SBS's 'My Perfect Secretary' Debuts with Riveting Rivalry Between Han Ji-min and Lee Jun-hyuk

SBS's new drama, My Perfect Secretary (나의 완벽한 비서), kicked off with an engaging storyline featuring the rivalry between Han Ji-min and Lee Jun-hyuk. The episode concluded with Lee Jun-hyuk's character unexpectedly becoming Han Ji-min's new secretary, heightening anticipation for future episodes.

The premiere, which aired on January 3, 2025, recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 5.2%, peaking at 7.3%, and a 1.7% rating among the 2049 demographic, marking a strong start for the series (Nielsen Korea).

Viewers were treated to a delightful performance from Han Ji-min, who plays the cold and calculating CEO Kang Ji-yoon of the headhunting firm 'People's'. Her character's motto, “Only hire those who are worth their salary,” was exemplified by her impressive skills, immediately capturing the audience's attention. Lee Jun-hyuk, portraying the perfect character Eun-ho, showcased his romantic potential, charming viewers with his protective gestures, such as catching a flying baseball with one hand and illuminating Ji-yoon's path with his phone light in a dark area.

The episode opened with a special appearance by actor Lee Hee-joon, introducing the intriguing world of headhunting rarely seen in dramas. CEO Ji-yoon meticulously researched Peter Kwon (Lee Hee-joon), the first Asian design director of an F1 team, to recruit him as the head of automotive design in Korea. Her strategy to stimulate his competitive spirit successfully led to his career transition.

While Ji-yoon excelled in her professional life, her personal life was a chaotic mess, providing comedic relief. She often confused her car with others, bumped into things in her cluttered office, cut her hand on paper, and even found her lost phone in the trash. This disarray highlighted her urgent need for a capable secretary, especially since her demanding personality had already driven away several previous assistants, leaving her unable to find new applicants.

Eun-ho, the HR manager at Hansu Electronics, emerged as the epitome of perfection. He was a beacon of light during the exhausting commute, possessing a charming face that turned heads. His domestic skills were unmatched, as he organized household items meticulously and prepared aesthetically pleasing, healthy breakfasts. He even skillfully styled his daughter Byeol's (Ki So-yu) hair, earning admiration from female colleagues and viewers alike.

However, Eun-ho was an exception to Ji-yoon's admiration. While Ji-yoon prioritized monetary value, Eun-ho emphasized organizational values and loyalty. He intervened in Ji-yoon's meeting with Yang Team Leader, a key developer, to prevent his departure. Eun-ho appealed to Yang's sense of belonging, stating, “There are still many stories we want to write together,” and even sent a snack truck to Yang's son's school under the company name to support him. This effort swayed Yang's decision, resulting in Ji-yoon failing to meet her monthly sales target, causing her frustration towards Eun-ho.

Later, Eun-ho confronted Ji-yoon, furious after discovering that Yang had resigned to join a Chinese company, which posed a serious risk of information leakage for Hansu Electronics. Having overheard Yang's conversation with Ji-yoon, Eun-ho accused her, “Is this how headhunters operate? Do you have no conscience?”

The truth revealed that Yang had been intentionally sidelined and decided to leave Korea, aided not by Ji-yoon but by Hye-jin (Park Bo-kyung), the CEO of 'Career Way', who sought to undermine Ji-yoon. Already facing resentment from Manager Song (Song Young-kyu) for taking parental leave during a critical time, Eun-ho was wrongfully accused of aiding Yang's information theft and was subsequently dismissed.

In a thrilling conclusion to the episode, Ji-yoon, who had previously expressed her disdain for Eun-ho, unexpectedly welcomed him as her new secretary. The contrasting reactions between Ji-yoon's shock and Eun-ho's cheerful greeting, “Good morning, CEO,” set the stage for their evolving relationship. The second episode of My Perfect Secretary is set to air today, January 4, at 9:50 PM.