[NEWS] Actor Gong Myoung Becomes Choi Sooyoung’s “Sobriety Guardian”! Series Hits New Ratings High, Tops Its Time Slot!

Actor Gong Myoung Becomes Geumjoo’s “Sobriety Guardian”

In episode 4 of tvN’s 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 aired on the 20th, Euijun (played by Gong Myoung) begins helping Geumjoo (played by Choi Sooyoung) confront her alcoholism. The episode garnered a nationwide viewership rating of 3.7%, setting a new personal best. It peaked at 5% and ranked No. 1 in its time slot across both cable and general programming channels nationwide and in the Seoul metropolitan area (based on Nielsen Korea, paid households).

Even after joining a sobriety camp, Geumjoo ends up drinking again—unable to remember what she said to Euijun. Deeply concerned, Euijun gently tells her, “Geumjoo, let’s get you treated. For your health.” He encourages her to take a self-assessment for alcoholism and reaches out to her mother, Gwang-ok (played by Kim Sungryoung), to bring Geumjoo to one of his lectures, all in an effort to guide her toward recovery.

Euijun’s care for Geumjoo continued. On what was supposed to be Geumjoo’s wedding day, a bus—reserved for Geumjoo's wedding—arrived in Bocheon village. As curious villagers whispered among themselves, Euijun stepped in to shield Geumjoo, lying that it was he who told her not to cancel it. When Geumjoo blamed herself for hurting others just as Euijun had once said, he gently apologized, “I’m sorry. I said something I shouldn't have.”

Once again, it was Euijun who comforted Geumjoo in her lowest moment. Though she set out to crash her ex-fiancé’s wedding, she couldn’t even bring herself to enter the venue and ended up wandering aimlessly. In her place, Euijun served a dose of satisfying revenge on her ex and went searching for her. When he finally found her standing in the pouring rain, he held an umbrella over her with a look of quiet concern. As he did, Geumjoo remembered what she had told him—that she wanted to quit drinking—and Euijun responded with heartfelt sincerity: “I wanted to help you... because I believed you meant it.”

Gong Myoung gradually deepened viewers’ engagement by portraying Euijun’s emotional growth and evolving actions as he began to support Geumjoo more earnestly. When those around him harshly criticized her, he firmly pushed back, saying, "Stop criticizing someone when you don’t know what they’re going through.” He even packed lunch boxes with Geumjoo’s favorite dishes, quietly looking after her meals—proof that Euijun was now fully on her side. These subtle, heartfelt gestures brought warm smiles to viewers’ faces. In particular, the teaser for episode 5, shown at the end of the latest broadcast, revealed a noticeably closer dynamic between Euijun and Geumjoo, heightening anticipation for how their 'Sobriety Project' will unfold.

Meanwhile, episode 5 of Second Shot at Love, starring Gong Myoung, will air on tvN on the 26th at 8:50 p.m. KST.

[Photo = Broadcast Screenshot]