Good Boy Episode 1 Review: is officially back on our screens—and this time, he’s not chasing romance or peeling tangerines. In Good Boy, which premiered on May 31 on JTBC and Prime Video, Bo-gum steps into the ring again—only now, he’s fighting crime instead of opponents. The first episode wastes no time, throwing us into a story packed with action, emotion, and surprisingly sharp humour.
Good Boy Drama Cast
Good Boy Episode 1 Review: Park Bo-gum
- Ji Han-na: a skilled shooter with a cold exterior, who also happens to be Dong-ju’s first love.
- Kim Jong-hyeon: a fencing silver medalist and Han-na’s ex-boyfriend
- Shin Jae-hong: a gentle discus thrower still figuring things out.
- And, of course, Man-sik is holding the team together with gruff wisdom.
Each of them is trying to rebuild their life, even if they’re not ready to admit it.
Good Boy Episode 1 Recap
The episode opens with chaos in Insung. Crime is rising fast, and the public has lost trust in the police. Reporters are all over it—— and it’s clear that something drastic needs to happen. That’s where we meet Yoon Dong-ju (Park Bo-gum), once a national hero and gold medal-winning boxer, now lying on a plastic chair in someone’s backyard, lost in his own memories. It’s a quiet but powerful scene—until a bird poops on his face. Yep. It’s hilarious and symbolic. Fame fades, and the world doesn’t wait for you.
Good Boy Episode 1 Review: Park Bo-gum, Kim So-hyun
Dong-ju’s fall from grace was painful. He was accused of using painkillers to win his title (though we sense there’s more to that story). After joining the police force in Seoul, he ended up in hot water again—this time for beating up corrupt officers. His punishment? A transfer to Insung and a spot in a new experimental team.
Good Boy Episode 1 Review: Kim So-hyun, Lee Sang-yi
That’s where things get interesting. Dong-ju’s boss is Ko Man-sik, a former bronze medalist in wrestling who’s just returned from suspension. And this team? It’s not your typical police squad. It’s made up entirely of ex-athletes who, like Dong-ju, have fallen from the public’s grace.
Good Boy Episode 1 Review
Good Boy Episode 1 is an emotional ride, but not in the way you might expect. It’s not just about broken dreams—it’s about what comes after. There’s something very relatable about watching these once-celebrated athletes trying to find their footing in a world that’s already moved on from them.
Good Boy Episode 1 Review: Park Bo-gum
The team’s first mission is to track down a criminal group led by someone called Golden Bunny. Dong-ju goes undercover but ends up getting whacked in the face with a mirror. It’s a rough start, but it lights a fire in him. Later, when he faces off against both Golden and Silver Bunny in a tense warehouse brawl, he taps into his old boxing instincts and gives us our first real taste of his strength. He’s no longer fighting for medals- he’s fighting for purpose.
Han-na gets her moment, too. When thugs show up at her place to steal evidence, she doesn’t flinch. She grabs her rifle and handles the situation like a pro. Jong-hyeon also gets an intense action sequence, taking down a group of criminals with fencing moves on a narrow bridge—definitely one of the most cinematic scenes of the episode.
Even Jae-hong and Man-sik get their share of the spotlight, proving this isn’t a one-man show. Each character brings something different to the table, and you can already feel the team chemistry starting to build.
Good Boy Episode 1 Review: Park Bo-gum
As the dust settles from their chaotic missions, Dong-ju says:
“Once the flame goes out, we’re forgotten, but our hearts are still burning—roaring like they’re ready to explode”.
It’s a powerful closing moment that captures the spirit of Good Boy Episode 1.
Final Thoughts
Good Boy Episode 1 sets the stage for what could be one of the most exciting dramas of the year. It’s got everything—action, layered characters, emotional stakes, and even a bit of unexpected humour. Park Bo-gum is fantastic in this role, and the supporting cast brings real depth and charm.
If you’re into found-family dynamics, underdog comebacks, or just want to see a group of fallen heroes try to make things right, this show is for you. The premiere does a great job of hooking you in without giving everything away. And with a title like Good Boy, don’t be fooled—these guys are anything but soft. They’re fighters. And this is just Round One.
It is Streaming on Prime Video
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