Rising Star Jo Han-gyeol Shines in 'Undercover Miss Hong' with a Captivating Performance
Jo Han-gyeol, who debuted in 2020, has delivered a transformative performance in the drama 'Undercover Miss Hong,' starring Park Shin-hye. The 2002-born actor, who recently signed an exclusive contract with Sublime, home to stars like Ko So-young, Seo Ye-ji, and Nana, was relatively unknown before this role. However, his collaboration with Park Shin-hye has brought him unprecedented attention.

'Undercover Miss Hong' is a retro office comedy set in the late 1990s. It follows elite securities supervisor Hong Geum-bo (played by Park Shin-hye) as she goes undercover at a securities firm to track suspicious financial flows. Jo Han-gyeol plays Albert Oh, the free-spirited cinephile grandson of the chairman of Hanmin Securities and the only son of Executive Director Oh Deok-kyu.

Albert is not driven by affection for Geum-bo but by his own sense of justice, marking a significant shift in his character. He confesses to being the leader of the Yeouido Pirates, who leak internal securities data, and discovers Geum-bo's true identity as a securities supervisor, opening a new chapter in the story.

Rising Star Jo Han-gyeol Shines in 'Undercover Miss Hong' with a Captivating Performance
Determined to uncover the truth behind his uncle Kang Myung-hwi's (played by Choi Won-young) death, Albert decides to maintain his alliance with Geum-bo, showing a newfound sense of responsibility. His unwavering determination, even as he involves his father, Executive Director Oh, adds tension to the drama.

Jo Han-gyeol adds depth to his character with subtle changes in his gaze and tone, avoiding over-expressive emotions. He convincingly portrays Albert's growth, revealing loyalty and decisiveness behind his carefree facade.

As Albert transitions from a perceived nepotism beneficiary to a central player actively shaking up the game, viewers are eager to see his next moves.

'Undercover Miss Hong,' driven by Jo Han-gyeol's dynamic performance, achieved its highest ratings yet with episode 11 on the 21st, recording an average of 10.6% and a peak of 12.6% nationwide across cable, IPTV, and satellite platforms. In the metropolitan area, it averaged 10.7% and peaked at 13.1%.

The drama, gaining popularity thanks to Jo Han-gyeol's fresh performance, airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr