Sung Kang-joon and Jin Ki-joo Shine in Premiere of Undercover High School

The new MBC drama Undercover High School (언더커버 하이스쿨) premiered on February 21 at 9:50 PM, showcasing the captivating performances of Sung Kang-joon (서강준) and Jin Ki-joo (진기주). The first episode introduced the story of National Intelligence Service agent Jung Hae-sung (서강준), who embarks on a mission to infiltrate a high school. The episode garnered impressive ratings, achieving 5.6% nationwide and 5.8% in the metropolitan area, with a peak of 6.4% during a tense scene involving a suspicious electric meter in the school’s old building. The 2049 demographic rating stood at 2.0%, securing the top spot among Friday-Saturday dramas.

The episode opened with Hae-sung executing a covert operation alongside four domestic teams, tracking down individuals attempting to smuggle a significant cultural artifact, the Bangasayusang. Hae-sung skillfully subdued a fleeing suspect, CEO Park (김도윤), and successfully retrieved the artifact, showcasing Sung Kang-joon’s intense gaze and impressive action sequences that heightened the drama's tension.

However, a twist occurred when a stray bullet from Hae-sung's warning shot accidentally damaged the artifact, putting him at risk of being expelled from the agency. To avoid this fate, he was assigned a new mission to locate hidden gold bars supposedly concealed by the school's founding chairman, Lee Byeong-mun. To accomplish this, Hae-sung decided to disguise himself as a student.

The chemistry between Hae-sung and Oh Soo-ah (진기주) provided comedic relief. Soo-ah felt a spark when Hae-sung intervened during a disturbance at her mother’s bar, but her excitement turned to frustration when he appeared as a new transfer student. Hae-sung’s casual demeanor and informal address towards Soo-ah added to the tension, leaving viewers eager to see how their dynamic unfolds.

As Hae-sung explored the campus, he stumbled upon an old building that piqued his suspicion, especially when he noticed the electric meter still running despite its dilapidated state. This discovery raised questions about the connection between the building and the gold bars.

Towards the end of the episode, Hae-sung faced an unexpected threat while sneaking into the old building at night. Just as he was about to descend into the basement, he was confronted by an armed individual, leaving viewers anxious about how he would escape this precarious situation.

The premiere of Undercover High School not only highlighted Sung Kang-joon’s action-packed performance but also showcased his ability to seamlessly blend seriousness with humor. Jin Ki-joo contributed to the lively atmosphere with her stable acting, enhancing the fresh storyline. Director Choi Jeong-in’s meticulous direction and the accompanying music enriched the overall experience, building anticipation for the next episode.

Viewers reacted enthusiastically, praising Sung Kang-joon’s versatility in action and comedy, the chemistry of the National Intelligence Service team, and the charm of Soo-ah. Comments included, "Sung Kang-joon nails both action and comedy!" and "The direction is hilariously on point!"

The second episode of Undercover High School is set to air on February 22 at 9:50 PM.