Empowering Women: 'Salon de Holmes' Concludes with Record Ratings and a Happy Ending

The popular ENA drama 'Salon de Holmes', starring Lee Si-young, who is currently pregnant with her second child post-divorce, has captivated audiences with its portrayal of strong female solidarity leading to a triumphant happy ending.

In the 10th episode, aired on the 15th, viewers watched as Gong Mi-ri (played by Lee Si-young), Choo Kyung-ja (Jung Young-joo), Park So-hee (Kim Da-som), and Jeon Ji-hyun (Nam Gi-ae) risked everything to rescue Mi-ri's daughter, Kang Hyun-ji (Kang Ji-woo), from the clutches of the notorious serial killer 'Ribbon Man', Kim Hyun-deok (Kim Jung-ho). The episode also introduced Choi Yang-hee (Kim Geum-soon) joining the female detective team, adding warmth to the storyline. The finale achieved a peak rating of 4.5% and a nationwide rating of 3.6%, marking the series' highest viewership.

Mi-ri discovered evidence that the security guard of Gwangseon Jugong Apartments, Kim Hyun-deok, was responsible for the murder of her friend Ji-eun (Park Hyo-eun) and Ji-eun's mother (Lee Sun-joo), disguised as suicides. Realizing Mi-ri had the evidence, Kim Hyun-deok kidnapped Hyun-ji and lured Mi-ri to an abandoned hospital where a crime occurred 22 years ago, demanding the tape recorder as evidence. Mi-ri pretended to hand over the recorder to save Hyun-ji, but it was a copy, and with So-hee's help, the original was delivered to Detective Kang-sik (Oh Dae-hwan).

As Mi-ri fought to find Hyun-ji, who was trapped somewhere, Kyung-ja, So-hee, and Ji-hyun rushed to her aid. Overwhelmed by the quartet's efforts, Kim Hyun-deok set the hospital ablaze. Despite the flames, the team searched for Hyun-ji, while Gwang-kyu (Lee Jae-kyun) and the detective team's families arrived to join the fight. Together, they captured the 'Ribbon Man', and Mi-ri and Seung-ho (Jung Sang-hoon) successfully rescued Hyun-ji from the basement.

With peace restored, the story of the female detective team capturing the 'Ribbon Man' made headlines, and the café-cum-detective agency 'Salon de Holmes', run by Mi-ri and Seung-ho, became a bustling hub. Choi Yang-hee, who had previously staged a hostage situation to catch her husband's mistress, joined as a new detective, completing the happy ending.

'Salon de Holmes' thrilled viewers by showcasing women from a typical apartment complex solving everyday issues and personal challenges, providing a refreshing sense of catharsis. The series demonstrated the competitive edge of female solidarity narratives in a male-dominated drama market.

The show tackled a range of villains, from everyday nuisances like illegal parking and school bullying to more severe threats like serial killers, blending comedy, thriller, and 'womance' genres for an engaging experience. Director Min Jin-ki's rhythmic direction and vibrant character play received praise.

The cast's performances were outstanding. Lee Si-young, Jung Young-joo, Kim Da-som, and Nam Gi-ae shone as 'everyday woman heroes', delivering humor, relatable 'womance', and intense action. Supporting actors Oh Dae-hwan, Jung Sang-hoon, Lee Soo-ji (Park Soo-ji), Lee Jae-kyun, Park Ji-ah (Neighborhood Association President), Kim Jong-chil, Son Sung-ho (Byun Hak-do), Kim Jung-ho, and others played scene-stealing roles. Additionally, a star-studded lineup of cameos, including Kim Geum-soon, Kim Jun-hyun, Kim Min-ho, Lee Chung-gu, Kim Hyun-kyu, Lee Sang-jin, Kim Hee-soo, Oh Eui-sik, Lim Ji-kyu, and Han Sang-jin, added delightful touches to the series.

Reporter: Tae Yuna, TenAsia youyou@tenasia.co.kr