Han Suk-kyu Masterfully Resolves Hostage Crisis in 'Chief Detective 1958', Ratings Soar

In a thrilling turn of events on the latest episode of the tvN drama 'Chief Detective 1958', veteran actor Han Suk-kyu, portraying the enigmatic 'Shin Sajang', successfully de-escalated a tense hostage situation and exposed corruption, delivering a deeply satisfying resolution.

The broadcast, which aired on Monday, garnered impressive viewership ratings, peaking at 9.7% in the Seoul metropolitan area and averaging 8%. Nationally, it also recorded an average of 8% and a high of 9.5%, making it the number one program in its time slot across all channels, including terrestrial broadcasters. Furthermore, the drama dominated the key demographic of viewers aged 20-49, securing the top spot among cable and general programming channels.

The crisis unfolded when Lee Sang-hyun (played by Kang Seung-ho), an aggrieved citizen responsible for incessant malicious complaints, kidnapped the mayor and prepared to detonate a bomb. Shin Sajang surprised everyone by stepping in as the official negotiator.

Utilizing his deep understanding of the situation, Shin Sajang learned that Lee Sang-hyun's mother ran a 'gukbap' (rice soup) restaurant. He strategically ordered three servings of the comforting dish, a tactic aimed at breaking down Lee Sang-hyun's emotional barriers and initiating a more personal negotiation.

Warmed by the soup and Shin Sajang's empathetic dialogue, Lee Sang-hyun began to open up about his past grievances. He revealed the tragic loss of his brother due to toxic waste from a fertilizer factory, a tragedy for which no one was held accountable, leading him to consider extreme measures.

Shin Sajang meticulously distilled Lee Sang-hyun's demands into three core points: compensation, accountability for those involved, and public disclosure. These were then relayed to the professional negotiator Jang Young-soo (Choi Deok-moon). Simultaneously, Shin Sajang appealed to Lee Sang-hyun's humanity, reminding him of the pain his mother would endure if he gave up his life.

However, the negotiations hit a snag when city officials, alerted by the environmental survey results that showed no issues, adamantly refused to admit any wrongdoing. As the stalemate persisted, Lee Sang-hyun's distress intensified, escalating the tension at the scene.

A breakthrough came unexpectedly with the involvement of junior judge Jo Pil-lip (Bae Hyun-sung) and administrative welfare center official Kim Su-dong (Jung Eun-pyo). They uncovered discrepancies in the environmental investigation, which Kim Su-dong then supported with crucial data. Jo Pil-lip, armed with this information, investigated further, uncovering evidence of data manipulation, financial transactions, and even the mayor's complicity in a cover-up. This critical information was immediately reported to Shin Sajang.

Foreseeing Lee Sang-hyun's inevitable punishment post-resolution, Shin Sajang devised a plan to help him escape and staged the scene to look like he perished in the explosion. With the timely assistance of delivery worker Lee Si-on (Lee Re), Officer Choi Cheol (Kim Sung-oh), and Madame Ju (Woo Mi-hwa), Shin Sajang successfully escorted the mayor to safety. Lee Sang-hyun and his mother were also able to leave Korea for a new life, marking a resolution without any fatalities, much to the viewers' delight.

In a poignant reveal at the end of the broadcast, it was disclosed that Shin Sajang's aversion to sacrifice stemmed from the deep trauma of losing his own young son to a hostage-taker years ago. His decision to prevent Lee Sang-hyun's mother from suffering the same agony resonated deeply with the audience.

'Chief Detective 1958' continues to captivate viewers with Shin Sajang's blend of intellect and compassion in his extraordinary negotiation tactics. The drama airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM KST on tvN.

Han Suk-kyu gained critical acclaim early in his career, winning the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor in 1994 for his role in 'The Gingko Bed'. He is renowned for his meticulous character studies and consistent ability to deliver powerful performances across a diverse range of genres. In 'Chief Detective 1958', he showcases a new facet of his acting prowess as a mysterious chicken shop owner with exceptional negotiation skills.