Lee Deok-hwa Leaves a Lasting Impression as a Villain in 'Undercover Miss Hong'

Actor Lee Deok-hwa made a strong impact as a shameless villain in the recently concluded tvN weekend drama 'Undercover Miss Hong'.

Lee Deok-hwa portrayed Kang Pil-beom, the chairman of Hanmin Securities, showcasing the ruthless and tragic side of a power-hungry character.

Kang Pil-beom's daughter, Kang Nora (played by Choi Ji-soo), unexpectedly mentioned a Swiss account during Hanmin Securities' New Year press conference. This revelation led to suspicions of slush funds, and Kang Pil-beom could not avoid an investigation by the National Tax Service. Before the investigation, Kang Pil-beom planned to withdraw the slush funds by fleeing to Switzerland and instructed Chief Secretary Song Joo-ran (played by Park Mi-hyun) to clean up any incriminating evidence at the company.

Kang Pil-beom's meticulous nature was revealed when he had already been monitoring Song Joo-ran's actions through Bong Dal-soo (played by Kim Roe-ha), as he did not trust her. Song Joo-ran attempted to escape to Switzerland alone but was caught by Bong Dal-soo and brought before Kang Pil-beom. He coldly turned away from her, saying, "Thank you for your service."

In a shocking display, Kang Pil-beom shifted all blame for the slush fund activities onto Song Joo-ran during the police investigation, insisting, "I, Kang Pil-beom, have not lied," denying all allegations.

Subsequently, Hong Geum-bo (played by Park Shin-hye) handed over Song Joo-ran, a key figure in managing Hanmin Securities' slush funds, to the police, increasing pressure on Kang Pil-beom, who faced a travel ban. Before the ban, Kang Pil-beom instructed his wife, Choi In-ja (played by Byun Jung-soo), to plan an escape abroad.

However, Choi In-ja had already sided with Hong Geum-bo. She deceived Kang Pil-beom by pretending to drive him to the airport, only to head to the police station instead. Ultimately, Kang Pil-beom was arrested and convicted of embezzlement and breach of trust.

From his cold gaze to his inhumane orders, Lee Deok-hwa delivered a masterful performance as Kang Pil-beom, maintaining tension throughout the series. Known for his seasoned acting skills, viewers are eager to see what project Lee Deok-hwa will take on next.

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