tvN’s presence in the 2025 K‑drama ratings battle was impossible to ignore. The network claimed the year’s highest ratings among all mini‑series across all channels with the fusion historical romance Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, which averaged 17.1% nationwide, peaked at 19.4%, and even reached 20% in the Seoul metropolitan area, setting a new benchmark for 2025 viewership. It led all 2025 dramas in average household ratings and was also the top performer in the key 2049 demographic (viewers aged 20~49).
tvN’s momentum didn’t stop there. The medical‑human drama Resident Playbook captured both ratings and buzz as one of the network’s standout hits earlier in the year. Other works such as the fantasy romance Head over Heels and the youth drama Our Unwritten Seoul also generated significant attention. In the latter half of the year, highly anticipated titles like Typhoon Family and Law and the City achieved solid results in both popularity and viewership, showcasing a diverse slate of successful genres and tones.
Riding this strong wave, tvN’s new Saturday-Sunday drama Undercover Miss Hong, set to premiere January 17, 2026, has already become a major talking point. The high expectations built by the network’s recent success are naturally transferring to this upcoming series.
Undercover Miss Hong is a retro office comedy set in the late 1990s. It follows Hong Geum‑bo, a 30‑something elite securities inspector who goes undercover as a 20‑year‑old junior employee to investigate suspicious financial activity. The series stars Park Shin‑hye, and its core narrative centers on her navigating drastically different identities—from authoritative inspector to fresh recruit—creating both comedic and dramatic tension.
Viewers are also curious about the chemistry between Park Shin‑hye and tvN, given the network’s strong track record. Other cast members include Go Kyung‑pyo, Ha Yoon‑kyung, and Cho Han‑gyeol, with direction by Park Seon‑ho, known for hits like Wok of Love, Business Proposal, and Suspicious Partner. The blend of romance, comedy, and workplace dynamics aligns with genres that have recently performed well for the network.
Character teasers released on December 19 highlight Hong Geum‑bo’s dramatic identity shift and resolve, emphasizing how her attitude toward structural injustice drives the story forward. These teasers have already stirred enthusiastic responses online.
Park Shin‑hye’s character, Hong Geum‑bo, leaves her position as a top securities official to infiltrate an investment firm as a novice employee. Her transformation—from sharp, professional inspector to smart, endearing rookie—adds layers of depth and anticipation to her arc. Far from being a typical 1990s female character, Hong pushes back against unfair systems, delivering lines like, “Work is done through skill,” and confronting problematic figures head‑on. Audiences are curious to see how her undercover mission unfolds and reshapes the workplace culture around her.
The main cast lineup further fuels excitement about the series. With tvN’s proven strength in capturing diverse viewer segments, a broad genre strategy, and a stable weekend timeslot, Undercover Miss Hong is well positioned to attract viewers choosing home streaming over theaters in January.
Set against the dynamic and nostalgic backdrop of 1990s Yeouido—a pivotal era of transformation and ambition—Undercover Miss Hong will premiere on January 17, 2026, at 9:10 p.m. on tvN. With its ensemble cast, sharp concept, and historic rating momentum behind it, many are wondering if tvN will once again dominate the new year’s drama landscape.
Sources: Wikitree