The MBC Friday-Saturday drama ‘Fifty Percent’ premiered on the 22nd! The series follows three men who may look ordinary now but were once big shots, brought back into the game by fate. It is a “salty” action comedy featuring real pros who have hit the 50% mark of their lives; their bodies might be rusty, but their loyalty and instincts are as sharp as ever.
In the first episode, Oh Jung-se’s performance, alongside Shin Ha-kyun and Heo Sung-tae, really ramped up the excitement for viewers.
Oh Jung-se takes on the role of Bong Je-soon, a North Korean special agent who lost his memory in a tragic accident 10 years ago. He showcased his incredible range and immersion through a dual-personality performance.
He first appeared as ‘Bulgae,’ North Korea’s ultimate human weapon. The tension spiked as Bong Je-soon faced off against Jung Ho-myung (played by Shin Ha-kyun) and Kang Beom-ryong (played by Heo Sung-tae) during a mission. Oh Jung-se’s sharp gaze during a rainy three-way confrontation completely sucked the audience into the drama.
Fast forward 10 years, and Bong Je-soon is back as a man struggling to get by without his memories. He brought plenty of laughs as a “pathetic office worker” at Youngsun Steel, taking on all the grunt work without a single complaint. Oh Jung-se perfectly captured this naive version of the character with slumped shoulders, a pure way of speaking, and detailed facial expressions. For extra comedy, Bong Je-soon even wore a dress and a short wig—the clothes he was wearing when he was first found—in an attempt to regain his memories. His awkward cross-dressing and flustered interaction with his nephew, Heo Nam-il (played by Kim Sung-jung), were absolute highlights.
Toward the end of the episode, the legendary ‘Bulgae’ finally resurfaced. While trying to recover house documents that Nam-il had left at a casino, Bong Je-soon was punched and knocked down. But then, his eyes snapped open, and the ‘Bulgae’ persona took over! His concise and powerful action scenes provided a thrilling rush. With a 180-degree shift in his gaze and bold Taekkyeon action, Oh Jung-se revealed ‘Bulgae’s’ true nature, making the plot even more intriguing. He successfully balanced both slice-of-life comedy and intense action.
Above all, Oh Jung-se showcased a stunning contrast between the legendary special agent ‘Bulgae’ and the sorrowful office worker ‘Bong Je-soon’ through his dynamic movements and detailed acting. Having already grabbed everyone’s attention in the first episode, fans are eager to see how he will continue to dominate the screen.
Meanwhile, ‘Fifty Percent’ recorded a 4.4% viewership rating (Nielsen Korea) for its first episode. The second episode airs on the 23rd.
