JTBC’s new Friday drama “The Nice Guy,” which premiered on the 18th, has had a smooth start, combining pace with excellence.
This drama is also known “The Good Man,” which aired its second consecutive episode on the 18th, is captivating viewers with viewership ratings rising from 3% in the first episode to 3.2% in the second episode (based on Nielsen Korea’s nationwide pay-TV survey).
“The Nice Guy” is a romantic noir drama starring Lee Dong-wook and Lee Sung-kyung. It depicts the fateful encounter between Park Suk-cheol (Lee Dong-wook), the eldest son of a third-generation gangster family who dreams of becoming a poet, and Kang Mi-young (Lee Sung-kyung), an aspiring singer who suffers from stage fright.
Directed by Song Hye-sung and Park Hong-soo and written by Kim Won-kyung and Kim Hyo-suk, this multifaceted delight offers, as director Song Hye-sung explains, “a work that combines the tension of a crime film, the poetry of a melodrama, and the warmth and compassion of a family drama.”
In the first episode, Park Suk-cheol is shown being stabbed, lamenting his fate, saying, “I knew it would end like this. I wanted to be a poet. I wanted to be a novelist.” His double life as a gangster and his secret attendance at a creative writing course left a powerful impression on viewers.
Park Suk-cheol’s final mission, as he attempts to escape the organization, is to solve the problem of the third district of the Myeongsan City redevelopment project. Park faces an unexpected task when he must convince the head of the anti-tenant housing committee. His first childhood love, Kang Mi-young, appears.
The reunion scene between Kang Mi-young, who wants to become a singer but cannot demonstrate her skills in public, and Park Suk-chul hints at their ever-changing fates. In particular, the scene of Kang Mi-young singing with a trembling voice in a nursing home highlights their special relationship.
The series not only deals with personal growth and love, but also explores family conflicts in detail. The conflict caused by his older sister, Park Suk-kyung (Oh Na-ra), who is addicted to gambling, intersects with Park Suk-chul’s deep resentment toward his father, Park Sil-gun (Cheon Ho-jin), to create a three-dimensional story.
The scene at the end of the second episode, where Park Suk-chul expresses his anger at his father, saying, “Who did you start this for?”, reveals his painful past. His story of having to take responsibility for his family since high school when his father was imprisoned adds depth to his character.
The Nice Guy Drama Story
Lee Dong-wook showcased his multifaceted character by portraying a gangster who wants to leave the organization and a man who is passionate about his first love. Lee Sung-kyung accurately portrayed the inner side of Kang Mi-young, who doesn’t give up on her dreams even in the face of difficult realities, heralding the birth of a new masterpiece.
Park Hoon, who plays rival gang leader Kang Tae-hoon, displayed a powerful presence, while Oh Na-ra and Ryu Hye-young portrayed realistic family characters. Chun Ho-jin captured the complex emotions of a father experiencing an emotional rift with his son.
The work is widely praised for its realistic characterization and solid storytelling. The contrasting story of the main character, a literature-obsessed gangster, and the aspiring singer suffering from stage fright, avoids clichés and creates an atmosphere of empathy.
Particularly noteworthy is the artistic composition that naturally blends the social issue of redevelopment struggles with a story of personal growth. The rapid development of events, when Park Suk-cheol saves the CEO of Segui from a fire and the story is published in the newspaper, adds unexpected joy.
Knetizens commented:
Viewers who watched the first and second episodes of “The Nice Guy” expressed mixed reactions, such as: “A good start,” “The viewership ratings for the first episode aren’t bad,” “It’s very enjoyable,” “I highly recommend it. It’s enjoyable,” “As expected. Lee Dong-wook is very handsome,” “The male lead is funny and the drama is great,” and “It’s finally starting! I’m looking forward to the interaction between Lee Dong-wook and Lee Sung-kyung.”
“The Nice Guy” airs twice in a row every Friday at 8:50 PM on JTBC, and attention is focused on whether the increase in viewership from the first episode will continue.
