The latest episode of the popular K-drama series, “Good Boy,” has sparked backlash from Korean viewers due to its violent action scenes and storyline. Aired on July 6, 2025, on JTBC and Prime Video, episode 12 featured Park Bo-gum in the lead role of Yoon Dong-ju, an ex-national team boxer who quits the sport and becomes a cop to take down the evil in Insung City.
In this episode, Yoon Dong-ju faces brutal beatings from the antagonist’s goons, leading to intense and gruesome fighting scenes that have failed to resonate with the audience. The viewership rating for episode 12 hit an all-time low of 4.9 percent, with many viewers criticizing the excessive violence depicted in the show.
Fans took to online forums to express their disappointment with the series, with one fan stating, “The story is so boring and the directing is so violent that it makes you frown.” Another user commented, “The unnecessarily cruel violent scene is half the story. If you reveal it all, the story is so poor that it can be completed in less than 8 episodes.”
The criticism continued as viewers pointed out the lack of depth in the storyline despite having a talented cast. One fan mentioned, “I barely even watched episode 3. I don’t know what the emotions are. The actors are acting so passionately, but the content is boring.”
In episode 12, Yoon Dong-ju is brutally beaten by his former coach, Oh Jung-gu, showcasing the character’s struggles with punch-drunk syndrome and deteriorating vision. The relentless violence continues as Yoon Dong-ju is drugged and stabbed, further intensifying the graphic nature of the show.
As the series progresses, viewers are left questioning the direction of the storyline and the excessive focus on violent scenes. It remains to be seen how Yoon Dong-ju will overcome his injuries and whether the show will address the concerns raised by its audience.
“Good Boy” airs two episodes weekly on Saturday and Sunday on JTBC and Amazon Prime Video, providing viewers with an opportunity to see how the story unfolds amidst the backlash from its violent content.
