Bromance and Tension: Heo Sung-tae and Lee Hak-joo Bring Comedy to 'Fifties Professionals'
Heo Sung-tae and Lee Hak-joo create a powerful comedic energy with their bromance caught between loyalty and reality in 'Fifties Professionals'.

Following the romantic comedy '21st Century Grand Lady' starring IU and Byun Woo-seok, MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Fifties Professionals' has released stills featuring the bromance between Kang Beom-ryong (played by Heo Sung-tae) and his subordinate Ma Gong-bok (played by Lee Hak-joo), raising anticipation. '21st Century Grand Lady' started with a 7.8% viewership rating and has proven its popularity with a recent episode reaching 11.2%.

Heo Sung-tae plays 'Kang Beom-ryong', the second-in-command of the Hwasan faction who has been running a convenience store for 10 years, while Lee Hak-joo plays 'Ma Gong-bok', a former gang member now working at the store. Once bound by loyalty thicker than blood, their relationship has shifted over the decade from brothers-in-arms to store owner and part-time employee.

Bromance and Tension: Heo Sung-tae and Lee Hak-joo Bring Comedy to 'Fifties Professionals'
The stills capture Beom-ryong and Gong-bok in an intriguing shot. Since following Ho-myung (played by Shin Ha-kyun) to Yeongseon Island, they have been secretly observing his every move. Believing the answer to a ferry incident from 10 years ago lies in a 'thing', their surveillance begins. Their unshaven faces and tired eyes hint at the passage of time, adding humor. Meanwhile, Gong-bok's serious expression and teary eyes raise curiosity about whether their stakeout will succeed.

In another still, Beom-ryong is seen grabbing Gong-bok by the collar in anger, drawing attention. Gong-bok's changed attitude towards Beom-ryong sparks curiosity. Gong-bok stands firm against Beom-ryong's clenched fist, raising questions about what transpired between them over the past decade.

'Fifties Professionals' tells the story of three seemingly ordinary men who are driven by fate to act again. Despite being worn down by life, their loyalty and instincts remain intact in this salty action comedy about true professionals who have lived 50% of their lives. It premieres on May 22nd (Friday) at 9:50 PM.

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