‘Undercover Miss Hong’ Kim Young-woong, Delivering Profound Humanism as ‘Hong Chun-seob’

Actor Kim Young-woong is delivering a heavy resonance to the living rooms of viewers as a father navigating the tumultuous times of the 1990s.

As tvN's weekend drama 〈Undercover Miss Hong〉 approaches its finale, the rising viewership is largely attributed to Kim Young-woong's passionate performance as ‘Hong Chun-seob’, the father of the protagonist Hong Geum-bo (played by Park Shin-hye). 〈Undercover Miss Hong〉 is a retro office comedy about a 30-something elite securities supervisor who disguises himself as a 20-year-old high school graduate employee to chase after suspicious funds.

Kim Young-woong's Passionate Performance as a Breadwinner in the Tumultuous Year of 1997

In the drama, Kim Young-woong portrays Hong Chun-seob, a caring father with a strong eldest daughter Geum-bo and a youngest daughter Jang-mi (played by Yuna), who cherishes his wife Kim Soon-jung (played by Lee Soo-mi) with utmost devotion. However, the reality he faces in 1997 is harsh. The product he trusted and invested in at Hanmin Securities turns out to be a defective fund, and the fried chicken restaurant he operates faces severe management difficulties, leading to a situation where he is behind on rent.

Kim Young-woong expresses the despair and intense responsibility felt by a breadwinner through restrained emotional acting, bringing tears to the viewers' eyes. His struggle to not crumble in the face of adversity reflects the pain of the citizens who endured the foreign exchange crisis at that time, forming a deep sense of empathy.

A Warm Character That Shines Even in Crisis… From ‘Gold Collection’ to ‘Nursing Home Volunteer Work’

The point where the character Hong Chun-seob shines even more is in his retained ‘humanity’ amidst hardships. His attentive care for his roommate's young daughter as if she were his own grandchild and his active participation in the national ‘Gold Collection Movement’ evoke warmth. Notably, the scene where he chooses to volunteer at a nursing home instead of throwing a lavish party for his eldest daughter's birthday is highlighted as a moment showcasing the warm nature of the Hong Chun-seob couple.

With his unique ability to embody characters, Kim Young-woong has vividly completed the portrait of ordinary fathers who endured the IMF era. He has received praise for creating a new life character through this role of ‘Hong Chun-seob’, having perfectly transformed in every work.

Only 2 Episodes Left Until the Finale… What Will Happen to the Hong Chun-seob Family?

With only 2 episodes remaining until the finale of 〈Undercover Miss Hong〉, attention is focused on whether Hong Geum-bo's disguise will be revealed and if the Hong Chun-seob family can overcome their economic crisis and regain their smiles.

Kim Young-woong's performance, which showcases the essence of humanism, can be seen in the final episodes airing on the 7th (Saturday) at 10 PM and the 8th (Sunday) at 9:10 PM.