Park Bo-young’s Boldest Transformation Yet: Can “Unknown Seoul” Revive tvN’s Weekend Drama Legacy?
Park Bo-young is back and this time, she’s blonde, bolder, and taking on the most complex role of her career.
Park Bo-young’s Fourfold Comeback in “Unknown Seoul”
On April 15, tvN unveiled the first still cuts of Park Bo-young from its upcoming weekend drama “Unknown Seoul,” where the beloved actress is set to portray not just one, but four different versions of her character in a high-stakes tale of identity, deception, and redemption.
Premiering May 24, the romantic coming-of-age drama follows twin sisters Yoo Mi-ji and Yoo Mi-rae who, despite having the same face, lead vastly different lives. When a twist of fate causes them to switch identities, a tangled journey toward love and self-discovery begins. As the twins impersonate each other, Park Bo-young is tasked with embodying both sisters and their swapped personas, effectively playing four unique roles.
Mi-ji, the younger twin, is portrayed as a tough but optimistic woman who once dreamed of becoming a star sprinter. An untimely accident shattered that dream, leaving her to pick up various short-term jobs to get by. Her life, seemingly stuck in neutral, may be poised for a dramatic reboot and so might tvN’s weekend drama track record.
Can Park Bo-young Save tvN’s Weekend Drama Lineup?
In the released images, Park Bo-young is seen as Mi-ji working tirelessly through her day with a signature bright smile, exuding charm and grit. But it’s her platinum blonde hair a career first that’s stealing attention. The dramatic look has sparked intense buzz online, with netizens commenting, “Most anticipated series,” “She looks amazing with blonde hair,” and “She’s a completely different person with that hair.”
Park is joined by co-star Park Jin-young, who plays Lee Ho-soo a cool, composed top-tier lawyer who quietly yearns for an ordinary life. The pair’s chemistry, alongside Park Bo-young’s powerful duality, is expected to fuel much of the drama’s emotional weight.
With Park Shin-woo (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, Don’t Dare to Dream) directing and writer Lee Kang (Youth of May) behind the script, the drama has already attracted major attention even before its premiere.
The stakes are high. Once a weekend ratings powerhouse, tvN has seen recent high-profile flops including Gong Hyo-jin and Lee Min-ho’s “When the Stars Gossip” and “Potato Research Institute,” which struggled to crack 1% viewership despite strong casts. All eyes are now on Park Bo-young, hoping she can lead “Unknown Seoul” to not just critical acclaim, but also revitalize the channel’s flagging weekend slate.
Can Park’s boldest transformation yet both in hair and in performance bring back tvN’s golden era of weekend dramas?
