While the previous hit ’21st Century Grand Duchess’ dominated the ratings, it ended on a sour note due to controversies over historical accuracy. Now, all eyes are on ‘Fifties Professionals’ to see if it can soothe the public’s frustration and maintain the #1 spot for MBC’s Friday-Saturday dramas.
MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama ‘Fifties Professionals’ (Directed by Han Dong-hwa, Written by Jang Won-seop) tells the story of three men—a former NIS agent, a North Korean operative, and a nationwide gangster—who were once the best in their respective worlds. Reuniting after 10 years, the series promises a mix of cooperation, rivalry, action, and comedy.
The first thing that catches the eye is the powerhouse combination of Shin Ha-kyun, Oh Jung-se, and Heo Sung-tae.
Shin Ha-kyun plays Jung Ho-myung, who has spent the last 10 years living as the chef of Oran-banjeom while hiding his NIS background. He is expected to portray the character’s dual nature with his signature delicate emotional expression and heavy presence.
Oh Jung-se transforms into Bong Je-sun (also known as Bul-gae), a North Korean agent who lost his memories 10 years ago. His ability to seamlessly switch between comedy and serious emotion is expected to bring both mystery and humanity to the character.
Heo Sung-tae adds intense charisma as Kang Beom-ryong, the second-in-command of the Hwasan faction who has been running a convenience store for 10 years.
‘Fifties Professionals’ humorously explores the survival story of three men whose prime years have passed. Once sharp and threatening, they now live as a Chinese restaurant chef, an ordinary citizen, and a convenience store owner. As they get swept up in a dangerous mission once again, the show will blend laughter and tension. The “lifestyle action” of men who are not as fit as they used to be but persevere until the end, along with the clashes between these three different men, will be the core of the show’s entertainment.
The supporting cast is equally strong. Kim Shin-rok, Lee Hak-joo, Han Ji-eun, Kim Sang-ho, and Hyun Bong-sik form the main axis of the story, with Kim Sang-kyung, Kwon Yul, Ahn Nae-sang, Go Kyu-pil, Park Ji-hwan, and Kim Jae-hwa making special appearances. Notably, Kim Sang-kyung, Kwon Yul, and Hyun Bong-sik will play villains to ramp up the tension. With interests clashing over a 10-year-old incident and a missing object, the drama promises narrative depth beyond just action-comedy.
The production team also raises expectations. Director Han Dong-hwa, known for ’38 Task Force’, ‘Bad Guys’, ‘Criminal Record’, and ‘Navillera’, is at the helm, joined by martial arts director Baek Kyung-chan of ‘The Red Sleeve’, ‘Criminal Record’, and ‘Bad Guys’. Fans are eager to see how he balances action, comedy, and character-driven storytelling.
‘Fifties Professionals’ premieres on the 22nd at 9:50 PM.
