the bright, competitive energy of Start-Up, giving the actors room to explore more nuanced emotional territory. Early behind-the-scenes reports suggest that their reunion may exceed fans’ expectations, offering a new kind of tension — moody, tragic, and maybe even otherworldly.
Han Jae-rim’s signature storytelling
The project is helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Han Jae-rim, known most recently for directing Netflix’s dark comedy-drama The 8 Show. His work is often recognized for its clever narrative structure and complex characters, a promising sign that Delusion will deliver more than just a typical supernatural romance.
Han’s involvement also signals Disney+’s commitment to premium K-drama storytelling. With his experience balancing genre with emotional depth, Han seems well-positioned to steer Delusion into the kind of prestige drama that resonates far beyond its fantasy premise.
Disney+ is doubling down on Korean content
Delusion is the latest in a string of original South Korean dramas released by Disney+, reflecting the platform’s strategic push into the Asian market. The company has been investing heavily in Korean IP in recent years, seeking to rival established platforms like Netflix in the K-drama space.
Its most recent release, Nine Puzzles, premiered on May 21 and stars Kim Da-mi and Son Suk-ku in a gritty murder mystery involving a string of deaths tied to enigmatic puzzle pieces. The diversity in genre — from crime thrillers to supernatural romance — indicates Disney+ is not just following trends, but shaping them.
As audiences continue to demand richer, more diverse storytelling, platforms like Disney+ are increasingly placing their bets on high-concept, emotionally driven Korean dramas like Delusion.
What to expect and why fans are watching closely
Though no official release date has been announced, Delusion is already one of the most anticipated K-dramas on the Disney+ slate. Its blend of vampire lore, slow-burn romance, and character-driven storytelling sets it apart in a landscape crowded with lighter fare.
But what truly has fans counting down is the second chance to see Bae Suzy and Kim Seon-ho together on-screen. This time, the odds may finally be in their favor — if not in plot, then in performance. Whether you’re a Start-Up shipper seeking closure or a fantasy drama fan looking for your next obsession, Delusion is shaping up to be a must-watch.
Stay tuned — if Delusion is anything like its title suggests, we might all end up questioning what’s real and what’s just beautifully haunting fiction.
