Seo Kang Joon is proving his star power with his first drama since his military discharge! In just two episodes, Undercover High School has already broken the highest rating of MBC’s previous Friday-Saturday drama and is dominating the key 20-49 demographic, sweeping both viewership and buzz rankings.
According to Nielsen Korea on February 23, the second episode of Undercover High School (written by Im Young Bin, directed by Choi Jung In) recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 6.6%, marking a solid 1% increase from its premiere episode, which had 5.6%.
With this, the drama has already surpassed the highest rating of its predecessor, Motel California (6.0%), in just two episodes! The epilogue scene, where Seo Myung Joo watches Jung Haesung on CCTV exploring an underground school building, peaked at an impressive 8.8%, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
Even more impressively, Undercover High School is dominating the 20-49 age group, a key indicator of market success. The second episode recorded 2.8% in this demographic, making it the highest-rated drama of the day, while its first episode had already topped Friday-Saturday dramas with 2.0%.
The drama follows an NIS agent who goes undercover as a high school student to track down Emperor Gojong’s missing gold, delivering a mix of action, comedy, romance, and crime.
Seo Kang Joon, who enlisted in November 2021 and was discharged in May 2023, is making his long-awaited return after nearly three years. His last project, Grid (2022), was released while he was still serving. Now, he’s back as Jung Haesung, an elite NIS field agent, and fans can’t get enough!
At the press conference, Seo shared why he picked this project for his return, saying,
"This drama blends comedy, action, and crime seamlessly. It’s an easy watch, but it also makes you think. That’s why I chose it.”
Reflecting on his time in the military, he added, "Time felt endless in the army. I did a lot of thinking about my past and the kind of actor I want to be. Even though I wasn’t fully satisfied with all my past projects, I never regretted them. This time, I told myself to do Undercover High School with no regrets."
Seo’s comeback has been met with overwhelming praise, with fans calling his performance "crazy" and his visuals "legendary." His sharp features and deepened acting skills post-military are making Undercover High School a true visual and emotional masterpiece.
In just two episodes, Seo has showcased intense action scenes, perfectly balanced serious and comedic moments, and delivered heartfelt emotions.
His cathartic takedown of school bullies had viewers cheering, while his reaction to ghost stories provided the perfect comic relief. His emotional depth in scenes addressing school violence also earned him praise.
Although Undercover High School is currently ranked #2 in Friday-Saturday drama ratings behind Treasure Island, its skyrocketing buzz suggests it may soon take over the top spot. With Seo Kang Joon at the center of this momentum, expectations are only getting higher!
Source: [1]
