The 50 billion won blockbuster 'Ask the Stars' has left audiences disappointed and has departed the small screen, while 'Potato Research Institute' made its premiere.
The first episode of the tvN weekend drama 'Potato Research Institute' (written by Kim Ho-su, directed by Kang Il-soo and Shim Jae-hyun) aired on the 1st, showcasing a surprised Kim Mi-kyung (Lee Sun-bin) upon reuniting with So Baek-ho (Kang Tae-oh).
Kim Mi-kyung, a research team assistant at Sunyeo Foods' Potato Research Institute, was trying to secure contracts by introducing the new potato variety 'Jangsaeng' to local residents. While negotiating prices with them, she was unable to achieve her goals and, to make matters worse, was shocked by the news that Sunyeo Foods was being acquired by Wonhan Retail. Kim Mi-kyung had worked at Wonhan Retail for six years but left due to unfavorable circumstances and was currently employed at the Potato Research Institute.
Wonhan Retail summoned the employees of the Potato Research Institute to the headquarters to fill out personnel record cards. The employees of the Potato Research Institute, who had lost in the power struggle, especially Kim Mi-kyung, hid when she saw her former lover Park Gi-se (Lee Hak-joo) but was caught and left the scene while making an obscene gesture.
So Baek-ho suddenly burst into the Potato Research Institute to conduct a field inspection. Kim Mi-kyung, who had rushed back to the institute after going to Seoul, was angry and questioned him, but So Baek-ho pointed out, "I did not go too far. I only checked communal items. The owner of this office is Wonhan Retail, and the entity I represent is also Wonhan Retail, so there is no ethical issue. Should I have been given time to avoid criticism? That's more like a preliminary meeting than a field inspection."
Kim Mi-kyung cursed So Baek-ho to be hit in the back of the head while walking. At that moment, the magpie she saved as a chick, 'Sunyeo,' began to fiercely attack So Baek-ho. In an attempt to escape from 'Sunyeo's' attack, So Baek-ho stumbled and fell into a potato field, rolling around before finally stopping. After being transported to the hospital, So Baek-ho told Kim Mi-kyung, who accompanied him, "I know that the institute is making efforts. Even if they are all potatoes, think of them as different samples. It was impressive, and I won't jump to conclusions, so don't worry and focus on your work."
Just moments after feeling reassured by So Baek-ho's words, the next morning, the director of the Potato Research Institute, Hong Sun-ik (Kim Kyu-cheol), was fired. With news of a new director coming in, Kim Mi-kyung attempted to raise her fighting spirit and was about to reach for a cigarette she had quit. However, rain prevented her from smoking, and frustrated by her lack of control over the situation, she burst into tears. At that moment, a man approached and held an umbrella over Kim Mi-kyung. It was a romantic scene, but upon realizing it was So Baek-ho, Kim Mi-kyung exclaimed, "XX," drawing laughter.
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