tvN's new weekend drama 'Secret Audit' premiered on the 25th, showcasing a fresh take on romantic comedy with a unique twist. The show stars Shin Hye-sun as the 'tough' audit manager Joo In-ah and Gong Myung as the 'ace' of the audit team, No Gi-jun. From their electrifying first encounter to the start of a 'scandalous' audit, the drama is filled with unexpected office gossip episodes, enhanced by the flawless performances of the cast, delivering both laughter and engagement.
The premiere recorded a viewership rating of 4.8% on average, peaking at 6.6% in the metropolitan area, and 4.4% on average, peaking at 6.0% nationwide. This is a 0.7% increase from the final episode of its predecessor, 'How to Become a Building Owner in Korea,' which had a rating of 3.7%. On the same day, SBS's 'God and Law Office' recorded 6.0%, and MBC's '21st Century Grand Lady' achieved 11.2%.
The episode depicted No Gi-jun, the ace of the audit team, facing a life-altering change. Known for solving major internal corruption cases with confidence and representing the audit team, No Gi-jun's life took an unexpected turn with the arrival of the new audit manager, Joo In-ah. Just as he successfully handled another corruption case and was about to be promoted, Joo In-ah reassigned him to the lowest-ranking audit team, responsible for office gossip. Joo In-ah, notorious for stirring up every community within the 'Haemu Group,' is the most avoided person in the company. As rumors suggest, dealing with her is no easy task for No Gi-jun.
No Gi-jun's first case under Joo In-ah's leadership was equally challenging. He received a tip about an inappropriate relationship between employees, with the informant, Young-hee (played by Park Ha-sun), suspecting her husband's infidelity and requesting an investigation. After meeting the employees involved, No Gi-jun was convinced there was no affair, attributing Young-hee's concerns to paranoia. However, Joo In-ah, sensing something amiss, questioned No Gi-jun's report, leading to the revelation that Young-hee's claims were true. The episode ended with Young-hee expressing her anger towards No Gi-jun, who fainted in Joo In-ah's arms, heightening anticipation for future developments.
Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr