Park Bo Gum’s New K-Drama Debuts With Impressive Numbers… But Also Criticism

Park Bo Gum has returned to the small screen with Good Boy, a new action-comedy K-Drama co-starring Kim So Hyun.

The series premiered on May 31 and got off to a strong start, pulling in an average nationwide rating of 4.8 percent for its first episode, according to numbers released by Nielsen Korea.

The show follows a unique premise: Olympic medalists, who face difficulties like financial instability, short-lived careers, and injuries, join the police force to form a special task unit. Using their athletic backgrounds, they take on violent crimes with unconventional but effective methods.

Park Bo Gum plays Yoon Dong Ju, a troublemaker who ends up reassigned to the Insung Metropolitan Police Agency. There, he and his fellow elite athletes face skepticism and discrimination. But when a major case emerges, their old passion is reignited.

Despite the solid viewership numbers, public opinion has been split. A trending post about Good Boy on popular Korean forum TheQoo has already surpassed 110,000 views, with hundreds of comments pouring in — many of them critical of the acting, directing, and the K-Drama’s tone.

• “The directing and acting are both over-the-top.”
• “Park Bogum’s acting felt a bit off, more than I expected. I don’t think comedy suits him.”
• “It was so boring I fell asleep watching it…”
• “Oh, I thought it was ok, though.”
• “It felt excessive and childish, but if people are loving it, I guess it’s just not my taste.”

While the show’s ratings suggest there is interest, the online reception indicates that Good Boy may have some hurdles to overcome in the coming weeks. Whether the K-Drama can maintain its momentum, or even convert critics into fans, remains to be seen.