MBN’s upcoming romance drama “What A Boss Wants” pairs Sung Hoon and CNBLUE’s Lee Jung Shin as two male leads with sharply different personalities, both connected to a woman played by Oh Se Young. The series is set to premiere on November 11 at 10:20 p.m. KST and will stream on Viki for global audiences. Based on a web novel of the same name, the drama follows a chaebol boss who trusts data more than people and a warm pediatrician who wears his heart on his sleeve.
A CEO Who Trusts Data and a Doctor Who Trusts People
Sung Hoon plays Kwon Do Hyuk, the CEO of OYES Entertainment and a genius in artificial intelligence. The character is described as a perfectionist who refuses to tolerate even the smallest error, with a faint smile that sits in contrast to his cold gaze and commanding presence. He judges every situation through reason and logic, showing little interest in other people. Behind the cold exterior, Kwon Do Hyuk carries the pain of losing his mother and a deep loneliness. His relationship with his father, Kwon Tae Woong (played by Park Jung Hak), is strained, and the conflict deepens when he is asked to run a struggling entertainment company at his father’s insistence.
Lee Jung Shin plays Moon Tae Kyung, a pediatrician who is not only skilled at his job but also warm and caring. His friendly personality makes him the most popular man at his hospital, and his sunny smile gives him a charm entirely different from the aloof Kwon Do Hyuk. The drama frames the two men as polar opposites: the prickly, exacting CEO on one side and the dependable, approachable doctor on the other.
Lee Jung Shin described his character with three phrases: “Yes-man,” “Perfect man,” and “Fool.”
“Tae Kyung is a flawless individual, but he is a fool for love who says ‘yes’ to everything Lee Eun Chae says.”
The Woman at the Center of the Choice
Oh Se Young plays Lee Eun Chae, a job seeker by day and the vocalist of an indie band by night. Unbeknownst to her family, she secretly performs as “Soo,” the lead vocalist of the band India Red, while pretending she has already landed a job at a major corporation. She holds onto the dream of one day hearing someone sing along to one of her songs.
Her first meeting with Moon Tae Kyung happens by accident in a hospital lobby. While rushing through, Lee Eun Chae collides with him, and he picks up her bag. When he speaks to her while handing it over, she misunderstands his friendly gesture and runs away in shock. After crossing paths again through a series of chance encounters, they gradually grow closer. Moon Tae Kyung eventually learns her secret that she is leading a double life as Soo.
The writer of the series, Nam Ji Yeon, said she pictured the actors immediately for their roles.
“When I first saw the three actors, I immediately thought, ‘That’s Do Hyuk,’ ‘That’s Eun Chae,’ and ‘That’s Tae Kyung.’”
A Three-Month Contract That Changes Everything
Kwon Do Hyuk and Lee Eun Chae have opposite personalities and tastes, leading them to clash from their very first meeting and build a bickering relationship. An unexpected turn of events leads them to enter into a three-month relationship contract, which gradually changes each other’s daily lives.
The setup places Lee Eun Chae at the center of a choice between two very different men. The drama poses the question of which one will manage to win her heart.
Sung Hoon said he was drawn to Kwon Do Hyuk because of the character’s abilities rather than his wealthy background.
“There was no reason not to take this project.”
He added that he spent time thinking about the kind of life someone with money and exceptional abilities would lead.
Oh Se Young described Lee Eun Chae as innocent and lovable, a person who finds joy in small things and does not hesitate to make unconventional choices. To prepare for the double role, she rehearsed with the band, practiced singing, and studied videos of indie vocalists to capture their stage presence.
Lee Jung Shin said he focused on the character’s feelings for Eun Chae.
“I paid close attention to not just the dialogue but the way he looks at her.”
Who Is Behind the Drama
The series is directed by Kang Min Gu, known for his work on Itaewon Class and Namib, and written by Nam Ji Yeon, whose previous credits include So I Married an Anti-Fan and Bitter Sweet Hell. It is adapted from the web novel “What a Boss Wants” (also known as “The Boss’s Blatant Taste”) by Sikeukeu.
The supporting cast includes Park Jung Hak as Kwon Tae Woong, Jo Hee Bong as Lee Man Deok, Lee Do Yeop as Park Joon Sang, Kim Yoon Kyung as Jung Mi Sun, and Lee Choong Joo as Seo Jin Woo.
Writer Nam Ji Yeon said the central message of the series is about understanding and loving someone even when tastes differ.
“They are different people, but each carries a sense of loneliness. They want to love and be loved, but their ways of loving differ.”
When and Where to Watch What A Boss Wants
What A Boss Wants premieres on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 10:20 p.m. KST on MBN. The drama has 12 episodes and will air every Wednesday and Thursday.
For global viewers, the series will be available on Viki with English subtitles and other language options. Viewers in the United States can stream it on Viki. Audiences in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and other regions can also access the show through Viki, which carries the drama for international streaming. The drama is produced by MBN in South Korea and is expected to be available in multiple regions through the platform’s global reach.
The series will run from November 11 to December 17, 2026, with two episodes airing each week.
What the Cast Says About Their Characters
Sung Hoon returns to the cold-CEO role type that he has played in dramas like My Secret Romance and Perfect Marriage Revenge. He said his chemistry with Oh Se Young made filming a happy experience.
“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.”
Oh Se Young, whose previous credits include Lovely Runner and The Judge Returns, said she felt excitement from the moment she read the script. She also praised Sung Hoon for keeping the set lively.
“He was always thoughtful and attentive, and he kept the atmosphere on set fun and lively. Thanks to him, we were able to create natural and engaging chemistry.”
Lee Jung Shin expressed satisfaction with his chemistry with Oh Se Young, saying they reached a point where they can naturally exchange ad-libs.
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Also Read: Sung Hoon Reveals Why He Said Yes to What a Boss Wants: No Reason Not to Take It
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