MBC's New Drama 'Fifties Professionals' Starring Shin Ha-kyun, Oh Jung-se, and Heo Sung-tae Premieres May 22

The seemingly ordinary yet deadly trio of Shin Ha-kyun, Oh Jung-se, and Heo Sung-tae is set to captivate audiences in the upcoming MBC drama 'Fifties Professionals.'

Following the conclusion of '21st Century Grand Lady' starring IU and Byun Woo-seok, 'Fifties Professionals' will premiere on May 22. The drama tells the story of three men who, despite appearing ordinary, were once at the top of their game. They are drawn back into action by fate, showcasing a salty action-comedy about true professionals who have lived half their lives, still driven by loyalty and instinct despite being battered by the world and physically rusty. The narrative humorously unfolds as these men, once renowned in their respective fields, are demoted to the remote island of Yeongseondo after 'the incident of that day,' and embark on a quest to uncover the truth that has been buried for a decade.

The first script reading session, where the main cast gathered to bring laughter and passion to the table, has been revealed. Director Han Dong-hwa, known for his acclaimed works like 'The Chronicles of Evil,' 'Navillera,' and 'Squad 38,' expressed his hopes for a smooth and healthy production, wishing for fruitful outcomes on set. This set the tone for an enthusiastic introduction of the cast and crew, creating a warm atmosphere.

Shin Ha-kyun, often referred to as the 'God of Acting' for his roles in 'Thank You,' 'The Villainess,' 'Beyond Evil,' and 'Bad Detective,' takes on the role of Jung Ho-myung. Jung is a National Intelligence Service agent and the chef at Oran Banjeom, who has been waiting for ten years to clear his name by finding a certain item. Shin's performance, shedding his usual gravitas to reveal hidden comedic talents, reportedly doubled the enjoyment on set.

Oh Jung-se plays Bong Je-soon, a North Korean special operative who lost his memory ten years ago, promising another iconic character. Once a legendary human weapon, Bong now struggles with a tyrannical boss and a naive nephew, making his daily life challenging. His dual character play left the crew in awe, showcasing Oh's ability to own any role he takes on, which is expected to shine once again in 'Fifties Professionals.'

Heo Sung-tae, known for his versatile performances across dramas and films, portrays Kang Beom-ryong, the second-in-command of the Hwasanpa gang, who has been running a convenience store for ten years. Kang infiltrates the island to seek revenge for his disbanded organization but has yet to achieve any results. The cognitive dissonance between a gangster and a convenience store owner is set to be a comedic highlight, sparking curiosity about Heo's transformation and the Kang character.

'Fifties Professionals' boasts a stellar cast including Kim Shin-rok (as Kang Young-ae), Lee Hak-joo (as Ma Gong-bok), Han Ji-eun (as Park Mi-kyung), Hyun Bong-sik (as Yoo In-gu), Kim Sang-ho (as Jo Sung-won), Shin Dong-mi (as Kwon Oh-ran), Kim Byung-ok (as Hwang Hwa-san), and Kim Sang-kyung (as Han Kyung-wook), promising a delightful viewing experience. The actors, fully immersed in their roles from the first read-through, created an atmosphere reminiscent of an actual set, with laughter and applause echoing throughout, heightening anticipation for the broadcast.

Following the script reading, Shin Ha-kyun expressed his excitement, stating, "It will be a very new and fun drama," while Oh Jung-se vowed to "enjoy and have fun with this project." Heo Sung-tae shared his enthusiasm, saying, "Just working with Shin Ha-kyun and Oh Jung-se is thrilling." Kim Shin-rok encouraged viewers, noting, "With so many entertaining actors, it's bound to be a blast," and Lee Hak-joo committed to "having fun," with Han Ji-eun adding, "The script is so entertaining and full of humor," further raising expectations.

'Fifties Professionals' will air its first episode on May 22 at 9:50 PM, following '21st Century Grand Lady.'

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