Park Jin-young Confesses to Park Bo-young as 'Unknown Seoul' Hits Record 6.5% Ratings

Record-Breaking Ratings and Heartfelt Confession

The 7th episode of tvN's weekend drama 'Unknown Seoul' aired on June 14th achieved a nationwide average rating of 6.5%, marking the show's highest viewership since its premiere. In this episode, the long-awaited moment arrived as Yumi-ji (played by Park Bo-young) and Ho-su (played by Park Jin-young), who were each other's first loves but missed the chance to confess, finally revealed their true feelings to one another. This heartfelt confession brought a warm and tender atmosphere to the screen, captivating audiences and boosting the show's popularity. The episode also topped the ratings in the Seoul metropolitan area with an average of 6.7% and a peak of 7.6%, securing first place across all channels during its time slot, including among the key 20-49 age demographic.

The Unique Premise of 'Unknown Seoul'

'Unknown Seoul' is a romantic growth drama that follows twin sisters who are identical in appearance but lead completely different lives. The story revolves around their decision to swap lives through a lie, which leads them to discover true love and their authentic selves. The drama explores themes of identity, personal growth, and emotional healing, set against the vibrant and sometimes challenging backdrop of Seoul. It airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM KST on tvN.

Character Dynamics and Emotional Depth

Park Bo-young delivers a compelling dual performance as the twin sisters Yumi-ji and Yumi-rae, portraying their contrasting personalities and life paths with nuanced emotion. Yumi-ji, once a promising athlete, lives impulsively after an injury, while Yumi-rae is a perfectionist who has followed a conventional path but struggles with internal pressures. Park Jin-young's character Ho-su shares a deep, unspoken bond with Yumi-ji, culminating in their mutual confession that has been eagerly anticipated by viewers. The drama delicately portrays the complexities of first love, missed opportunities, and the courage to express true feelings.

Supporting Storylines and Themes

Alongside the central romance, the drama also delves into the lives of other characters such as Yumi-rae and her strawberry farm partner Han Se-jin (played by Ryu Kyung-soo), who provides her with emotional support and encourages her to embrace joy despite hardships. The series addresses broader social issues including workplace challenges, family responsibilities, and personal identity struggles, all woven into the narrative with sensitivity and hope.

Critical and Audience Reception

'Unknown Seoul' has been praised for its fresh storyline, strong performances, especially Park Bo-young's ability to portray two distinct characters convincingly, and its balance of lightheartedness with meaningful questions about life and relationships. The drama has become a healing story for many viewers, emphasizing the importance of seeing beyond appearances to understand people's true selves. Its rising ratings reflect growing audience engagement and anticipation for upcoming episodes.

Looking Ahead

With the twin sisters' journey toward self-discovery and genuine connection unfolding, 'Unknown Seoul' promises more emotional moments and character development. The next episodes are highly anticipated as viewers look forward to how Yumi-ji and Ho-su's relationship evolves and how Yumi-rae confronts her own challenges. The drama continues to air on tvN every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM, also available on streaming platforms like Netflix and TVING.