'Rookie 4: Sabotage' peaks at 5.2%... Ends amid consolidation

ENA Monday-Tuesday drama ’Rookie 4: Sabotage’ continued with unpredictable developments until the end due to the consolidation of the Myth Unit and the arrival of new recruits. The final episode recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 5.2%, with a peak of 5.8% per minute, setting a new personal best. The target rating for the metropolitan area’s 2049 demographic also rose to a peak of 2.5% per minute, and in the 4th week of September, the TV-OTT integrated buzz survey by Good Data Corporation’s Fundex ranked the show 2nd for five consecutive weeks. In the final episode, Major Kim Hana (Gong Min-jung), an inspector, appeared in the Myth Unit to conduct an inventory audit of each company’s warehouse, supplies, and facilities. Although it seemed like a simple inventory check, it was revealed that Major Kim Hana had actually come to conduct an on-site inspection for the consolidation of units due to manpower reduction. Through the ’Unit Consolidation Inspection Report,’ Major Kim Hana announced that the Myth Unit was finally confirmed as a target for consolidation. The unit members busily tried to match the ledgers with the actual quantities, but Major Kim Hana had already sealed the warehouses of each unit and begun the actual counting, causing the administrative team’s attempts to fail. During this process, the adjutant brought out the ’canteen grave,’ and the members discovered canteens and old items buried in the hills, along with a photo of the adjutant in his youth. It was also revealed in the ammunition depot that there were more blanks than recorded in the ledger, but Major Kim Hana personally used up the blanks and overlooked the discrepancy. At the PX, she was seen buying frozen food for the unit members while naturally listening to their stories. A conversation between the regiment commander and Nam Joong-beom (Jo Seung-yeon) hinted at a twist, revealing that the disbandment of the Myth Unit was not merely an administrative decision but involved a power struggle targeting Jo Baek-ho (Oh Dae-hwan) and Byun Hyuk-jin (Lee Hyun-kyun). The officers of the 2nd company reflected on their military life and expressed affection for the unit, and the adjutant, who had been with the Myth Unit for over 20 years, stated that all his youth remained there. Major Kim Hana was also present at this gathering. During a dinner, a conversation between Kim Hana and Jo Baek-ho revealed that they had known each other since the past. Scenes of spaces filled with memories of the Myth Unit added to the sadness of having to leave the unit. Just as the thought of the end lingered, news of new recruits arriving brought the members back to the administrative team. The reason for Sergeant Choi Il-gu’s (Nam Tae-woo) return was also revealed. Seeing Platoon Leader Oh Seok-jin (Lee Sang-jin) infatuated with a woman he met on SNS, Choi Il-gu realized it was a scam and recalled his own near experience with the same scam after discharge due to financial difficulties and tuition fees. Unable to send money due to lack of funds, he was eventually blocked by the scammer and looked for non-commissioned officer recruitment announcements again, leading to his return as a sergeant. The newly introduced recruits appeared with distinctive personalities: one who had received a spiritual calling, a son of a chaebol who attended prestigious American private schools and the Ivy League, and a figure presumed to be a former national representative reserve soldier. Park Min-seok (Kim Min-ho) greeted with ″Let’s do well from now on,″ showing his rookie spirit until the end. This season expanded the story through the growth of existing characters and the clash with newly joined characters. Kim Min-ho portrayed Park Min-seok, who became a corporal, and his struggles with being the son of a division commander; Kim Dong-jun added vitality with his sly acting; Oh Dae-hwan portrayed Jo Baek-ho’s transformation after promotion to major; Lee Hyun-kyun played Byun Hyuk-jin, the battalion commander pushing for advanced military camps; Lee Won-jung acted as rookie Kim Hyun-wook, who does not easily reveal his true feelings. Existing cast members Nam Tae-woo, KIM YO HAN, Lee Chung-gu, LEE JEONGHYEON, Jeon Seung-hoon, Kim Hyun-gyu, and Kim Hee-soo continued their roles. Special appearances by Han Ga-in, Kim Young-ok, Gong Min-jung, Jung I-rang, and Kwak Jun-bin appeared throughout, adding to the drama’s enjoyment. ’Rookie 4: Sabotage’ maintained the unique tone of military comedy while depicting the moment when familiar spaces and relationships disappear through the crisis of the Myth Unit’s consolidation. At the end, the appearance of new recruits left the possibility for new stories.