'Why Are You Here?'... Go Soo's Transformation and Yeong-tak's Role Boost 'Parole Officer Lee Han-shin' Ratings

The collaboration between Go Soo and Kwon Yu-ri in the tvN drama 'Parole Officer Lee Han-shin' has led to a significant increase in viewership, culminating in a thrilling conclusion that captivated audiences.

In the second episode aired on November 19, 2024, the story followed Lee Han-shin (played by Go Soo) as he embarks on a quest for revenge against the Ojeong Group after becoming a parole officer. His unconventional actions began to piece together a larger plan, providing viewers with a satisfying sense of catharsis.

The ratings reflected this excitement, with Nielsen Korea reporting an average of 5.4% and a peak of 6.9% nationwide, while the Seoul metropolitan area saw averages of 5.3% and peaks of 6.6%. This marked a notable increase from the first episode, which had averages of 4.6% and peaks of 5.7%. The swift and exhilarating developments, particularly in blocking Ji Dong-man's (played by Song Yeong-chang) parole, drew in more viewers.

In the premiere, Lee Han-shin gained the trust of Ji Dong-man, positioning himself as a parole officer. However, his true motive was to prevent Ji Dong-man's release and seek vengeance against his son, Ji Myeong-seob (played by Lee Hak-joo). This desire for revenge stemmed from witnessing the wrongful imprisonment of his mentor, Cheon Soo-beom (played by Jo Seung-yeon), who was punished for blocking Ji Myeong-seob's parole.

The second episode showcased Lee Han-shin's active role as a parole officer. He visited investigator Ahn Seo-yoon (played by Kwon Yu-ri), who was probing into the case of Choi Jeong-hak (played by Nam Min-woo), whom she had arrested. However, under Ji Dong-man's orders, Seo Dong-hoon (played by Kim Min-jae) intervened, claiming Choi Jeong-hak's innocence and securing his release. This incident led Ahn Seo-yoon to suspect a connection between Choi Jeong-hak and the Ojeong Group, thanks to Lee Han-shin's timely observation.

Ji Dong-man attempted to manipulate public opinion and the parole board by bribing media outlets, civic groups, and other parole officers. In a bold move, Lee Han-shin sought out Ji Dong-man's ex-wife, actress Choi Won-mi, even confessing to writing malicious comments about her. He then urged her to file a defamation lawsuit against him.

As the day of Ji Dong-man's parole hearing approached, public sentiment was heavily in favor of his release, with three out of five parole officers already deeming him eligible. In a dramatic turn, Lee Han-shin shouted 'ineligible' during the hearing, causing chaos and shocking Ji Dong-man, who felt betrayed by his own lawyer.

Lee Han-shin revealed that Ji Dong-man was facing new charges and implicated him as the true author of the malicious comments. The evidence pointed to Ji Dong-man's motive, as the comments were posted while Lee Han-shin was visiting him in prison, and his lingering anger towards Choi Won-mi was also highlighted.

If Ji Dong-man's release did not interfere with the ongoing investigation, the parole could proceed. However, just as the bribed officers were about to finalize the parole, Ahn Seo-yoon, dressed in a police uniform, entered the room. She emphasized that Ji Dong-man's release would impact the investigation, citing his threats against Choi Won-mi while in custody.

Together, Lee Han-shin and Ahn Seo-yoon successfully thwarted Ji Dong-man's parole. The revelation of Lee Han-shin's elaborate schemes, including his constant presence around Ji Dong-man and the strategic use of evidence, provided a satisfying conclusion to the episode. The final piece of the puzzle was Ahn Seo-yoon's timely intervention, all orchestrated according to Lee Han-shin's grand plan.

Additionally, it was revealed that Ahn Seo-yoon has a deep-seated connection with Ji Myeong-seob, suspecting him of being involved in her sister's death. With both Lee Han-shin and Ahn Seo-yoon seeking revenge against the Ojeong Group, viewers are eager to see how their 'ironclad defense' unfolds in future episodes.

The episode concluded with a teaser of Lee Han-shin teaming up with a legendary loan shark, Baek Ji-won, further heightening viewer anticipation. 'Parole Officer Lee Han-shin' airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM.