The script reading site of tvN‘s new Sat-Sun drama ‘Potato Research Institute’ (directed by Kang Il-soo, Shim Jae-hyun, written by Kim Ho-soo) has been revealed.

‘Potato Research Institute’ is a healing comic romance that depicts the life of Mi-kyung (played by Lee Sun-bin), who cries and laughs because of potatoes, at the potato research institute, where cold-hearted principled Baek-ho (played by Kang Tae-oh) appears and swirls around like a whirlwind of potatoes. Set in the mountain valley potato research institute, the hot romance between the man and woman who bake, fry, and boil is expected to bring pleasant laughter and excitement. This is a work that Director Kang Il-soo and Writer Kim Ho-soo of ‘Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung’, ‘Solomon’s Perjury’ have reunited for.

The script reading that was revealed on the 22nd has raised expectations even more. Director Kang Il-soo, Writer Kim Ho-soo, Lee Sun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Lee Hak-joo, Kim Ga-eun, Shin Hyun-seung, and others attended the site and showed off their cheerful energy.

Lee Sun-bin plays ‘Kim Mi-kyung’, a potato researcher who falls in love with potatoes. From her candid and hearty charm to her dynamic changes after So Baek-ho‘s appearance, Lee Sun-bin’s passionate acting doubled the character‘s appeal. Kang Tae-oh, who is drawing attention for his first comeback work since his military service, shows a unique acting transformation by taking on the role of ‘So Baek-ho’, the director of organizational innovation at Wonhan Retail whose composure is his weapon. So Baek-ho, who has a bright smile that reminds you of your first love, but is actually a man of unsympathy and a stickler for principles, is a character who changes after meeting the unpredictable variable Kim Mi-kyung at the Potato Research Institute where principles do not apply. Kang Tae-oh will present a new life character that goes beyond the ‘Nation’s Sad Man’ with his versatile acting that goes back and forth between seriousness and comedy. Above all, the chemistry (compatibility or compatibility) of the two actors who completed Mi-kyung and Baek-ho, who growl at every opportunity and fly sparks, created pleasant excitement and increased expectations.


Lee Hak-joo gave a passionate performance as ‘Park Ki-se’, the managing director of Wonhan Retail‘s strategic planning office and Kim Mi-kyung’s ex-boyfriend. With his neat appearance and sociable personality that is a master of the art of living, he is a person who is liked by everyone, but is not liked by his ‘ex-lover’ Kim Mi-kyung. Lee Hak-joo heightened the dramatic tension with his character-digesting acting. Kim Ga-eun played the role of Kim Mi-kyung‘s best friend and successful web novel writer ‘Lee Ong-ju’, and Shin Hyun-seung added vitality to the role of ‘Kim Hwan-gyeong’, Kim Mi-kyung’s younger brother who runs a guesthouse and an optimist with zero fighting power.

The performance of the ‘Trustworthy’ corps, who filled the Potato Research Institute with cheerful energy, also shone. The role of the legendary veteran of the Potato Research Institute, the potato doctor ‘Absent’ manager was played by Yoo Seung-mok, and he presented laughter with his tiki-taka chemistry with Lee Sun-bin. The role of the self-proclaimed Daegwallyeong hipster ‘Fixed’ Manager was played by Kwak Ja-hyung, and the role of ‘Joo Seung-hee’ Deputy Manager, who shields the absent manager from his old-fashioned moments and is the greatest contributor to the teamwork of the Potato Research Institute, was given a passionate performance by Woo Jung-won.


The ‘Jangchung-dong Trio’ of the Potato Research Institute also added vitality. Kim Ji-ah showed off her presence by playing the role of ‘Jang Seul-gi’, the eldest of the ‘Jangchung-dong Trio’ and the deputy manager who always skewered people for a job change. The calm and reserved Potato Research Institute employee ‘Lee Choong-hyun’ is played by Yoon Jeong-seop, and the energetic Potato Research Institute new recruit ‘Kwon Hee-dong’ is played by Nam Hyun-woo, showing off amazing chemistry.

In the meantime, the ‘King Potato’ poster that was released on the 14th also catches the eye. Under the phrase ‘A comic romance hotter than boiled potatoes is coming’, a cute potato couple makes viewers laugh. The excitement that blooms in buds and the adorable potato flowers make viewers look forward to the warm and fluffy healing comic romance that Mi-kyung and Baek-ho will portray.

‘Potato Research Institute’ will first air at 9:20 p.m. on March 1.

Hong Se-young, Donga.com reporter projecthong@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.