This week’s episodes of ‘Undercover Miss Hong’ were intense, to put it mildly.
After the literal info dump in last week’s episodes, this week seemed a bit slower but equally contributive. Many of my questions from last week were answered (and my guess was proven wrong), while many new theories and questions had my heart racing in anticipation.
I won’t say much more here and will instead dive straight into the details.
Episode 7
Bok Hee is as shady as ever and barely leaves unscathed after Geum Bo’s warnings. Her fence-sitting tendencies are like a ticking time bomb. The appearance of her convict brother, in my opinion, is not of much importance (as of now) except as a plot device or motivation for her to leave the country. The plot could’ve definitely worked without him, but his presence does add a few advantages, like Miss Hong and Bok Hee finding common ground and possibly siding together.
Kim Mi-sook’s problems and Bom’s loneliness form another subplot in this episode, adding an appropriate amount of cuteness and a slice-of-life aspect to the mysteries brewing around them. Overall, in my opinion, this episode felt like a filler. It didn’t have much going on in terms of plot, but it was necessary to fill gaps and build a foundation for future incidents.
By the end of the episode, Miss Hong plans to meet ‘Yehppee’ and sends him an email, to which he replies. They arrange to meet that night. However, before she can see him, he runs away after recognizing her, leaving us on a cliffhanger (but not for long).
Episode 8
It’s also in the very first scene that we FINALLY learn who ‘Yehppee’ is. Without spoiling it, I’ll just say it’s one of the three original ‘Yehppee’ candidates.
The biggest shock for me in this episode was Miss Hong’s gradual slip-ups regarding her identity. It’s a given that she cannot, and will not, keep working as Hong Jang Mi forever. Her cover was bound to be exposed. However, I didn’t expect her to risk blowing her cover for ‘Yehppee’ without any guarantee about where his loyalties lie.
Her move is definitely risky because, later in the episode, it becomes increasingly clear that she is fighting a lone battle. Yes, she has Director Yun from the FSS backing her, but it remains uncertain how much support she can actually rely on, given that she’s in enemy territory and surrounded by fence-sitters.
Both Go Bok Hee and Shin Jeong U are suspicious, and she has effectively blown her cover for both of them. That makes three people associated with the opposing side who are aware of her deception. Her previous rendezvous with Albert has also put her on Song Ju Ra’s radar, prompting Ju Ra to re-investigate Hong Geum Bo.
The infamous IMF Crisis (or in this case, a fictional crisis akin to the real-life IMF Crisis) also appears to be a major plot point in driving the story forwards. The economic issues on which the series is based: bribery, falsification of accounts, corporate malpractice, and money laundering, reach a peak in this episode.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, these two episodes offered a good reflection of economic collapse and a more realistic portrayal of working-class individuals tied to corporations during such crises. The rawness and wide range of emotions displayed by the characters truly stand out.
From the helplessness of a hardworking single mother to a lower-level corporate employee bearing the brunt of public dissatisfaction.
The parallels between the earth-shattering implications of losing life savings to failed investments as an ordinary person and the inevitable layoffs that may result from a financial officer’s sense of justice.
A worried and caring father’s need for money overriding an auditor’s sense of righteousness, and a frightened woman’s desperate attempt to take control of her life — all are portrayed as justified responses from people who are simply struggling to survive.
There’s no way NOT to understand each and every point of view and character in this series. As viewers observing the story unfold, there isn’t a single person who can be clearly labeled as the villain (except maybe Chairman Kang…). Hence, it becomes increasingly compelling for us to follow along and reach the conclusion alongside the characters.
What are your thoughts on these episodes?
Written By: N.V.S. Akanksha
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