Additional cast: Lee Sang Yi as detective Lee Dong Jin, who firmly believes in lawful justice rather than vigilante punishment. Determined to capture Kingfisher, he relentlessly pursues her. Lee’s cat-and-mouse dynamic with Gong Hyo Jin is expected to be one of the drama’s key attractions.
Sung Dong Il as Kim Bong Pal, the head of Sales Team 3 at Durumi Electronics. Though nicknamed “Bong the Pushover” because of his kind nature, he secretly possesses tremendous experience and formidable combat skills. He serves as a reliable ally who supports and protects Yoo Bo Na after her return to life as a killer.
Kang Mina has reportedly been cast as the female lead. She is set to take on her first leading role since her debut.
A representative from her agency, Story J Company, told Star News on the 9th, “Kang Mina has received an offer to appear in the new drama ‘Protect Me’ and is positively considering it.”
She will play Kang Hae Ra, a detective in the violent crimes unit. A former national taekwondo athlete, she joined the police through a special recruitment program for martial artists. With her agile movements, swaying ponytail, and mischievous smile, she has a uniquely charming beauty that brightens people's moods. While she is highly capable and sharp when dealing with other people's problems, she is surprisingly clumsy when it comes to her own affairs. She is affectionate and caring—seen positively as warm-hearted, or negatively as someone who tends to meddle in others' business.
‘Protect Me’ is being produced by Kakao Entertainment with a screenplay by Lee Yong Jo.
‘King of Hawaii’ is a large-scale seasonal drama currently in active development.
The series will be directed by Lee Won Suk (Killing Romance, How to Use Guys with Secret Tips), while writer Kim Bo Tong (D.P., Labor Attorney Noh Moo-jin) is participating in planning and development.
https://x.com/disneypluskr/status/2064860161408385410
https://x.com/netflixkr/status/2064860160930017641
https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/117/0004073246
Characters:
Kim So Yeon as Jang Ha Gyeong, a contract employee working at the VIP Club Lounge front desk of the Jeravi Hotel.
Kim Ji Seok as Lee Dong Jin, the deputy manager of marketing for the Jeravi Hotel VIP Club Lounge.
Yoon Hyun Min as Park Mu Hyeok, the manager of the dedicated VIP Club Lounge team at Jeravi Hotel.
Hwang Woo Seul Hye as O Yu Mi, Ha Gyeong's former workplace mentor and current best friend.
Produced by SLL, Studio Him, and Alchemist Media and scheduled to air on JTBC in the second half of 2026.
https://www.slist.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=744383
https://x.com/sbsnow/status/2064497772695335404
Additional cast:
Lee Sang Yi as detective Lee Dong Jin, who firmly believes in lawful justice rather than vigilante punishment. Determined to capture Kingfisher, he relentlessly pursues her. Lee’s cat-and-mouse dynamic with Gong Hyo Jin is expected to be one of the drama’s key attractions.
Sung Dong Il as Kim Bong Pal, the head of Sales Team 3 at Durumi Electronics. Though nicknamed “Bong the Pushover” because of his kind nature, he secretly possesses tremendous experience and formidable combat skills. He serves as a reliable ally who supports and protects Yoo Bo Na after her return to life as a killer.
https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/109/0005550071
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgpkeQIMCZc
https://x.com/netflixkr/status/2064120289613496779
https://x.com/kbs_drama/status/2064120291006259375
A representative from her agency, Story J Company, told Star News on the 9th, “Kang Mina has received an offer to appear in the new drama ‘Protect Me’ and is positively considering it.”
She will play Kang Hae Ra, a detective in the violent crimes unit. A former national taekwondo athlete, she joined the police through a special recruitment program for martial artists. With her agile movements, swaying ponytail, and mischievous smile, she has a uniquely charming beauty that brightens people's moods. While she is highly capable and sharp when dealing with other people's problems, she is surprisingly clumsy when it comes to her own affairs. She is affectionate and caring—seen positively as warm-hearted, or negatively as someone who tends to meddle in others' business.
‘Protect Me’ is being produced by Kakao Entertainment with a screenplay by Lee Yong Jo.
https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/117/0004072655
https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/108/0003442705
https://x.com/leejunhyuk6_fan/status/2063826079614169552
https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/609/0001132494
https://x.com/sbsnow/status/2063788100652871995
https://x.com/cjndrama/status/2063757900422828049
with Eng sub
https://x.com/primevideosg/status/2063773098684330460
https://www.filmmakers.co.kr/proCrewRecruiting/29373969
https://x.com/cjndrama/status/2062315896958562702
script reading:
https://x.com/ktstudiogenie/status/2062308348763291648
The series will be directed by Lee Won Suk (Killing Romance, How to Use Guys with Secret Tips), while writer Kim Bo Tong (D.P., Labor Attorney Noh Moo-jin) is participating in planning and development.
https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/396/0000745812
https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/396/0000745812