Park Shin-hye's Thrilling Undercover Mission in 'Miss Hong' Hits Record Ratings

Park Shin-hye embarks on a daring mission to secure slush funds with a new ally in the latest episode of tvN's weekend drama 'Undercover Miss Hong' (hereafter 'Miss Hong').

In the 11th episode aired on the 21st, Hong Geum-bo (played by Park Shin-hye) not only secured part of Hanmin Securities' slush funds but also delved into the identity of the Yeouido Pirates. The episode achieved its highest ratings yet, with a nationwide average of 10.6% and a peak of 12.6%, and in the metropolitan area, an average of 10.7% and a peak of 13.1%. This marks the first time the show has surpassed double-digit ratings.

In a tense situation where Kang No-ra (Choi Ji-soo) buys time, Go Bok-hee (Ha Yoon-kyung) successfully impersonates Chief Song Ju-ran (Park Mi-hyun) to secure a bank guarantee, allowing Hong Geum-bo to withdraw 24 billion won in slush funds. Despite seeing the cash, Hong Geum-bo is frustrated, stating, "This isn't even a tenth of what Chairman Kang Pil-beom (Lee Deok-hwa) embezzled." As she dives deeper into the mission to secure Hanmin Securities' slush funds, she meets with her superior at the Securities Supervisory Service, Director Yoon Jae-beom (Kim Won-hae), explaining why she can't return to her previous life. Director Yoon, comforting her about the incident with Kim Mi-sook (Kang Chae-young), ends up shedding tears himself.

Meanwhile, Shin Jung-woo (Go Kyung-pyo) and DK Ventures' plan to take over Hanmin Securities faces a hitch when posts questioning their relationship appear on the Yeouido Pirates' PC communication network. Shin Jung-woo requests the site's closure through Director Oh Deok-kyu (Kim Hyung-mook), but the Yeouido Pirates, provoked by this action, declare their intent to reveal the truth about Hanmin Securities' slush funds, escalating the chaos. Hong Geum-bo, convinced that the 'Captain' of the Yeouido Pirates is within Hanmin Securities, devises a plan to lure them out with a fake confidential document.

The bait reveals the Captain's identity as none other than Albert Oh (Jo Han-gyeol). Feeling disillusioned with life in Yeouido, Albert Oh had proposed a collaboration with computer enthusiast Lee Yong-gi (Jang Do-ha), combining his insider knowledge as a family member of the company with Lee's hacking skills to form the Yeouido Pirates. However, with no further information on Hanmin Securities' slush funds from the Pirates, Hong Geum-bo and Go Bok-hee hit a roadblock. Albert Oh, questioning their actions, eventually discovers Hong Geum-bo's true identity as a 35-year-old securities inspector on an undercover mission, not a 20-year-old rookie.

Amidst the economic turmoil, a warm moment brings smiles to the characters of 'Miss Hong.' Hong Geum-bo celebrates her birthday with her family at their chicken restaurant, and Kang No-ra, who had distanced herself, joins in for a rare happy moment. The touching scenes of the three women reminiscing about their time in Room 301 bring tears to viewers' eyes. Additionally, Hong Geum-bo's comment, "The carols on the street are a trailer for my birthday celebration," shocks Kang No-ra, as it echoes a story told by her fiancé Shin Jung-woo about his past love.

The episode ends with the formation of a new 'dream team' to safely recover Hanmin Securities' slush funds. Albert Oh and Lee Yong-gi, now aware of Hong Geum-bo's true identity and the plan with Go Bok-hee, join forces. The anticipation builds for how these four individuals with different skills will collaborate for an exhilarating storyline in the next episode.

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