‘My Perfect Secretary’ Han Ji-min ♥ Lee Jun-hyuk wrote a perfect ending.
The final episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama ‘My Perfect Secretary’ (written by Ji Eun, directed by Ham Joon-ho and Kim Jae-hong), which ended on the 14th, recorded a peak rating of 12.7%, a nationwide rating of 12%, a metropolitan area rating of 11.3%, and a target rating of 4.2% for the 2049 demographic, maintaining the top spot among dramas in the same time slot and Friday mini-series. The nationwide rating marked its highest record, achieving a successful conclusion. (Provided by Nielsen Korea)
In the final episode, Ji-yoon (played by Han Ji-min) handed over ‘People’s’ to Hye-jin (played by Park Bo-kyung) of ‘Career Way’. This was a decision made to protect the employees who had grown the company together. However, Hye-jin's good days, having finally pulled Ji-yoon down to take over ‘People’s’, did not last long. On her first day at ‘People’s’, which she had forcibly acquired against the opposition of ‘Career Way’ executives, Hye-jin found resignation letters from the employees on the desk in the CEO's office. Moreover, with the confession of Young-min (played by Ko Sang-ho), who had conspired in an investment fraud, Hye-jin's crimes were revealed, leading to her eventual arrest by the police.
Now unemployed, Ji-yoon enjoyed sleeping in for the first time in years and even tried day drinking, savoring the ordinary life she had missed while being dedicated to work, alongside Eun-ho (played by Lee Jun-hyuk). Without anyone's help or being swayed by anyone, she started working again from scratch solely on her own strength. The first candidate for that company was none other than Eun-ho, who was the perfect fit for the HR team leader position that Se-rim Group was looking for.
In exchange for giving up her perfect secretary, Ji-yoon gained reliable employees to grow the company together: Mi-ae (played by Lee Sang-hee), Young-soo (played by Heo Dong-won), Kwang-hee (played by Ko Geon-han), Kyung-hwa (played by Seo Hye-won), and Gyu-rim (played by Yoon Ga-i). The name of the new company, ‘We Company’, signified that it had now become ‘ours’. Thus, Ji-yoon worked hard at ‘We Company’, while Eun-ho worked at Se-rim Group, which had become Ji-yoon's client, and they loved each other passionately after work.
Another happy ending couple was born: Jung-hoon (played by Kim Do-hoon) and Soo-hyun (played by Kim Yoon-hye). Jung-hoon realized the sincerity of Vice Chairman Seo (played by Jo Seung-yeon), who regretted being a clumsy father, and reconciled with him. He then entered his father's company and navigated it in his own way, unlike his brother. Soo-hyun became a successful best-selling author, publishing her next work and even holding a book talk. The two, who supported each other, transitioned from “just acquaintances” to “people who like each other,” signaling a rosy beginning. Thus, everyone found their happy ending as the curtain fell on the close-care romance.
#. Han Ji-min, Lee Jun-hyuk, Kim Do-hoon, Kim Yoon-hye, a warm and heartfelt acting feast
Han Ji-min played the role of Kang Ji-yoon, the CEO of a cold-headed headhunting company, who grows by learning warmth, showcasing delicate emotional acting. Initially a cold workaholic with no interest outside of work, she gradually changed through her relationship with Eun-ho, expressing the process of realizing the meaning of care with subtlety, proving her worth not only as a ‘romance queen’ but also as a ‘serious actress’. Lee Jun-hyuk made his proper romantic acting debut through ‘My Perfect Secretary’, drawing passionate responses from viewers. Instead of directly expressing emotions, his portrayal of feelings through considerate actions and deep gazes left a lasting impression. Above all, the romance between the two actors received acclaim for bursting with dopamine solely through the tension between a man and a woman in a calm and warm drama without any provocative elements.
Kim Do-hoon perfectly portrayed the character of Woo Jung-hoon, a free-spirited chaebol heir, with a charming blend of playfulness and warmth. His natural acting and sense of humor added depth, creating a realistic chaebol character. The heartbreaking family story hidden behind his carefree image evoked a poignant feeling. Kim Yoon-hye showcased warm and emotional acting as Jung Soo-hyun, Eun-ho's parenting partner with a special family background. Her delicate portrayal of the character's emotional nuances made the drama even warmer. The harmonious ensemble of the four actors conveyed a message of care and growth between people, going beyond simple romance, firmly capturing the hearts of viewers.
#. A perfect romance bible → A successful start for SBS's Friday-Saturday drama in 2025!
‘My Perfect Secretary’, which opened the new year as the first work of the 2025 Friday-Saturday drama, was anticipated as a promising project to continue SBS's successful lineage, which had produced numerous hits in 2024 even before its broadcast. The combination of Han Ji-min, Lee Jun-hyuk, and SBS drew viewers' attention, and after the show unveiled, it received explosive responses beyond expectations. Within just three episodes, the ratings comfortably surpassed double digits and maintained them steadily, achieving a peak rating of 12% and a momentary high of 14%. The target rating for the 2049 demographic, a key indicator of channel competitiveness and buzz, also rose to a high of 4.4%. Furthermore, it frequently ranked first in TV and cast buzz, and in January-February 2025, ‘My Perfect Secretary’ topped the drama brand reputation rankings, earning the title of ‘perfect romance bible’.
#. The warmth of care offered to ‘grown-ups’ → The birth of a fairy tale for adults
‘My Perfect Secretary’ conveyed a warm healing message for ‘grown-ups’ who have not yet fully matured, in addition to being a perfect romance. The story of adults who generously see, wait for, and nurture each other delivered an emotional impact beyond simple romance.
Ji-yoon, who had previously viewed hiring and talent recommendations solely through the lens of monetary value, transformed into a person who encourages employees, extends a helping hand first, and knows how to share warmth after meeting Eun-ho, the epitome of warmth and kindness. Ji-yoon's daily life was no longer lonely and cold like before. This served as a reminder of the value of warm care that we have forgotten in increasingly individualized relationships in modern society. Dubbed ‘a fairy tale for adults’, ‘My Perfect Secretary’ resonated deeply with many, becoming a perfect drama that offers comfort to those in need of care.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
