Good Boy Episode 1 recap: Ex-athletes trade medals for missions

Park Bo-gum's highly anticipated crime-action K-drama, Good Boy, premiered on May 31, 2025, on Prime Video and the JTBC channel. The actor recently appeared alongside IU in When Life Gives You Tangerines, where he plays an incredibly emotional character.

However, his character is quite different in Good Boy as Bo-gum portrays a gold medalist boxer named Yoon Dong-ju, whose career almost took a dark turn when he was accused of taking painkillers to win the championship. But now he's one of the specially recruited under the police force.

Interestingly, Dong-ju isn't the only Olympic champion who ended up in the police force. There are five more who had a similar experience in the past and have now joined the police force.

Episode 1 opens with reporters drawing attention to the surge in crime across Insung while criticizing the Insung Metropolitan Police for their inability to get the situation under control. This is when we first catch a glimpse of Bo-gum as Dong-ju, lost in memories of his glory days as a national boxing hero, all while lounging in a garden chair.

But just as he's soaking in the nostalgia, a bird drops an unwelcome surprise on his face. This humorous moment in the premiere is a subtle acknowledgment that in the real world, history can be useful, but it doesn't mean anything at the moment.

Keep reading to explore what happened next in the first episode!

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Good Boy Episode 1 recap: A champion's fall leads to a new path

Good Boy Episode 1 reveals that Dong-ju was a boxing gold medalist who earned all the love and respect of his nation until a scandal hit his career. As seen in the episode, Dong-ju ended up in the Seoul Police Department, but after he beat up fellow officers for their corruption, he was punished with a transfer to Insung.

Now, Dong-ju is a rookie under Ko Man-sik, a former bronze medalist in wrestling who's no stranger to the sports world himself. Man-sik has recently returned from his suspension and will now lead the team of former athletes turned police officers in Good Boy.

Alongside Dong-ju is Ji Han-na, a former national shooter also struggling with the weight of public backlash and regret. Not only this, but she's also Dong-ju's first love as the two know each other from their sports academy, and Dong-ju even teases her with a nickname, "Cold Bun".

Also Read: Park Bo-gum in talks for fantasy K-drama 'Night Traveler' by Lee Min-ho's breakout writer

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A team of misfits in Good Boy Episode 1

Dong-ju and Han-na are not alone. They are brought into a unit that is uniquely composed of former athletes known to the world, who bring their own baggage. As seen in the Good Boy premiere, Kim Jong-hyeon is a former fencing athlete and silver medalist, who also happens to be Han-na's ex-boyfriend.

Then we have Shin Jae-Hong, a bronze medalist in discus throw, who is just beginning to work for the traffic police. And Ko Man-sik, a seasoned wrestler and team leader, is looking to keep the group level-headed.

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First mission, first blow in Good Boy Episode 1

Their first real challenge in Good Boy Episode 1 throws them straight into danger. The team is tasked with going after a shady group and its leader, known as "Golden Bunny." Initially, Dong-ju fails to capture him during an undercover mission, and the criminal hits him with a mirror.

However, this failure and a confrontation with his former coach, who contributed to Dong-ju's downfall, fueled him with the determination to catch Golden Bunny. Later in the episode, Dong-ju receives a call, and what follows is a gritty, fast-paced confrontation.

As he expected, both Silver and Golden Bunny showed up, which resulted in a brutal warehouse fight, with Dong-ju relying on his instinct and muscle memory. He came prepared for the fight and ultimately took them down.

At the same time, criminals showed up at Ha-na's house to seize a victim's belongings and crucial evidence, but she doesn’t back down. Tapping into her past as a skilled shooter, Ha-na grabs her rifle and opens fire, holding her ground and successfully protecting both herself and the items they came for.

As for Jong-hyeon, he got stuck in a dangerous showdown with some very dangerous thugs chasing him down as he is leading the investigation in the Golden Bunny case. Jong-hyeon initially runs from them.

Then realizes he's on what looks like a narrow bridge suspended over water. Jong-hyeon changes gears. Using a stick and his fencing technique, he goes through them one by one. It's no wonder that he used to have a silver medal.

Since the entire team is fighting crime, how can we forget Man-sik and Jae-hong? The two also face challenges where they prove their capabilities, with all heroes ultimately realizing how skilled and determined they are.

As chaos unfolds, Dong-ju highlights the burning desires these misfits hold. He says, "Once the flame goes out, we're forgotten. But... Our hearts are still burning, roaring like they're ready to burst" as Good Boy Episode 1 ends on a striking note with the misfits winning their battles.

Don't forget to catch up with the heroes in Episode 2, arriving today on Prime Video and the JTBC channel.

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Also Read: 5 K-drama characters who’ll give you major second lead syndrome

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