Premiering on May 31, Good Boy opened with a promising 4.8% viewership rating and climbed to 5.3% by its second episode. It also soared to No. 1 on Netflix Korea’s daily top series chart and entered the global top 10, ranking 8th in the weekly TV shows category. The show’s strong momentum suggests Park’s return is resonating powerfully with audiences.
The action-comedy drama follows a group of Olympic medalists who now serve as elite police officers, swapping medals for badges to fight corruption with both grit and humor. The stellar cast includes Park Bo-gum, Kim So-hyun, Oh Jung-se, Lee Sang-yi, Heo Sung-tae, and Tae Won-seok.
Park Bo-gum plays Yoon Dong-joo, a former boxing gold medalist-turned-police officer, who has quietly harbored feelings for his colleague Ji Han-na (Kim So-hyun) for three years. His portrayal moves seamlessly between brooding action hero and vulnerable romantic lead. In a particularly stirring scene, when asked if he still likes Ji Han-na and whether she’s “easy” to him, Dong-joo simply replies, “I like you.” The moment recalls Park’s earlier role as Gwan-sik in When Life Gives You Tangerines, but with a more mature, grounded edge.
Notably, Park spent six months training in boxing for the role, and his dedication shows. From intense factory confrontations to emotional sparring with Oh Jung-se, his performance is marked by striking realism and control. Critics have praised the nuanced blend of stoicism and passion that defines his character.
Originally scheduled to air in late 2024, Good Boy was delayed due to an on-set injury Park sustained. During promotions for When Life Gives You Tangerines, Park revealed: “I first received the script for ‘Good Boy’ while in the military and chose it immediately. ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ came afterward. The team was kind enough to wait for me.”
Despite the buzz, Good Boy enters a competitive arena, facing off with current critical darlings like tvN’s Our Unwritten Seoul and MBC’s Oh My Ghost Clients. Yet, Park Bo-gum’s compelling screen presence and the ensemble cast’s chemistry may give it an edge.
