Park Min-young Shines Again in tvN Drama 'Siren' with Impressive Ratings

Park Min-young, often dubbed the 'tvN Civil Servant' for her consistent success on the network, has once again achieved impressive results with her latest tvN drama, 'Siren.' Previously, she had lost weight down to 37kg for her role in 'Marry My Husband' in 2024, which was a hit. However, her appearance in TV Chosun's 'Confidence Man KR' last year left a bit of disappointment with a low rating of 0.7% for its October episode.

The first episode of the tvN Monday-Tuesday drama 'Siren,' aired on October 2nd, captivated viewers with its intense storyline. The episode featured insurance investigator Cha Woo-seok (played by Wi Ha-joon) unraveling mysteries surrounding the glamorous auctioneer Han Seol-ah (played by Park Min-young).

The premiere episode achieved a viewership rating of 5.5% on average, peaking at 7.2% in both the metropolitan area and nationwide, securing the top spot among cable and general programming channels in its time slot, according to Nielsen Korea.

In the episode, Cha Woo-seok receives a tip-off while pursuing a ruthless individual who trades lives for money. He heads to Royal Auction, only to be shocked by the sight of informant Kim Yoon-ji (played by Lee El-yi) lying bloodied after a fall from the rooftop.

Suspicious of Kim Yoon-ji's death and the insurance fraud tip-off, Cha Woo-seok begins gathering clues. He discovers that Kim Yoon-ji had a contentious relationship with Han Seol-ah before her death and that Han Seol-ah was uncooperative in the investigation, raising red flags for Cha Woo-seok.

As Cha Woo-seok delves deeper into Han Seol-ah's background, more suspicious activities come to light, intensifying his suspicions. He learns that a man named Yoon Seung-jae (played by Ha Seok-jin) had named Han Seol-ah as the beneficiary of a multi-million-dollar life insurance policy, which he abruptly canceled before his recent death. Cha Woo-seok suspects Han Seol-ah might be the insurance murder suspect Kim Yoon-ji intended to expose and sets out to confront her.

When Cha Woo-seok confronts Han Seol-ah, he challenges her with questions about her profession as an auctioneer handling vast sums of money and her relationship with Kim Yoon-ji. Despite his probing, Han Seol-ah remains composed and defends her position.

However, when Cha Woo-seok mentions Yoon Seung-jae's name, Han Seol-ah's calm demeanor begins to crack. She reveals that she was engaged to Yoon Seung-jae and questions the connection between his accident and Kim Yoon-ji's case. Cha Woo-seok senses something amiss in her reaction.

A call to the police claims that Kim Yoon-ji was murdered, not a suicide, sparking numerous speculations. The fact that Han Seol-ah was seen on the rooftop at the time of Kim Yoon-ji's fall adds to the intrigue, leaving viewers wondering about her involvement in Kim Yoon-ji's death.

'Siren' has captivated audiences from its first episode with its unexpected incidents at Royal Auction and the enigmatic aura surrounding auctioneer Han Seol-ah. The fast-paced storyline, unique mise-en-scène utilizing art pieces, atmospheric music, and stylish direction hint at the birth of a new well-made romance thriller.

The actors' transformations into their characters also shine brightly. Park Min-young, portraying the mysterious Han Seol-ah, and Wi Ha-joon, as the cold and charismatic Cha Woo-seok, deliver performances that heighten the drama's immersion. With all elements—direction, acting, story, and music—harmoniously blending, anticipation builds for the next chapter of 'Siren.'

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr