Park Shin-hye has finally obtained the key capable of overturning the entire game.
In episode 9 of tvN’s Undercover Miss Hong, which aired on February 14, Hong Geum-bo (Park Shin-hye) secured the long-sought slush fund accounting ledger of Hanmin Securities, instantly reversing the trajectory of the story. According to Nielsen Korea, the episode recorded a nationwide average rating of 7.1 percent and a peak of 8.2 percent across paid platforms including cable, IPTV, and satellite. Among the key 20–49 demographic, it ranked No. 1 across all channels in its time slot, reaffirming its strong buzz.
The episode opened against the backdrop of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, commonly referred to in Korea as the IMF crisis, which dealt a devastating blow to Hanmin Securities. As fund returns plummeted and lawsuits from clients surged, Kim Mi-sook (Kang Chae-young) found herself pushed to the brink, as the career choice she made for her daughter’s future became a shackle instead. Her shocking attempt at an extreme decision left viewers stunned.
A major emotional twist emerged through the letter Kim Mi-sook left behind. It revealed that the benefactor who once helped her during a crisis at an accounting firm was none other than Hong Geum-bo. The revelation explained why Kim Mi-sook had quietly protected Hong Geum-bo’s secret even after their reunion as roommates, deepening the emotional narrative between the two.
However, cracks soon formed within Room 301. Go Bok-hee (Ha Yoon-kyung), driven by anger, exposed the true identity of Kang Nora (Choi Ji-soo). Hong Geum-bo was left in shock upon learning that Kang Nora was the biological daughter of Chairman Kang, the very man she sought to destroy. The once warm space was instantly overtaken by tension.
Hong Geum-bo’s explosive confrontation provided a moment of catharsis. When department head Cha Jung-il (Lim Cheol-soo) treated Kim Mi-sook’s tragedy as gossip, she shouted at him and even threw him to the ground. The direct clash between the two, who had maintained a tense rivalry, became one of the episode’s most memorable scenes.
Shin Jung-woo (Ko Kyung-pyo) also made a decisive move. After bringing in overseas investment firm DK Ventures to orchestrate the acquisition of Hanmin Securities, he revealed his ruthless side by initiating workforce reductions. The resignation of long-time executive So Kyung-dong (Seo Hyun-chul), who had served the company for 25 years, and the inclusion of assistant manager Bang Jin-mok (Kim Do-hyun) on the layoff list underscored the harsh reality of IMF-era restructuring.
The ending delivered the biggest shock. The slush fund ledger, previously believed to be lost, was discovered inside the sketchbook of Kim Bom (Kim Se-ah), Kim Mi-sook’s daughter. Rather than returning to the Financial Supervisory Service, Hong Geum-bo, now holding all the cards, turned to Go Bok-hee and made a bold proposal: “Do you want to do it together?” Her decision to propose stealing the slush fund marked the beginning of a new alliance and the opening of the drama’s second act.
Episode 10 of Undercover Miss Hong will air on February 15 at 9:10 p.m.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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