Park Shin Hye is making a highly anticipated return—and this time, she’s bringing a role unlike anything she has done before. Known for her solid acting choices and refusal to stay in a comfort zone, the actress is set to headline tvN’s upcoming office comedy Undercover Miss Hong, slated to air in January next year. Set in the late 1990s, the drama blends classic workplace humor with an undercover investigation, anchored by Park’s striking “double life” performance.
At the heart of the story is a brilliant 35-year-old stock market supervisor who is forced to disguise herself as a 20-year-old intern to uncover suspicious financial activities. It’s a one-of-a-kind character—both narratively and emotionally—and a bold challenge Park Shin Hye has never taken on before.
In her true identity, Hong Geum Bo is an elite figure in the financial world. Nicknamed the “Witch of Yeouido,” she is the first female supervisor in the Capital Market Investigation Bureau—a perfectionist, cold, razor-sharp, and deeply committed to meritocracy. She walks into a room and chills the air, armed with flawless logic and an intimidating calm.
Her undercover persona, however, could not be more different. As Hong Jang Mi, she becomes a seemingly clueless intern: a high-school graduate, awkward, naïve, and radiating bright, harmless energy. Behind the clumsy smiles lies a dangerous mission—one that requires her to bury her age, her education, and even her pride to survive a completely unfamiliar world.
Park Shin Hye’s 180-degree transformation is one of the drama’s biggest highlights. Visually, the contrast is immediate. Geum Bo appears with long hair, polished styling, and high-end office attire befitting an upper-class professional. Jang Mi, on the other hand, sports short, cute hair and simple outfits that emphasize her rookie innocence.
The real magic, however, lies in Park’s acting. As Geum Bo, her expressions are controlled, her smile icy—almost unsettling—projecting authority without effort. As Jang Mi, her eyes soften, her movements loosen, and her warmth feels genuine and disarming. The sharp divide between the two proves Park Shin Hye’s seasoned ability to portray two starkly opposing characters within a single role.
Undercover Miss Hong promises not only laughter and chaos, but also a layered performance driven by identity, deception, and survival. Can Hong Geum Bo overcome barriers of age and status to live as someone entirely else—and how will she handle the crises that arise when those two worlds collide?
One thing is certain: with Park Shin Hye at the center, this retro-flavored office drama is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing—and entertaining—returns of the year. Audiences are invited to tune in and witness her bold transformation when Undercover Miss Hong hits tvN.
