[Edaily Starin Gim Ga Yeong Reporter] Attention is focused on whether the love triangle involving Kang Hoon, Cha Woo-min, and Kim Hye-jun, known as “the employee everyone loves,” will truly heat up.

In Episode 5 of the tvN Monday-Tuesday drama “My Favorite Employee,” which aired on the 17th, the “truth game” between Kang Ha-gi (played by Kang Hoon) and Nam Da-reum (played by Kim Hye-jun)—who grew closer after a heart-to-heart conversation—provided a thrilling and immersive viewing experience.
Episode 5 recorded a nationwide average viewership rating of 4% with a peak of 4.7%, and a Seoul metropolitan area average of 4.1% with a peak of 4.7%. (Based on paid platforms combining cable, IPTV, and satellite / Provided by Nielsen Korea)
Kang Ha-gi, under the mistaken belief that Nam Da-reum has feelings for him, drew a line with her, telling her to “keep work and personal life separate” when she approached him in her usual friendly manner. Unaware of the misunderstanding, Nam Da-reum was baffled by Kang Ha-gi’s attitude—which seemed to emphasize their roles as CEO and employee—yet she could only reflect on her own behavior, wondering if she had done something wrong.
Amidst this, Kang Ha-gi and Nam Da-reum went on a business trip, just the two of them, to Nam Da-reum’s hometown to secure a submission for a design competition. However, Im Cheong-rim (played by Gil Hae-yeon), a knot-making artisan they had struggled to meet, flatly rejected their proposal for collaboration. Unwilling to back down, the two tried their best to change Im Cheong-rim’s mind, and Nam Da-reum’s mother (played by Jang Hye-jin) also rolled up her sleeves to help her daughter.
Taking the opportunity, Kang Ha-gi and Nam Da-reum followed Im Cheong-rim’s apprentice to learn knot-tying themselves. Completely absorbed in the craft, they didn’t even notice their hands touching or their bodies growing closer. Then, when they suddenly became aware of each other’s presence, they locked eyes amid the awkward tension and felt a flutter of excitement.
As he spent time with Nam Da-reum like this, Kang Ha-gi found himself attentively looking out for her without even realizing it, drawing her attention. Not only that, but while spending time alone with her at night, he shared personal stories and showed his interest by asking about her bucket list.
Kang Ha-gi’s warm gaze as he looked at Nam Da-reum—whose bucket list included “Hearing someone say, ‘I’m so glad you’re here’”—evoked a gentle, fluttering sensation. Nam Da-reum was also moved by Kang Ha-gi’s thoughtfulness, as he remembered her words and replied, “I’m so glad Da-reum is here.”
Just as the two were growing closer, Kang Ha-ki, wanting to confirm Nam Da-reum’s true feelings, asked point-blank, “Do I look like a man to you?”—a question he’d been curious about for some time. However, Nam Da-reum left Kang Ha-ki flustered by stating that she knew he’d had a long-standing crush on Lee Chan and that their relationship was impossible. Vehemently denying the unexpected misunderstanding, Kang Ha-gi revealed his true feelings by saying, “There’s a woman I’m interested in.”
Just as Kang Ha-gi’s gaze toward Nam Da-reum was growing deeper, Lee Chan suddenly appeared between them, changing the atmosphere. Having realized that Nam Da-reum was the fan who had given him the photo book that had been his greatest source of strength in life, Lee Chan had rushed straight to her business trip location to meet her. With the unexpected arrival of this stranger, looks of puzzlement appeared on Kang Ha-ki and Nam Da-reum’s faces, raising anticipation about how this business trip will conclude and what the unfolding love triangle will bring.
“My Favorite Employee” is a tvN Monday-Tuesday drama that follows the office growth and romance of Nam Da-reum, a new employee who ends up becoming “my favorite employee” while trying to meet her “favorite” celebrity. Episode 6 will air on the 18th at 8:45 p.m.