The First Responders — Season 2 (2023) 소방서 옆 경찰서 그리고 국과수
Directed by Shin Kyung-soo, starring Kim Rae-won, Son Ho-jun and Gong Seung-yeon.
Watched 23 - 27 July 2024 — 12 episodes (DRAMACOOL)
*I enjoyed the second season just as much as I liked the first season. Kim Rae-won as Jin Ho-gae gives a very good performance and embodies his cop character well. You really believe he ís Ho-gae.
*This season deviates from the episodic nature one would expect from a 911-type of series, even more than the first season. It's more of a crime thriller than a show where the focus is on the first responders team being called out on various emergency cases. I think the only episode that has an isolated case is episode 6 with the 'Spring Lady'. I liked that episode, especially Ho-gae's connection with the little girl (she reminded me of the girl from Mother). Also Kang Ki-doong as Gongmyung Pil, Ho-gae's partner, has a more prominent part here, as 'Spring Lady' was his neighbour. When Pil blows that whistle in honour of 'Spring Lady', I was almost in tears.
*SPOILER: I was in shock when Bong Do-jin died in the fire. I shouldn't be surprised because key characters are never safe from death in K-dramas but it happened so early in the second season that it took me completely off guard. Maybe it was for the better because being in a love triangle with Seol and Ho-gae would have become uncomfortable and awkward.
*I like Oh Eui-sik as Kang Do-ha (National Forensic Officer and former Republic of Korea Air Force's EOD Captain). I thought he had better rapport with Ho-gae than Do-jin. I had hoped for some romance with his co-worker Yoon Hong (played by Son Ji-yoon), but that never happened.
*Do-jin's sister An-na went to the US and her replacement Woo Sam-soon (Baek Eun-hye) is much more fun and energetic.
*NFS gets a bigger role in this season with Do-ha and it became very much a CSI-type of show. The autopsy scenes are very graphic.
*SPOILER: Jeon Sung-woo, who plays the soft-hearted and lovable Father Han in The Fiery Priest, is the villain here. I put a spoiler alert but it was actually quite predictable.
*Do-jin's sister An-na went to the US and her replacement Woo Sam-soon (Baek Eun-hye) is much more fun and energetic.
*NFS gets a bigger role in this season with Do-ha and it became very much a CSI-type of show. The autopsy scenes are very graphic.
*SPOILER: Jeon Sung-woo, who plays the soft-hearted and lovable Father Han in The Fiery Priest, is the villain here. I put a spoiler alert but it was actually quite predictable.
*SPOILER: I knew Ho-gae couldn't be dead (that would really be taking things too far, even for K-dramaland) and I guessed it was all staged but I didn't know exactly how they managed to stage it with Ho-gae being visibly cut open on the autopsy table. See for yourself!
*It was more than a hint at romance and Seol and Ho-gae do get together and share a sweet kiss in the final episode.
*It was more than a hint at romance and Seol and Ho-gae do get together and share a sweet kiss in the final episode.
*There's also an unexpected wedding at the end! But it wasn't a total surprise because there was something blossoming between the commander of the Taewon Fire Station and the chief detective of Taewon Police Station. They deserve some happiness.
*I was satisfied with the ending. It's a happy one and it was nice to see the first responders all together, beaming with smiles.
*I was satisfied with the ending. It's a happy one and it was nice to see the first responders all together, beaming with smiles.