Undercover Miss Hong Ep 1: From Elite Boss to 20yo Rookie! (1990s Vibe)

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Undercover Miss Hong Ep 1: The “Witch of Yeouido” Becomes a 20yo Rookie! – Undercover Miss Hong recap ep 1

Forget the typical action tropes. <Undercover Miss Hong> is delivering a 1990s retro office mystery that’s both hilarious and intense. 💼

Our protagonist Hong Geum-bo (played by Park Shin-hye) is a legendary 35-year-old investigator at the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS). She’s so sharp and cold-blooded in catching financial criminals that they call her the “Witch of Yeouido.” But she’s about to face her most chaotic mission yet.

The Mission: Infiltrate Hanmin Securities

To find a secret slush fund ledger that vanished into thin air, Geum-bo has to go undercover. Her target? Hanmin Securities (한민증권).

But there’s a catch: she can’t go in as an elite boss. She has to pretend to be a 20-year-old high school graduate rookie named “Hong Jang-mi.”

  • The Setup: Episode 1 takes us back to 1997. Imagine a 35-year-old veteran having to act like a Gen X “Y-Generation” teen in a strict 90s office culture.
  • The Flex: While other applicants are struggling with the basic entrance exam at Hanmin Securities, Geum-bo is busy spotting errors in the test questions. 💅

K-Lingo Time: Why This Hits Different

Since this drama is set in the late 90s, we get to see some classic Korean office vibes. Here are some terms to know:

  1. “위장취업” (Wi-jang-chwi-eop) – Undercover Employment
    • Geum-bo’s secret move to enter Hanmin Securities. It’s not about the salary; it’s about the evidence!
  2. “고졸 공채” (Go-jol Gong-chae) – High School Grad Recruitment
    • In the 90s, Korean companies had huge recruitment drives specifically for high school graduates. Watching an elite investigator handle coffee runs and filing is the ultimate comedy.
  3. “짬바” (Jjam-ba) – Experience Vibes
    • Even as a rookie at Hanmin Securities, Geum-bo’s 15 years of financial expertise keep leaking out. She tries to hide it, but her “Pro” energy is too strong!

Why Episode 1 is a Total BOP 🎶

  • Retro Aesthetics: The pagers (Beepers), the old-school computers, and the 90s fashion are spot on.
  • The Smart Lead: It’s so satisfying to see a female lead who uses her brain (and financial knowledge) to outsmart the system.
  • The Cliffhanger: Will the CEO of Hanmin Securities find out who she really is?

Conclusion: Ready for the Next Episode?

Episode 1 sets a perfect stage for a thrilling corporate investigation. If you love dramas like Reply 1988 but want a side of Suits, this is for you.

How would you feel if you had to go back to being an intern? Let’s spill the tea in the comments! 👇

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