Undercover High School Episode 1 Review
Director: Choi Jung-in
Date Created: 2025-02-22 21:09
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The wait is finally over! Undercover High School Episode 1 has finally been released, marking the much-anticipated first comeback of Seo Kang-joon, after completing his military service in May 2023. Joining him are talented stars like Jin Ki-joo, Kim Shin-rok, Jeon Bae-soo, Jo Bok-rae, and Yoon Ga-yi. Directed by Choi Jung-in and written by Im Young-bin, 언더커버하이스쿨 is a thriller rom-com that promises an exciting mix of action, humour, and romance. The story follows an undercover agent and a passionate teacher, whose paths unexpectedly intertwine.
Undercover High Episode 1 Recap
The episode of Undercover High School opens with Hae-seong’s voiceover, explaining how his undercover mission started and how it changed his dark world. We see a mysterious man on a bike, setting the tone for the thrilling journey ahead.
Flashback to the evening of a high-stakes mission, Hae-seong is in mission mode, observing from afar as two competing factions haggle over a priceless Buddha statue. His team observes from another location, ready to recover the stolen treasure. But unfortunately, Hae-seong is caught, and there follows a high-octane fight sequence that is visually breathtaking. The action is sleek, stylish, and adrenaline-fueled, and it is one of the episode’s highlights.
Having dispatched the goons and the dealer to jail, Hae-seong triumphantly returns to the NIS office—only to find his superiors informed that the arm of the statue is shattered by a bullet. The perpetrator? Hae-seong himself. It turns out that his trial shot by accident destroyed the artifact, sending the agency into a frenzy. His boss, An Seok-ho, begs for his job, but the top brass is not moved. Rather than dismissing him, they give him a new assignment: to go undercover at Byeongmoon High School and find the legendary lost gold bars hidden somewhere on school grounds.
In the meantime, we encounter O Su-a, a devoted teacher who finds herself at an uncomfortable office party. As she’s coerced into having one too many by her vice principal, tipsy Su-a removes his fake wig—an absolutely side-splitting moment that makes her immediately lovable. Later that evening, on her way home, she witnesses underage rowdies making a ruckus at her mom’s restaurant. As Su-a attempts to handle the situation, the kids act up, but before things get out of hand, Hae-seong intervenes. What ensues is another excellent action scene, and we get to see Seo Kang-joon’s natural cool. Seeing him chase away the rascals gives Su-a’s heart a flutter, unwittingly setting the stage for an unlikely romance.
When Hae-seong reflects on his new assignment, we glimpse his past. A cryptic flashback suggests his traumatic schooldays, perhaps bullying. His eyes’ ambiguity speaks volumes, but having in mind that his whole team is relying on him, he chooses to go undercover.
The next day, Hae-seong appears at Byeongmoon High School, dressed in a school uniform and ridiculously handsome. Trouble finds him right away, though. Su-a recognizes him from the restaurant and, thinking he’s an underage drinker with a fake ID, grabs him by the ear and scolds him—a silly misunderstanding that sets up their dynamic just right.
The school environment has a blend of humor and wonder. Hae-seong grapples with contemporary slang, students who take dance videos, and school manners, which are laugh-out-loud moments. One of the standout moments is when he dozes off in class, waking up in attack mode when Su-a is trying to wake him up.
As he visits the school, Hae-seong comes across an old, off-limits building with working electricity. Something is off. When he inquires, he is informed that it is one of the oldest on the campus. Wary, he makes up his mind to sneak in that evening. But as he is about to, someone else is in there—holding a gun to his head. The chapter concludes on this cliffhanger: Will his scheme be foiled before it even gets started?
Undercover High School Episode 1 Review
Episode 1 sets the tone for the series perfectly. Seo Kang-joon is well-suited to front the show, and his rugged yet charming lead is perfect. His fight scenes are raw, his comedy scenes are spot-on, and his range of emotions adds a depth to the character of Hae-seong.
The Seo Kang-joon-Jin Ki-joo chemistry is excellent. Their initial encounters are riddled with misunderstandings and inadvertent tension, so their interactions are all the more fun. Jin Ki-joo’s O Su-a is quirky, fearless, and perfectly unconventional for a female lead. Her drunken escapades and vice principal wig debacle? Gold.
The action scenes are among their strongest moments. The fight choreography is tight, fast, and visually stunning, with every punch and kick a joy to behold. From the high-stakes statue theft to the restaurant brawl, the stunts are fantastic and maintain a high energy level.
The thriller element also brings an interesting depth. The concept of lost royal treasure buried in a high school is a strange but promising idea. The off-limits building, Hae-seong’s history of trauma, and the surprise gunman at the finale create a tense plot that you won’t be able to put down. Overall in Undercover High School, the pacing is solid. The balance between action, humour, and a hint at romance is well-maintained, making the show a fun start to watch.
Undercover High School Episode 1 is now streaming on Viki.
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