The Nice Guy

The Nice Guy
Promotional poster
Also known asThe Good Man
Hangul
착한 사나이
RRChakhan sanai
MRCh'akhan sanai
Genre
Written by
  • Kim Woon-kyung
  • Kim Hyo-seok
Directed by
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes14
Production
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkJTBC
ReleaseJuly 18 (2025-07-18) –
August 29, 2025 (2025-08-29)

The Nice Guy (Korean: 착한 사나이) is a 2025 South Korean television series starring Lee Dong-wook, Lee Sung-kyung, and Park Hoon. It aired on JTBC from July 18, to August 29, 2025, every Friday at 20:50 (KST). It is also available for streaming on Disney+ in selected territories.

Synopsis

The Good Man depicts the struggles of Seok-cheol, the eldest grandson of a three-generation gangster family, to protect his family, job, and love.

Cast and characters

Main

The eldest grandson of a third-generation gangster family.
An ambitious girl who dreams of becoming a singer.
Chairman of Samjon Construction, a competitor of Myungsan Industries.

Supporting

Park's Family

Seok-chul's father, once a notorious gangster across the country, now lives in the wilderness, cultivating a vegetable garden. Sil-gon regrets his past that led his son into the world of gangs.
The eldest sister of Seok-cheol and the eldest of the three Park siblings.
Seok-cheol's upright younger sister.
Park Seok-cheol's mother.
  • Choi Yi-jun as Hyung-geun
Seok-gyeong's son, a sweet and affectionate little boy who misses his mother who ran away from home.

Myeongsan Industry

Samjun Construction

Others

Mi-young's mother.

Production

Development

The Good Man is directed by Song Hae-sung, Park Hong-soo and written by Kim Woon-kyung and Kim Hyo-seok. It is co-produced by SLL, Hive Media Corp [ko] and HIGROUND.

Casting

On September 29, 2022, Starship Entertainment told Newsen that Lee Dong-wook had been offered to star in the series and was in discussions. In August 2024, it was reported that Lee had confirmed his appearance in the series. On March 3, 2023, Newsen reported that Ryu Hye-young was in discussions to appear as Seok-cheol's upright younger sister, Park Seok-hee. The same news outlet reported that Lee Sung-kyung had received an offer and was reviewing it on November 15, 2023. On January 24, 2024, according to Joy News 24, Oh Na-ra had confirmed her appearance in the series. On August 27, Hankook Ilbo reported that Park Hoon had joined the series.

Filming

Filming was already in progress on May 28, 2024. The Good Man wrapped up filming at the end of August 2024.

Release

On May 27, 2025, JTBC revealed its drama lineup for the second half of 2025. It is scheduled to premiere on July 18, 2025, and airs every Friday at 20:50 (KST). The series is also set to release on Disney+ in selected territories.

Viewership

The Nice Guy : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
1234567891011121314
1660732445665439569436514444530384551545721545
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)
Nationwide Seoul
1 July 18, 2025 3.039% (3rd) 2.489% (3rd)
2 3.225% (2nd) 2.694% (2nd)
3 July 25, 2025 2.178% (4th) 2.024% (3rd)
4 2.838% (2nd) 3.490% (2nd)
5 August 1, 2025 1.879% (6th) 1.940% (4th)
6 2.588% (2nd) 2.281% (3rd)
7 August 8, 2025 2.153% (4th) 2.162% (3rd)
8 2.328% (3rd) 2.273% (2nd)
9 August 15, 2025 2.006% (4th) 1.615% (4th)
10 2.311% (3rd) 2.046% (3rd)
11 August 22, 2025 1.672% (9th) 1.557% (4th)
12 2.368% (2nd) 1.741% (2nd)
13 August 29, 2025 2.405% (3rd) 2.350% (3rd)
14 3.082% (1st) 2.788% (2nd)
Average 2.434% 2.246%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This drama aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).

References

  1. ↑ Kwak, Myeong-dong (August 8, 2024). 이동욱, 태극기 휘날리며 파리 올림픽 현지 응원 [Lee Dong-wook, waving the Taegeukgi and cheering for the Paris Olympics]. MyDaily. Archived from the original on December 25, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Yoo, Ji-hye (May 27, 2025). "JTBC 금요드라마 신설…이동욱 '착한 사나이' 첫 타자" [JTBC's new Friday drama... Lee Dong-wook's first batter in 'Good Man']. JTBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 1, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  3. ↑ Seo, Jun-hyuk (July 11, 2025). "나는 좀 변해야 되지 않나"…박훈, 강렬한 눈빛→섬세한 변신 ["Shouldn't I change a little?"… Park Hoon, intense gaze → delicate transformation]. topstarnews (in Korean).
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 등장인물소개 | 착한 사나이 [Character introduction | The Good man]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-15.
  5. 1 2 Park, Jin-young (January 24, 2024). [단독] 오나라, 이동욱 누나 된다...'착한 사나이'로 안방 복귀 [[Exclusive] Oh Na-ra becomes Lee Dong-wook's older sister... Returns to the home screen with 'Good Man']. JoyNews24. Archived from the original on June 21, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  6. ↑ Park, Jeong-seon (March 3, 2025). [단독] 류혜영, '파이란' 감독 드라마 '착한 사나이' 출연…이동욱과 남매 된다 [[Exclusive] Ryu Hye-young to appear in 'Good Man', a drama directed by 'Pyran'… Becomes siblings with Lee Dong-wook]. JTBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 1, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025 – via Naver.
  7. ↑ Park, Ah-reom (July 10, 2025). "L" 이정현 "조직생활에도 주5일제 보너스 제도 도입해야" 남다른 소신(착한사나이) [Lee Jeong-hyeon "5-day workweek bonus system should be introduced to organizational life" A unique belief (Good Man)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 23, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025 – via Naver.
  8. 1 2 Yeon, Hwi-seon (August 6, 2024). 이동욱X이성경 '착한 사나이' 이달 말 크랭크업, 하이그라운드 라인업 제작 순항 [공식] [Lee Dong-wook X Lee Sung-kyung 'Good Man' cranks up at the end of this month, production of High Ground lineup underway [Official]]. OSEN. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  9. ↑ Lee, Hae-jeong (September 29, 2022). 이동욱 측 "'착한 사나이' 출연 논의 중" [공식입장] [Lee Dong Wook's side: "Discussions on appearing in 'Good Man'" [Official statement]]. Newsen. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  10. ↑ Lee, So-jeong (August 27, 2024). "'44세' 이동욱, 데뷔 25주년에 겹경사 터졌다...스타쉽 공식 영상으로 소식 전해" ['44-year-old' Lee Dong-wook, double happiness on his 25th debut anniversary... Starship delivers the news through an official video]. Ten Asia. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  11. ↑ Lee, Min-ji (March 3, 2023). 류혜영 측 "'착한사나이' 출연 긍정 논의 중" [공식] [Ryu Hye-young's side: "Positive discussions on appearing in 'Good Man'" [Official]]. Newsen. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  12. ↑ Jang, Ye-sol (August 8, 2024). 류혜영 "앞머리 뭐야" 조보아도 놀란 러블리 처피뱅 [Ryu Hye-young "What's with the bangs?" Jo Bo-ah was also surprised by the lovely bangs]. Newsen. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  13. ↑ Park, Soo-in (November 15, 2023). 이성경 측 "'착한 사나이' 제안 받고 검토중" 이동욱 만날까[공식입장] [Lee Sung-kyung's side: "Reviewing the 'Good Man' offer" Will she meet Lee Dong-wook? [Official statement]]. Newsen. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  14. ↑ Jeong, Han-byul (August 27, 2024). [단독] 박훈, '착한 사나이' 출연...이동욱과 호흡 [[Exclusive] Park Hoon to appear in 'Good Man'... Working with Lee Dong-wook]. Hankook Ilbo. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  15. ↑ Kim, Do-hyung (May 8, 2024). 이성경, 포즈 취한 그곳이 곧 런웨이...골목길서 개미허리 인증 [MD★스타] [Lee Sung-kyung, the place where she posed is the runway... Proof of her ant waist in an alley [MD★Star]]. MyDaily. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  16. ↑ Yoon, Hyun-ji (June 20, 2025). 이동욱, 소설가 꿈꾼 3대 건달 집안 장손…감성 멜로 엮였다 (착한 사나이) [Lee Dong-wook, the eldest grandson of a family of three gangsters who dreamed of becoming a novelist… Emotional melodrama intertwined (Good Man)]. xportsnews (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 20, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025 – via Naver.
  17. ↑ Disney+ Philippines [@DisneyPlusPH] (July 3, 2025). "Lee Dongwook is back and this time, it's romantic. 💘 Catch him with Lee Sungkyoung in #TheNiceGuy, available July 18 on #DisneyPlusPH" (Tweet). Retrieved July 3, 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  18. 1 2 Nielsen Korea ratings: