Lee Dong-wook is returning to TV with a brand-new drama, The Nice Guy. This JTBC Friday show starts airing on July 18, 2025, with two episodes dropping every Friday. The show tells the story of Park Seok-cheol, a man caught between crime, love, and family. He comes from a long line of gangsters—his grandfather, father, and now he. But deep inside, he’s not like them.
Think of him as Tony Soprano with a book in his pocket. Seok-cheol might wear a leather jacket and talk tough, but inside, he’s a dreamer. This duality is what makes the drama hit different—it asks, what if the “bad guy” never wanted to be one?
This drama is more than just gang fights. It’s about someone trying to protect the things he loves the most. His work, his family, and the woman he once loved. Even though he’s a gangster, he holds onto a quiet dream—he once wanted to be a novelist like Hemingway. The story takes a real turn when Seok-cheol meets his first love again. Her name is Kang Mi-young, played by Lee Sung-kyung. She wants to become a singer. Their lives change when they meet again. The past they left behind starts to follow them.
The show mixes crime, drama, and some soft emotional moments. It’s the kind of show that works for different types of viewers. If you’re into My Mister-style slice-of-life pain or Vincenzo-like underworld drama, The Nice Guy has shades of both. But it avoids becoming either. That’s what gives it the potential to stand out.
But don’t expect anything too sweet. The tone is gritty, but the heart of the show is warm. There’s laughter too, even in hard moments.
The drama has strong names behind it. Director Song Hae-seong, known for emotional films like Failan and Our Happy Time, co-directs with Park Hong-soo, who worked on No Longer Human. The writing team includes Kim Woon-kyeong (Yuna’s Street) and Kim Hyo-seok, known for sharp storytelling.
A Sentimental Story with a Sharp Edge
Lee Dong-wook said he chose this drama because he respected the director and writer. He felt the script had something fresh. After years of acting in thrillers and fantasy dramas, he wanted to try something grounded. He also said he liked how the show explores family and real-life struggles.
This is a refreshing switch-up for Lee Dong-wook. Known mostly for fantasy or dark thrillers like Goblin and Bad, and Crazy, he now plays someone heartbreakingly real. Fans will finally get to see him in a role that doesn’t rely on magic or mystery, but pure emotion. His character, Park Seok-cheol, is someone many people can relate to. He’s not a hero or a villain. He’s a man who tried to do the right thing in a world that doesn’t make it easy. He doesn’t want to live as a gangster, but life gave him no choice.
The photos released from the drama give a sneak peek into his life. One shows him with a tired face, sitting alone in a subway. His eyes look empty, like someone who’s given up. Another shows him smiling—just a little. That smile feels honest and gives hope that maybe things could change.
This isn’t just a story about crime. It’s about trying to change your life when everything is already set. It’s about old dreams that never really went away. It’s about people who made mistakes but still want to find happiness. Lee Sung-kyung also plays a key role here. As Kang Mi-young, she’s strong and determined. She wants a better life, but it’s not easy. Her relationship with Seok-cheol brings back old feelings and questions they both thought they’d forgotten.

The drama is produced by Hive Media Corp, a company known for big films like Deliver Us From Evil and Inside Men. This is their first TV drama. Expectations are high, but everything looks solid so far. If you’re looking for a show that feels real and grounded, Good Man could be worth watching. It has crime, but also calm moments. There’s action, but the focus stays on people and emotions.
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Already interested? You don’t have to wait long. Here’s when and where you can watch it, plus some tips on how to stream it legally outside Korea (with English subtitles).
Where to Watch The Nice Guy?
Available on:
• Disney+
• JTBC
• TVING
Airing Schedule (2 episodes every Friday):
Episode Schedule:
- July 18, 2025 – Episodes 1 & 2
- July 25, 2025 – Episodes 3 & 4
- August 1, 2025 – Episodes 5 & 6
- August 8, 2025 – Episodes 7 & 8
- August 15, 2025 – Episodes 9 & 10
- August 22, 2025 – Episodes 11 & 12
- August 29, 2025 – Episodes 13 & 14
- September 5, 2025 – Episodes 15 & 16 (Finale)
Schedule Timings
The drama will be released at 8:50 PM KST on JTBC. Here's when it airs in your part of the world:
💡 Tip: KST is 9 hours ahead of GMT. Use this to estimate future air times!
A man stuck between duty, love, and his past. Someone who tries to stay kind in a world that expects him not to be. Whether The Nice Guy becomes a hit or a hidden gem, it already brings something different to the table—quiet emotion wrapped in rough edges. If you’re looking for a drama that values people over plot twists, this one might surprise you. Let us know in the comments if it made your weekend watchlist.
Countdown for The Nice Guy
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
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