Seo Kang Joon is back and bolder than ever in MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama, Undercover High School.
The actor, who made a splash with his pre-enlistment roles in dramas like Cheese in the Trap and Watcher, is diving headfirst into the world of espionage and academia.
At the drama’s production conference, Seo Kang Joon expressed his renewed passion for acting after his military service, stating his commitment to Undercover High School regardless of the outcome. He emphasized the drama’s blend of genres and its thought-provoking subtext, highlighting its appeal as both lighthearted entertainment and a story with deeper meaning.
A Mission Like No Other
Undercover High School follows Jung Hae-seong (Seo Kang Joon), a top National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent, as he goes undercover as a high school student to track down Emperor Gojong’s missing gold bars. What starts as a covert mission quickly turns into an unexpected high school adventure.
This marks Seo Kang Joon’s first drama since completing his military service, making it a highly anticipated comeback. Known for his diverse roles in Cheese in the Trap, Watcher, Grid, and When the Weather Is Fine, the actor reflected on his time away: “The military felt like an eternity. I revisited why I wanted to be an actor and what kind of actor I want to become. I may not always be satisfied with my past projects, but I have no regrets—I always gave my best.”
On why he chose Undercover High School, he shared, “It’s a mix of genres—lighthearted but thought-provoking. I liked that it had deeper messages hidden within the fun.”
A 31-Year-Old Back in a School Uniform? No Problem!
Portraying a high school student at 31 could be a challenge, but Seo Kang-joon embraced it with humor. “I didn’t do any anti-aging treatments. Since my character is an adult agent infiltrating a school, I just played it naturally. I put on some lotion and went for it,” he joked. His co-stars reassured him, saying, “He fits right in—he’s the best-looking student in our class!”
Beyond the school drama, Seo also prepared physically for the role. “I worked out a lot in the military, so I didn’t worry about shirtless scenes. I even ate octopus before filming that day,” he laughed.
A Stellar Supporting Cast
Joining him is Jin Ki Joo as Oh Soo-ah, a temporary teacher at Byeongmun High School who deeply cares for her students. She described the drama as “a mix of tension and laughter” and said, “I wanted a fun project, and this came at the perfect time.”
Kim Shin Rok plays Seo Myung-joo, the school’s chairman and a mother obsessed with her daughter, student council president Lee Ye-na (Kim Min Joo). She shared, “Filming was intense—I spent so many scenes gripping Min-joo like a mouse! I hope we can work together again on a lighter project next time.”
The cast also includes Jeon Bae-soo as the reliable NIS team leader Seok-ho, Kim Min-joo as senior agent Mi-jeong, and Park Se-hyun as Ahn Yu-jeong, the only student who knows Hae-seong’s true identity.
Can Undercover High School Hit 12% Ratings?
The drama is set to compete with Buried Hearts, starring Park Hyung-sik and Heo Jun-ho, on the same day. When asked about ratings expectations, PD Choi teased, “Seo Kang-joon promised 12%—so let’s hold him to it!” Seo Kang-joon doubled down: “If we exceed that, I’ll send the staff on a trip!”
With its thrilling mix of action, comedy, and suspense, Undercover High School is ready to take viewers on a wild ride. Don’t miss the premiere on MBC, airing at 9:50 PM on February 21st!
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