JTBC’s ‘Good Boy’ is shaking up the weekend drama lineup with a fiery premiere.
According to Nielsen Korea on June 1, the first episode of ‘Good Boy’, which aired on May 31, recorded a nationwide rating of 4.8% based on paid households in the Seoul metro area, and peaked at 7.3% in per-minute ratings. This surpassed the 3rd episode of tvN’s ‘Our Unwritten Seoul’ (4.5%) airing in the same time slot by 0.3 percentage points, although it fell 1.0 point short of the premiere rating of its predecessor, ‘More Beautiful Than Heaven’ (5.8%), which starred Son Suk Gu and Kim Hye Ja.
However, ratings alone don’t tell the full story of ‘Good Boy’s premiere. Immediately after the broadcast, online communities, social media, and video platforms lit up with reactions like “legendary opening,” “Park Bo Gum’s best performance yet,” “this cast actually made it into a drama?”, “that ending action scene was insane,” “dopamine and adrenaline overload,” “goosebumps… it felt like an Avengers movie,” and “my heart was racing… haven’t felt this excited for a drama in a while.”
‘Good Boy’ kicks off with an unconventional premise: Olympic medalists turned police officers taking a stand against a corrupt and unjust world. The cast—Park Bo Gum (as Yoon Dong Joo), Kim So Hyun (as Ji Han Na), Lee Sang Yi (as Kim Jong Hyun), Heo Sung Tae (as Go Man Shik), and Tae Won Seok (as Shin Jae Hong)—form a team called the ‘Goodvengers’, with each character being a former national athlete in boxing, shooting, fencing, wrestling, or discus.
But the drama doesn’t stop at flashy visuals—it’s also being praised for its emotional depth. Yoon Dong Joo, once a national hero, is now seen as a troublemaker and has been demoted. He endures long hours on stakeouts in the sweltering heat, chases suspects through mud, and lives a life marked by constant bruises and scars. His slow journey back to teamwork and purpose is evolving into something far more human than a typical hero narrative.
The series is directed by Shim Na Yeon, who previously blended psychological depth and genre elements in ‘Beyond Evil’. In ‘Good Boy’, she carries over that strength while stepping up the action and pacing for broader appeal. The editing and camerawork create a distinctly cinematic atmosphere, while the OST enhances the intensity and immersion.
As ‘Good Boy’ kicks off with a strong start and character-centered storytelling, the cast members shared key points to watch for, adding to the anticipation. Park Bo Gum said, “Medalists from different sports join forces to bring justice,” adding, “The perfect teamwork of the crew—from direction to lighting and music—is another highlight.” Kim So Hyun shared, “You’ll feel real ‘good’ energy from watching the ‘Goodvengers’ persevere through adversity,” delivering a message of encouragement.
Oh Jung Se, who plays villain Min Joo Young, said, “Watch for the tension created by a villain hiding behind an ordinary face.” Lee Sang Yi confidently remarked, “‘Good Boy’ will be the perfect way to end your day.”
Heo Sung Tae described the series as “a drama where action and emotion explode together,” while Tae Won Seok called it “a gift set that includes action, comedy, emotion, and romance,” promising a well-rounded viewing experience.
Episode 2 of ‘Good Boy’ aired on June 1 KST on JTBC and is also available globally via Amazon Prime Video. Viewers are eager to see how the unpredictable journey of Park Bo Gum, Kim So Hyun, and the former national athletes will unfold.
Viewer reactions include:
“Top-tier comic action,”
“Is there anything Park Bo Gum can’t do? He’s endlessly charming,”
“Heo Sung Tae and Park Bo Gum’s chemistry is perfect,”
“The ‘Good Boy’ cast is amazing,”
“This feels more like a film than a drama,”
“Direction is insane. The rhythm and characters are alive,”
“That final action scene was wild. The direction was brilliant,”
“Feels like it’s going to be a hit,”
“Kim So Hyun is so cool,”
“Definitely binge-worthy.”
Are you also watching and enjoying ‘Good Boy’?
SEE ALSO: Political use of ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ sparks controversy
SHARE
