What's Wrong with Secretary Kim

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (Korean: 김비서가 왜 그럴까) is a 2018 South Korean television series starring Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young. It is based on the novel of the same title by Jung Kyung-yoon which was first published in 2013, which was then serialized into a webtoon comic by KakaoPage in 2015.^[1] The series aired on tvN from June 6 to July 26, 2018, on Wednesdays and Thursdays for 16 episodes.^[2][3][4]

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim
Promotional poster
Also known as	What's Wrong, Secretary Kim
Hangul	김비서가 왜 그럴까
RR	Gimbiseoga wae geureolkka
MR	Kimbisŏga wae kŭrŏlkka
Genre	Romantic comedy
Based on	Why Secretary Kim by Jung Kyung-yoon [ko]
Developed by	Studio Dragon
Written by	Jung Eun-young
Directed by	Park Joon-hwa
Starring	Park Seo-joon Park Min-young
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	16
Production
Executive producers	Jang Jeong-do Moon Suk-hwan Oh Kwang-hee
Producer	Lee Young-ok
Camera setup	Single-camera
Running time	62–76 minutes
Production company	Bon Factory Worldwide
Original release
Network	tvN
Release	June 6 (2018-06-06) – July 26, 2018 (2018-07-26)
Related
What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (Philippines) Dear My Secretary (Thailand) My Dear Secretary (China)

Synopsis

Lee Young-joon (Park Seo-joon) is the vice-chairman of a major corporation. His world is shaken when, one day, his highly capable secretary, Kim Mi-so (Park Min-young), announces that she is resigning from her position after nine years. Young-joon decides to do whatever he can to persuade Mi-so to change her mind.

Cast

Main

• Park Seo-joon as Lee Young-joon / Lee Sung-hyeon^[5][6]
  • Moon Woo-jin as 9-year-old Lee Sung-hyeon^[7][a]

Vice-chairman of Yumyung Group. He is handsome and capable, but his narcissism makes it difficult for Mi-so to work with him. He becomes aware of his feelings towards Mi-so after realizing that he might lose her. He can be jealous of Mi-so when she is with his brother or with someone other than him. At one point in his life, he suffered PTSD.

• Park Min-young as Kim Mi-so^[8][9]
  • Kim Ji-yoo as 5-year-old Kim Mi-so

A highly skilled secretary who has worked with Young-joon for nine years. She soon reciprocates Young-joon's feelings after realizing that he was a part of her childhood.

Supporting

Lee Young-joon's family

• Lee Tae-hwan as Lee Sung-yeon / Morpheus^[10]
  • Bae Gang-yoo as 11-year-old Lee Sung-yeon

Young-joon's older brother and a famous author. He had a crush on Mi-so.

• Kim Byeong-ok as Chairman Lee^[11]
  • Go Se-won as young Chairman Lee (Ep. 11–12)^[12]

Young-joon and Sung-yeon's father. Chairman of Yumyung Group.

• Kim Hye-ok as Madame Choi^[11]
  • Lee Soo-kyung as young Madame Choi (Ep. 11–12)^[12]

Young-joon and Sung-yeon's mother.

Kim Mi-so's family

• Baek Eun-hye as Kim Pil-nam

Mi-so's oldest sister who is a psychiatrist.

• Heo Sun-mi as Kim Mal-hee^[13]

Mi-so's second oldest sister who is a urologist.

• Jo Deok-hyun [ko] as Kim Young-man

Mi-so's father who is a rock musician.

Yumyung Group

• Kang Ki-young as Park Yoo-sik^[14]

President of Yumyung Group, the second-in-command after the vice-chairman. Young-joon's best friend back from university. He is Young-joon's confidant and provides him with much advice drawn from personal experience. He is still in love with his ex-wife.

• Hwang Chan-sung as Go Gwi-nam^[14]

A deputy in Yumyung Group who later transfers to Chi-in's group. He is known for his handsome looks, elite education, being a workaholic, and extreme frugality.

• Pyo Ye-jin as Kim Ji-a^[14]

The rookie secretary to the Vice-Chairman, being groomed to replace Mi-so who has announced her resignation.

• Kim Ye-won as Sul Ma-eum^[14]

Yoo-sik's secretary who is clumsy and careless, often comparing unfavorably to Mi-so.

• Hwang Bo-ra as Bong Se-ra^[15]

A section head in Chi-in's team, who initially coveted the open position of secretary to the vice-chairman, and initially had a crush on Gwi-nam.

• Lee Yoo-joon [ko] as Jung Chi-in^[16]

A team leader in the Vice-Chairman's office, who frequently organizes after-work gatherings.

• Lee Jung-min [ko] as Lee Young-ok^[16]

A member of Chi-in's team, who has a strict adherence to dieting.

• Kim Jung-woon [ko] as Park Joon-hwan^[16]

A member of Chi-in's team, who is bespectacled and brags about his university education.^[16]

• Kang Hong-seok as Yang Cheol

A secretary and chauffeur to the Vice-Chairman, he is a man of few words. He ends up bailing out Se-ra several times.

• Bae Hyun-sung as Yun-sung Bae, an intern staff.

Special appearances

• Hong Ji-yoon as Oh Ji-ran, a famous model and onetime girlfriend of Young-joon (Ep. 1-3 & 16)^[17]
• Choi Na-mu as woman at the Spanish Embassy party (Ep. 1)
• Shin Joo-yeon as Kim Mi-so's friend (Ep. 1)
• Park Byung-eun as Park Byung-eun, Kim Mi-so's blind date (Ep. 3)^[18]
• Lee Do-yeon as a reporter who interviewed Morpheus (Ep. 4)
• Lee Chang as center director of the Art Center (Ep. 4)
• Choi Hee [ko] as the host of the book concert (Ep. 8)
• Jung Soo-young as an agency staff (Ep. 9)
• Mihal Ashminov as a chef at a restaurant (Ep. 9)
• Seo Hyo-rim as Choi Seo-jin, Park Yoo-sik's ex-wife (Ep. 9, 11–12 & 16)^[19]
• Lee Min-ki as young Mi-so's father (Ep. 10)^[20][b]
• Jung So-min as young Mi-so's mother (Ep. 10)^[20][b]
• Choi Hyun-woo [ko] as Magician (Ep. 10)
• Son Seong-yoon as the kidnapper (Ep. 11–12)
• Gil Hae-yeon as the woman at the reserved parking space (Ep. 12)
• Jung Woo-suk [ko] as Psychiatrist (Ep. 12)
• Park Na-rae as the lewd devil (voice) (Ep. 13)
• Jung Yu-mi as Jung Yu-mi, a childhood friend and former classmate of Lee Young-joon (Ep. 14)^[21]
• Kim Ga-yeon and Lee Se-young as the staff who talked behind Kim Mi-so's back (Ep. 14)
• Lee Byung-joon as a wedding dress designer (Ep. 16)

Production

Development

Much of the visual styling of the series protagonists have referenced the comic version's cues, including clothing designs and reenacting the comic cover for the drama's promotional stills and images.^[22]

The first script reading was held on April 10, 2018, at Studio Dragon in Sangam-dong, Seoul, South Korea.^[23]

Maserati Korea provided the cars of Lee Young-joon, Lee Sung-yeon and Yumyong Group. The cars featured in the show include a Maserati Ghibli (driven by Yoo-sik),^[24] a Maserati Levante (driven by Sung-yeon),^[25] a Maserati GranCabrio (driven by Young-joon), and a Maserati Quattroporte (driven by Young-joon).^[26][27]

Promotion

The press conference for the drama was held on May 30, 2018, at the Times Square in Seoul with the attendance of the main cast and crew.^[28][29][30]

Original soundtrack

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim OST
Soundtrack album by Various artists
Released	2018
Genre	Soundtrack
Language	Korean English
Label	Bon Factory Worldwide, kakao M
Producer	Moon Seok-hwan, Oh Kwang-hee

Part 1

Released on June 14, 2018 (2018-06-14)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Love Virus"	ZigZag Note, Kim Myeong-shin	ZigZag Note, Kim Myeong-shin	Kihyun (Monsta X), SeolA (Cosmic Girls)	03:27
2.	"Love Virus (Inst.)"		ZigZag Note, Kim Myeong-shin		03:27
Total length:					06:54

Part 2

Released on June 20, 2018 (2018-06-20)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"It's You"	Good Choice, Yoda	Kim Se-jin, Midnight	Jeong Se-woon	03:39
2.	"It's You (Inst.)"		Kim Se-jin, Midnight		03:39
Total length:					07:18

Part 3

Released on June 21, 2018 (2018-06-21)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Wanna Be"	ZigZag Note	ZigZag Note	GFriend	03:09
2.	"Wanna Be (Inst.)"		ZigZag Note		03:09
Total length:					06:18

Part 4

Released on June 27, 2018 (2018-06-27)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Just A Little Bit More" (조금만 더)	ZigZag Note, Kim Young-sung, Good Choice	ZigZag Note, Kim Young-sung	Jinho (Pentagon), Rothy	03:25
2.	"Just A Little Bit More (Inst.)" (조금만 더 (Inst.))		ZigZag Note, Kim Young-sung		03:25
Total length:					06:50

Part 5

Released on June 28, 2018 (2018-06-28)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Because I Only See You" (그대만 보여서)	Good Choice, Red Socks	Red Socks	Kim Na-young	03:40
2.	"Because I Only See You (Inst.)" (그대만 보여서 (Inst.))		Red Socks		03:40
Total length:					07:20

Part 6

Released on July 4, 2018 (2018-07-04)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Why Am I Like This" (왜 이럴까)	Moon Sung-nam, Im Joo-yeon	Moon Sung-nam, Im Joo-yeon	Lee Da-yeon	02:40
2.	"Why Am I Like This (Inst.)" (왜 이럴까 (Inst.))		Moon Sung-nam, Im Joo-yeon		02:40
Total length:					05:20

Part 7

Released on July 5, 2018 (2018-07-05)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"In The End" (토로)	Kang Myeong-shin, ZigZag Note, Noh Eun-jong	ZigZag Note, Noh Eun-jong	Yun Ddan Ddan	04:25
2.	"In The End (Inst.)" (토로 (Inst.))		ZigZag Note, Noh Eun-jong		04:25
Total length:					08:50

Part 8

Released on July 12, 2018 (2018-07-12)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Words Being Said For The First Time" (처음 하는 말)	Good Choice	Kim Se-jin, Midnight	Song Yuvin (Myteen)	03:56
2.	"Words Being Said For The First Time (Inst.)" (처음 하는 말 (Inst.))		Kim Se-jin, Midnight		03:56
Total length:					07:52

Disc 2:

No.	Title	Artist	Length
1.	"Secretary (Opening Theme)"	Various Artists	1:49
2.	"Alsong Big Band"	Various Artists	1:53
3.	"Art of Love"	Various Artists	3:02
4.	"Baby Elephant"	Various Artists	2:17
5.	"Big Bean"	Various Artists	2:28
6.	"Edge"	Various Artists	2:08
7.	"Funny Sunny"	Various Artists	1:26
8.	"Gaint Food"	Various Artists	1:43
9.	"Groove Company"	Various Artists	1:21
10.	"Kim Possible"	Various Artists	1:47
11.	"Lonely Boss"	Various Artists	1:59
12.	"Lovely Girl"	Various Artists	1:31
13.	"Loving You"	Various Artists	3:19
14.	"Mad Walk"	Various Artists	2:43
15.	"Man in Black"	Various Artists	2:43
16.	"New Recruit"	Various Artists	1:48
17.	"Nothing to Lose"	Various Artists	3:02
18.	"Old Story"	Various Artists	2:40
19.	"Pacific"	Various Artists	1:58
20.	"Squeeze"	Various Artists	1:29
21.	"Tambara"	Various Artists	1:46
22.	"Think Srtings"	Various Artists	3:04
23.	"Tempest"	Various Artists	2:36
24.	"Why Brass Mind"	Various Artists	3:32
25.	"Why Chomic Lim"	Various Artists	2:40
26.	"Why Slow Piano Mode"	Various Artists	3:21
Total length:			58:05

Viewership

Season		Episode number																Average
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
	1	1.510	1.480	2.002	1.727	1.783	1.897	1.926	2.058	2.002	2.231	2.383	2.348	2.094	2.234	2.014	2.348	2.002

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)

Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Media Research.^[31]

Average TV viewership ratings

Ep.	Original broadcast date	Title	Average audience share
			Nielsen Korea[31]		TNmS
			Nationwide	Seoul	Nationwide
1	June 6, 2018	I Want to Pick Up My Life Now	5.757%	6.446%	6.3%
2	June 7, 2018	She Just Doesn't Want to Get Married	5.403%	5.529%	5.6%
3	June 13, 2018	Go on a Date	6.950%	8.252%	8.3%
4	June 14, 2018	I Come Back to Forgive You	6.379%	6.945%	6.3%
5	June 20, 2018	Ordinary Relationships	6.855%	7.500%	7.0%
6	June 21, 2018	What's Wrong with Vice Chairman Lee?	7.687%	8.554%	7.7%
7	June 27, 2018	Memories Should Stay Buried	7.281%	8.201%	8.5%
8	June 28, 2018	I Like You Too	8.120%	9.326%	8.3%
9	July 4, 2018	Let's Make it Official	7.767%	9.428%	8.8%
10	July 5, 2018	It Was You All Along	8.403%	9.545%	9.2%
11	July 11, 2018	Why Hold Back the Truth?	8.665%	10.565%	10.6%
12	July 12, 2018	I Don't Want to Waste Away Tonight	8.393%	10.052%	9.7%
13	July 18, 2018	Nothing Can Stop Us	7.673%	8.717%	8.7%
14	July 19, 2018	I Will Always Stay with You	8.100%	9.506%	9.2%
15	July 25, 2018	Wedding Bells	7.107%	7.725%	8.0%
16	July 26, 2018	What's Wrong with You, Kim Mi So?	8.602%	10.001%	9.8%
Average			7.446%	8.518%	8.3%
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings. This drama aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
2018	11th Korea Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor	Park Seo-joon	Nominated	[32][33]
		Excellence Award, Actor	Hwang Chan-sung	Won
		Hallyu Star Award		Won
		Popular Character Award – Female	Pyo Ye-jin	Won
		Best Original Soundtrack	"Because I Only See You" (Kim Na-young)	Nominated
	6th APAN Star Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries	Park Seo-joon	Won	[34][35]
		Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries	Park Min-young	Nominated
		K-Star Award, Actor	Park Seo-joon	Nominated
		K-Star Award, Actress	Park Min-young	Won
2019	14th Annual Soompi Awards	Best Actress of the Year	Park Min-young	Won	[36]
		Best Actor of the Year	Park Seo-joon	Nominated
		Best Couple	Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young	Nominated

Adaptations

In November 2023, ABS-CBN announced a Philippine remake for the series. It premiered on March 18, 2024 on Viu.^[37]

Thailand will produce an adaptation of the series titled Dear My Secretary and is set to premiere in 2025.^[38]

China will have its own adaptation title My Dear Secretary and will release in 2025.^{[39][additional citation(s) needed]}

Notes

1. When Lee Young-joon was 9 years old, at the time he was kidnapped, his name was Lee Sung-hyeon. It was changed shortly after the kidnapping incident.
2. The character appears in a short crossover scene, alluding Director Park Joon-hwa's previous work Because This Is My First Life (2017) where the character originally appears.