Park Shin Hye’s small screen return has taken Korean television by storm, with her latest drama Undercover Miss Hong rapidly growing viewership. Initially met with skepticism due to its dry financial premise, the show defied expectations, boasting a stunning 210% increase in ratings, from 3.5% in the first episode to 7,408% in episode four.
Set in the late ’90s, this retro office comedy follows Hong Geum Bo (played by Park Shin Hye), a brilliant 35-year-old financial investigator. Known as the “Witch of Yeouido”, she is the first female officer of the Capital Markets Investigation Bureau of the Financial Supervisory Service. When she is assigned an undercover assignment at a suspicious brokerage firm, she must pose as a twenty-year-old office assistant, Hong Jang Mi, leading to a whirlwind of embarrassing and comical situations.
The dual role premise showcases Park Shin Hye’s acting range like never before. She seamlessly transforms between the sharp, elite inspector and a naïve, youthful assistant, captivating audiences with her expressive performance and age-defying imagery. Fans and critics alike have praised her for breaking free from her previously stereotyped roles, demonstrating her versatility and emotional depth.
What sets Undercover Miss Hong apart is its refusal to rely on nostalgia alone. The production team meticulously recreates the ’90s setting with authentic props – bulky landline phones, fax machines and curved-screen monitors – paired with period-accurate fashion. Rather than simply applying a retro filter, the show offers a fully immersive period experience.
Despite the financial theme, the drama does not live in desolation. Instead, it highlights the vibrancy and resilience of people living through economic turmoil. The upbeat tone, paired with compelling storytelling and layered characters, offers viewers both heart and humor, instantly making it a standout in the sea of ​​2026 rom-coms.
Park Shin Hye’s return has clearly struck a chord with audiences, and if the explosive ratings growth is any indication, Undercover Miss Hong is set to become one of the most talked about dramas of the year.
