Cleaning Up

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Drama: Cleaning Up
Revised romanization: Cleaning Up
Hangul: 클리닝 업
Director: Yun Seong-Sik
Writer: Choi Kyung-Mi
Network: JTBC
Episodes:
Release Date: June 4 - July 24, 2022
Runtime: Saturday & Sunday 22:30
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Eo Yong-Mi (Yum Jung-Ah), An In-Kyung (Jeon So-Min) and Maeng Su-Ja (Kim Jae-Hwa) work as cleaning ladies at a brokerage company.

Eo Yong-Mi raises her two daughters by herself and she struggles to make a living. An In-Kyung dreams of buying a food truck to run a mobile cafe business. Maeng Suo-Ja seems like a very sociable person, but she is only friendly to people when she needs them. These 3 cleaning ladies happen to overhear insider information at their workplace. They invest their money on a stock, using the insider trading information.

Notes

"Cleaning Up" takes over the JTBC's Saturday & Sunday 22:30 time slot previously occupied by "My Liberation Notes" and followed by "The Good Detective 2" on July 30, 2022.
Drama series is a remake of the UK television series "Cleaning Up" that aired on ITV in 2019.

Cast



Yum Jung-Ah	Jeon So-Min	Kim Jae-Hwa	Lee Mu-Saeng	Na In-Woo
Eo Yong-Mi	An In-Kyung	Maeng Su-Ja	Lee Yeong-Sin	Lee Du-Young

Vested Investment and Securities



Jang Shin-Young	Song Jae-Hee	Lee Tae-Gum	Choi Seul-Ki	Kim Hye-Hwa
Geum Jan-Di	Yoon Tae-Kyung	Park Sung-Kyu	Yang Ha-Eun	Song Mi-Hwa



Kim Ji-Su	Lee Ha-Eum	Lee Tae-Ho	Park Sang-Hyun	Lee Dong-Wook
employee	employee	employee	employee	maintenance man

Geumyoung Cleaning



Kim In-Kwon	Park Ji-A	Kim Na-Yoon	Son Jung-Rim	Lee Young-Joo
Cheon Deok-Kyu	Seok-Soon	Hye-Sook	Bok-Ki	cleaner

Chang Asset Company

Song Young-Chang

CEO Song Woo-Chang

Hanbang Private Loans

Yoon Kyung-Ho

Oh Dong-Joo

Ilwon Foundation



Hwang Jung-Min	Jang Eui-Don	Jo Young-Mi	Jun Joon-Woo
Geum-Ran	security guard (ep.5)	cleaning lady (ep.6)	Park Chul-Min (ep.6)

Eo Yong-Mi's Family



Kal So-Won	Kim Si-Ha	Jeon Guk-Hyang	Yoon Jin-Ho	Yoo Young-Jae
Jin Yeon-A	Jin Shi-A	Jang Kyung-Ja	Eo Yong-Kyu	Eo Yong-Mi's nephew (ep.1)

Kim Seo-A

Jin Yeon-A (child)

Eo Yong-Mi's Ex-Husband's Family



Kim Tae-Woo	Ha Shi-Eun	Gil Hae-Yeon
Jin Sung-Woo	Bu So-Yeon	Mo-Ran

Eo Yong-Mi's Group



Kim Hye-Yoon	Baek Jae-Jin	Kang Ae-Shim	Park In-Chun	Park Kyu-Beom
Ha Joo-Hyun	downstairs neighbor	supermarket owner	Mi-Yeon (ep.3)	Eo Yong-Mi's former boss (ep.3)



Kim Nan-Hee	Song A-Kyung	Park Yong
landlady (ep.6)	counselor (ep.11)	real estate agent (ep.13,15)

Geuma Elementary School



Hur Ji-Na	Kwak Myung-Hwa	Park So-Jeong	Jung Ah-Young
Shi-A's homeroom teacher	Byul's mother (ep.5,7)	Byul (ep.5,7)	Min-Ji (ep.5,7)

Mokyoung Middle School

Bae Min-Jun

Bae Seung-Cheol

An In-Kyung's Group



Oh Seung-Yun	Kim Hyo-Jin
Choi Byeong-Yeol	An In-Kyung's mother

Maeng Su-Ja's Family



Ko In-Beom	Kwon Young-Chan	Cha Chung-Hwa	Kim Tae-Hyang
Maeng Soo-Ja's husband	Jung Geun-Woo	Maeng Su-Ja's sister-in-law	Maeng Su-Ja's brother-in-law

Prosecutors' Office

Park Joo-Hyung

Prosecutor Lee Jung-Woo (ep.11,16)

Dr. Topper Case



Jung Ji-Ho	Kim Eun-Seok	Park Se-Ryeon	Ahn Ju-Ri
Lee Jae-Il (ep.12-13)	plaintiff's attorney (ep.12)	uniform manufacturer staff (ep.12)	information desk staff (ep.12)

Rowoon Law Firm-LQ Holdings Case

Kim Kyung-Min

attorney (ep.13)

Theta Bio Pump and Dump Case



Yook Hyo-Myung	Kim Do-Hyeong	Lee Eui-Ryung	Park Sung-In	Kim Han-Sang
AD Bio CEO Han Moon-Soo (ep.15)	Hanil Economic Daily staff (ep.15)	Reporter Han (ep.15)	Hanil Economic Daily staff (ep.15)	Yoon Tae-Kyung's staff (ep.15)



Kim Se-Dong	Lee Kun-Goo	Park Jong-Bum	Han Dong-Won	Jung Dong-Geun
Assemblyman Lee Tae-Sun (ep.16)	Koo-Young (ep.16)	gangster (ep.16)	gangster (ep.16)	detective (ep.16)



Kim Mi-Hye	Kang Ji-Hoon
reporter (ep.16)	reporter (ep.16)

Others

Goo Jae-Yeon

restaurant owner



Lee Jae-Eun	Kim Bum-Joon	Kim Song-Il	Seo Soo-Chan	Shin Kang-Kyun
market vendor (ep.3)	motorcyclist group teen (ep.4)	dry cleaners employee (ep.4)	spilt coffee man (ep.5)	stamp engraver (ep.6)



Kim Tae-Moon	Ma Min-Hee	Baek Kil-Sung	Park Ji-Ho	Yong-Jin
taxi driver (ep.7,9)	bank teller (ep.7)	taxi driver (ep.8-9)	car salesman (ep.9)	Jo-Han (ep.10)



Kwon Oh-Gun	Ok Chae-Hoon	Park Tae-Yun	Min Woo-Ki	Jo Hyun-Im
Seo Jin-Tae (ep.10,16)	student bully (ep.10,16)	student bully (ep.10,16)	taxi driver (ep.12)	pharmacist (ep.13)



Kwon Hyuk-Soo	Kim O-Bok	Kang Hak-Soo	Seol Chang-Hee
lawyer (ep.13)	flower delivery man (ep.13)	photo studio employee (ep.14)	airport employee (ep.15)

Additional Cast Members:

Lee Dong-Kyu - anchorman (ep.1)
Son Ki-Chul - English teacher (ep.3)

Trailers

Episode Ratings

Date	Episode	AGB
Date	Episode	Nationwide	Seoul
2022-06-04	1	2.737%	3.084%
2022-06-05	2	2.514%	2.267%
2022-06-11	3	2.322%	2.687%
2022-06-12	4	2.570%	2.500%
2022-06-18	5	1.986%	1.893%
2022-06-19	6	2.820%	2.350%
2022-06-25	7	2.018%	-
2022-06-26	8	2.236%	1.874%
2022-07-02	9	2.125%	-
2022-07-03	10	2.787%	2.228%
2022-07-09	11	2.478%	2.149%
2022-07-10	12	2.566%	2.147%
2022-07-16	13	1.973%	-
2022-07-17	14	2.505%	1.979%
2022-07-23	15	1.912%	1.747%
2022-07-24	16	3.015%	2.257%

Source: AGB Nielson

Comments

Bana Jan 12 2023 2:10 am So goodddd. Such an underrated drama

Aiynm Dec 19 2022 7:47 am I started to watch this drama and I didn't regret at all!! What a great kdrama!

Lyn Jul 30 2022 12:16 am I was hook by this drama.all the struggles by the cleaning trio especially Soo Ja and Yong Mi was relatable. I love Yong Shin's character a lot, he's not bad he's just lost. I was kinda disappointed because unlike Do Yong and In kyung yong shin and Yong Mi relationship wasn't clear until the end though there was a hint that they're in a relationship. I love their chemistry. Gonna miss you cleaning up team. Congratulations for the successful drama

Jil Jul 28 2022 5:16 am Still a good drama for me, love those lines and the hardship they show here

Well done

orangenlimes Jul 27 2022 11:48 pm just finished the drama! sad that this is not accessible to international viewers. of course, it is not without its flaws, few episodes felt dragging but for me, but they eventually make sense in the end. i love the chemistry of the three ladies. jungah, somin, and jaehwa were perfectly casted for this. everyone has something to bring to the table in terms of acting.

the ending was beautiful for each character. i wanted more for yongmi and youngshin but i guess it was also just fitting to make yongmi's ending more focused on her daughters.

in another life, i'd like to believe yongmi and youngshin got married.

HBB Jul 24 2022 7:24 am @SSS96 It’s Josh Daniel -Times Like These

sf Jul 22 2022 12:04 pm From the preview, I can conclude that each cleaning lady loses somebody dear to them. Is this a subtle way the writer wants to tell us that the poor people should remain forever in their place, to continue to be poor and only the rich have the right to become more prosperous? When will be punished also the odious old man?

SSS96 Jul 21 2022 8:26 am Do anyone know the English song in episode 13

may Jul 16 2022 2:29 am okay so don't call me stupid, but why don't they wait until the trial ends benefit from the gain, and then file a second case with the evidence?? a win win situation

Princess Vivienne Jul 14 2022 1:16 am This drama is amaaaaaazing!

Frankie Jul 13 2022 2:28 am So so exciting. I'm at episode 11 and hope the gangster Song died and Lee Young Shin survived. It's a pity viewers gave a poor rating.

sf Jul 10 2022 12:06 pm The best ongoing drama. It gives you palpitation, but positive ones.

Xonst Jul 10 2022 4:46 am I really like this drama and FL even tho she's a criminal ? it's Real, not like those dramas that just fulls of chaebols! I can't relate to those kind of dramas! Lololol cleaning up is a drama where you can relate to it even tho just a bit, just like when somin asked "if you are given the same chances with those criminals, would you take it?" Coz I think 90% would take it for sure lmao ?

also, I had to stop watching few times (can't binge watching like other dramas) coz the suspense is killing me! I had to stop coz it's too overwhelming for my brain! ???? And when things gone wrong, I unconsciously cursed out loud hahahahaha and I'm so happy for them when the stock increase! ??? Can't wait for the last 6 episodes! And I'm shipping yong mi and young shin real hard that I hope they end up together, but on another side, I don't think that they will coz yong mi is too busy thinking about her messed up life and didn't think of him as love interest lol

Rot Jul 06 2022 7:01 pm In woo is a great chameleon, he blended well with every lady partnered to him, So Min, a senior of 9 years, So Hyun, several years his junior IU, a contemporary Seohyun, a couple of years hus senior..

The cast, is great and so as the story.

HBB Jul 03 2022 8:13 am I have to say I am completely enthralled and can’t take my eyes of this drama. Mainly because of the FL. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lead character like this, much less a female lead, on Korean television. She is really easy to dislike; she engages in illegal activity, she lies to her friends and family, and she is selfishly putting her family at risk. She is in so deep that she can’t see that her anger at her ex and her illegal activities are what’s causing her life to completely spiral. Admittedly, I find it hard to sympathize with her more times than not but I also don’t hate her because she is so normal and moments like the ones she has with the young woman looking for a job make me really like her. As another commenter pointed, our FL’s situation isn’t inherited, but she brought it on herself. I find really intriguing to watch bc it’s not an excuse, and I don’t think the writers are trying to give her any or excuse her behavior. The world just is. She’s not your typical FL, and even the relationship she is starting forge with Lee Yeoung Sin is atypical. She is an anti-hero. Usually you find this type of character in ML and in a darker drama. Can’t wait to see where this goes. Anybody seen another drama with such a female lead? Please recommend them?

Lionel Jul 01 2022 12:31 pm @Ireum my mister's fl was problematic but she was born into povery and debt whilst yong mi a grown ass married woman with kids gathered gambling debt. I agree with Ireum the drama is extremely good, really really well made but the morally you feel so disturbed that at times you want to quit but then you watch as story is intriguing. Ever since yong mi has been engaging in illegal activities she has been facing countless unfortunate situations and misfortunes, which make me feel bad but then I also notice all those unfortunate things are related to her illegal criminal activities. I think yobg mi should have borrowed money for hauband for paying debt and then continue working and paying him back lil by lil as he won't be charging her interest. I don't get why drama is trying so hars to paint yong mi a victim.

I am really pissed off at an kyung something the way woman took mobile without cnsulting but in all fairness it was yong mi's fault too to hide it., but betraying a friend behind the back.

ireum Jul 01 2022 7:07 am but to be fair, especially to those who haven't watched it yet but are reading through the reviews, the drama itself is interesting. i would say that it is worth watching. it's just that i began to see its moral dilemmas and can't be objective about it -- that's why i stopped watching. maybe there are still some gems in the further episodes, but i will drop in ep. 4.

still, hwaiting for this drama!

ireum Jul 01 2022 6:59 am @sf i haven't watched My Mister. but if it has the same conflict as with Cleaning Up (ie., doing illegal/criminal things out of necessity), then i might think of it as problematic too.

I watched up to the 4th episode of this drama -- it's entertaining, that's why -- but i can't help but be bothered because of the lies and ill deeds that the characters are doing. it would be a different story if they were villainous characters (bec. that way, the story does not seem to be promoting/patronizing ill deeds)

Lionel Jun 29 2022 10:03 am @ sf the bad luck follows because she's trying to achieve things through criminal and illegal ways, she even uses her daughters name in a scam. An in gyung's character is waste of space and jeon so min's acting is making it a very hard watch, why she always gives million expressions to say normal usual things like 'how are you'm

sf Jun 29 2022 7:21 am Yong-Mi is followed by bad luck. I would not have any problem if her doings would be discovered because of her mistakes, but I would be annoyed if she would be discovered because of stupid In-Kyung or her annoying brother and mother or anybody else. She is surrounded only by people who put sticks on her wheels. I can feel her desperation. Every time she thinks she succeeded, something unpleasant happens after.

sf Jun 29 2022 3:03 am @ireum Did you have the same opinion about the female main character from the drama ''My mister"?

ireum Jun 29 2022 2:50 am the story is so bad :(( they are trying to justify doing crimes just because the main characters are poor or in need of money. they ought to put the main characters behind the bars at the end if they still want to keep the plot reasonable at the very least.

rebecca Jun 28 2022 9:52 pm I really want to watch this drama to support So Min, but the main character (Yong Mi) is too unlikable. They have a sure and easy way to double and even triple their money but she chose to gamble it all, including all of Du Yong's saving which he lent her to pay for the house rent to not get kicked out. It's too frustrating to continue watching.

mike Jun 26 2022 2:14 am it started off as a nice show but somewhere down the road seems the director/producers/script writers had a big arguments trying to dictate the plot/road of the story.

It becomes just plain bad that trying to show where it is good is harder

GreatWD Jun 22 2022 12:45 am This Korean version of the Drama depict a single mother who is doing the best she can and getting help from her co-workers and friends.

She doing a great job at it until her in laws and ex put down for her efforts.

Just kook up with the rich guy

Moon Chaser Jun 20 2022 2:48 am I'm quite disappointed about the ratings as I really want more people to watch this series. It's a very good drama, quite of the ordinary compared to the kdramas we're used to.

I love everyone's acting! Especially Yum Jungah. A big part of why we all pity/deplore her character is because she's put so much depth and skill in bringing Yong Mi to life. Yong Mi really is the most annoying character here. Reckless and immature most times. But then I see scenes of her crying, getting yelled at by her own daughter.....and I can't help but feel sorry for her and understand where she's coming from.

I love Yum Jungah for that, for making me feel so many emotions in just one episode. Truly, one of the best actresses in SK.

Lotus Jun 18 2022 9:31 am Yongmi is a horrible mother and a horrible person. She's 44 but acts like a minor. She doesnt own up her mistakes and blames everyone else for her own choices and shortcomings.

The way She demands money without work for it is also alarming. She always wants the fastest and easiest way to get things.

Lionel Jun 16 2022 7:52 am It's a good show but I think characters need some critique: I find eo yong mi quite an irresponsible person given that she's a mom of 2 and raising her kids. Her husband is a terrible human and I don't know how he forces to take away kids when he doesn't even pay monthly child support. Yong mi is reckless because despite being a mom she not only wasted money in gambling but amassed a huge debt, it's shocking to see grown up married people with kids doing such things, then she goes and cries and plays victim before everyone, shamelessly begs money from everyone without a shred of remorse. When In gyung refuses to give her money I was surprised that being good friends she cant lend but later I realized why she avoided paying her and she was completely right. When yong mi tore chips bags and trashed grocery shop I was badly taken aback,a 45 yr old woman acting like a 2 yr old,, stomping feet all over store's floor, is she even mentally mature to have kids in the first place, let alone raise them? What adult acts this way? Then her biggest recklessness is dabbling into something so super risky with her 2 kids on side. If she gets caught she's not coming out before 5-6 years. I don't hate her character but yong mi is slow witted,reckless, irresponsible, victim player and never owns her mistakes and deflects blames on anything she sees infront of her.

In Kyung- i like how she's very cautious and brings sanity but her character is very boring and has bcome super repititive,every episode she will deliver same lines with same expressions then make same decision then again repeat. I wish either her characters screetine should be cut down or her role should be improved. My other issue with In kyung is Jeon so min, her acting is the weakest link in this show. Most of the times she gives expressions and talks as if she's seducing someone or is in midst of an orgasm, it's like she didn't get out of Show window's character.

I feel shocked at how badly soo ja is treated. She needs to kick away that worthless family and specially that worthless son and get on with her own life. At this point plot speed should be improved aand Soo ja and yong mi should be made partners to take things ahead.

Elaine Jun 16 2022 7:00 am Woahh, i am soo amazed for Na inwoo. He currently has two ongoing shows, Jinx at First and Cleaning Up. Thank God i looked up his profile or else i never would have found this gem.

Sunshine Jun 15 2022 5:58 am Yum Jungah never disappoints! Four episodes in and the range she's already shown! I Hope She Gets Another Award For This <3 Hwaiting!

sf Jun 12 2022 11:18 am An In-Kyung is annoying. She trebles all the time. Eo Yong-Mi and Maeng Soo-Ja would have been a better couple, two determined women. Instead, I watch the show with fear whenever An In-Kyung is around, the weak ring of the chain. I have to mention I watch the show without translation.

Pw Jun 11 2022 8:12 pm Very good acting from the actor, interesting story but not much plot twists. The other problem is nowhere to found on OTT platform hiks. Should do on netflix ??

KP May 29 2022 3:42 am I had watched the UK series where only 6 episodes, kinda awful, looking forward for the Korean remake hope storyline better than UK one

Dr Sunshine May 27 2022 10:07 am I’m a die hard fan of Yum jum ah…. Such a seasoned actress… who is so versatile. She can be so funny & humorous & in other dramas, she could potray some serious character (skycastle was a manifestation of this??). Can’t wait for this…what more with jeon so min, kim jae hwa, the young guy- na in woo & jang shin young…. Nice casting here. Hwaiting..

krista May 24 2022 11:18 pm I am so excited to watch this drama. The story line seems very exciting. Above all I'm a HUGE Jeon So min fan!!

imop May 15 2022 9:12 pm Korean remakes of UK shows seem to be doing well rating wise in korea, I understand why they keep doing UK remakes.

Malcolm May 14 2022 8:40 pm Its a great idea for a drama,i found the UK version hard to watch as it has little charm and wasted a good cast....a Kdrama though is a great fit for the basic story,i remember watching a very old British film called "Ladies Who Do" that had a very similar plot that was full of humour and charm(unlike the tv series)

Jjang!! Feb 19 2022 4:15 pm Jeon somin is always being paired with older women lately and she got better chemistry with them compared with younger actor who are paired with older women

Tianoor Jan 14 2022 5:30 am So excited for this. Cant Wait to see both my fav actresas YJA and JSM acting together

April Jan 12 2022 3:55 am So excited for this! From the director of Mr. Queen and Bridal Mask, and Writer of Kdrama Return - Both popular and critically acclaimed series. Not to mention actress Yum Jung Ah of Sky Castle and Jeon So Min of Show Window. Both received high ratings on their respective channels. Looking forward to see their acting dynamics, also with actress Kim Jae Hwa.

External Links

Official Website

Cleaning Up

Contents

User Rating

Profile

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Notes

Cast

Vested Investment and Securities

Geumyoung Cleaning

Chang Asset Company

Hanbang Private Loans

Ilwon Foundation

Eo Yong-Mi's Family

Eo Yong-Mi's Ex-Husband's Family

Eo Yong-Mi's Group

Geuma Elementary School

Mokyoung Middle School

An In-Kyung's Group

Maeng Su-Ja's Family

Prosecutors' Office

Dr. Topper Case

Rowoon Law Firm-LQ Holdings Case

Theta Bio Pump and Dump Case

Others

Trailers

Episode Ratings

Comments

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External Links