[NEWS] Choi Sooyoung, A Perfect Balance of Laughter, Tears, and Romance in Her ‘Salty and Sweet’ Performance

Choi Sooyoung Makes a Strong Start as the “Sweet and Salty Queen” in Second Shot at Love, Balancing Laughter, Tears, and Romance

In the tvN Monday-Tuesday drama Second Shot at Love (written by Myeong Soo Hyun, Jeon Ji Hyun / directed by Jang Yu Jeong / planned by Studio Dragon / produced by How Pictures), which premiered on May 12, Choi Sooyoung takes the lead as Han Geumjoo—a character who inherits the heavy-drinker DNA from her family. The first episode recorded nationwide ratings of 3.4% and 4.3% in the Seoul metropolitan area, making it No. 1 in its time slot across both cable and general programming channels (Nielsen Korea, based on paid households).

In Geumjoo’s family, where a love for alcohol has been passed down for generations, drinking wasn’t just a habit—it was a rite of passage. The moment she graduated from high school, her family began “pre-educating” her in drinking, firmly believing that alcohol was essential to navigating adult social life. Raised in such an environment, Geumjoo grew into a true enthusiast who couldn’t imagine life without alcohol.

But when her drinking ultimately led to a breakup with her fiancé, Jooyeop (played by Yoo Eui-tae), her mother Kwang-ok (played by Kim Sung-ryoung) reached her limit. She brought Geumjoo back to their hometown of Bocheon—and in a shocking move for a family of heavy drinkers—declared total prohibition in the household.

After returning to Bocheon, Geumjoo unexpectedly runs into Euijun (played by Gong Myoung), a once-close friend who has since grown distant. During a gathering with mutual friends, she overhears him saying, “I thought I’d run into her again as someone who's doing way better than this.” His words trigger a painful memory: the moment she caught her ex-fiancé cheating—the real reason behind their broken engagement. Overcome with humiliation, Geumjoo finds herself spiraling.

Heartbroken, she drinks heavily and finally breaks down, sobbing, “I couldn’t let a jerk like him dump me first. I had to dump him—at least that way, I’d save a shred of dignity.” Her raw, vulnerable emotions struck a chord with viewers.

The episode ends with a twist: after drunkenly ruining her grandfather’s memorial service, Geumjoo wakes up the next morning in Euijun’s house. The cliffhanger leaves audiences wondering—what really happened between them that night, and how will their relationship evolve from here?

Choi Sooyoung has fully immersed herself in the role of Han Geumjoo, a self-proclaimed alcohol lover, earning rave reviews from viewers. From her lively yet realistic portrayal of drunken behavior, to her emotional breakdowns and rekindled romance with her former best friend Euijun, she captured every nuance of the character with impressive depth. Her believable portrayal of intoxication resonated with both drinkers and non-drinkers alike, further proving her presence in the series. Reactions to her compelling performance continue to heat up.

Meanwhile, episode 2 of the tvN Monday–Tuesday drama Second Shot at Love, starring Choi Sooyoung, airs today (13th) at 8:50 PM.

[Photo = Broadcast screen capture]