Seoul Busters – K-drama Episode 1 Recap & Review

The New Captain

Seoul Busters episode 1 starts with an introduction of Yu-bin. A capable man who does well in whatever he sets out to do. He is well-respected and liked within the police community and has won so many accolades for his brave service. He was even selected as an honorary FBI agent and sent to America. However, he is surprisingly back in Korea and begs the police chief to send him into the field. The police chief reluctantly agrees and sends him to the Violent Crimes Unit 2 at Songwon Police Station

Now, the Violent Crimes Unit 2 at Songwon Police Station is not as capable as Yubin. They have a reputation for being the worst detective squad. Presently, they are struggling to make an arrest and it is entertaining, as it is funny to see how clumsy they are as a team. The rookie member, Tan-sik, ends up electrocuting himself. The lieutenant, Joong-Ryeok, loses one of the suspects because he doesn’t know how to stop his scooter and Jung-hwan and Min-seo end up nearly passing out trying to catch the suspect. 

Following this disaster of an attempted arrest, the police chief is forced to transfer the team captain. He also moves the team to a new location, a day-care near the Songwon Police Station, since the department is under construction. The daycare is nowhere close to an office, toys are lying around and kids playing. 

For the next few days, the team wonders who will be their next captain. Jung-hwan argues that Joong-Ryeok will probably take over the position as he is due for a promotion. As they debate, they get a call about a murder and Tan-sik and Joong-Ryeok head out to the scene. Of course, the rookie messes up and gets the wrong address. They end up breaking into the wrong house and mistake a sleeping man for the deceased. Another funny scene transpires when the ‘deceased’ pulls a Lazarus and wakes up from the jaws of death. 

Thankfully, Jung-hwan calls them and gives them the correct destination. Upon arriving at the scene, they learn that a man died and left a suicide note behind. The team quickly examines the scene and concludes it is most likely a suicide. Joong-Ryeok has a hunch that this was no homicide and is ready to call it a day. However, Yu-bin shows up out of the blue and challenges him. Joong-Ryeok is about to punch him when Yu-bin introduces himself as the new team captain and reexamines the crime scene.

At a quick glance, Yu-bin points out everything the team missed in their initial examination. For example, the printing paper in the house and the one used for the suicide note are different. The team heads back to the office to look deeper into the case since Yu-bin insists they leave no stone unturned. While Yu-bin familiarises himself with his new office, the members gossip about him. So far, no one likes Yu-bin but Jung-hwan shamelessly attempts to suck up to him. 

The team has a case briefing led by Joong-Ryeok who starts bickering with Yu-bin again. The victim was Lim Dong-il, and he worked as a road manager for a famous star, Kang Min-jae. Only Jung-hwan recognises who Min-jae is and he berates the members for not being updated with Hallyu stars. However, he changes his tune when Yu-bin admits he doesn’t recognise Min-jae either. 

After the case briefing, Yu-bin selects a team member to join him while he visits the entertainment company. Min-seo volunteers and they head out to speak with Mr Jang, the CEO of the entertainment company. Min-seo is surprised by Yu-bin’s observation skills and teases him about being a fortune reader. Mr Jang claims that Min-jae is busy and shocked by the death of his beloved manager. He claims that Min-jae and Dong-il were friendly and had no issues at work. Mr Jang also claims not to be close to Dong-il. A misunderstanding arises during the interrogation when they mistakenly think that Min-seo farted. 

On the way out, Yu-bin runs into another employee and asks them about Dong-il. The lady tells them about Min-jae’s short temper, abuse of power and bullying. Mr Jang’s lies and Min-jae’s behaviour angers Min-seo, but Yu-bin asks her to remain focused. She‌ tells him that he has an unlikeable personality. After the police leave, Mr Jang and Min-jae meet for dinner and discuss the case. Min-jae is worried that the case will bring him bad publicity, but Mr Jang asks him to calm down, saying it is just a routine investigation.

 At the same time, Tan-sik, Joong-Ryeok and Jung-hwan go through the CCTV footage from the nearest surveillance cameras and spot a man leaving Dong-il’s house on the night of his death. Tan-sik recognises the man as a con man who tricked him before. Joong-Ryeok and Jung-hwan head home, leaving Tan-sik to watch over the kids. Min-seo and Yu-bin are surprised to return to the office and find kids playing around.

The Episode Review

Seoul Busters debuts with a fantastic episode that leaves us clutching our chests from laughing. The slapstick comedy is top-notch and gives this show a unique charm for a crime show. Even though they are investigating a murder, the light-hearted moments between the characters keep the viewers invested. 

This squad may be struggling to perform, but with a man like Yu-bin at the helm, things might change. Who knows, they might learn to be better investigators. I know they feel like Yu-bin is an intruder and a know-it-all but the man is simply efficient. Hopefully, the team will bond as they solve the case. My favourite character has to be Tan-sik. He is so innocent and clueless. How did he manage to become a detective?