Royal Secret Agent

{{short description|2020 South Korean historical comedy TV series}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox television | alt_name = | image = Royal Secret Agent poster.jpg | caption = Promotional poster | native_name = {{Infobox Korean television name/auto|hangul=^암행어사: ^조선_비밀_수사단|hanja=暗行御史: 朝鮮秘密搜查團|lk=Secret Royal Inspector}} | genre = {{ubl|Historical|Comedy drama|Detective}} | creator = {{ubl|Kim Sang-hui|KBS Drama Division}} | developer = | writer = {{ubl|Kang Min-sun|Park Sung-hoon}} | director = Kim Jung-min | creative_director = | starring = {{ubl|Kim Myung-soo|Kwon Nara|Lee Yi-kyung|Lee Tae-hwan|Jo Soo-min}} | narrator = | theme_music_composer = | open_theme = | end_theme = | composer = Lee Ji-yong | country = South Korea | language = Korean | num_episodes = 16 | list_episodes = | executive_producer = Yoon Jae-hyuk | producer = {{ubl|Baek Seung-min|Kim Jong-sik|Kim Nam-hee}} | location =  | cinematography = | animator = | editor =  | camera = | runtime = 70 minutes | company = IWill Media | budget = | network = KBS2 | first_aired = {{Start date|2020|12|21}} | last_aired = {{End date|2021|02|09}} | related =  }}

'''''Royal Secret Agent''''' ({{Korean|hangul=암행어사}}) is a South Korean historical comedy, detective television series. The series is directed by Kim Jung-min and stars Kim Myung-soo, Kwon Nara, Lee Tae-hwan, Lee Yi-kyung, and Jo Soo-min. Written by Kang Min-sun and Park Sung-hoon the series is about a government position of Joseon known as secret royal inspector, who monitors corrupt government officials while remaining undercover.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/07/23/2020072303076.html|script-title=ko:[단독] 이태환, '우아한 친구들' 찍고 '신 암행어사' 주연..사극 도전|trans-title=[Exclusive] Tae-Hwan Lee, filmed'Elegant Friends' and starred in'New Amhaengeosa'...|last=Moon|first=Ji-yeon|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=Sports Chosun|language=ko|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128052800/https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/07/23/2020072303076.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hancinema.net/photos-script-reading-stills-added-for-the-upcoming-korean-drama-blade-of-the-phantom-master-145953.html|title=[Photos] Script Reading Stills Added for the Upcoming Korean Drama "Blade of the Phantom Master"|date=October 13, 2020|website=HanCinema|access-date=November 2, 2020|archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018201512/https://www.hancinema.net/photos-script-reading-stills-added-for-the-upcoming-korean-drama-blade-of-the-phantom-master-145953.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It aired on KBS2 every Monday and Tuesday at 21:30 (KST) from December 21, 2020, to February 9, 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/009/0004709532|script-title=ko:'암행어사' 권나라, 남장 찰떡 소화…꽃도령 완벽 변신|trans-title=Amhaengeosa' Kwon Nara, a male chief digesting the cake... Perfect transformation of the flower lord|date=December 4, 2020|author=Yang So-young|work=The Daily Economy Star Today|access-date=December 4, 2020|publisher=Naver|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128045323/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/009/0004709532|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Synopsis== Set in the Joseon period, the series revolves around Sung Yi-gyum (Kim Myung-soo), a state examination top scorer who works in the administrative and research department of the government office. He is caught gambling and as punishment, he is reassigned to a new position as a secret royal inspector to investigate the corrupt practices of public officers. Yi-gyum carries out his new job with the help of Hong Da-in (Kwon Nara), a female inspector, and Park Chun-sam (Lee Yi-kyung), his talkative but affectionate servant.

==Cast== ===Main=== ====The three musketeers==== * Kim Myung-soo as Sung Yi-gyum, a secret royal inspector<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Krishkim |url=https://zapzee.net/2020/09/10/kim-myung-soo-kwon-nara-lee-tae-hwan-and-lee-yi-kyung-will-star-in-new-drama-blade-of-the-phantom-master/|title=Kim Myung Soo, Kwon Nara, Lee Tae Hwan, and Lee Yi Kyung Will Star in New Drama 'Blade of the Phantom Master'|date=September 10, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=ZAPZEE|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926141750/https://zapzee.net/2020/09/10/kim-myung-soo-kwon-nara-lee-tae-hwan-and-lee-yi-kyung-will-star-in-new-drama-blade-of-the-phantom-master/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=See reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=July 2025}} * Kwon Na-ra as Hong Da-in/Honglang/Lee Young-sin, female police posing as a courtesan whose beauty is comparable to Hwang Jini. She becomes a member of Royal Secret Agent's entourage.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ko:[공식]권나라 '암행어사' 출연 확정! 조선 첫사랑의 아이콘..미(美)X무(武) 갖춘 다모|trans-title=[Official] Kwon Nara's'Amhaengeosa' confirmed! The icon of Joseon's first love.. Damo with beauty x nothingness|last=Yoo|first=Na Lee|url=https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/entertain_photo/2020/09/10/SQOZOJOZUE4BEDIFWQ4Y6BSTUM/|website=Sports Chosun|date=September 10, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|language=ko|archive-date=March 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303125842/https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/entertain_photo/2020/09/10/SQOZOJOZUE4BEDIFWQ4Y6BSTUM/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Lee Yi-kyung as Park Chun-sam, Sung Yi-gyum's servant.<ref name=lee:hank>{{cite web|url=https://www.hankyung.com/entertainment/article/2020063061644|script-title=ko:이이경 측 "'신 암행어사' 출연 긍정 검토중"…김명수·권나라와 만날까 [공식]|trans-title=Lee Lee-kyung's "Affirmation of the appearance of'New Amhangeosa' is under review"... Should I meet with Kim Myung-soo and Kwon Nara [Official]|last=Noh|first=Gyu-min|date=July 30, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=The Korea Economic Daily|language=ko|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128115937/https://www.hankyung.com/entertainment/article/2020063061644|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Around three musketeers==== * Lee Tae-hwan as Sung Yi-beom, Sung Yi-gyum's half-brother, head of the band of vigilante<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ko:김명수·권나라, KBS 코믹 사극 '암행어사' 주연 발탁|trans-title=Kim Myung-soo and Kwon Nara, selected as the lead role in KBS comic historical drama'Amhaengeosa|url=https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/202009104056Y|website=The Korea Economic Daily|date=September 10, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|language=ko|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128100319/https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/202009104056Y|url-status=live}}</ref> * Jo Soo-min as Kang Soon-ae, Sung Yi-gyum's ex-lover, daughter of a courtesan

===Supporting=== * Ahn Nae-sang as Jang Tae-seung, Chief Royal Secretary * Son Byong-ho as Kim Byeong-geun, Chief State Councillor * Kim Young-cheol * Choi Jong-won as Kang In-chung, corrupt sheriff * Ha Young as Kim Mi-ok * Park Joo-hyung as Seo Yong * Kim Kyung-sook * Lee Min-woo * Um Hyo-sup * Chae Dong-hyun as Kim Man-hee, Kim Byeong-geun's first son * Jong Ho as Man Deok * Shin Ji-hoon as Choi Do-kwan * Jo Deok-hee as Jung Moon-ho * Yang Byung-yeol as Civil servant Kim

==Production== By July 2020, the main cast of the series with Lee Tae-hwan, Kim Myung-soo, Kwon Nara and Lee Yi-kyung was finalized.<ref name=lee:hank /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hancinema.net/new-drama-blade-of-the-phantom-master-143526.html|title=[New Drama] "Blade of the Phantom Master"|date=July 25, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=HanCinema|language=en|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917131406/https://www.hancinema.net/new-drama-blade-of-the-phantom-master-143526.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The broadcast was initially scheduled to be premiered on November 2, 2020, but due to re-proliferation of COVID-19, the production was delayed. In October, group script reading was held.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hancinema.net/photos-script-reading-stills-added-for-the-upcoming-korean-drama-blade-of-the-phantom-master-145953.html|title=[Photos] Script Reading Stills Added for the Upcoming Korean Drama "Blade of the Phantom Master"|date=October 13, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=HanCinema|language=en|archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018201512/https://www.hancinema.net/photos-script-reading-stills-added-for-the-upcoming-korean-drama-blade-of-the-phantom-master-145953.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The still photos in the period costume, from the set of series were released by KBS as the filming progressed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mylovekbs.kbs.co.kr/index.html?source=mylovekbs&sname=mylovekbs&stype=magazine&contents_id=70000000393853|title=김명수, 신개념 암행어사 등장! (암행어사: 조선비밀수사단)|trans-title=Myungsoo Kim, a new concept Amhangeosa appeared! (Amhaengeosa: Chosun Secret Investigation Division)|publisher=Korean Broadcasting System|date=2020-11-02|access-date=November 2, 2020|language=ko|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128095050/http://mylovekbs.kbs.co.kr/index.html?source=mylovekbs&sname=mylovekbs&stype=magazine&contents_id=70000000393853|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Original soundtrack== {{Infobox album | name = Royal Secret Agent OST | type = Soundtrack | artist = Various artists | released = {{Start date|2021||}} | recorded = | genre = Soundtrack | language = {{hlist|Korean|English}} | label = {{hlist|Ogam Entertainment|Mark0809}} }}

===Part 1=== {{track listing | headline = Released on {{Start date|2021|01|11}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=10544798|title=암행어사 OST Part. 1|trans-title=Royal Secret Agent OST Part 1|access-date=11 January 2021|website=Melon|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128193323/https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=10544798|url-status=live}}</ref> | extra_column = Artist | title1 = I'll Find You | note1 = | lyrics1 = Yoon Il-sang | music1 = Yoon Il-sang | extra1 = N.Flying | length1 = 4:31 | title2 = I'll Find You | note2 = Inst. | length2 = 4:31 | music2 = Yoon Il-sang | total_length = 9:02 }}

===Part 2=== {{track listing | headline = Released on {{Start date|2021|01|29}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m2.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=10555772|title=암행어사 OST Part. 2|trans-title=Royal Secret Agent OST Part 2|access-date=February 1, 2021|website=Melon|archive-date=July 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715173931/https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=10555772|url-status=live}}</ref> | extra_column = Artist | title1 = My Love | note1 = | lyrics1 = Jo Jo Ho | music1 = Jo Jo Ho | extra1 = Lee Sun | length1 = 3:47 | title2 = My Love | note2 = Inst. | length2 = 3:47 | music2 = Jo Jo Ho | total_length = 7:34 }}

===Part 3=== {{track listing | headline = Released on {{Start date|2021|02|02}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m2.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=10557200|title=암행어사 OST Part. 3|trans-title=Royal Secret Agent OST Part 3|access-date=February 3, 2021|website=Melon|archive-date=July 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715173955/https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=10557200|url-status=live}}</ref> | extra_column = Artist | title1 = Even if it accidentally passes | note1 = | lyrics1 = Bean | music1 = Bean | extra1 = ALICE (Song Joo-hee) | length1 = 3:41 | title2 = Even if it accidentally passes | note2 = Inst. | length2 = 3:41 | music2 = Bean | total_length = 7:22 }}

==Episodes== {{Episode table|background=#006649|overall=|title=|director=|writer=|airdate=|airdateR=|viewers=20|country=South Korea|episodes={{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 1 |Title = Episode 1 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|12|21}} | Viewers = N/A (<0.994)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20201221|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (December 21, 2020)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-date=May 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529125020/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20201221|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = A Secret Royal Inspector is killed by corrupt officials' men. The courtiers appeal to king to abolish the royal inspector system, but the king refuses. Hong Da-in (Kwon Nara), a courtesan spies on officials and report to Jang Tae- seung, Chief Secretary. Sung Yi-gyum (Kim Myung-soo) an assistant advisor is caught gambling and as punishment, he is appointed as Secret Royal Inspector. Hong Da-in's cover is blown so she is also sent with Yi-gyum to help. Yi-gyum's servant, Park Chun-sam (Lee Yi-kyung) is part of the Secret Royal Inspector's entourage. |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 2 |Title = Episode 2 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|12|22}} | Viewers = 0.994<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20201222|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (December 22, 2020)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=December 23, 2020|archive-date=May 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529125019/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20201222|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 3 |Title = Episode 3 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|12|28}} | Viewers = N/A (<1.023)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20201228|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (December 28, 2020)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=May 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529123643/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20201228|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 4 |Title = Episode 4 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|12|29}} | Viewers = 1.095<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20201229|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (December 29, 2020)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=May 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529125144/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20201229|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 5 |Title = Episode 5 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|01|04}} | Viewers = 1.058<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210104|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 4, 2021)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=January 5, 2021|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105233311/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210104|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 6 |Title = Episode 6 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|01|05}} | Viewers = 1.212<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210105|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 5, 2021)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=January 6, 2021|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110040601/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210105|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 7 |Title = Episode 7 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|01|11}} | Viewers = 1.637<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210111|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 11, 2021)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=January 12, 2021}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 8 |Title = Episode 8 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|01|12}} | Viewers = 1.725<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210112|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 12, 2021)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=January 13, 2021|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114140016/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210112|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 9 |Title = Episode 9 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|01|18}} | Viewers = 1.792<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210118|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 18, 2021)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-date=July 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715173929/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210118|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 10 |Title = Episode 10 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|01|19}} | Viewers = 1.864<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210119|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 19, 2021)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=January 20, 2021|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126162906/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210119|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 11 |Title = Episode 11 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|01|25}} | Viewers = 1.899<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210125|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 25, 2021)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=January 26, 2021|archive-date=January 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130190515/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210125|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 12 |Title = Episode 12 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|01|26}} | Viewers = 2.152<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210126|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (January 26, 2021)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=January 27, 2021|archive-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206222813/http://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210126|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 13 |Title = Episode 13 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|02|01}} | Viewers = 2.321<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210201|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (February 1, 2021)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=February 2, 2021|archive-date=February 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205192302/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210201|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 14 |Title = Episode 14 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|02|02}} | Viewers = 2.178<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210202|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (February 2, 2021)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=February 3, 2021|archive-date=February 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207011104/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210202|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 15 |Title = Episode 15 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|02|08}} | Viewers = 2.039<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210202|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (February 8, 2021)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=February 9, 2021|archive-date=February 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207011104/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210202|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 16 |Title = Episode 16 |DirectedBy = Kim Jung-min |WrittenBy = Kang Min-sun & Park Sung-hoon |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|02|09}} | Viewers = 2.323<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210209|title=Cable Daily - Top 10 List for TV Programs (February 9, 2021)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=February 10, 2021|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210041355/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210209|url-status=live}}</ref> |ShortSummary = |LineColor = #006649 }}}}

==Viewership== As per the audience rating of AGB Nielsen Media Research, the second part of the final episode, recorded 14% average TV viewership ratings. This is the highest record for its ratings.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/018/0004850296|author=Kim Hyun-sik|script-title=ko:김명수, 권나라에 고백…'암행어사', 자체 최고 시청률로 종영|trans-title=Kim Myung-soo, confessed to Kwon Nara... 'Amhaengeosa' ends with its own highest ratings|work=E-Daily Star|publisher=Naver|date=February 10, 2021|access-date=February 10, 2021|language=ko|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213061021/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/018/0004850296|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Television ratings graph | title = Royal Secret Agent | refs = Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.<ref name=ratings>{{cite web|url=https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210209|script-title=ko:지상파 일일 - TOP 20 LIST FOR TV PROGRAM (Nielsen Korea)|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=February 10, 2021|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210041355/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20210209|url-status=live}}</ref> | average = y | width = 400 | height = 250 | country = South Korea | - |N/A |0.994 |N/A |1.095 |1.058 |1.212 |1.637 |1.725 |1.792 |1.864 |1.899 |2.152 |2.321 |2.178 |2.039 |2.323 |N/A }} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;max-width:500px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;" |- |+ Average TV viewership ratings |- ! rowspan="3" |Ep. ! rowspan="3" |Part ! rowspan="3" |Original broadcast date ! colspan="2" |Average audience share |- ! colspan="2" |Nielsen Korea<ref name=ratings/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.search.naver.com/search.naver?where=m&sm=mtb_etc&mra=bjkw&x_csa=%7B%22pkid%22%3A%2257%22%2C%20%22isOpen%22%3Afalse%2C%20%22tab%22%3A%22rating%22%7D&pkid=57&os=16065208&query=%EC%95%94%ED%96%89%EC%96%B4%EC%82%AC%20%EC%A1%B0%EC%84%A0%EB%B9%84%EB%B0%80%EC%88%98%EC%82%AC%EB%8B%A8%20%EC%8B%9C%EC%B2%AD%EB%A5%A0|script-title=ko:암행어사: 조선비밀수사단|trans-title=Amhaengeosa: Chosun Secret Investigation Division: ratings|access-date=February 10, 2021|website=Naver|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201153354/https://m.search.naver.com/search.naver?where=m&sm=mtb_etc&mra=bjkw&x_csa=%7B%22pkid%22%3A%2257%22%2C%20%22isOpen%22%3Afalse%2C%20%22tab%22%3A%22rating%22%7D&pkid=57&os=16065208&query=%EC%95%94%ED%96%89%EC%96%B4%EC%82%AC%20%EC%A1%B0%EC%84%A0%EB%B9%84%EB%B0%80%EC%88%98%EC%82%AC%EB%8B%A8%20%EC%8B%9C%EC%B2%AD%EB%A5%A0|url-status=live}}</ref> |- ! width="90" | Nationwide !! width="90" | Seoul |- ! rowspan="2" | 1 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | December 21, 2020 | rowspan="2" | 5.0% {{small|(NR)}} | rowspan="7" {{N/A}} |- ! 2 |- ! rowspan="2" | 2 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | December 22, 2020 | 5.5% {{small|(NR)}} |- ! 2 | 5.8% {{small|(19th)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 3 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | December 28, 2020 | 5.3% {{small|(NR)}} |- ! 2 | 5.2% {{small|(NR)}} |- ! rowspan="2" |4 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | December 29, 2020 | 5.2% {{small|(NR)}} |- ! 2 | 6.1% {{small|(18th)}} | 5.7% {{small|(20th)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 5 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | January 4, 2021 | 5.7% {{small|(NR)}} | rowspan="4" {{N/A}} |- ! 2 | 5.0% {{small|(NR)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 6 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | January 5, 2021 | {{color|blue|'''4.9%'''}} {{small|(NR)}} |- ! 2 | 6.5% {{small|(15th)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 7 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | January 11, 2021 | 6.0% {{small|(17th)}} | 6.1% {{small|(17th)}} |- ! 2 | 8.7% {{small|(7th)}} | 8.6% {{small|(5th)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 8 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | January 12, 2021 | 6.4% {{small|(16th)}} | {{N/A}} |- ! 2 | 9.7% {{small|(7th)}} | 9.0% {{small|(8th)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 9 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | January 18, 2021 | 5.8% {{small|(19th)}} | {{N/A}} |- ! 2 | 9.7% {{small|(6th)}} | 8.9% {{small|(7th)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 10 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | January 19, 2021 | 7.7% {{small|(11th)}} | 7.2% {{small|(12th)}} |- ! 2 | 11.6% {{small|(3rd)}} | 11.2% {{small|(4th)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 11 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | January 25, 2021 | 8.4% {{small|(8th)}} | 8.0% {{small|(11th)}} |- ! 2 | 10.6% {{small|(4th)}} | 10.0% {{small|(4th)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 12 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | January 26, 2021 | 8.6% {{small|(8th)}} | 8.0% {{small|(9th)}} |- ! 2 | 12.0% {{small|(4th)}} | 11.2% {{small|(4th)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 13 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | February 1, 2021 | 9.7% {{small|(6th)}} | 8.7% {{small|(6th)}} |- ! 2 | 13.6% {{small|(3rd)}} | 12.6% {{small|(3rd)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 14 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | February 2, 2021 | 8.8% {{small|(6th)}} | 7.9% {{small|(7th)}} |- ! 2 | 12.3% {{small|(3rd)}} | 11.1% {{small|(3rd)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 15 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | February 8, 2021 | 8.8% {{small|(8th)}} | 7.9% {{small|(10th)}} |- ! 2 | 12.0% {{small|(4th)}} | 10.7% {{small|(4th)}} |- ! rowspan="2" | 16 ! 1 | rowspan="2" | February 9, 2021 | 10.2% {{small|(7th)}} | 9.8% {{small|(5th)}} |- ! 2 | {{color|red|'''14.0%'''}} {{small|(3rd)}} | {{color|red|'''13.2%'''}} {{small|(3rd)}} |- ! colspan="3" | Average ! {{color|green|'''8.1%'''}} ! {{color|green|'''—'''}}{{efn|name=incomplete|Due to some ratings not recorded, the exact average rating is unknown.}} |- | colspan="5" | * {{small|In the table above, the {{color|blue|'''blue numbers'''}} represent the lowest ratings and the {{color|red|'''red numbers'''}} represent the highest ratings.}} * {{small|'''NR''' denotes that the series did not rank in the top 20 daily programs on that date.}} * {{small|'''N/A''' denotes that the rating is not known.}} |}

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==International broadcast== The series is available same time as Korea, as an iQIYI Original and exclusively on iQIYI globally (except China and Korea) with multi-languages subtitles. It is also available non-exclusively on iQIYI in South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iq.com/play/2eoguh245lc?&lang=en_us&sh_pltf=4|title=Royal Secret Agent | iQIYI|via=iQIYI|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-date=December 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221102709/https://www.iq.com/play/2eoguh245lc?&lang=en_us&sh_pltf=4|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hellokpop.com/featured/korean-dramas-on-iqiyi-november-december-2020/|title="Live On", "Awaken", "Hush" & "The Royal Secret Agent" Are Your Newest Treats From iQIYI This Holiday SeasonBy|last=abbyinhallyuland|date=November 12, 2020|website=Hellokpop|access-date=December 21, 2020|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127085356/https://www.hellokpop.com/featured/korean-dramas-on-iqiyi-november-december-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=See reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=July 2025}}

==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Recipient ! Result ! Ref. |- | rowspan="4"|2021 | rowspan="4"|KBS Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor | rowspan=2|Kim Myung-soo | {{Nom}} | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=117&aid=0003566370|author=Jung Ji-hyun|script-title=ko:차태현·이도현·김소현·박은빈, 최우수상 수상 [2021 KBS 연기대상]|trans-title=Cha Tae-hyun, Lee Do-hyun, Kim So-hyun, Park Eun-bin, Grand Prize Winner [2021 KBS Drama Awards]|work=MyDaily|via=Naver|date=January 1, 2022|access-date=January 3, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=January 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101124734/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=117&aid=0003566370|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | {{Nom}} | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=311&aid=0001392272|author=Lee Chang-gyu|script-title=ko:1980년 5월을 빛내주신 분들께"…김민재·정용화·권나라·고민시, 미니시리즈 우수상 [KBS 연기대상]|trans-title="To the people who made May 1980 shine"... Min-jae Kim, Yong-hwa Jung, Nara Kwon, Min-si Ko, Miniseries Excellence Award [KBS Acting Awards]|work=EXports News|via=Naver|date=January 1, 2022|access-date=January 3, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621074318/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=311&aid=0001392272|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries | Kwon Nara | {{Won}} | <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000528532|script-title=ko:권나라, '암행어사'로 미니시리즈 우수상 [포토엔HD]|trans-title=Kwon Nara, Excellence Award for Miniseries with 'Amhaengeosa' [Photoen HD]|author=Yoo Yong-joo|work=Newsen|publisher=Naver|date=January 1, 2022|access-date=January 1, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231155531/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000528532|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | Best Supporting Actor | Lee Yi-kyung | {{won}} | <ref name="award:all">{{Cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/469/0000650172|title='KBS 연기대상' 지현우 대상 수상…'신사와 아가씨' 6관왕 쾌거 [종합]|trans-title='KBS Acting Awards' Ji Hyun-woo Grand Prize... 'Gentleman and Lady' 6 splendid achievement [Overall]|author=Woo Da-bin|work=Hankook Ilbo|publisher=Naver|date=January 1, 2022|access-date=January 1, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231164318/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/469/0000650172|url-status=live}}</ref> |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|https://program.kbs.co.kr/2tv/drama/royalsecretagent/pc/index.html}} {{in lang|ko}} * [https://search.daum.net/search?w=tv&q=%EC%95%94%ED%96%89%EC%96%B4%EC%82%AC%3A%20%EC%A1%B0%EC%84%A0%EB%B9%84%EB%B0%80%EC%88%98%EC%82%AC%EB%8B%A8&irk=89630&irt=tv-program&DA=TVP ''Royal Secret Agent''] at Daum {{in lang|ko}} * {{IMDb title|id=tt13400756}} * {{HanCinema drama|Blade_of_the_Phantom_Master}} * {{IQ play |2eoguh245lc|''Royal Secret Agent''}} {{Works by IWill Media}}

Category:Korean Broadcasting System television dramas Category:Korean-language television shows Category:2020 South Korean television series debuts Category:2021 South Korean television series endings Category:Alternate history television series Category:Television series set in Joseon Category:South Korean historical television series Category:South Korean comedy television series Category:Television series by IWill Media Category:Television productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic