MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama Fifties Professionals is already making a huge impact before its premiere! With a powerhouse cast featuring Shin Ha-kyun, Oh Jung-se, and Heo Sung-tae, combined with a mystery surrounding an “incident from 10 years ago,” the show is set to be a cinematic Korean-style action comedy.
Premiering on May 22 as the follow-up to 21st Century Grand Princess, Fifties Professionals tells the story of three men who were once legendary but now struggle with the harsh realities of life, only to be swept up by fate once again. While they appear ordinary now, these former “big shots” chase the truth behind an unsolved case from a decade ago.
The drama boasts a distinct genre blend, mixing action, comedy, noir, and human warmth. Tension rises as the secrets of a “missing object” from 10 years ago and the characters’ intertwined pasts unfold. Fans are excited because it’s not just a simple comedy, but a tightly woven narrative of events and relationships.
The released character posters perfectly capture the vibe. Shin Ha-kyun plays Jung Ho-myung, a man living as a Chinese restaurant chef while hiding his past as an NIS agent. Wearing a wrist guard and saying, “I’ll show you what a real pro is,” he hints at a heavy past beneath his sly demeanor.
Oh Jung-se stars as Bong Je-soon, a North Korean special agent who has lost his memory. With the line “Fighting isn’t done with words” while wrapping a bandage around his knee, he shows a charming contrast between a mundane character and a human weapon. Heo Sung-tae’s Kang Beom-ryong is equally impressive. Once the second-in-command of an organization, he now runs a convenience store, but his line “My fists haven’t expired yet” reveals his lingering wild side.
Heo Sung-tae’s transformation is one of the biggest highlights. After building a strong image as a villain in The Outlaws, Hunt, Squid Game, and Casino, he takes on a “sad-funny” realistic gangster role. Once the #2 of the Hwasan faction, he is now a man of the people struggling with convenience store sales and difficult customers, promising a fresh kind of fun.
The lineup is absolutely star-studded! Heavy hitters like Kim Shin-rok, Lee Hak-joo, Han Ji-eun, Hyun Bong-sik, Kim Sang-ho, Shin Dong-mi, Kim Byung-ok, Kim Sang-kyung, and Kwon Yul have joined the cast. The tension ramps up as characters from the police, NIS, gangster circles, and family ties become intricately linked.
The group poster also catches the eye with a heavy atmosphere reminiscent of a movie. Characters with different goals gathered in one space, each with different expressions, evoke the chilling vibe of a crime drama rather than a simple comedy. In particular, the cold tension between Prosecutor Kang Young-ae (Kim Shin-rok) and Chairman Do (Kwon Yul) is expected to be a central axis of the plot.
Anticipation is soaring with the recently released main teaser. The teaser immediately draws viewers in by highlighting the conflict between “those who protect” and “those who take.” The tension of a crime action piece is amplified as characters become entangled over a key “object” from a failed passenger ship operation 10 years ago. Shin Ha-kyun’s line, “I won’t miss it this time,” maximizes the mystery. With the sharp presence of Kwon Yul, Kim Sang-kyung, and Hyun Bong-sik, the show promises a heavy crime noir edge beyond just comedy.
Word is that the chemistry during the script reading was extraordinary. Shin Ha-kyun expressed confidence, saying, “It will be a very new and fun drama,” while Oh Jung-se added, “I’m going to have a blast with this project.” Heo Sung-tae also raised expectations, stating, “Just working with Shin Ha-kyun and Oh Jung-se makes my heart flutter.”
Combining comedy, noir, humanism, and action, Fifties Professionals is being praised as a rare type of work in recent Korean dramas. All eyes are on how it will complete its story of mystery, action, loyalty, and revenge through the realistic lives of middle-aged men beaten down by time.
