If you’ve been waiting for that one drama to yank you straight out of reality and throw you into a mess of fake dating, unexpected kisses, chaebol nonsense, and family chaos — Dynamite Kiss is here like, “Eh bro, come, let’s ride.”
And yes, Jang Ki-yong is back. That smile alone deserves its own OST track. Yet this time he’s not here to brood. Nope. He’s here to get swept up in an accidental romance with a woman who literally tackle-hugs him out of nowhere. The universe really said, “Both of you ah, go fall in love now.”
So, let’s dive into Episodes 1 and 2 — because wah, got a lot to unpack.
Meet Go Da-rim: Queen of Bad Interview Luck
Go Da-rim (Ahn Eun-jin) enters the drama like every tired millennial who has tried the corporate route and went, “Aiya, forget it lah.” After one awful job interview where she’s judged for everything — her looks, her uni, her family background — she swerves hard and decides to chase a government job.
But after five long years of passing written exams and failing interviews, she’s basically a walking résumé of trauma. Her younger sister, Da-jeong, is so embarrassed to introduce her to future in-laws that she buys Da-rim a trip to Jeju… just so she won’t show up at her own wedding. Cold sia.
Still, Da-rim, being the kind soul she is, packs her bags and goes. Because free holiday, why not?
Before she leaves, she chats with Kim Sun-woo, her upstairs neighbor, single dad, and low-key sweetheart. We also learn Da-rim’s last kiss was with her ex — a man annoying enough to make mosquitoes fly away out of disgust. Sun-woo jokingly suggests she go find a new man in Jeju, but he doesn’t volunteer himself, which confirms: these two are purely platonic.
The Ex That Refuses to Stay in the Past
Da-rim arrives in Jeju bright-eyed… only to be greeted by a banner featuring her ex, Kim Jeong-gwon. Apparently, the man is now a superstar AI programmer. Great. Amazing. Love that for him (we don’t).
To make things worse, she bumps into him — and he’s dating her high school classmate. The guy pretends he doesn’t even know her. The way he acts ah, like her face is made of air.
So, Da-rim panics and lies that she’s here with her boyfriend. Problem: she doesn’t actually have one… yet.
Enter Gong Ji-hyuk… and the Most Chaotic Meet-Cute Ever
At the beach, Da-rim mistakes a very determined Gong Ji-hyuk (Jang Ki-yong) for someone attempting suicide. She rushes over, grabs him from behind, and everything spirals into comedic disaster. She ends up passing out. He ends up with an injured hand. She wakes up in a hospital… and he has left her to pay his bill.
Yes, her whole Jeju budget — gone. Just like that. Ji-hyuk: 1. Da-rim: zero money and one hangover.
But don’t get fooled — Ji-hyuk isn’t broke. In fact, he’s a chaebol son with his own consulting firm. He just has weird ways of showing gratitude.
He’s in Jeju to secure a business deal involving… wait for it… Jeong-gwon, Da-rim’s ex. Because Jeju is apparently so small in this universe everyone is living in the same hotel.
The Fake Dating Begins (Whether They Like It or Not)
Da-rim confronts Ji-hyuk the next morning, demanding repayment. But before they can argue properly, Jeong-gwon and his girlfriend show up. The girlfriend assumes Ji-hyuk is Da-rim’s boyfriend — and Da-rim just goes with it.
Ji-hyuk plays along too, partly because it helps him network with Jeong-gwon. The impromptu double date becomes a trainwreck of awkwardness, snide comments, and very suspicious ex-boyfriend energy.
Later, Ji-hyuk bribes Da-rim into continuing the act for one more event — offering to repay her ten times the hospital bill. Wah, if only my exes offered this kind of cash, I also would fake date them.
He then gives her a Cinderella makeover (using a black card that looks like it cries whenever he swipes). At the party, the two perform a flawless fake couple act. Jeong-gwon doubts them, pushes their limits, and then Da-rim kisses Ji-hyuk to shut him up.
And boom — Ji-hyuk is done. Heart captured. Game over.
Steam, Feelings, and a Suddenly Disappearing Cinderella
Their chemistry skyrockets. They go on a second date. She gives him a four-leaf clover. She calls him her “luck.” He melts. She falls off a yacht. He saves her. They fall onto a bed. Things escalate.
Everything feels like a fairytale… until Da-rim gets a call. Her mother has a heart attack (thanks to Da-jeong’s fiancé blowing all their money on crypto). She runs. Ji-hyuk chases. They miss each other by seconds.
Just like that, their Jeju romance ends — no goodbye, no “wait for me,” nothing. Pain.
Prince Charming Starts His Search
Back in Seoul, Ji-hyuk goes full fairytale prince and begins looking for Da-rim’s neighbourhood based on a random tree she mentioned. Dedication level: 5000%.
But his own family drama interrupts. His father wants him to join their baby products company, Natural BeBe, and even pushes him toward an arranged marriage.
Meanwhile, Da-rim, drowning in hospital bills and debt, tries to get her life together. Natural BeBe opens a job posting that’s perfect for her — except applicants must be mothers. She considers “borrowing” Sun-woo’s kid as her own. Singaporeans call this “anyhow whack solution” energy.
And then… destiny strikes again.
Ji-hyuk sits on the interview panel. Da-rim walks in pretending to be a mom. Both stare at each other like, “Aiyo, you again?!”
Let the chaos begin.
My Point of View (Because I Got Thoughts)
Honestly, Dynamite Kiss came out swinging. The opening episodes hit that sweet spot between comedy, heartfelt moments, and spicy chemistry. Not every drama gets the fake-dating trope right, but this one nails it with confidence.
Da-rim is wonderfully relatable — not the typical rom-com heroine with perfect hair and a fairytale background. She’s messy, unlucky, kind, broke… basically a real person. And Ji-hyuk feels like the loveliest mix of chaotic energy, soft heart, and ridiculous privilege.
The chemistry? Confirm plus chop already. These two could stand five meters apart and still radiate “we kissed once and now we’re confused” energy.
Plus, I love that the show seems to be setting up Sun-woo and Ha-yeong as a separate couple instead of forcing a painful love triangle. Good choice lah. Spare us the unnecessary drama.
Overall, it’s giving old-school K-drama with modern spice. And I’m here for all of it.
Final Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5 Stars)
A fun, chaotic, tender ride that already feels like comfort food. If the drama keeps this energy, it’s going to be one of those shows everyone replays on rainy days.
