Sung Hoon is returning to television dramas for the first time in three years, and the actor says the decision to join MBN’s upcoming romance drama What a Boss Wants was an easy one. The drama is set to premiere on November 11 at 10:20 p.m. KST, and it follows a chaebol CEO who sets out to find a mysterious woman whose voice he hears on an album. Sung Hoon plays Kwon Do Hyuk, the brilliant but emotionally closed-off CEO of OYES Entertainment, opposite Oh Se Young as Lee Eun Chae, an indie band vocalist who becomes the only unpredictable factor in his perfectly ordered life.
A Familiar Team Made the Choice Simple
Sung Hoon shared that his existing relationship with the production team played a big part in his decision. He had worked with them on a previous project, and that comfort level made saying yes much easier. The actor also pointed to the script as a major factor, saying, “There was no reason not to take this project.”
What pulled him in even more was the character of Kwon Do Hyuk himself. Sung Hoon explained that it was not the character’s wealthy background that interested him, but rather his exceptional abilities. He described Kwon Do Hyuk as someone whose skills make him stand out, joking that “He’s the kind of guy who would never have to worry about going hungry no matter where he goes.”
Building a Character Who Trusts Data Over People
For Sung Hoon, getting into the role required him to think deeply about a very different kind of life. He shared, “I spent a lot of time thinking about what kind of life someone with plenty of money and exceptional abilities would lead.” That thinking shaped how he approached Kwon Do Hyuk, a man who prioritizes logic and data above all else.
The actor also wanted to stay true to the original web novel while respecting the drama’s script. He aimed to preserve the source material’s overall framework but also bring his own interpretation to the character. Kwon Do Hyuk is described as someone so rational and controlled that the production team has called him “even more AI than the AI he creates.” Despite having everything, he struggles with loneliness and insomnia, and his carefully managed life starts to shift when he meets Lee Eun Chae.
Working With Oh Se Young Brought Positive Energy
Sung Hoon had warm words for his co-star Oh Se Young, who plays the lively and unpredictable Lee Eun Chae. He said, “She’s such a bright and positive actress, and I get a lot of positive energy from her as well. Thanks to her, there are plenty of moments to laugh, so filming has been a happy experience.”
The on-screen dynamic between the two characters is built on clash and contrast. Kwon Do Hyuk is cold, calculating, and obsessed with control, while Lee Eun Chae is energetic, outspoken, and leads a double life as an indie singer. Their first encounters are filled with misunderstandings and banter, and the drama uses that friction to build the romance. Sung Hoon shared that he is focused on showing how his character changes, saying, “I’m trying to understand and portray Kwon Do Hyuk’s thoughts and actions. I hope viewers will watch to see what emotions Kwon Do Hyuk experiences when he meets Lee Eun Chae and how he changes.”
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The Story Behind the Drama
What a Boss Wants is based on a web novel of the same name. The story follows Kwon Do Hyuk, the only son of a top 1 percent chaebol family. He is a genius in artificial intelligence and runs OYES Entertainment, but his personal life is strictly ruled by logic and rigid tastes. He listens only to classical music and has no interest in songs with vocals. That changes when he hears a woman’s voice on an album and becomes determined to find her.
That search leads him to Lee Eun Chae, a job seeker by day and the lead vocalist of an indie band called India Red by night, performing under the stage name “Soo.” Their paths cross in unusual ways, including a scene where Eun Chae pretends to be a doctor during a hospital visit. The drama blends workplace troubles, mistaken identities, and a three-month contract that brings the two closer together.
The cast also includes Lee Jung Shin of CNBLUE as Moon Tae Kyung, a warm and easygoing pediatrician who contrasts sharply with Kwon Do Hyuk’s cold personality. Park Jung Hak plays Kwon Do Hyuk’s father, Kwon Tae Woong, while Jo Hee Bong, Lee Do Yeop, Kim Yun Kyung, and Lee Choong Joo round out the supporting cast. The drama is directed by Kang Sol and written by Nam Ji Yeon.
Where to Watch What a Boss Wants
What a Boss Wants will air on MBN in South Korea starting November 11, 2026, in the Wednesday-Thursday 10:20 p.m. KST time slot. The drama has 12 episodes. International streaming details have not been officially confirmed at this time, though previous MBN dramas have sometimes found homes on platforms like Viki and Prime Video. Viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India should watch for official announcements from streaming services as the premiere date gets closer.
Sung Hoon’s return to television marks his first regular drama role since Perfect Marriage Revenge in 2023. The actor has also been active in variety shows, including MBC’s Home Alone, where he showed a more relaxed and humorous side that contrasts with the controlled character he plays in this new series.
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on your favorite K-dramas and the stars who bring them to life.
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