Gong Hyo Jin’s Electrifying Return in ‘A Bona Fide Killer’
Actress Gong Hyo Jin is making her long-awaited return to an MBC drama after 15 years. After helping revitalize the network with the 2011 hit ‘The Greatest Love,’ which peaked at a 21% nationwide viewership rating, she is back—this time as a working mother who secretly works as a sniper.
Premiering on July 31 at 9:50 PM KST, MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama ‘A Bona fide Killer’ follows the balancing act of a working mom who happens to have one of the world’s deadliest professions. Based on the popular Kakao webtoon of the same name, the series will run for 14 episodes.
The second teaser, released on July 16, opens with Yoo Bona (played by Gong Hyo Jin) aiming a sniper rifle from a rooftop. Her emotionless remark, “Let’s do it during the day,” builds suspense before the mood flips with, “I have to pick up my daughter.” The scene perfectly captures the contrast between her cold professionalism as an assassin and the everyday reality of a mother racing to leave work on time.
Teaser Highlights: A Mother, A Killer, A Reporter, and a Mother-in-Law
Another scene features Yoo Bona pursuing a recently released criminal while declaring, “May the happiest day of his life become the day of his funeral,” showcasing her intimidating charisma. However, one phone call from her mother-in-law, Ok Seon Ja (Played by Cha Mi Kyung), immediately sends her home. The once-fearless killer silently bows her head under her mother-in-law’s harsh criticism, hinting at another battlefield waiting behind her front door.
Her husband, Kwon Tae Sung (played by Jung Jun Won), is portrayed as a devoted spouse who openly expresses his affection. Whether warmly embracing his wife or shielding her when his mother throws food during a family confrontation, he consistently stands by her side. However, his profession as a newspaper reporter complicates matters. As a crime journalist specializing in the mysterious serial killer known as “Kingfisher,” he relentlessly investigates crime scenes to determine whether deaths are accidents or murders. His pursuit of the truth gradually leads him toward the secret of the person he loves most.
The Kingfisher’s Shadow: A Detective’s Unwitting Pursuit
Detective Lee Dong Jin (played by Lee Sang Yi) immediately launches an investigation after learning of Kingfisher’s return. Although he reassures his close friend Kwon Tae Sung, saying, “I’ll protect your kind wife and your beautiful daughter Yul,” he shows a colder side when confronting the case, declaring, “Nice to see you again, Kingfisher.” Unaware that his investigation is closing in on the family closest to him, his pursuit sets the stage for the intertwined destinies of the three characters.
The teaser concludes by briefly introducing the criminals Yoo Bona must eliminate. When her daughter, Kwon Yul (Played by Hwang Bom Yi), innocently asks, “Mom, what do you do for work?” Yoo Bona simply replies, “Something the world needs,” deepening curiosity about her double life.
A Husband Unaware of His Wife’s Secret Identity
‘A Bona fide Killer’ also promises a compelling marital storyline centered on Yoo Bona and Kwon Tae Sung.
The newly released couple poster, unveiled on July 17, depicts the two lying face-to-face on the same bed, smiling warmly while holding hands. On the surface, they appear to be an ordinary happily married couple.
The twist lies beneath that peaceful image. The mysterious assassin Kingfisher—whom Tae Sung once obsessively pursued—is actually his wife, Yoo Bona. Living completely different lives while deeply in love, the couple’s relationship is expected to be both heartwarming and suspenseful.
A Love Story Plagued by Deadly Secrets
The poster’s tagline, “I’m not worried. I won’t get caught,” heightens the tension, reflecting Yoo Bona’s determination to protect both her husband and her hidden identity.
The production team commented, “Please look forward to the unique story of Yoo Bona and Kwon Tae Sung, a married couple forced to keep secrets to protect the people they love. Viewers can expect unpredictable developments every episode as Yoo Bona struggles to hide the fact that she is a killer from her husband.”
They added, “The ironic relationship between Yoo Bona and Kwon Tae Sung—two people with completely opposite professions who love each other deeply—is one of the drama’s biggest highlights. Although they appear to enjoy the sweetest married life, they are hiding an enormous secret beneath the surface, and viewers can look forward to their exceptional chemistry.”
Gong Hyo Jin: “I Wasn’t Confident at First”
Gong Hyo Jin on Tackling Action and Her Iconic Comeback
Interest in Gong Hyo Jin’s return has also grown, with the actress revealing that the original webtoon was the main reason she accepted the project.
“I read the webtoon first and found it fascinating,” she said. “Although it’s a dark hero story, what appealed to me most was that it focuses less on the crimes themselves and more on the ordinary daily life of a married woman.”
She also revealed that she received the script nearly three years ago but initially hesitated to take the role.
“To be honest, I wasn’t confident at first,” Gong Hyo Jin said in a recent magazine interview. “There are a lot of action scenes, and I never thought of myself as an actress who excels at action. But the director explained that Bona is a sniper rather than a martial artist, so most of the action would involve shooting scenes. That gave me the confidence to accept the role.”
Anticipation Peaks for MBC’s Next Big Hit
Known affectionately as “Gongvely (Gong + Lovely)” through hit dramas including ‘Pasta,’ ‘The Greatest Love,’ ‘Master’s Sun,’ ‘It’s Okay, That’s Love,’ and ‘Don’t Dare to Dream,’ Gong Hyo Jin now takes on a dramatically different role as both a working mother and an action heroine. Anticipation is high to see whether she can once again prove herself as one of Korea’s most bankable leading actresses.
‘A Bona fide Killer’ is directed by Yoon Jong Ho (‘Lovely Runner,’ ‘Times’) and written by Kim Eun Hee (‘Ghost Doctor,’ ‘Live Up to Your Name’). Alongside Gong Hyo Jin, the cast includes Jung Jun Won, Lee Sang Yi, and Sung Dong Il.
With action-driven dramas such as ‘Teach You A Lesson’ and ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’ recently drawing strong viewer interest, attention is now turning to whether the unique premise of a working-mom assassin can become MBC’s next breakout hit.
‘A Bona Fide Killer’ premieres on July 31 at 9:50 PM KST.
