Set in the bustling financial hub of 1990s Yeouido, tvN’s latest weekend offering, Undercover Miss Hong, debuts with infectious energy, merging sharp satire with a gripping investigative storyline. Directed by Park Sun-ho and penned by Moon Hyun-kyung, the series wastes no time drawing viewers into its stylized world of pagers, power suits, and corporate deceit.
The premiere episode, which aired on the 17th, opened with Hong Geum-bo—played with magnetic intensity by Park Shin-hye—a top-tier securities investigator known for her uncompromising ethics and no-nonsense attitude. Dubbed the “Witch of Yeouido,” she’s a force to be reckoned with, as seen when she literally kicks back against workplace injustice. Her world tilts when an anonymous tip from a whistleblower named “Yeppi” implicates Hanmin Securities in a slush fund scandal.
Teaming up with CEO Kang Myung-hwi (Choi Won-young), Hong begins gathering evidence—until tragedy strikes. Kang’s sudden death under suspicious circumstances shifts public sentiment, painting the regulatory body as overzealous. Blamed for unauthorized communication with the late CEO, Hong faces disciplinary action. To clear her name and uncover the truth, her superior Director Yoon Jae-beom (Kim Won-hae) proposes a radical plan: go undercover as a fresh-faced 20-year-old recruit at Hanmin Securities.
What follows is a comedic transformation worthy of any classic undercover tale. With coaching from her younger sister Hong Jang-mi (Shin Yuna), Geum-bo reinvents herself—adopting her sister’s ID, enduring crash courses in youth slang, and stepping into the shoes of a rookie employee. Her infiltration brings both laughs and catharsis as she confronts outdated workplace culture with modern sensibilities.
Her mission deepens as she moves into a shared dormitory, joining a compelling ensemble including Go Bok-hee (Ha Yoon-kyung), the observant personal secretary to the late CEO; Kang Noh-ra (Choi Ji-soo), the chairman’s secret daughter; and Kim Mi-sook (Kang Chae-young), a sharp-tongued bank teller. Room 301 becomes a hub of tension and intrigue, especially as Go Bok-hee seems suspicious of Hong’s true identity from their first encounter.
Balancing retro aesthetics with timely social commentary, Undercover Miss Hong delivers more than nostalgia—it offers a smart, fast-paced narrative anchored by Park Shin-hye’s dynamic dual performance. The drama’s ability to weave financial corruption into a comedic office setting sets it apart in the current K-drama landscape.
Ratings reflect its strong start: 3.5% nationwide (peaking at 4.3%), according to Nielsen Korea.
The stage is set for Episode 2 (airing the 18th at 9:10 PM KST), where a new CEO enters Hanmin Securities, threatening to reshape the power structure. Meanwhile, Hong’s double life grows harder to maintain, promising even more suspense and humor.
With its blend of wit, style, and substance, Undercover Miss Hong is poised to be one of the season’s most entertaining watches.
Undercover Miss Hong is also available on Netflix for rest of the world viewers.
