Episodes 7 and 8 of Undercover Miss Hong, which became available on February 7 and 8, delivered major revelations . The biggest mystery of the show was solved as Hong Keum-bo finally discovered the true identity of Yehppee, the secret whistleblower within Hanmin Investment & Securities . This discovery creates a dangerous new dynamic for Keum-bo’s undercover mission. At the same time, the plot expanded to show how a growing national financial crisis is starting to affect the lives of every character, from the top executives to Keum-bo’s own family .
The Big Reveal: Yehppee’s True Identity
After episodes of careful investigation, Hong Keum-bo confirmed her suspicions in episode 7. The mysterious whistleblower sending information to the Financial Supervisory Service is none other than her direct boss at the Risk Management Division, Bang Jin-mok. Actor Kim Do-hyun plays the role of the veteran employee who has been operating in the shadows .
Keum-bo cleverly set a trap to confirm his identity. She tampered with the keyboards of three suspected employees and sent a targeted email to the Yehppee account. When the email was opened from Bang Jin-mok’s computer, her theory was proven correct .
When Keum-bo confronts him, Jin-mok does not immediately agree to help her. He tells her he needs time to decide if he wants to work with her or not .
This discovery is complicated by their shared past. Keum-bo reminds Jin-mok that they met nine years ago when she was fired from a different job. She reveals that his actions at that time indirectly led to her boss’s suicide, creating a tense history between them .
A National Crisis Hits Home
The story’s backdrop of the 1997 South Korean financial crisis becomes much more personal in these episodes . The country is facing a massive economic downturn, forcing it to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund. As part of the conditions, companies must submit to rigorous analysis to qualify for assistance .
This macro-level crisis directly drives the main conflict at Hanmin Investment & Securities. The company is desperate to pass the government’s evaluation to survive. Keum-bo, using her financial expertise, assembles a meticulous folder of documents proving Hanmin should not qualify for bailout funds. She secretly swaps her damaging report for the company’s sanitized version, ensuring the truth reaches the authorities .
The consequences are severe and immediate. Hanmin fails the evaluation, putting the jobs of all its employees at risk. An angry Bang Jin-mok blames Keum-bo, telling her they can never be on the same side because her actions will lead to widespread unemployment. He points out that while the company’s leaders will be safe, the ordinary workers will suffer the most .
Albert Oh’s Dangerous Investigation
Albert Oh, the Risk Management Division Manager played by Cho Han-gyeol, also becomes more deeply involved in his own investigation . He is determined to uncover the truth behind the death of the former CEO, Kang Myeong-hwi, who was also his uncle .
His search leads him to the auto repair shop that worked on his uncle’s car. After asking pointed questions about faulty brakes, the mechanics turn on him, chasing him with tools. Keum-bo, who was tailing him, has to intervene dramatically by driving a luxury car into the shop to rescue him .
Albert and Keum-bo (still in her Jang-mi persona) begin to work together, deducing that Secretary Go Bok-hee likely has a copy of the secret ledger they need. Their partnership adds another layer of complexity to the office dynamics .
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Bok-hee Closes In and Family Problems Grow
Secretary Go Bok-hee, played by Ha Yoon-kyung, remains a persistent threat to Keum-bo’s cover . After her own plan to steal company money fails, she becomes even more suspicious of “Jang-mi.” Her investigation takes her to Keum-bo’s parents’ chicken restaurant, where she learns a crucial piece of information: their daughter attended Seoul University. This directly contradicts Jang-mi’s backstory as a young, inexperienced hire, causing Bok-hee to seriously question who her roommate really is .
The financial crisis also devastates Keum-bo’s family. Her father, without telling anyone, invested their savings in the “New Korea Fund.” After the market crashes, he returns home completely defeated, revealing the fund’s value has dropped by 80%. This personal loss weighs heavily on Keum-bo as she grapples with the larger consequences of her actions.
Jung-woo’s Knowledge and a Critical Choice
Shin Jung-woo, the CEO played by Ko Kyung-pyo, continues to be an enigmatic figure . In a tense meeting with Keum-bo’s handler, Yun Jae-beom, he demonstrates that he knows far more than he should. He is aware of Keum-bo’s full mission and even knows the identity of Yehppee.
His role becomes pivotal at the end of episode 8. When Keum-bo hands him two foldersโone from the company and her own damning reportโhe is faced with a critical choice. He opens her folder, realizes its contents would sink Hanmin, and decides to deliver it anyway. His motives are unclear; he could be trying to help Keum-bo, or he might be acting out of guilt from his own role in the growing crisis .
The Supporting Cast’s Struggles
The lives of Keum-bo’s dormitory roommates also reflect the growing turmoil. Kim Mi-sook works tirelessly as a salesperson to provide for her young daughter, Bom. When Bom faces bullies at a playground, the other roommates step in to defend her, showcasing their found family bond. Mi-sook’s hard work pays off as she becomes her team’s top seller, but the episode ends with her being physically attacked by clients who lost money on the shares she soldโa direct result of the crashing market .
Meanwhile, the heiress Kang No-ra accidentally disposes of the very ledger everyone is searching for, adding to the chaos .
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