'Fifties Professionals' premieres with peak rating of 7.7%

MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama 'Fifties Professionals' kicked off with a strong start, drawing attention for its blend of espionage action and black comedy.

According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode of 'Fifties Professionals', which aired on May 22 KST, recorded a peak nationwide rating of 7.7%, along with average ratings of 4.5% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 4.4% nationwide.

Following the broadcast, the drama quickly generated buzz across social media and online communities, with viewers praising the performances and unexpected twists.

The episode opened with National Security Office director Kwon Soon Bok, played by Ahn Nae Sang, and National Intelligence Service counterintelligence team leader Jo Sung Won, played by Kim Sang Ho, investigating alleged drug smuggling operations within the NIS.

To uncover the truth, the two enlist unofficial black ops agent Jung Ho Myung, played by Shin Ha Kyun. At the same time, North Korea deploys elite operative Bulgae, played by Oh Jung Se, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation.

The tension escalated further as a crime syndicate became entangled in the operation, creating a dangerous pursuit involving intelligence agents, North Korean operatives, and organized crime groups. However, the mission ultimately failed, and after Bulgae disappeared with a USB drive and Kwon Soon Bok was killed, the case remained unsolved.

The drama then jumps ahead 10 years, revealing Jung Ho Myung now working as a chef at a Chinese restaurant named Ohran. Once considered an elite black ops agent, he is now portrayed as a worn-down middle-aged man struggling with everyday life and constant family nagging, adding comedic elements to the story.

Despite his quiet life, Jung Ho Myung secretly continues investigating the missing USB and Bulgae alongside Jo Sung Won.

One of the episode’s biggest twists centered around Bong Je Soon, also played by Oh Jung Se, who appears to have lost his memory. Living an ordinary life, the character suddenly regains his instincts during a violent confrontation at Heaven Capital, effortlessly overpowering gang members and shocking those around him.

The episode ended with Jung Ho Myung witnessing the incident and declaring, "I finally found you. Bulgae," delivering a dramatic cliffhanger that heightened anticipation for the next episode.

Meanwhile, prosecutor Kang Young Ae, played by Kim Shin Rok, added another layer of mystery as she investigated a ferry incident from 10 years earlier and a hidden secret space connected to the case.

With its mix of middle-aged action heroes, grounded black comedy, and intense performances from Shin Ha Kyun and Oh Jung Se, 'Fifties Professionals' has already begun attracting strong word-of-mouth attention from viewers.

MBC’s 'Fifties Professionals' airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM KST. International viewers can stream the drama on platforms including Viki, Wavve, TVING, and HBO Max.

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