'Undercover Miss Hong' is gradually depicting the lead character Hong Geum-bo's changing and growing exploits, raising immersion to a maximum.
On the 15th (Sun), through episode 10, the tvN weekend 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) continued its hot buzz by ranking first in the 2049 viewership in its time slot across all channels including terrestrial broadcasters (nationwide, metropolitan area). In addition, the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, based on 54,437,218 pieces of brand big data from Jan. 16 to Feb. 16, measured consumers' brand engagement and communication volume, media consumption, brand diffusion, and consumption to analyze brand reputation big data, and the drama sector took first place. Lead actress Park Shin-hye also rose to first in drama actor brand reputation, proving viewers' interest.
In particular, vividly three-dimensional characters were active throughout, driving the drama's success. Among the characters who fill the story with their own keywords such as secrets and twists, confrontation and conflict, harmony and cooperation, the protagonist Hong Geum-bo's narrative has been especially beloved by viewers. From a 35-year-old securities regulator to a 20-year-old entry-level employee, he underwent a dramatic transformation to go undercover at Hanmin Securities, and he leads immersion and empathy by unfolding not only external changes but also inner growth.
Hong Geum-bo was known as the 'Yeouido witch' for her ruthless way of handling work and lone-wolf personality, and she had few colleagues she could open up to, let alone friends. But to carry out a smooth undercover mission, she moved into Seoul's dormitory for single female workers and met her roommates in room 301, sharing friendship and gradually changing. The four roommates, each with their own secrets, went through trials together and built a strong bond, and the four women's "irreplaceable" womance that transcended real names, ages and identities brought laughter and emotion to living rooms.
The story of Kim Mi-sook (played by Kang Chae-young), who had known Hong Geum-bo's identity from the connection made nine years earlier yet pretended not to know, put the finishing touch on their narrative. Hong Geum-bo silently listened to Go Bok-hee (played by Ha Yoon-Kyung)'s sobbing words, "You thought you were so good you wouldn't get caught? Everyone let you slide!" and shed hot tears, and Kim Mi-sook's altruistic side, who had always prayed for others, became a major turning point for Hong Geum-bo. Realizing a warm heart and sense of responsibility toward others, she moved away from her original goal of finding the slush fund ledger to hurt the Hanmin Securities founding family and instead set out to save Hanmin Securities in her own way to protect the livelihoods of the people close to her.
The special camaraderie that bloomed in Hanmin Securities' crisis management headquarters also contributed to Hong Geum-bo's change. The crisis management headquarters, led by Albert Oh (played by Cho Han-gyeol) and consisting of the listless Director Bang Jin-mok (played by Kim Do-hyun) and computer enthusiast Director Lee Yong-gi (played by Jang Do-ha), had been called a backroom department within the company, but it began to change with Hong Geum-bo's arrival. The team gained recognition for results and produced achievements, and team members who had fallen into ennui began to work with enthusiasm. But when the IMF crisis brought staff cuts, the crisis management headquarters scattered, and despite Albert Oh's efforts to protect the team, Director Bang became a target for dismissal. Although he had waged his own struggle as the whistleblower "Yepi," Director Bang ultimately left the company without regret, and his departing figure left a bitter feeling for Hong Geum-bo as well.
Attention is focused on the growth story that Hong Geum-bo, who underwent change through relationships with those around her, will complete. Because Hong Geum-bo had so far dealt wisely with various crises based on top-level ability, viewers are curious about what kind of exploits he will display now that he has also acquired humanity. Expectations rise as the Hong Geum-bo, who did not need others' help, joins hands with Go Bok-hee and gradually enlists reliable supporters one by one to produce even more valuable results.
'Undercover Miss Hong' will air episode 11 on the 21st (Sat) at 9:10 p.m.
[Photo] tvN
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