tvN
With only two episodes left until the finale, ‘Undercover Miss Hong’ is depicting the stories of characters carrying richly varied narratives.
As of the 1st (Sun), with episode 14 aired, the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama ‘Undercover Miss Hong’ (directed by Park Sun-ho, Na Ji-hyun / written by Moon Hyun-kyung / planned by Studio Dragon / produced by Celltrion Entertainment, Studio Dragon) is continuing an unabated upward trajectory to the finish. That day’s ratings reached a series high, averaging 11.8% and peaking at 13.1% nationwide across paid platforms that combine cable, IPTV, and satellite, and averaging 12.3% and peaking at 13.9% in the capital area. Not only did it break into double digits for a second consecutive week, it also held No. 1 across all channels in its time slot. Among tvN’s target 20-49 male-female demographic, it also ranked No. 1 across all channels including terrestrial networks, both nationwide and in the capital area, proving its unshakable No. 1 class among weekend dramas. (Based on paid platforms combining cable, IPTV, and satellite / provided by Nielsen Korea)
The characters in ‘Undercover Miss Hong’, each with their own stories, are excelling in their respective places, driving the drama’s intrigue and tension to a peak. In particular, after Park Shin-hye (as Hong Geum-bo) newly took the helm of the Yeouido Pirates and reached out to Shin Jung-woo (Go Kyung-pyo), the once-veiled true face and sincerity of Shin gradually came to light, lending credibility to his actions.
Shin Jung-woo long ago became connected to Hong Geum-bo as her senior from university, lover, and fellow accountant. Nine years ago, disappointed that he turned a blind eye to Hanmin Securities’ accounting fraud, Hong turned her back on him, and when a colleague involved in the case took his own life, the incident left a deep scar on them both. After taking office as the new president of Hanmin Securities, Shin quickly saw through Hong’s true identity as an undercover plant at the firm; while he kept throwing brakes on her operation, he neither exposed her nor forced her out, maintaining a curious distance that heightened the tension.
In fact, Shin Jung-woo had another agenda. He had planned to join hands with overseas investment firm DK Ventures, secure a stake in Hanmin Securities, and swallow the company. Watching the domestic economy, he foresaw an IMF crisis yet took no action, and by quietly cooperating with Hong Geum-bo as she tried to stop Hanmin Securities from submitting a false accounting report to obtain government support, he remained hard to read. However, even as he charged toward his ultimate goal of seizing control of Hanmin Securities, his genuine concern for Hong’s safety showed through. Worried she might be dragged into a major uproar, he persisted in trying to dissuade her, even meeting Yoon Jae-beom (played by Kim Won-hae), a director at the Securities Supervisory Service, to ask a favor, earnestly hoping Hong would face no further danger.
Shin has lived with guilt over failing to protect Hong nine years ago, and when Kang Noh-ra (played by Choi Ji-su) asked whether he still had feelings, he replied, “No. Because I don’t want to repeat my regrets,” signaling his resolve not to repeat the same mistake. At last, just as Hong planned, he was dismissed from the presidency of Hanmin Securities; he accepted a recruitment offer from the Yeouido Pirates and actively aided their operations to recover slush funds and secure shares. He also contacted Chairman Kang Pil-beom (played by Lee Deok-hwa) directly on Hong’s behalf to carry out a provocation, making bold yet composed moves that helped cement the Yeouido Pirates’ menacing presence.
Thus, Shin has rapidly emerged as a key figure in the showdown with Hanmin Securities, establishing himself as Hong’s steadfast ally. Viewers were moved by the revelation that, despite having pursued pragmatism, he held a distinctive conviction, and that amid the worries and conflicts born from the case nine years ago, his sincerity in wanting to protect Hong remained unwavering. Attention now turns to the feats Shin, who is undergoing a multidimensional transformation, will show next.
The 15th episode of the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama ‘Undercover Miss Hong’ will air at 10 p.m. on the 7th (Sat).
