Lee Young-ae Returns to KBS After 26 Years with Thrilling Debut in 'Walking On Thin Ice'

Lee Young-ae makes a powerful return to KBS after 26 years with the premiere of 'Walking On Thin Ice,' a human crime thriller that sets a new standard with its gripping storyline and stellar performances.

The first episode of KBS 2TV's weekend mini-series 'Walking On Thin Ice' (directed by Song Hyun-wook, written by Jeon Young-shin), aired on the night of the 20th at 9:20 PM, introduced viewers to the intriguing encounter between Kang Eunsoo (played by Lee Young-ae), a housewife who enters the world of drugs to protect her family, and Lee Kyung (played by Kim Young-kwang), who leads a double life as an art instructor and club MD.

The episode garnered a 4.0% viewership rating (provided by Nielsen Korea, nationwide household standard), leaving a strong impression and marking a promising start.

In this episode, Kang Eunsoo faces a devastating tragedy. Her husband, Park Do-jin (played by Bae Soo-bin), fails in cryptocurrency investment, putting their home at risk of auction. Park Do-jin, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, had taken the risky investment to secure his family's future.

As her husband's condition worsens, Eunsoo learns the truth and struggles to gather funds for his treatment. From the very first episode, Lee Young-ae captivates viewers with her natural performance and emotional range.

The pursuit of the drug trafficking organization Phantom by the Gwangnam Police Station's narcotics team is nothing short of spectacular. When member Bong-nam (played by Kim Yoon-bae) hides a bag of drugs in Eunsoo's house during his escape and subsequently dies, Team Leader Jang Tae-goo (played by Park Yong-woo) intensifies the investigation, heightening the tension.

Kang Eunsoo discovers that the mysterious substance in the bag left by Bong-nam is high-priced drugs. Just as she is about to report it to the police, she decides to sell the drugs to fund Do-jin's treatment, adding extreme suspense to the plot.

Meanwhile, in her quest to cover medical expenses, Eunsoo takes a job at a club, where she overhears a conversation about club MD James. The story takes a dramatic turn when she discovers that James is actually her daughter's art instructor, Lee Kyung. Shocked by this revelation, Eunsoo follows James, clinging to her last hope.

At the end of the episode, as Lee Kyung is unsettled by Eunsoo discovering his identity, Eunsoo dramatically reveals a bag of drugs and proposes, "Let's partner up." This dramatic ending transforms their relationship in an instant, raising anticipation and curiosity for the next episode.

Reported by Chaeryeong Lim, TenAsia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr