Dynamite Kiss Episode 1 Review

“A Fake Romance Born in Jeju, Sealed with a Dynamite Kiss”

The new SBS Wed–Thu romantic comedy Dynamite Kiss opens with a high-energy premiere that blends humor, emotional weight, and classic rom-com charm. Episode 1 introduces viewers to the exhausting routine of civil-service hopeful Go Darim and the impeccably rational consultant Gong Jihyuk—two complete opposites whose worlds collide on Jeju Island.

As the first chapter of Dynamite Kiss, this episode lays down the emotional groundwork that will shape everything to come.

🎯 Go Darim: Five Years of Exams, Zero Breaks

Go Darim (Ahn Eun-jin) has been preparing for the civil-service exam in Noryangjin for five years, juggling exam prep and convenience-store shifts. Her problem isn’t knowledge—it’s trauma.

In a past job interview, she heard lines like:

“Never heard of that school.”
“No father? Kids like that always cause trouble.”

Moments like this are why Dynamite Kiss resonates emotionally—it shows a heroine who isn’t perfect, but painfully real.

Financial troubles pile on too.
Her younger sister Dajeong is getting married, but Darim can’t afford a gift. Worse, Dajeong has lied to her in-laws, claiming Darim works “successfully in the U.S.”

Eventually she tells her sister:

“Please don’t come to the wedding. Just go to Jeju.”

The scene is quiet but heavy—one of the grounded emotional beats that distinguish Dynamite Kiss from lighter rom-coms.

👔 Gong Jihyuk: Perfect Résumé, Emotionally Checked Out

Gong Jihyuk (Jang Ki-yong) is introduced with textbook perfection:
sharp intellect, multilingual fluency, and a glowing career record.

He scaled a start-up’s valuation tenfold.
His new mission: recruit Korea’s top AI developer, Kim Jungkwon.

Yet the irony is that the male lead of Dynamite Kiss doesn’t believe in love.
He’s never had a kiss that made his mind go blank.
He’s never regretted a breakup.

His family pushes a political marriage with Ha-yeong, making him even more emotionally detached. This contrast becomes one of the central dynamics that make Dynamite Kiss compelling.

✈️ Jeju Island: Where Their Paths Twist Together

Darim flies to Jeju with her sister’s voucher—less for leisure, more as escape.
Jihyuk travels to the same island on business.

And then comes the twist:
Kim Jungkwon is Darim’s ex-boyfriend.

When she unexpectedly meets him and his new girlfriend, Darim panics and blurts out:

“I’m here with my boyfriend too.”

This impulsive lie becomes the fuse that drives Dynamite Kiss Episode 1 forward.

Jeju Island almost acts as a symbolic space—where escape, chaos, and new destiny blend, one of the core motifs of Dynamite Kiss.

🎭 The One-Day Fake Relationship Deal

At the hotel breakfast, Darim runs into Jihyuk again—the man who paid her medical bill.
They bicker, until Jungkwon appears.

Trapped, Darim introduces Jihyuk as her boyfriend.

Recognizing the situation, Jihyuk proposes:

“Be my girlfriend for one day.”

For him, it could help with scouting Jungkwon.
For her, the financial compensation is hard to ignore.

The “fake contract” setup is a classic rom-com trope, but Dynamite Kiss uses it to spark humor, tension, and unexpected chemistry.

💋 The Dynamite Kiss That Shakes Everything

When Darim enters the party dressed like a modern Cinderella, the camera—and Jihyuk—stay locked on her.
Jungkwon is visibly rattled.
Darim herself feels something shift.

This visual highlight is one of the most memorable moments of Dynamite Kiss Episode 1.

Throughout the night, they improvise their couple story, subtly provoking Jungkwon. Jihyuk even calls her a “hidden gem,” fueling suspicion.

Finally, Jungkwon confronts Darim:

“How much did he pay you?”
“Who uses an ex-girlfriend as bait?”

Cornered, Darim snaps and suddenly kisses Jihyuk—hard.

The world stops.
He freezes.
And then Jihyuk whispers:

“That… Do it again.”

This signature scene embodies the entire essence of Dynamite Kiss—unexpected, electric, explosive.

📺 Episode 1 Verdict

Episode 1 of Dynamite Kiss sets the stage perfectly:
strong chemistry, sharp contrast between leads, and the emotional weight of two people escaping their realities in different ways.

Go Darim: relatable, flawed, impossible not to root for
Gong Jihyuk: polished yet hollow, irresistibly intriguing
Jeju Island: the soft dreamscape where misunderstandings bloom

By the end of Episode 1, you understand exactly why Dynamite Kiss is already drawing attention as SBS’s next big romance hit.
The premiere builds the tension, the misunderstandings, and the emotional stakes—ensuring Episode 2 will dive deeper into the sparks awakened by that unforgettable dynamite kiss.

More K-Drama Resources

If you’d like to explore additional details, official materials, or cast profiles related to Dynamite Kiss, the links below provide verified and reliable sources for global viewers.

SBS Drama – Official Program Page
https://programs.sbs.co.kr/drama
TVING – Official Streaming Platform
https://www.tving.com/
Ahn Eun-jin Filmography (HanCinema)
https://www.hancinema.net/korean_Ahn_Eun-jin.php
Jang Ki-yong Filmography (HanCinema)
https://www.hancinema.net/korean_Jang_Ki-yong.php

Dynamite Kiss Episode 1 Review | A Stunning, Emotional Start