A Bona Fide Killer* (Korean: 유부녀 킬러) is an upcoming South Korean slice-of-life action drama television series written by Kim Eun-hee, directed by Yoon Jong-ho, and starring Gong Hyo-jin, Jung Joon-won, Lee Sang-yi, and Sung Dong-il. 8 Based on the Kakao Webtoon of the same title, the series follows Yoo Bo-na, a married assassin, and her husband Kwon Tae-sung, who is desperate to uncover her secret life.
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A Bona Fide Killer: The Premise
A Bona Fide Killer is an action drama about a working mother with a lethal job who is fighting to protect her work-life balance. 5 As her investigative journalist husband Kwon Tae Seong unknowingly inches closer to discovering Kingfisher’s true identity, and determined detective Lee Dong Jin relentlessly pursues the elusive vigilante, Bo Na finds herself trapped between family, justice, and survival. With the help of her loyal ally Kim Bong Pal, she must navigate a world where one mistake could destroy both her secret life and the family she cherishes.
The Characters
- Kong Hyo-jin as Yoo Bo Na: 4Kong Hyo-jin stars as Yu Bo Na, the seemingly ordinary manager of Sales Team 3 at Durumi Electronics, who is also secretly the legendary sniper known as “Kingfisher.” On the surface, Yu Bo Na is an ordinary married woman who takes care of her husband and daughter, but unbeknownst to others, she is also a killer who directly eliminates heinous criminals that have escaped justice. After returning to work following a three-year maternal leave, she resumes her dangerous double life.
- Jung Joon-won as Kwon Tae Seong: 3Jung Jun Won takes on the role of Kwon Tae Seong, Yoo Bo Na’s husband, and an investigative reporting journalist at a newspaper company. 2Without realizing that the lethal figure he is hunting is actually his own wife, he relentlessly chases down the truth behind her organization. This sets up an intense, high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse right at the dinner table, blending dark humor with suspense as Bona tries to protect her work-life balance and keep her secret safe.
- Lee Sang-yi as Lee Dong Jin: 9Lee Sang Yi plays Lee Dong Jin, a detective who relentlessly pursues the mysterious “Kingfisher.” Unable to understand the public’s fascination with Kingfisher, he stands on the front lines of the investigation, firmly believing that criminals must be brought to justice under the law. Having a deeper understanding than anyone of the pain suffered by crime victims, he regards capturing Kingfisher as his mission and continues his pursuit relentlessly.
- Sung Dong-il as Kim Bong Pal: 7Veteran actor Sung Dong Il portrays Kim Bong Pal, the manager of Durumi Electronics’ Sales Team 3 and an expert at disguising murders as accidental deaths. His seasoned performance added depth and authority to the ensemble.
- Supporting Cast: 7The supporting cast also includes Moo Jin Sung as Ki Young Do, Lee Eun Saem as Kwon Se Ah, and Choi Woo Sung as Beom Sung Hoon. Their distinctive performances further strengthened the team’s chemistry and heightened anticipation for the series.
First Poster Revealed
4 The newly released poster captures Yu Bo Na’s duality by highlighting her contrasting sides. At first glance, she appears no different from any housewife as she cooks for her family in an apron with a gentle smile. 4 However, the sniper rifle slung over her shoulder and the glinting blade in her hand hint at her hidden identity as a lethal killer.
Based on a Webtoon
2 Based on the wildly popular KakaoWebtoon of the same name, the adaptation is already generating massive hype for its unique, dark-comedy spin on the classic domestic thriller. 5 The series is adapted from the webtoon “A Bona Fide Killer” (유부녀 킬러) written by Yun and illustrated by Gum (검둥).
Script Reading & Behind the Scenes
7 On June 18, MBC unveiled photos from the script reading for its upcoming Friday-Saturday drama, which was attended by Gong Hyo Jin, Jung Joon Won, Lee Sang Yi, Sung Dong Il, and other cast members. 7 Once rehearsals began, the actors fully immersed themselves in their roles, showcasing strong chemistry and teamwork. Gong Hyo Jin seamlessly portrayed both a devoted housewife and a cold, charismatic assassin.
The production team stated, “Actress Kong Hyo Jin is leading the set by portraying, in a multidimensional way, the contrasting sides of a realistic working mother dealing with the realities of everyday life and a killer who is feared by criminals. Viewers will be able to see a new charm of Kong Hyo Jin that they have never seen before.”
What the Cast Says
7 Gong Hyo Jin said, “I hope ‘A Bona-fide Killer’ becomes a drama that comforts viewers and helps them forget the stresses of the day.” Jung Joon Won added, “I’ll do my best to contribute to making this a great production. I hope viewers will show it lots of interest.” Lee Sang Yi expressed excitement about working with the cast, saying, “I’m really looking forward to the chemistry between the actors.”
Premiere & Broadcast Details
8 *A Bona Fide Killer* is scheduled to premiere on MBC TV on July 31, 2026, and will air every Friday and Saturday at 21:50 KST. 5 The series consists of 14 episodes, airing on Fridays and Saturdays on the original network MBC. 8 Principal photography began in December 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What makes A Bona Fide Killer unique among K-dramas?
1 The show will offer a thrilling catharsis by seamlessly blending a cheerful family comedy with high-stakes, criminal-punishing action. What sets it apart is its bold premise — a working mom assassin returning from maternity leave — and the irresistible tension of a husband unknowingly hunting his own wife. It marks a significant acting transformation for rom-com queen Kong Hyo-jin.
