Brotherhood, Brains, and Bullets – Good Boy Delivers All
One word for Good Boy: tight. It’s a tightly executed, action-packed drama with a great storyline that grips you more and more with each episode. After finishing all 16 episodes, I can confidently say this is one of the best action dramas I’ve seen in a long time. While on the surface it may seem like a classic cat-and-mouse game, what makes it stand out is the emotional depth and unique chemistry between characters that you rarely see in typical action dramas.
Park Bo Gum as Yun Dong Ju is simply phenomenal. I’ve always admired his work in dramas like Reply 1988 (my personal GOAT), When the Camellia Blooms, and Encounter, but Good Boy brings out a completely new side of him. He transforms into an action hero with such grace and intensity. What’s even more impressive is how grounded and humble his character remains—no ego, just strength with purpose and heart. His never-give-up attitude and emotional vulnerability are portrayed beautifully.
Kim So Hyun plays the only female lead, and honestly, I felt her character could have been more impactful. I’m not saying she did a bad job, but considering the screen time and potential, I expected more from her performance. She had space to explore her character further, and I wish the writers gave her more edge.
Lee Sang Yi once again proves he is the king of bromance. From Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha to My Demon, and now Good Boy, he brings so much charm and balance to his roles. He’s funny, dependable, and his chemistry with the rest of the cast is top-notch.
Heo Sung Tae and Tae Won Seok also deserve mention. Both had substantial screen time and made the most of it, especially Ko Man Sik, who stood out more for me than Sin Jae Hong. Sin Jae Hong didn’t get as many impactful scenes compared to the others, but still delivered well within his space.
The absolute scene-stealer here is Oh Jung Se as Min Ju Yeong. What a brilliant actor. I’ve been a fan of his since It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, and I thought that was his best, but this role proved he has even more depth. His portrayal of a lonely, broken yet sharp villain is so layered. You’ll find yourself understanding him and even feeling sympathy at times. His dynamic with Dong Ju is fascinating—two lonely souls mirroring each other in different ways. Their interactions are intense yet oddly touching.
The drama starts off in a way that might make you question the 16-episode length, especially since there’s only one main villain and a large lead unit. But the more you watch, the more it becomes clear—this isn't a simple hero-vs-villain story. Min Ju Yeong isn’t just a villain; he’s the heart of the narrative, and the way his relationship with Dong Ju evolves is something you rarely see in K-dramas.
There’s a bit of romance too, and while there are some nice kiss scenes, the spark between the male and female leads isn’t very strong. It’s not a dealbreaker though, because the focus lies elsewhere—on bromance, camaraderie, and the mental games between hero and villain. The comic timing among the main unit is also surprisingly good, giving a light touch to an otherwise intense drama.
The writing is clever, the pacing keeps you engaged, and it never feels like the action is just there for the sake of it. Every punch, every plan, every betrayal has meaning and weight.
Overall, Good Boy isn’t just an action drama. It’s a smartly written, emotionally rich story with standout performances, especially from Park Bo Gum and Oh Jung Se. If you’re a fan of well-made action dramas with real story and character development—not just mindless fights—this is a must-watch.
Park Bo Gum as Yun Dong Ju is simply phenomenal. I’ve always admired his work in dramas like Reply 1988 (my personal GOAT), When the Camellia Blooms, and Encounter, but Good Boy brings out a completely new side of him. He transforms into an action hero with such grace and intensity. What’s even more impressive is how grounded and humble his character remains—no ego, just strength with purpose and heart. His never-give-up attitude and emotional vulnerability are portrayed beautifully.
Kim So Hyun plays the only female lead, and honestly, I felt her character could have been more impactful. I’m not saying she did a bad job, but considering the screen time and potential, I expected more from her performance. She had space to explore her character further, and I wish the writers gave her more edge.
Lee Sang Yi once again proves he is the king of bromance. From Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha to My Demon, and now Good Boy, he brings so much charm and balance to his roles. He’s funny, dependable, and his chemistry with the rest of the cast is top-notch.
Heo Sung Tae and Tae Won Seok also deserve mention. Both had substantial screen time and made the most of it, especially Ko Man Sik, who stood out more for me than Sin Jae Hong. Sin Jae Hong didn’t get as many impactful scenes compared to the others, but still delivered well within his space.
The absolute scene-stealer here is Oh Jung Se as Min Ju Yeong. What a brilliant actor. I’ve been a fan of his since It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, and I thought that was his best, but this role proved he has even more depth. His portrayal of a lonely, broken yet sharp villain is so layered. You’ll find yourself understanding him and even feeling sympathy at times. His dynamic with Dong Ju is fascinating—two lonely souls mirroring each other in different ways. Their interactions are intense yet oddly touching.
The drama starts off in a way that might make you question the 16-episode length, especially since there’s only one main villain and a large lead unit. But the more you watch, the more it becomes clear—this isn't a simple hero-vs-villain story. Min Ju Yeong isn’t just a villain; he’s the heart of the narrative, and the way his relationship with Dong Ju evolves is something you rarely see in K-dramas.
There’s a bit of romance too, and while there are some nice kiss scenes, the spark between the male and female leads isn’t very strong. It’s not a dealbreaker though, because the focus lies elsewhere—on bromance, camaraderie, and the mental games between hero and villain. The comic timing among the main unit is also surprisingly good, giving a light touch to an otherwise intense drama.
The writing is clever, the pacing keeps you engaged, and it never feels like the action is just there for the sake of it. Every punch, every plan, every betrayal has meaning and weight.
Overall, Good Boy isn’t just an action drama. It’s a smartly written, emotionally rich story with standout performances, especially from Park Bo Gum and Oh Jung Se. If you’re a fan of well-made action dramas with real story and character development—not just mindless fights—this is a must-watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
