Lee Young-ae Dives into the Underworld: 'A Fine Day for Eun-soo' Opens a New Chapter in Human Crime Thrillers
Actress Lee Young-ae has captivated viewers with her powerful return to the small screen. The KBS2 weekend mini-series 'A Fine Day for Eun-soo,' which premiered on the 20th, immediately grabbed attention with its daring plot, depicting an ordinary housewife, Kang Eun-soo (played by Lee Young-ae), stepping into the world of drug trafficking to protect her family.
The drama's first episode plunged viewers into Eun-soo's despair. Facing the imminent auction of her home due to her husband Park Do-jin's (Bae Soo-bin) failed cryptocurrency investment, and his subsequent pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Eun-soo struggles to secure his treatment funds. Her path takes a dangerous turn when she discovers a bag of drugs hidden in her house, found after a dealer from the drug cartel 'Phantom' dies evading pursuit by Detective Jang Tae-gu (Park Yong-woo) of the Narcotics Unit. Faced with the choice between reporting the drugs to the police and selling them for her husband's treatment, Eun-soo chooses the latter, creating intense suspense.
Meanwhile, the story intensifies with the reveal of Lee Kyung's (Kim Young-kwang) double life as an art instructor and club MD. Eun-soo encounters him again when she takes a job at the club to earn money for treatment. The episode concludes with Eun-soo proposing a partnership to Lee Kyung, leaving viewers eager for the next installment. The premiere achieved a 4.0% viewership rating nationwide (Nielsen Korea), marking a successful debut. 'A Fine Day for Eun-soo' is being hailed for opening a new frontier in human crime thrillers, thanks to Lee Young-ae's desperate situation and bold choices, Kim Young-kwang's dual-faceted charm, Park Yong-woo's charismatic performance, and the synergy between director Song Hyun-wook and writer Jeon Young-shin.
Lee Young-ae solidified her status as a Hallyu star after receiving immense love for her role in the 2000 drama 'Dae Jang Geum.' Beyond her acting career, she actively participates in various social contribution activities, spreading positive influence. Recently, she also announced her participation in the second season of the Netflix original series 'Gyeongseong Creature,' raising anticipation among fans.