Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama The Nice Guy (also known as The Innocent Man), which delivers one of the most emotionally devastating yet compelling stories in K-drama history.
Originally aired on KBS2 for 20 episodes from September 12 to November 15, 2012, this dark melodrama stars Song Joong-ki in one of his most memorable pre-Descendants of the Sun performances. Available on Netflix, each episode runs approximately 60 minutes, making it perfect for those who crave intense, character-driven storytelling that explores the darker aspects of human nature.
The series is a dark melodrama involving betrayal and romance, centering on themes of revenge, redemption, and the question of whether someone can truly change after being broken by love. The tone is heavy and emotional, with moments of genuine heartbreak balanced by glimpses of hope and healing.
Smart and promising medical
Smart and promising medical student Kang Ma-ru (Song Joong-ki) is deeply in love with his slightly older neighbor Han Jae-hee (Park Si-yeon), a television reporter. When Jae-hee’s situation takes a dark turn, Ma-ru sacrifices everything to save her, including his medical career and future. However, his noble gesture backfires spectacularly when Jae-hee abandons him to marry a wealthy older man, leaving Ma-ru to face the consequences of her actions alone.
Years later, a bitter and emotionally scarred Ma-ru encounters Seo Eun-gi (Moon Chae-won), the sheltered daughter of a business tycoon. Initially planning to use her as a pawn in his revenge against Jae-hee, Ma-ru finds himself slowly drawn to Eun-gi’s genuine warmth and vulnerability. Seeking revenge, he uses Seo Eun-Gi but realizes there are more important things in life.
Kang Ma-ru: The Tragic Anti-Hero
Song Joong-ki delivers a powerhouse performance as Ma-ru, a character who embodies the title’s irony. Once truly a “nice guy,” his betrayal transforms him into a cynical manipulator who uses his charm as a weapon. The brilliance of Song’s portrayal lies in showing glimpses of Ma-ru’s original kindness beneath his hardened exterior, making viewers simultaneously frustrated with his choices and sympathetic to his pain.
Ma-ru’s character arc is one of the most complex in K-drama history. He’s neither purely good nor evil, but rather a deeply wounded person making increasingly destructive choices. His journey from innocent medical student to calculating revenge-seeker to someone slowly learning to love again is both heartbreaking and compelling.
Seo Eun-gi: Love as Healing
Moon Chae-won brings remarkable depth to Eun-gi, a character who could have easily been just another naive rich girl. Instead, she creates a woman whose sheltered background has left her emotionally honest and surprisingly resilient. Moon ChaeWon and Song Joong Ki are just flawless, their acting is marvellous, and their chemistry develops beautifully as both characters learn to trust despite their respective wounds.
Eun-gi’s slow realization of Ma-ru’s initial deception and her choice to love him anyway becomes the emotional core of the series. Her character represents the possibility of healing through genuine connection, even when that connection begins with lies.
The Climax: Confronting the Past
The series builds to a devastating confrontation between Ma-ru and Jae-hee, where years of suppressed pain and anger finally explode. Without spoiling the specific details, the climax forces Ma-ru to confront not just his desire for revenge, but the person he’s become in pursuit of it. The emotional payoff is intense, with consequences that ripple through the final episodes.
This confrontation also serves as a turning point for Ma-ru’s relationship with Eun-gi, as she must decide whether to stand by someone who initially deceived her or protect herself from further heartbreak.
Success on Netflix
The lead actors are all in their best and the supporting characters are perfect, contributing to the drama’s lasting impact on Netflix viewers. The series has found new audiences on the platform, with many fans drawn to Song Joong-ki’s complex performance and the show’s unflinching examination of how love can both destroy and heal. The hour-long episode format allows for deep character development, while the melodramatic elements are balanced with genuine emotional moments. The Nice Guy stands as a testament to K-drama’s ability to tackle difficult themes with both style and substance.
If you love dark romance, complex character studies, and stories about redemption, The Nice Guy is the perfect series to binge on Netflix.
A masterfully crafted exploration of how love can both destroy and heal, featuring career-defining performances and emotional depth that lingers long after the final episode.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 20
Platform: Netflix
Rating: 7.6/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Dark Melodrama, Romance, Revenge
Main Cast: Song Joong-ki (Kang Ma-ru), Moon Chae-won (Seo Eun-gi)
Antagonist: Park Si-yeon (Han Jae-hee)