Acing job interviews with Jung Eun-ji’s alter ego Lee Jung-eun

by solstices

More body-switching hijinks have arrived with the latest teaser for JTBC’s The Woman Who is Different by Day and Night, featuring the inexplicable magic of our dual-identity heroine. Morphing into an older persona when she wakes up, and returning to her true self as night falls, it’s all she can do to adjust to her life-altering transformations — and make the most of the abilities it affords her.

Our eponymous heroine is Jung Eun-ji (Work Later Drink Now 2) as Lee Mi-jin, a jobseeker in her twenties who hasn’t had luck passing any interviews. Despite her diligent efforts studying late into the night with a mouthful of instant noodles, Mi-jin has been stuck in unemployment for years. When she wakes up decades older, one look in the mirror has her letting out a horrified shriek reminiscent of Munch’s “The Scream” — but it soon turns out that her alter-ego Im Soon, portrayed by Lee Jung-eun (A Bloody Lucky Day), has an ace or two up her sleeve.

Soon’s aged appearance belies a sprightly spirit, and she shows off her flexible splits and Mandarin proficiency in front of an astounded interview panel. Her many talents net her the job, and Mi-jin’s downright thrilled that her transformations are bolstered by skill boosts. Commencing her career as a senior intern, Soon sashays through hallways, speed-cycles down roads, and sips an extra-large iced Americano while typing away at her desk.

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With age comes a wealth of knowledge, and Soon leaves her fellow colleagues stunned and slackjawed when she rattles off solutions like an expert in the field. In particular, she’s caught the attention of prosecutor Kye Ji-woong — played by Choi Jin-hyuk (Numbers) — who can’t help but wonder who exactly this super capable lady is.

Amusingly, both Soon and Mi-jin get their fair share of swoon-worthy moments with Ji-woong — falling right into his arms, for example. “I’ll wait for you, until you’re able to tell me,” Ji-woong reassures Mi-jin, assuaging any potential guilt about hiding her body-swapping secret from him. Alas, Soon attracts more attention than she expects, and she finds herself on the receiving end of a kabedon, courtesy of Baek Seo-hoo (Heartbeat). Though she doesn’t hesitate to scoot away when he sits down on the same bench, LOL.

These questionably romantic advances stoke Ji-woong’s consternation, especially as he draws closer to Mi-jin and her unspeakable secret. In the twilight hours, he’s leaning in to kiss her — but come morning and he’s getting unceremoniously kicked in the face. Whoops. Amidst all the hijinks that come with managing double lives, Mi-jin and Soon’s sincerity shines through, leading Ji-woong to extend an earnest hand. “Let’s give this our best shot,” he says to Soon — and when the camera pans up from their handshake, it’s Mi-jin beaming brightly at him.

Helmed by PD Lee Hyung-min (Showtime Begins) with scripts written by Park Ji-ha (Good Casting), The Woman Who is Different by Day and Night premieres on June 15.