Seo Kang-joon’s Drama Hits 1 Million Views—Will His Bet with Shin Dong-yup Pay Off?

The latest MBC Friday-Saturday drama Undercover High School has made a powerful entrance, delivering an impressive 5.6% nationwide rating with a peak surge to 6.4%, signaling its potential to become a breakout hit.

Premiering as the successor to Motel California, Undercover High School is a 12-episode action-comedy starring Seo Kang-joon as a disguised National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent who infiltrates a high school in search of Emperor Gojong’s long-lost gold stash. Written by Lim Young-bin (Bad Prosecutor) and directed by Choi Jung-in (On the Verge of Insanity), the drama blends thrilling action, mystery, and humor.

According to Nielsen Korea on February 22, the drama's first episode drew 1.09 million viewers nationwide, securing a 5.6% national rating and 5.8% in Seoul. The show’s peak moment—when Seo Kang-joon’s character, Jung Hae-sung, spots a suspiciously spinning electricity meter in an old school building—drove ratings up to 6.4%.

In the key 20-49 demographic, Undercover High School scored a 2.0% rating, topping all Friday-Saturday dramas in this category.

However, competition is fierce. SBS’s new Friday-Saturday drama Buried Hearts (which follows Love Scout) took the #1 time slot with a 6.1% nationwide rating and a peak of 8.2%, leading Undercover High School by just 0.5%. With such a narrow gap, the rivalry between the two shows is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

Ahead of the drama’s premiere, Seo Kang-joon made a playful bet on the YouTube show Zzanbro with Shin Dong-yup, promising that if Undercover High School reaches 12%, he will treat the entire staff to a vacation. Director Choi Jung-in doubled down at the drama’s press conference, stating, “Seo Kang-joon has set the goal at 12%, and I fully support that.”

Fans quickly flooded social media with reactions, praising the drama’s fast-paced story, action sequences, and cast chemistry:

🔥 “This is so good—instant addiction!”

😎 “Seo Kang-joon is killing it.”

💥 “Finally, a fun male-led action drama!”

🎬 “Jin Ki-joo’s performance is so solid!”

📈 “This could easily hit 10% if it keeps the momentum.”

💯 “Seo Kang-joon and Jin Ki-joo’s chemistry is 🔥”

Episode 1 Recap: A High-Stakes Mission Begins

The premiere episode followed Jung Hae-sung (Seo Kang-joon), an elite NIS agent tasked with stopping an underground crime syndicate from smuggling the Bangasayusang (Maitreya Buddha statue) overseas.

After a high-intensity chase, Hae-sung recovers the artifact but accidentally breaks its arm, leading to disciplinary action. To redeem himself, he is assigned a new undercover mission: infiltrating Byeongmun High School to track down a hidden stash of gold left behind by the school’s founder.

Once inside the school, Hae-sung crosses paths with Oh Soo-ah (Jin Ki-joo). Their first encounter sparks tension, as she first admires him for defending her mother’s store but later resents his presence at school. Their love-hate dynamic adds an engaging layer to the drama’s narrative.

Meanwhile, Hae-sung grows suspicious of an old, abandoned school building, where he notices an active electricity meter spinning abnormally. As he investigates further, he is ambushed at gunpoint, leaving viewers on a cliffhanger.

What’s Next?

With action-packed sequences, thrilling suspense, and strong performances, Undercover High School has captured audience interest from the very first episode.

📺 Upcoming Broadcast Schedule:

Feb 22 (Sat): Ep 1 at 1:50 PM, Ep 2 at 9:50 PM

Feb 23 (Sun): Ep 2 encore at 1:00 AM, 3:10 PM

With only a 0.5% gap between Buried Hearts and Undercover High School, will the next episodes push the drama into double-digit ratings? Stay tuned!