Park Bo-gum's 'Good Boy' Debut: A Thrilling Action-Packed Premiere

JTBC's 'Good Boy' starring Park Bo-gum has made a sensational debut, promising a thrilling ride with its adrenaline-pumping action sequences. The premiere episode captivated audiences, achieving a nationwide viewership rating of 4.8% and 5.7% in the Seoul metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea.

'Good Boy' premiered on the 31st, unveiling a new side of Park Bo-gum as he charges fearlessly towards justice. His transformation into Yoon Dong-joo, who dives headfirst into a crime syndicate with 'JUSTICE' emblazoned on his mouthguard, left a powerful impression. The intense confrontation with a hit-and-run driver showcased the fiery essence of youth.

The show also highlighted the compelling performances of Kim So-hyun, Lee Sang-yi, Heo Sung-tae, and Tae Won-seok, who portrayed the harsh realities faced by national heroes. Kim So-hyun played Ji Han-na, a shooting prodigy relegated to a promotional role, while Lee Sang-yi portrayed Kim Jong-hyun, a cold and logical elite inspector. Heo Sung-tae's character, Go Man-sik, endures hardships as a father working abroad, and Tae Won-seok's Shin Jae-hong aims for promotion to support his family. The explosive ending action sequence showcased their unique skills, from boxing's powerful punches to the precision of shooting, fencing-like baton moves, wrestling's tenacity, and the strength of discus throwing, setting the stage for the 'Good Avengers' to shine.

The episode opened with the most glorious moments of Yoon Dong-joo, Ji Han-na, Kim Jong-hyun, Go Man-sik, and Shin Jae-hong during their national team days. Despite their past victories, the harsh reality of being forgotten heroes set in. As special recruits in the police force, they faced cold realities. Yoon Dong-joo was demoted for his inability to tolerate injustice, Ji Han-na was used for police PR, Kim Jong-hyun clashed with his team over whistleblowing, Go Man-sik struggled financially, and Shin Jae-hong took a desk job for his family's sake. They were often dismissed as special recruits within the organization.

However, their dormant spirits were reignited by the 'Rabbit Hunt' operation to dismantle the 'Golden Rabbit Gang,' the largest crime syndicate in Inseong City. Led by Commissioner Cho Pan-yeol (Kim Eung-soo), the operation involved the largest deployment since the founding of the Inseong Police Department. Yet, Yoon Dong-joo and Go Man-sik's unexpected involvement disrupted the mission, leaving them isolated amid colleagues' ridicule and superiors' scorn.

While on stakeout under the scorching sun, Yoon Dong-joo encountered another incident. A mysterious vehicle hit him and fled, leaving him in a muddy ditch. Although he pursued the driver, he lost them, only to find a hit-and-run victim at the scene. Recognizing the vehicle's grill mark, Yoon Dong-joo recalled seeing it in smuggling-related documents from the Golden Rabbit Gang. Realizing a connection, he pursued the case relentlessly.

As Yoon Dong-joo rushed to a paint factory following a tip-off about the hit-and-run driver, Kim Jong-hyun discovered a leak in the 'Rabbit Hunt' operation. The hit-and-run victim was a customs officer who had reported the gang's smuggling activities. On his way to Ji Han-na with the victim's belongings, Kim Jong-hyun was attacked but defended himself with a baton. Meanwhile, Shin Jae-hong, managing traffic nearby, thwarted a speeding car threatening Kim Jong-hyun with a manhole cover. Ji Han-na used a paintball gun to fend off intruders at her home. Learning that Yoon Dong-joo was in danger at the paint factory, Go Man-sik requested backup from Detective Ahn Dae-yong (Han Kyu-won) and proved his worth with a judo throw. Yoon Dong-joo confronted the Golden Rabbit Gang with a fiery punch of justice.

The second episode of 'Good Boy' airs tonight at 10:30 PM and will be available to global audiences on Amazon Prime Video.

By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr