SBS has locked in a powerhouse duo for its ambitious 2027 sci-fi series Nightmare, with Kim Nam-gil and Lee Yoo-mi officially confirmed to headline the project that redefines vigilante justice through the manipulation of dreams.
The drama unfolds in a near-future world where artificial intelligence enables the infiltration of human subconsciousness, allowing a clandestine group of vigilantes to deliver punishment to criminals who slip through the cracks of the legal system. Instead of conventional incarceration, these wrongdoers are condemned to inescapable, custom-crafted nightmares that torment them until death—a concept that fuses high-stakes thriller elements with psychological horror and speculative technology.
Kim Nam-gil steps into the role of Kim Tae-i, a battle-hardened detective from the Violent Crimes Unit who emerges from a long undercover stint markedly altered. His speech patterns, demeanor, and daily habits have shifted dramatically, yet his core drive to eradicate evil burns fiercer than ever. Portrayed as possessing primal, almost feral instincts and a dangerous charisma that outstrips many of the criminals he pursues, Kim Tae-i teams up with a shadowy collective skilled in nightmare creation to hunt down untouchable offenders. Kim Nam-gil's track record in delivering gripping, layered performances in high-intensity projects positions him perfectly to embody this complex, transformed law enforcer.
Lee Yoo-mi portrays Jang Gyu-eun, a victim support officer in the southern district police force. On the surface, she comes across as reserved, easily embarrassed, and soft-spoken. But once inside the dream realm, she reveals her true power as a "nightmare designer," infiltrating the subconscious of evildoers who have evaded justice and subjecting them to unrelenting, harrowing ordeals. Lee Yoo-mi, fresh off her Emmy-winning guest role and other critically praised appearances, is set to showcase remarkable range by contrasting everyday vulnerability with dream-world ferocity.
Through their unlikely alliance, the detective and the nightmare architect push the boundaries of retribution, creating a narrative that stands apart from standard crime procedurals by delving into the ethics of dream-based punishment and the blurred line between justice and vengeance.
The production team shared their core intent: “By punishing criminals that are difficult to prosecute under real-world law within nightmares, we aim to deliver a sense of catharsis. The partnership between a detective and a nightmare designer will offer a new level of immersion.”
Nightmare is set to premiere in 2027.
