New Recruit 4 Episode 11 Airs as Major Kim Ha-na Arrives
- The ENA drama "New Recruit 4: Sabotage" reached a series high in viewership as it transitioned from the emotional departure of senior sergeants to a new phase of...
- The series, directed by Min Jin-gi and Jo Je-wook with scripts by Yoon Ki-young and Kim Dan, has secured a consistent audience, ranking second in TV-OTT integrated buzz...
- The recent episodes focused on the departure of senior sergeants Kang Chan-seok, played by Lee Jung-hyun, and Choi Byung-nam, played by Kim Hee-soo.
The ENA drama “New Recruit 4: Sabotage” reached a series high in viewership as it transitioned from the emotional departure of senior sergeants to a new phase of military tension. According to Nielsen Korea, the 10th episode, which aired on September 22, 2026, achieved a nationwide household rating of 4.8%, with peak minute-by-minute ratings reaching 5.2%. By the 11th episode on September 28, the series maintained its position as the top Monday-Tuesday drama, recording a 3.9% nationwide rating and peaking at 4.6%.
The series, directed by Min Jin-gi and Jo Je-wook with scripts by Yoon Ki-young and Kim Dan, has secured a consistent audience, ranking second in TV-OTT integrated buzz for four consecutive weeks. This popularity is bolstered by the 2049 target demographic, which saw ratings climb to a peak of 2.0% in the Seoul metropolitan area during the most recent broadcast.
Senior Sergeant Discharges and Unit Transitions
The recent episodes focused on the departure of senior sergeants Kang Chan-seok, played by Lee Jung-hyun, and Choi Byung-nam, played by Kim Hee-soo. Their exit served as a focal point for the Shinwha unit, combining comedic elements like a “limousine cart” prepared by the 2nd platoon with emotional reconciliations. During the discharge ceremony, Kang Chan-seok addressed his strained history with Kim Dong-woo, played by Jang Seong-beom. Following an apology from Kang, Kim Dong-woo responded, Hearing thank you is much nicer than hearing sorry,
before the two embraced.
Following the departures, the unit’s daily life continued with a mix of administrative tasks and lighthearted mishaps. Jo Baek-ho, portrayed by Oh Dae-hwan, received a promotion to major, prompting the administrative staff to replace gear and nameplates in a display of intense loyalty. Other moments included a failed romantic camping trip involving Im Seong-min, played by Nam Min-woo, and a comedic look at the past relationship between the “Vending Machine Aunt,” played by Jung Yi-rang, and administrative officer Park Jae-su, played by Oh Yong.
Major Kim Ha-na’s Arrival and Impending Turmoil
The atmosphere within the 2nd Company shifted significantly with the introduction of Major Kim Ha-na, played by Gong Min-jung. Her unannounced arrival at the end of the 11th episode served as a narrative pivot, replacing the unit’s relative stability with a sense of looming disruption. Upon entering the unit, Major Kim Ha-na stated, I’ve come for a nationwide asset inspection,
a declaration that serves as the catalyst for the events leading into the final episode.
This arrival follows a series of cryptic signals within the unit, including the behavior of former battalion commander Nam Jung-beom, played by Jo Seung-yeon, and an intercepted phone call directed to the commander’s office. Production teams from Story Island and KT Studio Genie have positioned these developments to create a high-stakes finale, contrasting the unit’s earlier “sweet-and-salty” daily routines with the authoritative presence of the new major.