‘Cinderella Game’ showed a whirlwind of developments from the first episode.

The first episode of KBS2‘s daily drama ‘Cinderella Game’ (directed by Lee Hyun-kyung / written by Oh Sang-hee), which first aired on the 2nd, recorded a viewership rating of 7.5% (provided by Nielsen Korea, based on households nationwide) and announced a refreshing start.

In the long-awaited first episode of ‘Cinderella Game’, the unprecedented situation of Yoon Yoo-jin (played by Lee So-yoon), the only daughter of ’Hyesung Financial Group Chairman Shin Yeo-jin (played by Na Young-hee) and Yoon Sung-ho (played by Choi Jong-hwan) going missing occurred, shocking viewers.

The episode opened with the appearance of young Goo Ha-na (played by Kim Seo-hyun) who is not loved by her adoptive parents and suffers from child abuse. Hana’s adoptive mother (played by Jo Ji-hyun) caused anger by blaming Hana for her biological son‘s injury and even hitting her. Hwang Jin-goo (Lee Chun-moo), who was filming Hana with a camcorder at the hospital, shouted, “Child abuse is a crime,” and saved Hana.

Meanwhile, Jin-goo, who had been suffering from heart disease, received heart surgery with the Hyesung Financial Group’s donation to help children with heart disease. Jin-goo’s mother, Sim Bang-ul (Kim Hye-ok), expressed her gratitude to Yeo-jin, saying, “I will never forget this favor.”

Eugene went on a trip to an island with her father, Seong-ho, and her cousin, Se-young (Yoo Ha-young), without Yeo-jin. While Seong-ho was away for a moment, the two went inside a boat to play hide-and-seek. As the boat rocked, Eugene lost her balance and hit her head on the floor, losing consciousness. Se-young, surprised to see Eugene collapse, left the place saying she would call her uncle, creating tension. However, Se-young, who saw the ship Eugene was on moving away from the dock, lied to Seong-ho that she didn’t see Eugene, and Seong-ho was shocked to learn that he had lost his daughter.

Yeo-jin also received a call from Seong-ho saying that Eugene was missing and hurriedly headed to the police station with Choi Myung-ji (Ji Soo-won). Yeo-jin was furious when the police said they had not seen Eugene, and made a big fuss, which was heartbreaking.

At the end of the broadcast, the ship owner put a life jacket on Eugene and said he would be back soon before going outside. Eugene tried to follow the ship owner in a hurry, but the ship rocked and she ended up falling over. At the same time, Ha-na, who was kicked out by her adoptive father‘s abuse, Se-young, who was anxious, and the ending of the three children who were trapped in the wheel of fate opened the curtain with a strong prelude.

The gripping development and lively directing from the first episode greatly increased the viewers’ interest. In addition, the passionate performances of Na Young-hee, Ji Soo-won, Kim Hye-ok, and Choi Jong-hwan, who held the center of the drama, also drew viewers‘ attention. Attention is focused on what kind of waves Yeo-jin, Myeong-ji, Seong-ho, and Se-young will be swept up in as they face a new situation due to Eugene’s disappearance.

The second episode of KBS 2TV‘s ‘Cinderella Game’ will air today (the 3rd) at 7:50 PM.

Jeon Hyo-jin, Donga.com reporter jhj@donga.com