Actor So Ji-sub, right, and other cast members of MBC's new romantic comedy "My Secret Terrius" pose during a press conference at the broadcaster's headquarters in Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of MBC



By Park Jin-hai



Veteran actor So Ji-sub has returned to the small screen after a two-and-a half-year hiatus with MBC's new romantic comedy series "My Secret Terrius."



The series, which combines elements of thriller and comedy, kicked off to a good start garnering a viewership rating of six percent to seven percent for its special four-episode, two-hour pilot aired Thursday.



The 40-year-old actor So takes on the role of legendary National Intelligence Service (NIS) black ops agent Kim Bon, known as "Terrius." Kim lives a reclusive life after a mishap three years ago that caused the death of his lover and his colleagues chasing him after being falsely suspected of being a double spy. He finds that the same killer who he has been after, was involved with the death of a neighbor, a father of six-year-old twins, and so he volunteers to work as babysitter in order to solve the puzzle.



In the first four episodes, So successfully crisscrossed the roles of uptight charismatic spy in black suits and the spy in the awkward mission of babysitting, showing comical moments with the children like him wearing a bunny hair band and being interviewed by neighbors about words that are used on online mom's communities.



"Having agent Kim as a babysitter, I wanted to show which job is more challenging, being a spy or a child caring mother," the drama's director Park Sang-hun said during a recent press conference for the drama. "After all, I wanted to deliver the message that everyone managing their daily job itself is as meaningful as any other grand spy mission."



As Go Ae-rin, played by Jung In-sun, who became a single mother of the twin children after the death of her husband, finds that her husband was murdered, he partners with Kim to unearth the truth behind his death.



Actor So, who debuted in 1996 with a sitcom "Three Guys and Three Girls," said he chose the romantic comedy, in the belief that it would be a fun drama for viewers. Despite some flashy action scenes, the drama has more emphasis on humor. "Since the drama has various elements of thriller, romance and comedy, many viewers will be able to have fun and enjoy the show," said the actor.



Actor Son Ho-joon will play his first villain. He will take the role of a former con artist and CEO of J International, who uses his bag business as a cover for his shady business.



"My Secret Terrius" airs at 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, on MBC.

