ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Salon de Holmes' has successfully captivated viewers for over a month, during the 10-episode broadcast.
During its run, 'Salon de Holmes' achieved remarkable success. It ranked No. 1 in Coupang Play’s series category, reflecting strong viewer interest. It also marked a third consecutive hit for ENA, following 'New Recruit 3' and 'Tastefully Yours.' The show’s ratings steadily rose from 1.3% in its premiere to 2.2% in episode 2 and 3.4% by episode 6. Episodes 8 and 9 maintained strong momentum at 3.3% and 3.2%, respectively.
The show’s success was fueled by the powerful “womance” among four talented actresses. 'Salon de Holmes' is a comic crime drama centered around four uniquely skilled women: a former top detective, an insurance queen, a part-time job expert, and more, who band together to punish various villains plaguing their apartment complex. Based on the novel of the same name, it was scripted by Kim Yeon Shin and co-directed by Min Jin Ki and Jung Hyun Nam.
The cast lineup drew special attention. Lee Si Young returned as "Detective Holmes" Gong Mi Ri of Gwangseon Jugong Apartment, marking her first drama in six years since 'Liver or Die' (KBS2, 2019), and her first project following her recent divorce news. Jung Young Joo played former ace detective Choo Kyung Ja, nicknamed the “female Ma Dong Seok.” Nam Gi Ae starred as Jeon Ji Hyun, the “bamboo forest” insurance queen, and Kim Da Som took on the role of Park So Hee, the part-time job queen, each delivering solid performances.
Blending comedy, mystery, and thriller, 'Salon de Holmes' tackled real-world issues through its genre-mixed narrative. The group faced off against “everyday villains” such as cheating couples, inconsiderate parkers, school bullies, perverts, and illegal trash dumpers, offering viewers a deeply satisfying catharsis.
Suspense heightened with the mystery surrounding the identity of the serial killer known as the “Ribbon Man.” In episode 9, aired July 14, the shocking revelation came that the mastermind behind Park Tae Hoon (Jang Jae Ho) was none other than apartment security guard Kim Hyun Deok (Kim Jung Ho), a man hiding a monstrous nature behind a kind face.
Gong Mi Ri (Lee Si Young) was shaken upon learning that her best friend Ji Eun’s mother had previously lived in apartment unit 1004. After discovering that the woman had looked up her address through a private investigator and that torn pages from her keepsake notebook matched her apparent suicide note, Mi Ri began suspecting that the death was actually a murder.
Mi Ri asked Kim Gwang Gyu (Lee Jae Kyoon) to investigate who Ji Eun’s mother had been tailing. When Gwang Gyu warned her about the danger of the Ribbon Man, Mi Ri responded, “We won’t know whether I’ll die or he will until we fight. He’s old, and I’m no longer a cowardly girl!” showing her resolve to risk everything.
Choo Kyung Ja (Jung Young Joo), Park So Hee (Kim Da Som), and Jeon Ji Hyun (Nam Gi Ae) joined in to support Mi Ri’s investigation. Kyung Ja confirmed the content of the will through her husband No Kang Shik (Oh Dae Hwan), So Hee remembered giving Ji Eun’s mom a mini recorder, and Ji Hyun revealed she had ordered dried persimmons before her death.
With these clues and the documents left by Gwang Gyu at her door, Mi Ri concluded that Hyun Deok was the "Ribbon Man." Meanwhile, Gwang Gyu discovered Ji Eun’s mom’s flower ring and handkerchief in the basement used frequently by Hyun Deok, and was visibly shaken.
Episode 9 ended with high tension: Gwang Gyu collapsed unconscious in the basement, Mi Ri’s daughter Hyun Ji (Kang Ji Woo) was shown crying, “Please help me,” and Hyun Deok smiled eerily while Mi Ri appeared to have made a critical decision, setting the stage for a highly anticipated finale.
With the show’s resounding success, fans are calling for a Season 2. Online communities and social media were flooded with comments such as “Let’s go Season 2!”, “This was so fun! Make another drama like this!”, “The pacing is great, it’s funny, and full of twists. Perfect for a seasonal series!”, and “Female Ma Dong Seok and the Zoom-vengers are so charming!”
The production team has also shown interest in a second season. Director Min Jin Ki previously stated at the press conference, “If the four leads agree to return, a Season 2 could definitely happen. Honestly, I’m confident. We’ve planned everything for the latter part of the series. Like New Recruit, this could become a new IP and a breakthrough for the industry.”
Ultimately, 'Salon de Holmes' delivered heartfelt moments as the four women healed one another’s pain. Mi Ri, a serial murder survivor; Kyung Ja, who quit her job for her husband; Ji Hyun, who grieved over her lost child; and So Hee, who worked tirelessly to cover her sick child’s hospital bills, all found strength in their bond, leaving a powerful impression.
The show also received praise for its lighthearted take on heavy topics like school violence, illegal dumping, and serial killings. Through the quartet’s unique problem-solving methods, it skillfully blended comedy with mystery, creating its own distinctive charm.
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