"I guess you haven't heard the rumors, but I'm Mr. Shin. Mr. Shin!"
In the first broadcast of 'Mr. Shin Project', Han Seok-kyu perfectly transformed into the 'mad' Mr. Shin, bringing vibrant fun to the living room drama.
The tvN Monday-Tuesday drama 'Mr. Shin Project' (written by Ban Gi-ri / directed by Shin Kyung-soo / planned by Studio Dragon / produced by Do Frame), which aired its first episode on the 15th, features a mysterious character, Mr. Shin (played by Han Seok-kyu), a former legendary negotiator and current chicken restaurant owner, who navigates between legality and illegality to resolve conflicts and implement justice in this dispute resolution hero drama.
This work marks the entry of actor Han Seok-kyu into tvN and is directed by Shin Kyung-soo, who has collaborated with Han Seok-kyu for the third time following 'Deep-rooted Tree' and 'Secret Door', garnering attention even before its airing.
In the first episode, Mr. Shin takes on the role of a part-time worker at a chicken restaurant under the direction of Kim Sang-geun (played by Kim Sang-ho) and is seen mediating negotiations between the salted fish merchants and the broadcasting station.
During this process, Mr. Shin, who is engrossed in uncovering the case while disregarding the spirit of the law, is depicted in thrilling action as he is chased by henchmen of a suspicious backer.
The scene where he hops on the motorcycle of delivery worker Sion (played by Lee Rae) for a thrilling escape and the moment when Mr. Shin and Jo Philip (played by Bae Hyun-sung) barely escape being trapped between trucks on the railway showcased an enormous scale right from the first episode.
In particular, the mad scene at the end of the first episode where he survives a near-death experience and lies on the tracks shouting, "I guess you haven't heard the rumors, but I'm Mr. Shin," loudly announces Han Seok-kyu's return and heightens expectations for future developments.
The first episode recorded an average nationwide rating of 5.9%, marking the highest figure among tvN Monday-Tuesday dramas' premieres in 2025, starting off on a high note. Additionally, it ranked first in the target demographic of 2049 men and women across cable, general programming channels, and all channels during the same time slot, proving its popularity. (Based on paid platforms including cable, IPTV, and satellite / provided by Nielsen Korea)
Viewer reactions were also enthusiastic. Netizens poured out positive responses on various communities and social media, saying, "The master of comic acting has returned," "I can't believe I'm hearing 'sexy food' from Han Seok-kyu," "As expected, 'trustworthy actor' Han Seok-kyu," "The scale is no joke from the first episode," and "They did well from the first broadcast."
The 'Mr. Shin Project', which has garnered attention for the meeting of 'acting master' Han Seok-kyu and trendy tvN, has announced a smooth start. The first episode received praise for its fast-paced direction, story, and the chemistry among the actors, and it remains to be seen how the story, which emphasizes the keywords of dispute resolution and negotiation, will captivate viewers.
'Mr. Shin Project' airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM.
[Kim Mi-ji, Star Today Reporter]
