Undercover at chaebol high school.

Lee Da-kyung is level-headed, quick-thinking, and quietly confident, with a strong sense of responsibility that drives many of her decisions. Rather than being overly emotional or timid, she approaches situations with logic, carefully observing people before acting. She is independent and resourceful, able to adapt to unfamiliar or dangerous circumstances without easily panicking. Although polite and approachable, she isn’t a pushover—she has no problem speaking her mind, questioning suspicious behavior, or standing her ground when she believes she’s right. Her determination and curiosity often lead her to uncover truths others overlook, and she refuses to abandon a task once she’s committed to it. While she can be compassionate and considerate toward those she trusts, she remains cautious around strangers, earning people’s respect through her competence rather than seeking attention. Calm under pressure and quietly resilient, Da-kyung balances intelligence, courage, and practicality, making her someone who can hold her own even among the elite students of Chaebol High School.

Kim Ji-eun is the very definition of effortless contradiction. As the sole heiress of Korea’s most powerful conglomerate, she carries herself with impeccable elegance and poise, yet her personality is anything but prim. Carefree and impossible to predict, she lives by her own rules, treating life as one big source of amusement. She possesses an incredibly sharp, sarcastic wit and rarely lets an opportunity to tease someone pass, especially if they’ve done something foolish. Her habit of pointing out other people’s flaws or contradictions—often with a perfectly straight face—makes her both hilarious and terrifying to argue with. Despite appearing uninterested in academics or responsibility, Ji-eun is an all-rounder who excels effortlessly in nearly everything she tries, from academics to sports and social situations, often frustrating those who work much harder than she does.

Beneath her playful exterior lies a mischievous, slightly sadistic streak. She enjoys watching arrogant people dig themselves into deeper holes, often nudging them along with subtle comments rather than intervening. She has little patience for immaturity and absolutely despises manchildren—those who are entitled, irresponsible, or expect others to clean up after them. Her low opinion of such behavior has developed into a noticeable distrust and dislike of men in general, making her openly cynical and often dismissive toward them. While many mistake this for simple prejudice, Ji-eun judges people primarily by their actions, and she has no problem respecting men who demonstrate genuine maturity, integrity, and accountability. Around her close friends, however, she is unexpectedly affectionate, fiercely loyal, and protective, showing a softer side that only a select few are privileged to see. Her confidence, intelligence, cutting humor, and refusal to conform make her one of the most unforgettable figures at Chaebol High School.

Hwang Jiyeon is bright, sociable, and emotionally intelligent, making her someone who easily gets along with almost everyone. She has a warm and approachable personality, often acting as the glue that holds her friend group together while balancing out their stronger personalities. Kind-hearted and considerate, she is good at reading the atmosphere and knows when to lighten the mood with a joke or offer quiet support. Although she generally prefers to avoid unnecessary conflict, she isn’t timid and will stand up for her friends when the situation calls for it. Jiyeon is practical and level-headed, often serving as the voice of reason when the group gets carried away, yet she also enjoys joining in on their playful banter and mischief. Beneath her cheerful demeanor is a dependable and resilient person who values trust, honesty, and the friendships she has built, making her a comforting presence even during the most chaotic moments.

Lee Jaehyung is outspoken, confident, and unapologetically blunt, rarely bothering to sugarcoat what he thinks. Coming from an influential chaebol family, he carries himself with a natural sense of pride and confidence, often appearing cocky or intimidating to those who don’t know him. He has a sharp tongue and enjoys provoking others with sarcastic remarks, frequently getting into playful arguments with people he considers worthy of his attention. Despite his abrasive attitude, Jaehyung is perceptive and far more thoughtful than he lets on, quickly reading people’s intentions and refusing to be easily manipulated. He values loyalty above all else and is fiercely protective of those he considers his own, showing his concern through actions rather than heartfelt words. Competitive by nature, he dislikes losing and has a stubborn streak that makes him relentlessly pursue whatever he sets his mind to. Although he often comes across as arrogant and emotionally guarded, his confidence masks a dependable and sincere side that only reveals itself to the few people he genuinely trusts.

Han Jeongwoon is sharp, confident, and naturally charismatic, carrying himself with an effortless composure that makes him stand out among his peers. He is highly intelligent and quick-witted, often analyzing situations on the spot and responding with clever remarks or calculated decisions. Rather than being overly stoic, he has a relaxed, easygoing attitude and isn’t afraid to tease the people around him, especially those he’s close to. Beneath his calm exterior is someone who is fiercely determined and resourceful, capable of adapting to dangerous situations without losing his cool. He dislikes unnecessary drama but won’t hesitate to step in when someone crosses a line, displaying a strong sense of responsibility and courage. Although he rarely expresses his feelings openly, his concern for others is shown through his actions, making him dependable without being overly sentimental. His confidence, intelligence, and subtle sense of humor make him both approachable and difficult to read, leaving people constantly wondering what he’s truly thinking.

As secrets surrounding Chaebol High School surface and powerful families begin turning against one another, Ji-eun is forced to choose between protecting the empire she was born to inherit or standing beside the friends who have become far more important than her family’s fortune. Between undercover investigations, political manipulation, dangerous betrayals, and the harsh realities of Korea’s chaebol society, the story follows the original suspense-filled narrative while reimagining Kim Ji-eun as the central female lead whose choices ultimately shape the fate of everyone around her.

Lee Da-kyung infiltrates Chaebol High School under a hidden agenda, becoming entangled in the dangerous conflicts surrounding the elite students and the secrets buried beneath the academy’s glamorous reputation. Her investigation, struggles, and role within the central conspiracy remain largely unchanged from the original series. However, unlike the canon version, Da-kyung is no longer the romantic female lead. Instead, the emotional center of the story shifts toward Kim Ji-eun. While everyone assumes Ji-eun lives a life of endless luxury, she unknowingly becomes deeply connected to the mysteries hidden within Chaebol High School. Being the heir to Mireon Group places her at the center of power struggles involving rival conglomerates, corrupt executives, and long-buried secrets that even her own family has concealed. Her carefree personality slowly begins to crack as she realizes the prestigious life she has always taken for granted is built upon dangerous truths. Han Jeongwoon, the male lead, gradually finds himself drawn to Ji-eun—not because of her wealth or status, but because of the warmth she hides beneath her playful façade. Despite constantly acting unserious, Ji-eun possesses remarkable intelligence, emotional maturity, and an unwavering loyalty toward the people she considers family. Meanwhile, Lee Jaehyung’s growing feelings for her create an increasingly complicated love triangle, forcing friendships to be tested as the school’s hidden conspiracies continue to unfold.

Undercover at Chaebol High School (OC Version) – Story Summary

Kim Ji-eun is the only daughter and heir of Mireon Group, South Korea’s most powerful conglomerate—a corporation so influential that politicians, media, and rival chaebols alike bend to its will. Dubbed “the company that owns the country,” Mireon Group dominates nearly every major industry, making Ji-eun one of the nation’s most recognizable chaebol heirs. Despite her prestigious background, Ji-eun is nothing like the cold, arrogant heiress the public expects. She is carefree, effortlessly witty, and constantly joking around with those close to her. She has little interest in studying, often sleeping through classes or skipping lectures entirely, yet somehow continues to rank first in every subject, much to everyone’s disbelief. She’s also unusually affectionate, especially with her female friends, never hesitating to cling to them, throw an arm around their shoulders, or invade their personal space simply because she feels like it.

Her closest friends consist of Hwang Jiyeon, Han Jeongwoon, Lee Jaehyung, and Lee Da-kyung. The five have attended school together long enough to become inseparable despite their vastly different personalities. Han Jeongwoon, calm, dependable, and quietly observant, often finds himself cleaning up the chaos Ji-eun creates, while Lee Jaehyung constantly bickers with her, creating a rivalry filled with playful teasing that hides genuine concern. Hwang Jiyeon acts as the group’s voice of reason, whereas Lee Da-kyung remains the kind-hearted friend whose storyline closely follows the original manhwa.