Acclaimed actor Kim Jae Wook is set to return to the small screen in the upcoming office romantic comedy drama Secret Audit (working title), where he will take on the role of a charismatic third-generation chaebol with a hidden emotional burden.
Industry sources confirmed his casting on July 5, adding yet another intriguing layer to a series already generating early buzz.
Secret Audit tells the story of life inside the audit office of a large corporation, a place where corporate chaos and workplace misconduct unfold with quirky, comedic twists.
At the center of the story is Noh Gi Jun, a former top-performing auditor who finds himself unexpectedly reassigned to a department dealing with internal affairs.
There, he works alongside the fierce and enigmatic Joo In Ah, a team leader whose mysterious past and offbeat personality add flair and tension to their professional dynamic.
The drama will star Shin Hye Sun and Gong Myung in the lead roles of Joo In Ah and Noh Gi Jun, respectively.
Kim Jae Wook will portray Jeon Jae Yeol, the executive vice president of the powerful Haemoo Group. Unlike the typical cold-hearted chaebol trope often seen in dramas, Jeon Jae Yeol is portrayed as someone with both intelligence and warmth.
His seemingly perfect life, however, masks a difficult family history that has shaped his worldview.
The character is expected to become entangled in a bittersweet romance, offering a mix of emotional vulnerability and elegance that plays to Kim’s strengths as a performer.
Since his debut in 2002 with Do It Your Way, Kim Jae Wook has built a strong and diverse portfolio, gaining wide recognition through The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince and later cementing his reputation as a multifaceted actor with roles in Bad Guy, Voice, Temperature of Love, The Guest, and Her Private Life.
His most recent appearance was in the Netflix historical drama Dear Hongrang, where he portrayed Prince Hanpyeong, a cultured royal with a deep love for the arts, once again showcasing his ability to bring nuance and charisma to historical figures.
As he steps into this new contemporary role, fans are eager to see how Kim Jae Wook will interpret Jeon Jae Yeol—balancing the charm of a chaebol heir with the emotional weight of personal struggles.
While the release date, platform, and broadcasting channel for Secret Audit have yet to be announced, anticipation is building steadily, particularly given the strength of its cast and the appeal of its unique storyline blending romance, office politics, and corporate mystery.
With Kim’s distinctive screen presence and proven emotional range, Secret Audit is poised to be one of the more talked-about dramas in the months ahead.
