Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Undercover High School, which delivers a perfect blend of espionage thrills, school comedy, and romantic tension that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Undercover High School aired on MBC from February 21 to March 29, 2025, consisting of 12 episodes with an average duration of 70 minutes each. This Korean drama combines action, comedy, and spy elements to create a unique school setting where a professional agent must navigate teenage drama while pursuing a dangerous mission involving historical treasure.
Unlike typical high school dramas, Undercover High School brings sophisticated espionage elements into the classroom environment, creating a refreshing narrative that balances intense action sequences with lighthearted school comedy. The series follows ace NIS agent Jung Hae-seong who is demoted after a mission failure and goes undercover at a high school to locate King Gojong’s missing gold, creating an entertaining clash between professional spy skills and teenage social dynamics.
The Mission: Ancient Gold Hidden in Modern School
The story centers on Jung Hae-seong, an elite NIS agent facing demotion, who goes undercover at Byeongmun High School to locate King Gojong’s missing gold bars. What begins as a straightforward treasure hunt quickly becomes complicated by school politics, student hierarchies, and unexpected romantic complications. Undercover High School masterfully weaves together historical mystery with contemporary school life, creating scenarios where spy gadgets meet homework assignments.
The search for the legendary gold creates opportunities for both thrilling action sequences and comedic situations as Hae-seong must maintain his student cover while conducting a professional investigation.
Jung Hae-seong: The Overpowered Student
Hae-seong represents the ultimate fish-out-of-water character, bringing professional-level combat skills and spy training to teenage situations that don’t require such extreme measures. His character development throughout Undercover High School showcases his struggle to dial down his intensity while maintaining his mission focus.
This marks Seo Kang-joon’s first acting role since completing his compulsory military service on May 22, 2023, and his performance brings both gravitas and comedic timing to the role as he navigates the absurdity of being an elite agent disguised as a high school student.
Oh Soo-ah: The Teacher with a Painful Past
Soo-ah serves as Hae-seong’s teacher who sees him as her lost first love, stirring old heartbreak. Undercover High School uses her character to explore themes of second chances and mistaken identity, as she struggles with feelings for someone who reminds her of past trauma.
Her relationship with Hae-seong creates the romantic tension that drives much of the series’ emotional core, while her position as a teacher adds complexity to their dynamic and his undercover mission.
When Spy Skills Meet School Drama: Action Packed Chaos
The series reaches peak entertainment when Hae-seong’s professional abilities clash hilariously with typical high school problems, leading to over-the-top solutions to minor teenage conflicts. Undercover High School excels at creating action sequences that feel both thrilling and absurd, as the protagonist applies military-grade problem-solving to school bullying and academic challenges.
These moments transform routine school incidents into elaborate set pieces that showcase both the character’s capabilities and the series’ commitment to balancing serious spy elements with lighthearted comedy.
Success on MBC
Undercover High School gained popularity on MBC’s Friday-Saturday timeslot and is also available for streaming on TVING, Wavve, Viu, Kocowa and Viki in selected regions. The series resonated with viewers who appreciated its unique premise combining espionage thrills with school comedy, while the chemistry between the leads and action sequences drew praise from critics. The show’s international availability helped it find audiences beyond Korea, particularly among viewers seeking fresh takes on both spy and school genres.
A Thrilling Combination Worth Every Laugh and Gasp
If you love action comedies with spy elements and school settings, Undercover High School is the perfect series to binge on streaming platforms.
Why You Should Enroll in This Action-Packed Academy
Positive Points:
- Perfect balance of intense action sequences with genuine comedic moments
- Seo Kang-joon’s charismatic performance brings depth to the overpowered protagonist concept
- Creative integration of historical treasure hunt elements with modern school setting
- Strong chemistry between leads despite the unusual circumstances of their relationship
- Well-executed action choreography that feels both professional and entertainingly excessive
Negative Points:
- Some viewers found the romantic subplot felt somewhat forced and underdeveloped
- Limited episode count leaves certain character relationships feeling rushed
- Premise requires significant suspension of disbelief regarding undercover operations
- Violence levels may be intense for viewers expecting lighter school comedy
- Complex treasure hunt plot occasionally overshadows character development moments
Undercover High School proves that Korean dramas can successfully blend multiple genres while maintaining both entertainment value and emotional resonance that keeps viewers invested in both the mission and the relationships.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Platform: MBC (also available on TVING, Wavve, Viu, Kocowa, Viki)
- Release Year: 2025
- Current IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Thriller, Romance
- Production Type: K-drama
- Status: Completed series (aired February 21 – March 29, 2025)
- Protagonists: Seo Kang-joon (Jung Hae-seong), Jin Ki-joo (Oh Soo-ah)
- Antagonist: Various characters involved in the gold conspiracy and school corruption