Undercover High School (언더커버 하이스쿨) premiered in early 2025, quickly becoming a favourite among K-drama viewers who enjoy a mix of action and comedy with a high school twist. This 12-episode series, broadcast on MBC TV every Friday and Saturday from February 21 to March 29, 2025, each episode lasting around 70 minutes, presents a unique storyline: a top-notch National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent going undercover as a high school student.
Profile
Title: Undercover High School (언더커버 하이스쿨)
Genre: Action, Thriller, School, Mystery
Release Date: February 21, 2025
Number of Episodes: 12
Starring: Seo Kang-joon, Jin Ki-joo, and Kim Shin-rok
Written by: Im Young-bin
Directed by: Choi Jung-in
Original Network: MBC TV
Country: South Korea
Synopsis
The story of Undercover High School follows Jeong Hae-seong, an elite National Intelligence Service (NIS) field agent. After a critical mission failure leads to his demotion, he is given an unusual assignment: to recover the lost gold bars of Emperor Gojong. To do so, he must enroll at Byeongmun High School as an ordinary student. His mission requires him to blend into the school environment while secretly investigating clues linked to the missing treasure.
A Mysterious Connection: Romance and Unfinished Business
Once inside, Hae-seong meets Oh Su-a, his homeroom teacher. Su-a, a temporary Korean history teacher, is dedicated to her students and quickly takes notice of her new transfer student. As she observes Hae-seong, she becomes unsettled by his uncanny resemblance to her childhood first love, a relationship that ended in tragedy. This connection introduces an emotional layer to the story, intertwining Hae-seong’s undercover mission with a romance built on unresolved memories and painful past experiences.
Navigating High School Life: Comedy and Challenges
Hae-seong’s time at Byeongmun High presents challenges beyond his espionage work. Adapting to teenage life proves difficult as he struggles with modern slang, school hierarchy, and the presence of bullies. To navigate the school and uncover vital clues, he joins the student council, believing that its inner workings may hold the key to the hidden gold. Meanwhile, Su-a grows increasingly suspicious of him, leading her to secretly investigate his background.
Unraveling the Mystery: History, Ghost Stories, and Corruption
As the search intensifies, eerie school ghost stories and a mysterious clock tied to Emperor Gojong’s gold add intrigue to the treasure hunt. However, the deeper Hae-seong digs, the more he uncovers a darker truth about Byeongmun High. The school is not just an ordinary institution—it is plagued by corruption, where power and wealth dictate the rules. His mission soon expands beyond finding the gold, pushing him to confront the injustices lurking within the school’s administration.
A Personal Connection: Family Secrets and a Formidable Enemy
Later in the series, the stakes become even more personal. Hae-seong stumbles upon evidence suggesting that his father’s disappearance years ago may be linked to the same conspiracy surrounding the gold. As he inches closer to the truth, a formidable antagonist emerges in Seo Myeong-ju, the ruthless chairwoman of the Byeongmun Foundation. Her obsession with the gold and her influence over the school makes her a powerful enemy. (Source: Wikipedia)
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Character Dynamics & Stellar Performances
Unlike typical school dramas, Undercover Highschool dives into a world of deception and manipulation.
Jeong Hae-seong (Seo Kang-joon): A top NIS agent adept in combat and espionage, Hae-seong’s undercover mission challenges him to adapt to high school dynamics while confronting personal demons from his past.
Oh Su-a (Jin Ki-joo): A dedicated Korean history teacher known for her commitment to students and strong sense of justice. Su-a’s growing suspicion of Hae-seong, due to his uncanny resemblance to her tragic first love, adds emotional depth to the narrative.
Seo Myeong-ju (Kim Shin-rok): The influential chairwoman of Byeongmun High School’s foundation. Her obsession with the hidden gold and involvement in corrupt activities position her as the central antagonist.
Lee Ye-na (Kim Min-ju): Daughter of Myeong-ju and the school’s student council president. Her character embodies the elite student archetype, adding complexity to the school’s internal politics.
Is Undercover High School Worth Watching?
If you enjoy action-packed comedies with a mix of mystery and romance, Undercover High School is a fun and engaging drama to add to your watchlist. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons:
Pros:
Unique Premise: The concept of a skilled NIS agent going undercover as a high school student is fresh and entertaining.
Balanced Genre Mix: The drama blends action, comedy, and mystery without one overpowering the others.
Seo Kang-joon’s Performance: His return to the screen is impressive, delivering both intense action and comedic moments effortlessly.
Well-Choreographed Action Scenes: Fight sequences are exciting and well-executed, adding to the drama’s thrill.
Strong Chemistry: The interactions between Seo Kang-joon and Jin Ki-joo add depth and humor to the storyline.
Social Commentary: The drama subtly addresses issues like school corruption, bullying, and academic pressure in South Korea.
Cons:
Pacing Issues in Later Episodes: Some viewers found the last few episodes slightly rushed, especially in resolving major conflicts.
Underdeveloped Subplots: A few side characters and story arcs could have been explored in greater depth.
Predictability: While the execution is fun, some twists and outcomes may feel familiar to experienced K-drama fans.
Undercover High School Trailer
Undercover High School Cast
Main
- Seo Kang-joon as Jeong Hae-seong
- Kim Shin-rok as Seo Myeong-ju
- Jin Ki-joo as Oh Su-a / Oh Bong-ja
Supporting
NIS people
- Jeon Bae-soo as An Seok-ho
- Im Cheol-hyeong as Gong Jin-sang
- Yoon Ga-i as Park Mi-jeong
- Jo Bok-rae as Go Yeoung-hun
- Lee Seo-hwan as Kim Hyung-bae
Student Council of Byeongmun High School
- Kim Min-ju as Lee Ye-na
- Jang Seong-beom as Park Tae-so
- Lee Hyun-so as Han Seung-jae
- Park Se-hyun as An Yu-jeong
- Kim Sun-min as Ji Hyun-joon
- Yoon Chae-bin as Yoon Chae-rin
Students of Byeongmun High School
- Shin Jun-hang as Lee Dong-min
- Jeong Soo-hyun as Im Yoon-cheol
- Kim Seung-beom as Kim Ho-jin
- Kang Pil-jun as Son Beom-sik
- Shin Ga-eun as Choi Su-jin
Teacher’s office of Byeongmun High School
- Park Jin-woo as Park Jae-mun
- Oh Yong as Baek Kwang-du
- Noh Jong-hyun as Lee Jun-ho
- Lee Min-ji as Kim Ri-an
Others:
- Kim Young-ah as Im Cheong-ha
- Oh Eui-shik as Jeong Jae-Hyeon
- Gu Min-hyuk as Kim Hyeon-ho
- Kim Soo-jin as Jang Man-ok
- Kim Eui-sung as Seo Byeong-mun
