Shin Hye-sun Leads Ratings with 'Secret Audit' Amid Affair Scandal

On the 24th, the tvN weekend drama 'Secret Audit' (directed by Lee Soo-hyun, written by Yeo Eun-ho) recorded an average viewership rating of 8.1% and a peak of 9.3% nationwide, ranking number one across all channels, including terrestrial ones. The viewership rating for the tvN target demographic of men and women aged 2049 also ranked number one across all channels in both the metropolitan and national areas. (Based on Nielsen Korea paid platform)

The aftermath of the scandal surrounding Joo In-ah (Shin Hye-sun) unfolded. The suspicion, which began with a single anonymous email, shook the entire executive board of Haemu Group beyond the audit department, and the choices made by Noh Ki-jun (Gong Myung) and Jeon Jae-yeol (Kim Jae-wook) to protect Joo In-ah pushed the viewers' tension to the extreme.

An anonymous tip was delivered to Haemu Group claiming that Audit Director Joo In-ah had an inappropriate relationship with a superior. Although Joo In-ah responded without wavering an inch, the repercussions spread uncontrollably. Eventually, an emergency executive meeting was held, and while Joo In-ah calmly explained the facts, Jeon Jae-yeol appeared and changed the atmosphere. He stated, "It is even more ridiculous for major executives to gather over a single email to corner one person," and ordered the HR team to conduct an IP trace.

Jeon Seong-yeol (Kang Sang-jun) began to pressure Joo In-ah, who had refused his proposal to join his side by using this happening for the succession battle. When he mentioned dissolving the team by bringing up the personnel records of the Audit Team 3 members, Joo In-ah finally had no choice but to break down for the first time. Drunk, she lamented to Noh Ki-jun, "Instead of a fortress, I feel like I've become a rotten fence." Ultimately, Noh Ki-jun carried her on his back without a word.

However, Audit Team 3 protected the exhausted Joo In-ah and became a reliable support system. Joo In-ah regained her composure, vowing, "I will become a reliable fence for Audit Team 3."

The case was overturned once again when the sending IP of the tip email was identified as Noh Ki-jun's house. Jeon Jae-yeol discovered that Park A-jeong (Hong Hwa-yeon) had orchestrated everything. Park A-jeong poured out intense emotions, asking, "Why is it okay for Joo In-ah but not for me?" but Jeon Jae-yeol ignored her and notified her of her dismissal.

Noh Ki-jun did not hesitate to give false testimony to protect Joo In-ah. He attempted to take responsibility, claiming he had caused the incident out of resentment over his demotion as a PM. He maintained a solemn demeanor, saying, "My disciplinary action is much lighter than the humiliation and dishonor the Director would face."

However, a twist occurred at the disciplinary committee. At the moment Joo In-ah was about to say she would take all responsibility and step down, Jeon Jae-yeol stepped forward first and confessed, "It's me. The man in the photo is me," revealing that he had been in a romantic relationship with Joo In-ah in the past. He claimed the photo was a result of his own unilateral actions and placed all responsibility on himself.

With Jeon Jae-yeol's confession, Haemu Group fell into chaos once again, and the ending, which saw Jeon Seong-yeol bringing in Park A-jeong as a new card, amplified curiosity about the future plot direction.