SBS’s new Wednesday-Thursday drama “Dynamite Kiss” has made an explosive entrance, immediately topping Netflix Korea’s “Top 10 Series Today” chart on November 15. Following its premiere on November 12, the drama has swiftly captured the attention of viewers with its high-energy romance and familiar yet compelling tropes.
The series follows a quirky premise: a single woman pretending to be a mother to land a job, and her emotionally constipated team leader who unexpectedly falls for her. The leads, played by Jang Ki Yong and Ahn Eun Jin, bring their characters to life with charismatic chemistry and emotional depth.
Jang Ki Yong plays Gong Ji Hyeok, a sharp, competent team leader who excels at his job but refuses to believe in love. Ahn Eun Jin stars as Go Da Rim, a struggling job seeker who fakes being a married woman to secure employment. Despite the cliché setup of two people from vastly different walks of life, the drama leans into the “familiar taste” trope with purpose. Rather than reinvent the wheel, it heightens the formula with intense plot developments and emotional stakes right from the start.
Promoted as a “dopamine-exploding romance starting with a kiss,” the drama lives up to its hype. The premiere episode on November 12 showcased rapid romantic progression and a shocking kiss scene between the leads, earning a peak national rating of 6.3%. The kiss, likened to a “natural disaster” in intensity, left audiences eager for more.
In episode two, the emotional stakes rose further with an unexpected breakup and reunion. When Gong Ji Hyeok and Go Da Rim, having parted ways, suddenly reencounter each other at a job interview — one as the interviewer, the other the applicant — the cliffhanger ending amplified anticipation. The second episode recorded a nationwide rating of 4%, with a peak of 5%.
The drama is expected to escalate the tension as Ji Hyeok continues to misunderstand Da Rim’s fake “mom” identity, while Da Rim struggles to maintain her act to survive in her job. Their slow-burn, bickering romance promises more thrills and emotional moments ahead.
Viewers have reacted enthusiastically. Comments from online communities include:
- “Honestly, I can’t wait to see what happens next!”,
- “This fluttery feeling—am I going crazy?”,
- “Their chemistry is amazing. I’m definitely watching next week!”,
- “Such a fun, well-directed drama with perfect casting.”,
- “Time just flew by while watching.”,
- and
- “Can we just skip the rest of the week and go straight to Wednesday?”
Adding more excitement, actor Namkoong Min has confirmed a special cameo. Director Kim Jae Hyun, who helms “Dynamite Kiss”, previously worked with Namkoong Min on “One Dollar Lawyer”, a drama that peaked at 15.2% in ratings. Namkoong Min will reprise his iconic role as Chun Ji Hoon from that series, further raising expectations. He also starred alongside Ahn Eun Jin in MBC’s “My Dearest”, creating a buzz among fans who loved their past on-screen chemistry.
SBS’s “Dynamite Kiss” airs every Wednesday and Thursday at 9 p.m. KST.
Sources: wikitree