Park Bo-young Shines in 'Unknown Seoul' as Ratings Soar

Kim Se-ah's Insight
Reporter Kim Se-ah from TenAsia delves deeply into entertainment issues.

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tvN's weekend drama 'Unknown Seoul' is experiencing a steady rise in viewership ratings. Contrary to its quiet start, the show reached a 7.4% rating by its 8th episode, thanks to Park Bo-young's solid acting and a storyline that resonates across generations.

'Unknown Seoul' is a romantic coming-of-age drama about twin sisters who swap lives through lies to find true love and life. Starring Park Bo-young, Park Jin-young, and Ryu Kyung-soo, the drama has gained attention with Park Bo-young's portrayal of four different characters.

Starting with a 3.6% rating, 'Unknown Seoul' has more than doubled its viewership, entering a stable trajectory of success. Compared to its predecessor, 'Someday Wise Resident Life' (SWRL), which only reached 7-8% in its final episodes, 'Unknown Seoul' is climbing rapidly.

The most captivating aspect is Park Bo-young's performance in four roles. She not only changed her hairstyle and clothing but also differentiated her speech, voice, expressions, and breathing, earning praise from viewers who thought they were watching different actors. Despite initial concerns about her playing twin sisters, Park Bo-young convincingly carried the narrative, enhancing the show's immersion.

As the plot progresses, the differences between the twin characters become more pronounced, adding depth to the story. Supporting actors like Kim Sun-young and Jang Young-nam also contributed positively to the ratings with their stable performances.

The drama's non-sensational approach and comforting resolution of issues have been well-received. The protagonist's sister, who suffered from workplace bullying, swaps lives with the protagonist and moves to the countryside to farm, depicting new beginnings in their own ways. Many viewers found this narrative comforting. The younger audience related to the protagonist's first love story from school days, while the 30s and 40s demographic resonated with the workplace storyline. The lack of polarizing genre elements and the show's appeal to all age groups have been key factors in its success.

At a previous press conference, director Park Shin-woo remarked, "Park Bo-young's stability is veteran-level, while her appearance is that of a rookie." True to this assessment, 'Unknown Seoul' showcases Park Bo-young's acting prowess and image power. Although she hadn't had a major hit on cable since 'Strong Woman Do Bong-soon' in 2017, 'Unknown Seoul' reaffirms her standing in the industry.

Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr