Undercover
Promotional poster
Hangul
언더커버
GenreDrama
Thriller
Created byJTBC
Based onUndercover
by Peter Moffat and James Hawes
Written by
  • Baek Cheol-hyeon
  • Jung Hye-eun
  • Song Ja-hoon
Directed bySong Hyun-wook
Starring
ComposerEom Ki-yeop
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes16
Production
Executive producerLim Byung-hoon
Producers
  • Kim Ye-ji
  • Park Woo-ram
  • Lee Hyeong-hoon
  • Kim Jae-geum
EditorIrene
Running time70 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkJTBC
ReleaseApril 23 (2021-04-23) –
June 12, 2021 (2021-06-12)
Related
Undercover (UK)

Undercover[1][2] (Korean: 언더커버; RR: Eondeokeobeo) is a 2021 South Korean television series directed by Song Hyun-wook and starring Ji Jin-hee, Kim Hyun-joo, Jung Man-sik, and Heo Joon-ho.[3] Based on BBC drama series of the same name,[4][5][6] it portrays the story of Han Jeong-hyeon (Ji Jin-hee), an agent at the National Intelligence Service, and a Human Rights lawyer, Choi Yeon-soo (Kim Hyun-joo). It aired on JTBC on Fridays and Saturdays at 23:00 (KST) from April 23 to June 12, 2021.[7][8] The series is also available on streaming media TVING in South Korea.[9] Kim Hyun-joo and Ji Jin-hee previously starred together in Miss Kim's Million Dollar Quest (2004) and I Have a Lover (2015).

The series ended on June 12, 2021 with viewer ratings of 5.2% nationwide and 6.1% in the metropolitan Seoul area. It is its own best ratings achieved during its run.[10]

Synopsis

Han Jeong-hyeon (Ji Jin-hee) is an agent of the National Intelligence Service (formerly the Agency for National Security Planning), who has been hiding his identity for the past 30 years as a father and owner of bicycle repairing shop. Choi Yeon-soo (Kim Hyun-joo), his wife and a Human Rights lawyer, becomes the first Director of the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO). These characters are trying to uncover the truth, pitted against a huge force holding a top position. The series tests their relationship as husband and wife when the secret life of Jeong-hyeon comes to light.

Cast

Main

Lee Seok-kyu is agent at the National Intelligence Service, formerly the Agency for National Security Planning. He was selected as the new agent of NIS when he was in a police academy. At first he was tasked to spy on Choi Yeon-soo under pseudonym of Han Jung-hyun in order to take down Kim Tae-yeol who was targeted by NIS, eventually both of them were in mutual love and got married. Years later, he lives a peaceful life with his family until one day an NIS agent named Do Yeong-geol comes back to his life and he is enlisted to take down his own wife, Choi Yeon-soo.
A human right lawyer for more than 20 years. She passed her bar test at the age of 20. A righteous person, she consistently seeks justice for years to Hwang Jung-ho for 20 years after he was unjustly being jailed. She joined a mass protest with Kim Tae-yeol, Kang Choong-mo and others to protest against the corrupted South Korean government who failed in protecting Hwang Jung-ho's innocence. In one of a chaotic protest against the government, she met Lee Suk-kyu, under pseudonym of Han Jung-hyun. Both of them were ended in mutual love, without her knowing who Suk-kyu was, therefore getting married with him. Years later, because of her consistency in defending Hwang Jung-ho, she is promoted as the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials by the government. However due to this promotion, her husband is tasked to stop her.

Supporting

Family of Han Jeong-hyeon and Choi Yeon-soo

Suk-kyu/Jeong-hyeon and Yeon-soo's autistic older son. He has an obsession with bicycles, therefore he helps his father operate their bicycle repair shop.
Suk-kyu/Jeong-hyeon and Yeon-soo younger daughter. A middle school student with maturity and intelligence beyond her age. She resembles her mother in everything
Lee Suk-kyu's father and a war veteran, being proud of his son who serves the country like he did in the past. He believes that Suk-kyu went to the US when actually he has to live under name of Han Jeong-hyeon. His health deteriorates as he waits for his son to come back to him. Since Suk-kyu cannot reveal his identity, he spends time with his father in the hospital, posing as a social worker. Man-ho never realizes that his son is always with him even until his death.

National Intelligence Service

People around Choi Yeon-soo

  • Lee Han-wi as Bae Goo-taek
  • Bae Yoon-kyung as Song Mi-seon[16]
  • Kim Soo-jin as Min Sang-ah, Choi Yeon-soo's best friend in college, and a political reporter for a major media house
  • Choi Kwang-il as Hwang Jung-ho
    • Im Ji-kyu as young Hwang Jung-ho
30 years ago, he was wrongly accused of a murder case and being sentenced to death. Therefore, while he was incarcerated on death row, Choi Yeon-soo is determined to seek justice for him as his lawyer. However his case hasn't got any shed of light for 30 years, even after his health severely deteriorated.

Others

  • Lee Seung-joon as Kang Choong-mo, Choi Yeon-soo's good friend in college, now a high ranking government official working at the Blue House
    • Hong Jin-gi as young Kang Choong-mo
  • Kang Young-seok as Jung Cheol-hoon, a passionate detective
  • Park Jin-woo as Detective Gu
  • Son Jong-hak as Yoo Sang-dong
  • Song Young-gyu as Kwak Moon-heum, Chief Prosecutor
  • Cha Soon-bae as Song Moon-bae, Chief Editor at Daehan Jeil Daily[17]

Special appearances

Kim Tae-yeol is a president of Hankuk University Student Council and leader of the mass protest against the government in 1991. Eventually he was accused as a communist and being targeted, then murdered by NIS.
  • Jang Eui-don as police university instructor (ep. 1)
  • Lim Jung-ok as Nurse Kim (ep. 1-2)
  • Kim Dong-ho as Cheon Woo-jin, Im Hyeong-rak's subordinate (ep. 2 & 8)
  • Jung In-gi as Kim Myung-jae, Secretary General of the Blue House
  • Kim Kyung-min as Mr. Park
  • Shim Hyung-tak as Lee Min-yool (ep. 3-4)
A man who claims himself being intentionally beaten by Han Seung-goo so that Yeon-soo would be hindered to be the new chief of Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials. Actually at that time, he abused his girlfriend and being caught by Seung-goo who said that a bigger person might not hit smaller person.
  • Park Joo-hyung as drug gang boss (ep. 4)
  • Kim Young-woong as subway control room staff (ep. 3)
  • Lee Se-na as Kim Da-kyung (ep. 4)
Ex-girlfriend of Lee Min-yool. Being guilty with Seung-goo's situation, she confessed about what happened between her, Min-yool and Seung-goo to Yeon-soo.
  • Seo Joon
  • Lim Hyung-guk[18]
  • Ahn Se-ho as Kim Kwang-cheol, an assistant to Do Yeong-geol[19]

Production

Development

In April 2020, the remake of the British miniseries was announced.[20]

Casting

In July, JTBC confirmed that with the joining of Yeon Woo-jin and Han Sun-hwa the cast is completed: Ji Jin-hee, Kim Hyun-joo, Han Go-eun, Heo Joon-ho, Jung Man-sik, Kwon Hae-hyo, Park Geun-hyung, Lee Seung-joon, Lee Han-wi, Kim Soo-jin, Choi Dae-chul, Son Jong-hak, Song Young-gyu and Choi Kwang-il.[21][22] This drama serves as a reunion project for Ji Jin-hee and Kim Hyun-joo after starring together in the 2015 drama I Have a Lover. It also reunites Ji Jin-hee and Heo Joon-ho who both starred in the 2019 drama Designated Survivor: 60 Days. Also reuniting in this series are Jung Man-sik, Choi Dae-chul and Choi Kwang-il who starred in the 2019 drama Vagabond.

Original soundtrack

Undercover
Soundtrack album by
Various
Released2021
GenreSoundtrack
Language
LabelKakao Entertainment

Part 1

Released on April 23, 2021 (2021-04-23)[23]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."That Kind of Person" (그런 사람)Kim Young-sungKim Young-seong, Seo Jae-ha, Do-hoonHan Dong-geun3:33
2."That Kind of Person" (Inst.)   3:33

Part 2

Released on April 30, 2021 (2021-04-30)[24]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."On a Secluded Road" (타이틀 외딴길에서)Park Kang- ilPark Kang- ilSondia, Kim Joon-Hwi3:54
2."On a Secluded Road" (Inst.)   3:54

Part 3

Released on May 8, 2021 (2021-05-08)[25]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."My Day" (나의 하루)Donnie JDonnie JSondia4:08
2."My Day" (Inst.)   4:08

Part 4

Released on May 14, 2021 (2021-05-14)[26]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Where Are You"Safira.K(Psycho Tension)Psycho Tension (DOO, Safira.K, Jeong Seongmin)KATIE4:03
2."Where Are You" (Inst.) Psycho Tension 4:03

Part 5

Released on May 22, 2021 (2021-05-22)[27]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."I remember this moment" (이 순간을 기억해요)Noheul(노을)Noheul(노을)고영배 of 소란3:01
2."I remember this moment" (Inst.) Noheul(노을) 3:01

Part 6

Released on May 28, 2021 (2021-05-28)[28]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."With You Under the Sky" (하늘 아래 그대와)HanaTom Irang Jerry, Um Ki-yeop, Safira.Huh Gak3:56
2."With You Under the Sky" (Inst.)   3:56

Part 7

Released on June 5, 2021 (2021-06-05)[29]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."With You Under the Sky" (하늘 아래 그대와 (English Ver.))하나, Safira.kTom Irang Jerry, Um Ki-yeop, Safira.Safira.K (사피라 K)3:55
2."With You Under the Sky" (하늘 아래 그대와 (English Ver.) (Inst.))   3:55

Special

Released on June 11, 2021 (2021-06-11)[30]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."That Kind of Person" (그런 사람)Kim Young-sungKim Young-seong, Seo Jae-ha, Do-hoonHan Dong-geun3:34
2."On a Secluded Road" (타이틀 외딴길에서)Park Kang- ilPark Kang- ilSondia, Kim Joon-Hwi3:53
3."My Day" (나의 하루)Donnie JDonnie JSondia4:08
4."Where Are You"Safira.K(Psycho Tension)Psycho Tension (DOO, Safira.K, Jeong Seongmin)KATIE3:39
5."I remember this moment" (이 순간을 기억해요)Noheul(노을)Noheul(노을)고영배 of 소란3:01
6."Under the Lonely Sky" (하늘 아래 그대와)HanaTom Irang Jerry, Um Ki-yeop, Safira.Huh Gak3:56
7."With You Under the Sky (English Ver.)" (하늘 아래 그대와 (English Ver.))하나, Safira.kTom Irang Jerry, Um Ki-yeop, Safira.Safira.K (사피라 K)3:55
8."When I Close My Eyes"  Choi Sol Ji (최솔지)3:05
9."Your undercover"  Park Mi Ji (박미지)2:24
10."Into the battlefield"  Ahn So Young (안소영), Hong Seung Hyun (홍승현)3:28
11."Dark Forces"  Park Min Ji (박민지)3:14
12."Untruth"  Ahn So Young (안소영), Hong Seung Hyun (홍승현)3:30
13."Sunrise"  Um Gi Yeop (엄기엽)4:26
14."Lonely Road"  Park Min Ji (박민지)4:25
15."A door without a memory"  Um Gi Yeop (엄기엽)2:37
16."The widow’s cruse"  Um Gi Yeop (엄기엽)2:37
17."Successful Resolution (성공적해결)"  Roark, Park Kyu Seo (박규서)1:49
18."Clues to the Crime"  Eom Gi Hyun (엄기현)2:34
19."Traces of the Past"  Kim Tae Jin (김태진)2:47
20."Endless Run (끝없는질주)"  Roark, Park Kyu Seo (박규서)1:50
21."A Secret Agent"  Park Min Ji (박민지)2:42

Viewership

Undercover : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
12345678910111213141516
17638165837366279036288627739887938188479167691163812
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea[31]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share (Nielsen Korea)[31][32]
Nationwide Seoul
1 April 23, 2021 3.471% (7th) 4.139% (5th)
2 April 24, 2021 3.785% (5th) 4.866% (1st)
3 April 30, 2021 2.800% (NR) 3.355% (9th)
4 May 1, 2021 3.367% (4th) 4.283% (1st)
5 May 7, 2021 2.885% (NR) 3.466% (6th)
6 May 8, 2021 4.243% (3rd) 5.115% (1st)
7 May 14, 2021 3.041% (10th) 3.963% (5th)
8 May 15, 2021 4.175% (5th) 5.555% (2nd)
9 May 21, 2021 3.777% (6th) 4.471% (4th)
10 May 22, 2021 4.187% (4th) 4.939% (2nd)
11 May 28, 2021 3.768% (5th) 4.503% (4th)
12 May 29, 2021 3.816% (5th) 4.696% (2nd)
13 June 4, 2021 3.922% (5th) 4.437% (5th)
14 June 5, 2021 4.517% (5th) 5.279% (3rd)
15 June 11, 2021 3.916% (8th) 4.645% (4th)
16 June 12, 2021 5.229% (4th) 6.115% (2nd)
Average 3.806% 4.614%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This drama airs on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).
  • NR denotes that the series did not rank in the top 20 daily programs on that date.

References

  1. ↑ "Undercover". JTBC Worldwide. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  2. ↑ ENG│[폭행 사건의 진실] 용기 내 유선호를 찾아온 피해자 언더커버(undercover) 4회. YouTube (in Korean). JTBC Drama. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  3. ↑ "지진희X김현주, '언더커버'로 재회…내년 상반기 방송" [Ji-hee Ji x Kim Hyun-joo reunited with 'Undercover'... Broadcast in the first half of next year]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). July 8, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  4. ↑ Atta, Jamila (September 10, 2020). "BBC Studios and Story TV partner up on a new South Korean format of political thriller Undercover for JTBC channel". BBC. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Undercover Drama 2021". HanCinema. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  6. ↑ "'언더커버' 연우진·한선화 합류…퍼펙트 라인업 공개" ['Undercover' Woojin Yeon and Sunhwa Han joined... Revealed the perfect lineup]. JTBC. July 30, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  7. ↑ Lee Min-ji (March 17, 2021). "'언더커버' 지진희X김현주 포스터, 엇갈린 시선 너머의 혼란" ['Undercover' Ji-hee Ji-hee x Kim Hyun-ju poster, confusion beyond mixed gazes]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  8. ↑ "언더커버" [Undercover]. JTBC Studios. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  9. ↑ Kim Ji-eun (April 16, 2021). "티빙, '언더커버' 독점 공개... JTBC와 협업 본격화" [TVING to unveil 'Undercover' exclusively... Collaboration with JTBC in earnest]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  10. ↑ Na-Yul Kim (June 13, 2021). "종영 '언더커버' 지진희, 새 인생 시작 엔딩..자체 최고 5.2%로 유종의 미" [The ending 'Undercover' Ji Jin-hee, the beginning of a new life, the ending...]. Herald POP (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  11. ↑ Kang, Jin-ah (July 23, 2020). "'언더커버', 지진희·김현주·허준호·한고은 라인업 완성" [Undercover' completed lineup for Ji-hee Ji, Hyun-joo Kim, Jun-ho Heo, and Go-eun Han]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  12. ↑ Kim, Myung-mi (July 9, 2020). "연우진-한선화 '언더커버' 출연, 지진희-김현주 과거 연기(공식입장)" [Yeon Woo-jin and Han Sun-hwa appeared in'Under Cover', Ji Ji-hee-Kim Hyun-ju, past acting]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  13. ↑ Jang, Yoon-jung (July 8, 2020). "지진희-김현주, JTBC '언더커버'로 출연 확정 내년 상반기 방영" [Ji-hee Ji-Kim Hyun-joo confirmed to appear as JTBC'Undercover' "Aired in the first half of next year"]. Aju News (in Korean).
  14. ↑ Yoon, Sun Cho (July 30, 2020). "[공식] 유선호, JTBC 새 드라마 '언더커버' 출연 확정…지진희·김현주와 호흡" [[Official] Yu Sun-ho, JTBC's new drama'Undercover' confirmed to appear... Ji-hee Ji and Hyun-joo Kim]. Chosun (in Korean).
  15. ↑ Noh, Gyu-min (July 14, 2020). "경리, 연기 활동 본격 시동…JTBC '언더커버' 출연 확정" [Accounting, acting activity started in earnest... JTBC'Undercover' appearance confirmed]. Hankyung (in Korean).
  16. ↑ Kim Na-kyung (December 1, 2020). "배윤경, '언더커버' 캐스팅... 거침없는 연기 행보" [Bae Yun-kyung casts'Undercover'... Unstoppable acting]. Hankyung. Korea Economic Daily. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  17. ↑ hoon Hong, Sung (November 26, 2020). "차순배, 드라마 '언더커버' 캐스팅 결정" [=Cha Sun-bae, cast of drama'Undercover']. NBN News.
  18. ↑ Choi, Ji-eun (November 4, 2020). "임형국,'언더커버' 출연 확정...네이티브 못지않은 북한말 구사" [Lim Hyung-guk confirmed to appear in'Undercover'... speaks North Korean as well as native]. Top Daily.
  19. ↑ "안세호, JTBC '언더커버' 합류..정만식 조력자 활약 [공식]" [Se-ho Ahn joins JTBC 'Undercover'.. Jung Man-sik as an assistant [Official]]. Osen (in Korean). Naver. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  20. ↑ Ha-eun, Jeong (April 26, 2020). "'부부의 세계'→'언더커버'·'엉클', 英 원작이 뜬다[SS드라마]" ['Couple's World' →'Undercover' and'Uncle', the British original is coming [SS Drama]]. Sports Seoul.
  21. ↑ Lee, Ji-eun (July 30, 2020). "'언더커버' 연우진·한선화·박경리 출연 확정…라인업 완성" ['Under Cover' Yeon Woo-jin, Han Sun-hwa, and Park Kyung-ri appearing confirmed... Lineup completed]. Newspim (in Korean). Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  22. ↑ ""Undercover" Stars Yeon Woo-jin, Han Sunhwa and Park Gyeongree". HanCinema. July 30, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  23. ↑ "언더커버 OST Part.1" [Undercover OST Part.1]. Melon. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  24. ↑ "언더커버 OST Part.2" [Undercover OST Part.2]. Melon. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  25. ↑ "언더커버 OST Part.3" [Undercover OST Part.3]. Melon. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  26. ↑ "언더커버 OST Part.4" [Undercover OST Part.4]. Melon. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  27. ↑ "언더커버 OST Part.5" [Undercover OST Part.5]. Melon. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  28. ↑ "언더커버 OST Part.6" [Undercover OST Part.6]. Melon. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  29. ↑ "언더커버 OST Part.7" [Undercover OST Part.7]. Melon. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  30. ↑ "언더커버 OST Special" [언더커버 OST Special]. Melon. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  31. 1 2 "Full Episode Daily -TOP 10 LIST FOR TV PROGRAMS (Nielsen Korea)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  32. ↑ "언더커버: 시청률" [Under Cover: ratings]. Naver. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
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