Explosive Romance: 'Dynamite Kiss' Premieres with a Bang

Jang Ki-yong and Ahn Eun-jin fall in love with a kiss as powerful as a natural disaster.

On the 12th, SBS's new Wednesday-Thursday drama 'Dynamite Kiss' premiered. The show, starring the hot 2025 actors Jang Ki-yong (as Gong Ji-hyuk) and Ahn Eun-jin (as Go Da-rim), begins with a dopamine-exploding romance sparked by a kiss, generating high expectations even before its broadcast. The unveiled 'Kiss for No Reason!' exceeded these expectations with its thrilling and exciting narrative.

The first episode of 'Dynamite Kiss' recorded a viewership rating of 4.9% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 4.5% nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea, marking a strong start. The peak moment reached a 6.3% rating. With the romance chemistry between Jang Ki-yong and Ahn Eun-jin kicking off in the latter part of the episode, an upward trend in ratings is anticipated. Viewers are calling it an epic romance drama that will spark their dopamine.

In 'Dynamite Kiss', the main characters Gong Ji-hyuk and Go Da-rim lead completely different lives. Job seeker Go Da-rim struggles daily, even pretending to be cheerful when her only sister gives her a trip to Jeju Island instead of inviting her to her wedding, embarrassed by her unemployed sister. On the other hand, Gong Ji-hyuk is a successful man who effortlessly completes major projects but doesn't believe in love.

Both characters find themselves in Jeju Island for different reasons: Gong Ji-hyuk to scout Kim Jung-kwon (played by Park Yong-woo), and Go Da-rim to avoid her sister's wedding. However, Kim Jung-kwon is Go Da-rim's ex-boyfriend who once broke up with her, saying she was like "boiled spinach." During her trip, Go Da-rim encounters Kim Jung-kwon with a friend and his new girlfriend, leading her to lie about having a boyfriend and drink alone in bitterness.

Mistaking Gong Ji-hyuk for someone about to jump off a cliff, Go Da-rim hugs him from behind. Startled, Gong Ji-hyuk catches the stumbling Go Da-rim, and they both fall. Gong Ji-hyuk leaves the unconscious Go Da-rim at the hospital and departs. When she wakes up, she finds herself broke after paying for his medical expenses.

The next morning, Gong Ji-hyuk and Go Da-rim meet at the hotel restaurant, where Go Da-rim's friend and her boyfriend, Kim Jung-kwon, also appear. All are staying at the same hotel. To save face, Go Da-rim links arms with Gong Ji-hyuk, calling him her "boyfriend." Gong Ji-hyuk, needing to recruit Kim Jung-kwon, sees this as an opportunity and asks Go Da-rim to pretend to be his 'fake girlfriend.' He then transforms her into a Cinderella-like figure, even giving her a ring.

Kim Jung-kwon is shocked by Go Da-rim's transformation and doubts she could be dating someone as impressive as Gong Ji-hyuk. To maintain the facade, Go Da-rim kisses Gong Ji-hyuk when Kim Jung-kwon approaches, a move that feels like a natural disaster to both. For Gong Ji-hyuk, who didn't believe in love, it was a dynamite-like shock.

Gong Ji-hyuk, trying to act nonchalant, suggests, "Isn't this better than being caught?" and then boldly approaches Go Da-rim for another passionate kiss. The episode concludes with Gong Ji-hyuk's thrilling narration, "That night, we were nitric acid and sulfuric acid, and our kiss was dynamite."

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr