JTBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama, A Kind Man, has made a striking debut, weaving a compelling tale of fate, family, and fractured dreams. Premiering on July 18, 2025, the series opened with solid viewership ratings of 3.0% for its first episode and 3.2% for the second, according to Nielsen Korea’s nationwide paid household data, signaling a promising start for this multifaceted narrative.
At the heart of the story is Park Seok-cheol, portrayed with nuanced depth by Lee Dong-wook. Seok-cheol is a man caught between worlds: the eldest son of a third-generation gangster family who secretly yearns to escape the suffocating grip of his criminal ties and pursue his passion for literature. His internal conflict is palpable, oscillating between the hardened exterior of a gang member and the tender, hopeful soul who once dreamed of becoming a poet or novelist.
The drama opens with a gripping scene of Seok-cheol being stabbed by an unknown assailant, immediately immersing viewers into the tension and noir atmosphere director Song Hae-seong promised. Song described A Kind Man as a blend of noir’s tension, melodrama’s sentimentality, and the warmth and empathy of a family drama. The series delivers on this promise, skillfully balancing suspenseful moments with heartfelt character explorations.
Seok-cheol’s life takes a poignant turn when he reunites with Kang Mi-young, his childhood first love, played by Lee Sung-kyung. Mi-young is a struggling singer who, despite her passion and talent, battles crippling stage fright that dims her ability to shine in auditions. Their reunion is not just a romantic rekindling but a catalyst that disrupts Seok-cheol’s routine, bringing light and complexity to his otherwise turbulent existence.
Lee Sung-kyung’s portrayal of Mi-young is delicate and sincere, capturing the resilience of a woman who refuses to surrender her dreams despite life’s harsh realities. Her character’s journey adds emotional texture to the series, promising a fresh and relatable ‘life character’ that viewers can root for.
Meanwhile, the family dynamics add layers of drama and realism. Park Seok-cheol’s eldest sister, Park Seok-kyung, played by Oh Na-ra, emerges as a deeply troubled figure whose past is marked by pain and missteps. As revealed in the second episode, Seok-kyung’s life spiraled after a tumultuous marriage marred by her husband’s affair and domestic violence, leading to a painful divorce. Unable to overcome the emotional void, she fell into gambling addiction, accumulating a staggering debt of 300 million won, a fact that threatens to unravel the family further.
Seok-cheol and their sister Park Seok-hui (Ryu Hye-young) take on the daunting task of rescuing Seok-kyung from a gambling den and securing her a modest gosiwon to live in, highlighting the family’s struggle to hold together amid chaos. Seok-cheol’s reflections on his sister’s past reveal a history of hardship: “My sister caused more accidents than me. She got pregnant young, married young, and divorced right after a year of newlywed life. The reason for her divorce was her husband’s affair and the domestic violence that followed. She ended up alone, even paying off her husband’s debts.”
These revelations cast a somber light on the family’s fractured past and the heavy burdens each member carries. Seok-kyung’s descent into gambling is portrayed not as a moral failing but as a desperate attempt to fill an emotional void, a nuance that adds depth to her character and the drama’s exploration of human fragility.
Adding to the tension is the looming redevelopment project in Myeongsan City, which Seok-cheol is tasked to resolve as his final mission to break free from the gang. The project centers on the contentious 3rd redevelopment zone, fiercely resisted by the chairman of the Interim Resident Countermeasures Committee. Seok-cheol’s initial attempt at dialogue is met with scorn, but a dramatic rescue of the chairman from a fire shifts the tide, propelling the redevelopment forward and putting Seok-cheol in the spotlight.
This development does not go unnoticed by rival gang leader Kang Tae-hoon, portrayed by Park Hoon, who watches with displeasure and a hint of menace. His cryptic remark, “You should have hit him harder,” foreshadows brewing conflict, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding story.
Kang Tae-hoon’s encounter with Kang Mi-young at a jazz bar audition further complicates the narrative, hinting at emotional entanglements that will ripple through future episodes. Mi-young’s decision to audition, encouraged by Seok-cheol’s supportive words, “You are good enough as you are,” marks a turning point in her personal journey and her relationship with the men around her.
Amid these external struggles, the series delves deeply into Seok-cheol’s fraught relationship with his father, Park Sil-gon (Chun Ho-jin). The second episode ends on a poignant note as Seok-cheol confronts his father, pouring out his anguish: “Because of whom did I start this life?” This moment reveals the sacrifices Seok-cheol made, stepping into the gang world to support his family after his father’s imprisonment, a decision that twisted his life irrevocably.
The ensemble cast, including Oh Na-ra, Ryu Hye-young, and Chun Ho-jin, delivers performances that breathe life into their complex characters, making the family’s struggles palpable and relatable. Oh Na-ra’s portrayal of Seok-kyung’s tragic descent into addiction and her family’s efforts to save her adds emotional weight that resonates deeply.
A Kind Man thus stands out as a drama that skillfully intertwines personal dreams, family loyalty, and the harsh realities of life within the shadowy underworld. Its blend of noir tension, heartfelt melodrama, and family warmth offers viewers a rich tapestry of storytelling that promises to engage week after week.
The series airs every Friday at 8:50 PM, with two episodes broadcast consecutively, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the tangled lives of the Park family and the fateful encounters that shape their destinies.
