Actors Lee Jung-eun and Jung Eun-ji are captivating viewers with their dual role performances in JTBC's weekend drama 'Miss Night and Day' .
By portraying vastly different characters—a job seeker and a senior intern—with equal sincerity, the drama is setting new ratings records with each episode.
Premiering last month on the 15th, 'Miss Night and Day' tells the quirky story of a job seeker who suddenly finds herself in her 50s and the prosecutor who gets entangled in her unconventional internship and romantic comedy.
Jung Eun-ji plays the 20-something job seeker Imi Jin, while Lee Jung-eun portrays Imi Jin in her 50s as senior intern Im Soon.
The show's standout feature is its 'dual role' concept.
Lee Jung-eun flawlessly embodies the 20-something Jung Eun-ji, accurately replicating her accent, gestures, and expressions, earning praise such as "If you close your eyes, you'd think it was Jung Eun-ji."
The ratings started at 4% and have steadily climbed, reaching a peak of 8.4% in the recent 8th episode (Nielsen Korea, national paid households).
This increase is attributed to the compelling performances of the actors and the relatable messages the drama conveys.
This character provides a sense of vicarious satisfaction to young professionals dreaming of an ideal office worker.
On the other hand, Jung Eun-ji's portrayal of Imi Jin resonates deeply with many job seekers in Korea.
Scenes where she discards her study materials saying, "Not a single day went by without effort," or cries after finally landing an internship, saying, "I did everything, and now it finally happened," have struck a chord with viewers.
'Miss Night and Day' is gaining traction internationally as well.
As of the fourth week of June, it ranked 4th in Netflix's global top 10 TV (non-English) category, appearing in the top 10 in 20 countries. This impressive feat includes 1.7 million views and 9.8 million viewing hours.
The drama conveys the message that "regardless of age, you can live as you wish." Im Soon, who looks 50 but has the energy and mindset of the MZ generation, overcomes prejudices, while the unexpected romance between the 20-something Imi Jin and prosecutor Gye Ji-woong (played by Choi Jin-hyuk) shows the possibility of age-transcending relationships.
With the drama at its midpoint, the combination of romantic comedy and the addition of a serial murder case in the village has heightened anticipation for upcoming developments.
Viewers are eagerly waiting to see how the story unfolds and if the drama can achieve its goal of surpassing 10% in ratings as it airs every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 PM.