Seo Kang-joon's 'Undercover High School' Struggles with Ratings Despite Star Power

'You Know What?' Reporter Lee So-jung from TenAsia captures intriguing issues in the broadcasting world to stimulate the public's dopamine.

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MBC's drama 'Undercover High School,' which marked Seo Kang-joon's return from military service, is seeing a decline in viewership ratings with each episode. Initially, Seo captivated audiences with his striking visuals and stable acting skills. However, as the series progressed, the show has been criticized for its childish dialogues and weak plot, leading to reactions like "Seo Kang-joon is wasted on this."

At the press conference last month, Seo described 'Undercover High School' as a blend of comedy, action, romance, and crime, offering a light viewing experience with hidden messages. However, viewers have pointed out that this multi-genre approach dilutes the show's focus, with inconsistent flow and a lack of coherence, turning initial liveliness into childishness and clichés.

The drama follows a National Intelligence Service agent who goes undercover as a high school student to find the lost gold of Emperor Gojong. It premiered on September 21, with an initial rating of 5.6%, peaking at 8.3% by episode 4. Seo had promised to send the entire staff on an overseas trip if ratings surpassed 12%.

However, the positive outlook was short-lived. Episode 5 saw a drop to 7.2%, and by episode 10, ratings hit a low of 5.4%. Critics have noted that outdated lines like "I'm the teacher, and you're the student" and the unconvincing NIS setup hinder viewer engagement.

The show's struggles are highlighted when compared to its time-slot competitor, 'Treasure Island,' starring Park Hyung-sik, which started at 6.1% and quickly surpassed double digits, reaching 13.1%. Meanwhile, 'Undercover High School' continues to see declining viewership.

Despite this, the drama maintains high buzz, largely due to Seo Kang-joon's star power. However, the overall reception of the show is less favorable, with critiques pointing out that the main storyline, direction, and character development lack harmony, leaving Seo as the sole standout.

Seo Kang-joon, who debuted in the 2013 web drama 'After School: Lucky or Not,' gained massive popularity with his role in 'Cheese in the Trap' (2016) as Baek In-ho. While he has expanded his acting range across various genres, he has yet to find a new signature role surpassing 'Cheese in the Trap.' 'Undercover High School' was highly anticipated by fans and industry insiders alike.

However, with only two episodes left, a ratings rebound seems unlikely. The show's intended genre complexity and unique premise were not fully realized, and the execution lacked the finesse needed to elevate the drama's quality. This has led to renewed questions and disappointment regarding Seo's choice of projects.

Seo's presence remains strong, with his nuanced emotional performances and striking visuals continuing to be his strengths. Yet, the unrealistic plot of an NIS agent posing as a high school student, coupled with a lack of organic character connections, diminishes the show's overall appeal.

Ultimately, despite its high profile, 'Undercover High School' is likely to conclude without meeting audience expectations in terms of ratings. Seo Kang-joon's star quality remains undeniable, but the search for a new defining role continues.