‘Ms. Incognito’ aims to outshine ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’

Jeon Yeo-bin takes on her first title role in “Ms. Incognito” / Courtesy of Genie TV

Genie TV’s new original drama “Ms. Incognito” has set its sights high, with ambitions to surpass the record-breaking success of “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.”

Marketed as a “gift set” of genres, the series blends romance, crime, comedy and human drama to create a multilayered viewing experience.

The production team and cast introduced the drama at a press conference held Monday at CGV Yeongdeungpo in Seoul. Director Park Yoo-young, alongside lead actors Jeon Yeo-bin, Jin Young, Seo Hyun-woo, Jang Yoon-ju and Joo Hyun-young, expressed confidence in the project.

The story follows Bu Se-mi (Jeon Yeo-bin), a working-class bodyguard who enters a contract marriage with a terminally ill conglomerate chairman in exchange for the promise of a new life. As she assumes a new identity for three months, she must fend off those plotting to claim the fortune for themselves.

Jeon plays dual identities: Kim Young-ran, a woman hardened by a troubled childhood, and her undercover persona, a cheerful kindergarten teacher in Moochang Village.

“I didn’t think too much about this being my first title role,” Jeon said. “I simply felt I had met a great character. When the articles about me being the lead came out, I realized the responsibility was greater. I wanted to approach the work sincerely, as I always have.”

She also credited her trust in Park's directing. Known for his well-received debut “The Kidnapping Day,” Park convinced Jeon to take on the challenge. “As soon as I met him, I knew I wanted to do this,” she said. “The idea of portraying two different lives was something I couldn’t resist.”

Model-turned-actor Jang Yoon-ju takes on the role of Ga Sun-young, the stepdaughter of the chairman and a calculating theater professor who manipulates people to get what she wants. “People may see it as a shocking transformation compared to my past roles, but for me, it wasn’t that extreme,” Jang said.

Reflecting on the process, Jang admitted she cried alone after filming wrapped. “It’s been 10 years since I debuted in acting with ‘Veteran,’ and I realized how deeply I had come to care for this character. I felt pity and empathy for her, so much that I shed tears at home after finishing the shoot.”

Jang added, “Ratings are not in our control, but of course we have hopes. I want us to surpass ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo,’” referring to the ENA drama that set the channel’s record with 17.5 percent.

From left, actors Joo Hyun-young, Jang Yoon-ju, Seo Hyun-woo, Jin Young and Jeon Yeo-bin attend a press conference for Genie TV’s original drama “Ms. Incognito” at CGV Yeongdeungpo in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Genie TV

Jin Young, who plays a single father and shares a romance with Jeon Yeo-bin’s character, said, “I tried to channel my father’s image from when I was young to portray a sense of paternal love.”

Calling the series a “comprehensive gift set,” Park highlighted how the drama mixes genres while showcasing the actors’ strengths. “It has everything — crime, romance, comedy and human stories,” he said. “I want it to reach double-digit ratings, maybe 10 percent, through word of mouth.”

With its mix of suspense, heart and humor, “Ms. Incognito” promises to be one of Genie TV’s most ambitious projects yet. The series premieres on ENA on at 10 p.m. on Monday.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.