Watch Sweet Spy

Sweet Spy is a romantic comedy spy thriller that aired on MBC from November 7, 2005 to January 10, 2006, for a total of 20 episodes. The show stars Nam Sang-mi as Lee Soon-ae, a bumbling rookie spy who is tasked with infiltrating the company of her childhood crush, Kang Joon-hee (played by Yoo Seung-jun), who just so happens to be a potential North Korean spy.

The show kicks off with a bang as we see Lee Soon-ae fumbling her way through a training exercise, much to the annoyance of her instructors. However, despite her clumsiness, Soon-ae is plucky and determined to prove herself as a competent spy, thanks to her family's history of working for the Korean Central Intelligence Agency.

Soon-ae is quickly given her first big assignment: to work for the conglomerate Yoondong Electronics, where Joon-hee is a rising star. Yoondong is in the midst of a major deal with a Japanese company, and the KCI wants to make sure that Joon-hee is not secretly funneling information to North Korea. To this end, Soon-ae is tasked with befriending Joon-hee and keeping an eye on his every move.

As Soon-ae settles into her role at Yoondong, she quickly finds herself falling for Joon-hee all over again. The two of them were childhood friends, and Soon-ae has never quite gotten over him. However, Joon-hee is aloof and distant, and seems to show little interest in Soon-ae beyond their shared past.

Meanwhile, Soon-ae's colleagues at Yoondong are a colorful and quirky bunch. There's her boss, Bae Dae-chul (played by Lee Joo-hyun), a charming but scheming executive who is constantly trying to undermine Joon-hee. Then there's Joon-hee's assistant, Lee Soo-kyung (played by Yoo Sun), who is clearly smitten with Joon-hee herself, and is suspicious of Soon-ae's motives.

The show plays with its genre conventions, toggling between romantic comedy and spy thriller with ease. Just when things seem to be getting too heavy, there's a comedic interlude to lighten the mood. But just when things seem to be resolving, there's a sudden twist that throws everything into chaos.

One of the hallmarks of the show is its charming cast of characters, who are all well-drawn and memorable. Nam Sang-mi is particularly delightful as Soon-ae, bringing a sense of vulnerability and humor to her role. Her chemistry with Yoo Seung-jun is also strong, and it's easy to see why she falls for him despite all the danger and deception.

The show also does a good job of exploring the political and social tensions of the time period in which it is set. The early 2000s were a time of uncertainty and political upheaval in Korea, as tensions with North Korea were high and there was a growing sense of unease about the country's relationship with the US. Sweet Spy takes these tensions and weaves them into the show's plot, creating a sense of urgency and danger that keeps the audience hooked.

Ultimately, Sweet Spy is a fun and light-hearted drama that manages to blend genres and keep the audience engaged from start to finish. It's a romance, a comedy, and a spy thriller all at once, and it manages to pull it off with aplomb. If you're looking for a breezy, enjoyable drama with plenty of twists and turns, Sweet Spy is definitely worth checking out.