Shin’s Project Episode 1 Recap: Han Seok-Kyu Is Back!!

In Shin’s Project Episode 1, Mr. Shin (Han Suk-kyu) once worked as a top negotiation expert. Now, he runs a small chicken restaurant tucked in a quiet neighborhood.

His new place draws everyone — from rookie judge Jo Philip (Bae Hyun-sung) to senior judge Kim Sang-geun (Kim Sang-ho). They stop by for chicken, but end up facing something bigger.

Mr. Shin greets them with an odd mix of bluntness and calm. He speaks plainly. He acts like nothing surprises him. His tone feels cold but oddly comforting.

Beyond the Fiction: A Glimpse into Real-Life “Judges on the Ground”

What makes Shin’s Project particularly intriguing for savvy K-drama fans is its loose basis on an actual South Korean judicial initiative.

The show’s premise echoes the real-life “Judges on the Ground” project, where judges temporarily leave their courtrooms to work directly within communities, gaining firsthand insight into the social issues behind the cases they try.

This context adds a layer of social commentary that elevates the drama from a simple legal procedural to a critique of the system itself.

It is the sort of calm that hides experience. Han Suk-kyu nails this mix. His sharp gaze and clipped lines show a man who has seen too much to panic.

Beneath this quiet life sits something heavier. Episode 1 hints at it without spelling it out. Everyone calls him “the new president,” but no one really explains what that means. It feels like he is more than just a restaurant owner. It feels like he is waiting.

A Judge in a Chicken Shop

Judge Kim Sang-geun shows up with young Jo Philip one evening. Philip is bright, idealistic, and new to the world of law. Kim calmly announces that Philip will now work at Mr. Shin’s chicken restaurant. The decision stuns him. Philip stutters, unsure if it’s a joke.

Shin is just as baffled. He argues loudly that judges do not belong in chicken shops. He accuses Kim of abusing taxpayer money. Kim only shrugs.

He says trials drag for years and cost too much. Settlements are faster. He wants Shin to handle a dispute between seafood merchants and a TV station.

Shin refuses at first. He calls the plan absurd. Kim ignores him. He leaves behind files and walks out. Shin mutters about corruption, about courts running on extortion.

His tone is sharp but tired. He is not shocked. He sounds like someone who has seen this pattern too many times.

Now stuck with Philip, he decides to use him. Philip becomes his reluctant assistant. He does not fully understand the job. One moment, Shin is frying chicken.

The next, he is handling legal wars with the confidence of a seasoned lawyer. It feels chaotic, yet strangely organized.

Cracks Beneath the Calm

Episode 1 builds tension with small clashes. Philip meets Lee Si-on (Lee Re), who is blunt, sharp-tongued, and much younger. She calls him “old-fashioned” and mocks his manners. Their bickering gives brief comic relief. But it also shows how out of place Philip is here.

A darker turn comes when Shin and Philip get trapped between trucks on a railroad crossing. The scene is brief but tense. They smash windows and escape seconds before a train hits.

Afterward, Shin laughs bitterly. He calls the attackers amateurs. He shouts, “I’m Shin the President!” His voice rings with both pride and warning.

This glimpse shows who Shin really is. He pretends to be a simple restaurant owner. But his instincts stay sharp. He acts like a man always ready to fight. Han Suk-kyu captures this perfectly. His calm is never soft. It is the calm of someone used to danger.

A Hero With Rough Edges

The drama blends light humor with sharp social commentary. Shin mediates like a detective, yet runs a chicken shop like a man who stopped caring about titles.

He quietly solves problems behind the scenes. Shin visits people who appear in the news. He cuts deals before cases go to court. He does it fast, clean, and off the record.

Han Suk-kyu’s casting makes it all believable. He brings warmth even while staying distant. His character is rough but oddly reliable. The show frames him as the man who fixes things when institutions fail. He may seem blunt, but there is trust in his voice. People follow him.

At the same time, the drama questions that trust. Shin bends rules. He mocks the legal system. Shin says courts run on threats and bribes.

He calls trials a waste of time. His methods work, but they feel shady. The show never says if he is right or wrong. It leaves that for viewers to decide.

 Who Will Love Shin’s Project?

• Fans of Unconventional Heroes: If you loved the world-weary brilliance of shows like The Fiery Priest or Vincenzo, Mr. Shin is your next favorite character.

• Viewers Who Prefer Pragmatism Over Idealism: This drama explores the gray areas of justice, asking if bending the rules is acceptable if the system is broken.

• Han Suk-kyu Aficionados: His performance is a masterclass in subtlety and controlled presence. He is the undeniable anchor of the show.

A Note of Caution: If you prefer strictly by-the-book legal dramas where justice is always served in a courtroom, the show’s cynical tone and extra-judicial methods might frustrate you.

Early Signs of Something Bigger

Episode 1 sets up a larger mystery. Why did Shin leave his old life & why does a former negotiation legend run a chicken shop? Why do judges still trust him with major cases? These questions hang quietly in the air. The show does not rush to answer.

This slow burn fits the tone well. The series wants to show how justice works when the system stops working. It mixes absurdity and grit. One moment, Shin is tossing fried chicken to a kid. The next, he is outsmarting legal teams with a single phone call.

Underneath the comedy and chaos lies something heavy. Shin feels like a man carrying guilt. He hides it well. But small moments — a pause, a quiet sigh — hint at past scars. Episode 1 only scratches the surface.

Shin’s Project (also known as New Boss Project) airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM on tvN. It has eight episodes planned. The tone blends hero drama and legal satire, with short bursts of action. Han Suk-kyu drives the series, supported by Bae Hyun-sung, Kim Sang-ho, and Lee Re.

This drama steps into an odd space between justice and chaos. It is funny at times, tense at others, and always questioning. Episode 1 shows just enough to spark curiosity. Whether the series can keep that balance remains to be seen.

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