| Royal Secret Agent | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 암행어사: 조선비밀수사단 |
| Hanja | 暗行御史: 朝鮮秘密搜查團 |
| Literal meaning | Secret Royal Inspector |
| Revised Romanization | Amhaeng-eosa |
| Genre | |
| Created by |
|
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Kim Jung-min |
| Starring | |
| Composer | Lee Ji-yong |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 16 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Yoon Jae-hyuk |
| Producers |
|
| Running time | 70 minutes |
| Production company | IWill Media |
| Original release | |
| Network | KBS2 |
| Release | December 21, 2020 – February 9, 2021 |
Royal Secret Agent (Korean: 암행어사; RR: Amhaeng-eosa) is a South Korean historical comedy, detective television series. The series is directed by Kim Jung-min and stars Kim Myung-soo, Kwon Nara, Lee Tae-hwan, Lee Yi-kyung, and Jo Soo-min. Written by Kang Min-sun and Park Sung-hoon the series is about a government position in Joseon dynasty known as Secret royal inspector, who monitors corrupt government officials while remaining undercover.[1][2] It aired on KBS2 every Monday and Tuesday at 21:30 (KST) from December 21, 2020, to February 9, 2021.[3]
Synopsis
[edit]Set in the era of Joseon dynasty the series revolves around Sung Yi-gyum (Kim Myung-soo), a state examination top scorer who works in the administrative and research department of the government office. He is caught gambling and as punishment, he is reassigned to a new position as a secret royal inspector to investigate the corrupt practices of public officers. Yi-gyum carries out his new job with the help of Hong Da-in (Kwon Nara), a female inspector, and Park Chun-sam (Lee Yi-kyung), his talkative but affectionate servant.
Cast
[edit]Main
[edit]The three musketeers
[edit]- Kim Myung-soo as Sung Yi-gyum, a secret royal inspector[4]
- Kwon Na-ra as Hong Da-in/Honglang/Lee Young-sin, female police posing as a courtesan whose beauty is comparable to Hwang Jini. She becomes a member of Royal Secret Agent's entourage.[5]
- Lee Yi-kyung as Park Chun-sam, Sung Yi-gyum's servant.[6]
Around three musketeers
[edit]- Lee Tae-hwan as Sung Yi-beom, Sung Yi-gyum's half-brother, head of the band of vigilante[7]
- Jo Soo-min as Kang Soon-ae, Sung Yi-gyum's ex-lover, daughter of a courtesan
Supporting
[edit]- Ahn Nae-sang as Jang Tae-seung, Chief Royal Secretary
- Son Byong-ho as Kim Byeong-geun, Chief State Councillor
- Kim Young-cheol
- Choi Jong-won as Kang In-chung, corrupt sheriff
- Ha Young as Kim Mi-ok
- Park Joo-hyung as Seo Yong
- Kim Kyung-sook
- Lee Min-woo
- Um Hyo-sup
- Chae Dong-hyun as Kim Man-hee, Kim Byeong-geun's first son
- Jong Ho as Man Deok
- Shin Ji-hoon as Choi Do-kwan
- Jo Deok-hee as Jung Moon-ho
- Yang Byung-yeol as Civil servant Kim
Production
[edit]By July 2020, the main cast of the series with Lee Tae-hwan, Kim Myung-soo, Kwon Nara and Lee Yi-kyung was finalized.[6][8] The broadcast was initially scheduled to be premiered on November 2, 2020, but due to re-proliferation of COVID-19, the production was delayed. In October, group script reading was held.[9] The still photos in the period costume, from the set of series were released by KBS as the filming progressed.[10]
Original soundtrack
[edit]| Royal Secret Agent OST | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Various artists | |
| Released | 2021 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Language | |
| Label |
|
Part 1
[edit]| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I'll Find You" | Yoon Il-sang | Yoon Il-sang | N.Flying | 4:31 |
| 2. | "I'll Find You" (Inst.) | Yoon Il-sang | 4:31 | ||
| Total length: | 9:02 | ||||
Part 2
[edit]| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "My Love" | Jo Jo Ho | Jo Jo Ho | Lee Sun | 3:47 |
| 2. | "My Love" (Inst.) | Jo Jo Ho | 3:47 | ||
| Total length: | 7:34 | ||||
Part 3
[edit]| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Even if it accidentally passes" | Bean | Bean | ALICE (Song Joo-hee) | 3:41 |
| 2. | "Even if it accidentally passes" (Inst.) | Bean | 3:41 | ||
| Total length: | 7:22 | ||||
Episodes
[edit]| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | South Korea viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | December 21, 2020 | N/A (<0.994)[14] | |
|
A Secret Royal Inspector is killed by corrupt officials' men. The courtiers appeal to king to abolish the royal inspector system, but the king refuses. Hong Da-in (Kwon Nara), a courtesan spies on officials and report to Jang Tae- seung, Chief Secretary. Sung Yi-gyum (Kim Myung-soo) an assistant advisor is caught gambling and as punishment, he is appointed as Secret Royal Inspector. Hong Da-in's cover is blown so she is also sent with Yi-gyum to help. Yi-gyum's servant, Park Chun-sam (Lee Yi-kyung) is part of the Secret Royal Inspector's entourage. | ||||||
| 2 | "Episode 2" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | December 22, 2020 | 0.994[15] | |
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | December 28, 2020 | N/A (<1.023)[16] | |
| 4 | "Episode 4" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | December 29, 2020 | 1.095[17] | |
| 5 | "Episode 5" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | January 4, 2021 | 1.058[18] | |
| 6 | "Episode 6" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | January 5, 2021 | 1.212[19] | |
| 7 | "Episode 7" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | January 11, 2021 | 1.637[20] | |
| 8 | "Episode 8" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | January 12, 2021 | 1.725[21] | |
| 9 | "Episode 9" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | January 18, 2021 | 1.792[22] | |
| 10 | "Episode 10" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | January 19, 2021 | 1.864[23] | |
| 11 | "Episode 11" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | January 25, 2021 | 1.899[24] | |
| 12 | "Episode 12" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | January 26, 2021 | 2.152[25] | |
| 13 | "Episode 13" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | February 1, 2021 | 2.321[26] | |
| 14 | "Episode 14" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | February 2, 2021 | 2.178[27] | |
| 15 | "Episode 15" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | February 8, 2021 | 2.039[28] | |
| 16 | "Episode 16" | Kim Jung-min | Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon | February 9, 2021 | 2.323[29] | |
Viewership
[edit]As per the audience rating of AGB Nielsen Media Research, the second part of the final episode, recorded 14% average TV viewership ratings. This is the highest record for its ratings.[30]
Royal Secret Agent : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[31]
 | Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
| Season | Episode number | Average | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | |||
| 1 | N/A | 0.994 | N/A | 1.095 | 1.058 | 1.212 | 1.637 | 1.725 | 1.792 | 1.864 | 1.899 | 2.152 | 2.321 | 2.178 | 2.039 | 2.323 | N/A | |
| Ep. | Part | Original broadcast date | Average audience share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nielsen Korea[31][32] | ||||
| Nationwide | Seoul | |||
| 1 | 1 | December 21, 2020 | 5.0% (NR) | — |
| 2 | ||||
| 2 | 1 | December 22, 2020 | 5.5% (NR) | |
| 2 | 5.8% (19th) | |||
| 3 | 1 | December 28, 2020 | 5.3% (NR) | |
| 2 | 5.2% (NR) | |||
| 4 | 1 | December 29, 2020 | 5.2% (NR) | |
| 2 | 6.1% (18th) | 5.7% (20th) | ||
| 5 | 1 | January 4, 2021 | 5.7% (NR) | — |
| 2 | 5.0% (NR) | |||
| 6 | 1 | January 5, 2021 | 4.9% (NR) | |
| 2 | 6.5% (15th) | |||
| 7 | 1 | January 11, 2021 | 6.0% (17th) | 6.1% (17th) |
| 2 | 8.7% (7th) | 8.6% (5th) | ||
| 8 | 1 | January 12, 2021 | 6.4% (16th) | — |
| 2 | 9.7% (7th) | 9.0% (8th) | ||
| 9 | 1 | January 18, 2021 | 5.8% (19th) | — |
| 2 | 9.7% (6th) | 8.9% (7th) | ||
| 10 | 1 | January 19, 2021 | 7.7% (11th) | 7.2% (12th) |
| 2 | 11.6% (3rd) | 11.2% (4th) | ||
| 11 | 1 | January 25, 2021 | 8.4% (8th) | 8.0% (11th) |
| 2 | 10.6% (4th) | 10.0% (4th) | ||
| 12 | 1 | January 26, 2021 | 8.6% (8th) | 8.0% (9th) |
| 2 | 12.0% (4th) | 11.2% (4th) | ||
| 13 | 1 | February 1, 2021 | 9.7% (6th) | 8.7% (6th) |
| 2 | 13.6% (3rd) | 12.6% (3rd) | ||
| 14 | 1 | February 2, 2021 | 8.8% (6th) | 7.9% (7th) |
| 2 | 12.3% (3rd) | 11.1% (3rd) | ||
| 15 | 1 | February 8, 2021 | 8.8% (8th) | 7.9% (10th) |
| 2 | 12.0% (4th) | 10.7% (4th) | ||
| 16 | 1 | February 9, 2021 | 10.2% (7th) | 9.8% (5th) |
| 2 | 14.0% (3rd) | 13.2% (3rd) | ||
| Average | 8.1% | —[a] | ||
| ||||
Notes
[edit]- ^ Due to some ratings not recorded, the exact average rating is unknown.
International broadcast
[edit]The series is available same time as Korea, as an iQIYI Original and exclusively on iQIYI globally (except China and Korea) with multi-languages subtitles. It is also available non-exclusively on iQIYI in South Korea.[33][34]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | KBS Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor | Kim Myung-soo | Nominated | [35] |
| Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Nominated | [36] | |||
| Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries | Kwon Nara | Won | [37] | ||
| Best Supporting Actor | Lee Yi-kyung | Won | [38] |
References
[edit]- ^ Moon, Ji-yeon (July 23, 2020). "[단독] 이태환, '우아한 친구들' 찍고 '신 암행어사' 주연..사극 도전" [[Exclusive] Tae-Hwan Lee, filmed'Elegant Friends' and starred in'New Amhaengeosa'...]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "[Photos] Script Reading Stills Added for the Upcoming Korean Drama "Blade of the Phantom Master"". HanCinema. October 13, 2020. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ Yang So-young (December 4, 2020). "'암행어사' 권나라, 남장 찰떡 소화…꽃도령 완벽 변신" [Amhaengeosa' Kwon Nara, a male chief digesting the cake... Perfect transformation of the flower lord]. The Daily Economy Star Today. Naver. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ "Kim Myung Soo, Kwon Nara, Lee Tae Hwan, and Lee Yi Kyung Will Star in New Drama 'Blade of the Phantom Master'". ZAPZEE. September 10, 2020. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ Yoo, Na Lee (September 10, 2020). "[공식]권나라 '암행어사' 출연 확정! 조선 첫사랑의 아이콘..미(美)X무(武) 갖춘 다모" [[Official] Kwon Nara's'Amhaengeosa' confirmed! The icon of Joseon's first love.. Damo with beauty x nothingness]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ a b Noh, Gyu-min (July 30, 2020). "이이경 측 "'신 암행어사' 출연 긍정 검토중"…김명수·권나라와 만날까 [공식]" [Lee Lee-kyung's "Affirmation of the appearance of'New Amhangeosa' is under review"... Should I meet with Kim Myung-soo and Kwon Nara [Official]]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "김명수·권나라, KBS 코믹 사극 '암행어사' 주연 발탁" [Kim Myung-soo and Kwon Nara, selected as the lead role in KBS comic historical drama'Amhaengeosa]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). September 10, 2020. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "[New Drama] "Blade of the Phantom Master"". HanCinema. July 25, 2020. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "[Photos] Script Reading Stills Added for the Upcoming Korean Drama "Blade of the Phantom Master"". HanCinema. October 13, 2020. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "김명수, 신개념 암행어사 등장! (암행어사: 조선비밀수사단)" [Myungsoo Kim, a new concept Amhangeosa appeared! (Amhaengeosa: Chosun Secret Investigation Division)] (in Korean). KBS. November 2, 2020. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "암행어사 OST Part. 1" [Royal Secret Agent OST Part 1]. Melon. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ "암행어사 OST Part. 2" [Royal Secret Agent OST Part 2]. Melon. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- ^ "암행어사 OST Part. 3" [Royal Secret Agent OST Part 3]. Melon. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (December 21, 2020)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (December 22, 2020)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (December 28, 2020)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (December 29, 2020)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 4, 2021)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 5, 2021)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 11, 2021)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 12, 2021)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 18, 2021)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 19, 2021)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 25, 2021)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 26, 2021)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (February 1, 2021)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (February 2, 2021)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (February 8, 2021)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ "Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (February 9, 2021)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ Kim Hyun-sik (February 10, 2021). "김명수, 권나라에 고백…'암행어사', 자체 최고 시청률로 종영" [Kim Myung-soo, confessed to Kwon Nara... 'Amhaengeosa' ends with its own highest ratings]. E-Daily Star (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ a b "지상파 일일 - TOP 20 LIST FOR TV PROGRAM (Nielsen Korea)". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "암행어사: 조선비밀수사단" [Amhaengeosa: Chosun Secret Investigation Division: ratings]. Naver. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "Royal Secret Agent | iQIYI". Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020 – via iQIYI.
- ^ abbyinhallyuland (November 12, 2020). ""Live On", "Awaken", "Hush" & "The Royal Secret Agent" Are Your Newest Treats From iQIYI This Holiday SeasonBy". Hellokpop. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- ^ Jung Ji-hyun (January 1, 2022). "차태현·이도현·김소현·박은빈, 최우수상 수상 [2021 KBS 연기대상]" [Cha Tae-hyun, Lee Do-hyun, Kim So-hyun, Park Eun-bin, Grand Prize Winner [2021 KBS Drama Awards]]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ Lee Chang-gyu (January 1, 2022). "1980년 5월을 빛내주신 분들께"…김민재·정용화·권나라·고민시, 미니시리즈 우수상 [KBS 연기대상]" ["To the people who made May 1980 shine"... Min-jae Kim, Yong-hwa Jung, Nara Kwon, Min-si Ko, Miniseries Excellence Award [KBS Acting Awards]]. EXports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ Yoo Yong-joo (January 1, 2022). "권나라, '암행어사'로 미니시리즈 우수상 [포토엔HD]" [Kwon Nara, Excellence Award for Miniseries with 'Amhaengeosa' [Photoen HD]]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ Woo Da-bin (January 1, 2022). "'KBS 연기대상' 지현우 대상 수상…'신사와 아가씨' 6관왕 쾌거 [종합]" ['KBS Acting Awards' Ji Hyun-woo Grand Prize... 'Gentleman and Lady' 6 splendid achievement [Overall]]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
External links
[edit]- Official website (in Korean)
- Royal Secret Agent at Daum (in Korean)
- Royal Secret Agent at IMDb
- Royal Secret Agent at HanCinema
- Royal Secret Agent on iQIYI