The First Responders: When Lives Collide Between Fire and Crime
Introduction
The First Responders aired on SBS from November to December 2022, offers an intense, action-packed look at first responders in Seoul: a detective, a firefighter-investigator, and an EMT paramedic. This crime-thriller drama highlights the gritty reality of emergency response—and the emotional toll of life-and-death decisions. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Overview
Title: The First Responders (소방서 옆 경찰서)
Year: 2022
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Action
Main Cast: Kim Rae-won, Son Ho-jun, Gong Seung-yeon
Number of Episodes: 12 (Season 1)
Runtime per Episode: 60–70 minutes
Broadcast Network: SBS TV
Streaming Platform: Disney+
Overall Story
Jin Ho-gae (Kim Rae-won) is a sharp-witted detective in Taewon Police Station, known for his brilliant crime-scene analysis and relentless pursuit of truth—even if it’s uncomfortable to others. His ability to read suspects’ psychology makes him excel, but also leaves him isolated by his own uncompromising morals.
At the adjacent Taewon Fire Station, firefighter-investigator Bong Do-jin (Son Ho-jun) rushes into disaster zones with unwavering courage. He confronts flames and accidents head-on and brings a dry humor and protective instinct to high-stakes rescues. Yet beneath his tough exterior lies a deep sense of responsibility and trauma from past rescue failures.
Paramedic Song Seol (Gong Seung-yeon) brings warmth and empathy to chaotic scenes. Whether treating burn victims or de-escalating panicked crime scenes, she balances professionalism with genuine compassion. Her presence softens the ensemble, reminding them of the human lives behind every call.
When a complex string of fire-linked crimes crosses the line between accidental and intentional, these three responders are forced to work together. Ho-gae’s forensic insight meets Do-jin’s crisis instincts and Seol’s frontline triage skills—but cooperation means exposing vulnerabilities. Conflicts arise between fast-paced fieldwork and cold police procedures, threatening to fracture their fragile camaraderie.
As the investigation deepens, each character grapples with personal demons—Ho-gae confronts guilt over past failures, Do-jin faces trauma from a fire that claimed lives, and Seol struggles with the toll of helplessness. Their shared mission to catch an arsonist bridges gaps, turning professional respect into genuine reliance and trust.
Season 1 builds to a climatic showdown: a mass-arson incident where all three must unite—or die. Their coordinated effort in real time becomes a life-or-death ballet of strategy, bravery, and sacrifice. The finale leaves viewers questioning the thin line separating order and chaos—and forward motion becomes a moral victory over past darkness.
Highlight Moments / Key Episodes
In Episode 1, Ho-gae walks into a blazing warehouse as an arson case unfolds. His silent coordination with Do-jin’s rescue and Seol’s triage sets an electrifying tone for the series.
In Episode 4, Do-jin recounts his traumatic failure saving a child from a fire—revealing why he pushes himself so far at every scene.
In Episode 7, Seol risks her safety to calm an injured suspect during an explosion aftermath—cutting through protocol to reach humanity behind trauma.
In Episode 9, Ho-gae uncovers key evidence in a charred apartment, but his impartial pursuit of justice sparks conflict with administrative bosses.
In Episode 12, the hostages are trapped in a gasoline-fed inferno. The trio stages a synchronized rescue—risking everything to stop the arsonist and save lives, delivering a pulse-pounding climax.
Memorable Lines
In Episode 2, Ho-gae whispers at a fire site: “I need to see every footprint in the ashes.”—a testament to his forensic obsession.
In Episode 5, Do-jin quietly tells a burned survivor: “You’re more than your wounds—you survived for a reason.”—a rare burst of empathy during chaos.
In Episode 8, Seol consoles another paramedic: “Saving one broken heart makes today worth it.”—highlighting her emotional courage.
In Episode 10, Ho-gae asserts: “If it smells like fire, I’ll find the matches.”—an eerie promise that signals his readiness to chase justice relentlessly.
In Episode 12, after the final rescue, Do-jin breathes: “We survived the flames together.”—a line that elevates their bond above the job.
Why It’s Special
The First Responders is more than a typical procedural drama. What makes it unique is its rare fusion of firefighting, emergency medicine, and police work—all three seen through equally compelling lenses. The drama doesn’t just portray these jobs in action, but dives into their emotional undercurrents, showing how each responder is shaped by trauma, pressure, and the weight of saving others.
The acting is a standout element. Kim Rae-won as Jin Ho-gae delivers a restrained yet searing performance as a cop driven by truth, while Son Ho-jun infuses Bong Do-jin with grounded grit and unshakable humanity. Gong Seung-yeon shines as the emotional center, playing Song Seol with understated compassion and fierce integrity. Their chemistry—tense at first, then increasingly cohesive—builds a powerful dynamic that anchors the story.
Visually, the show is stunning. From burning buildings to chaotic accident zones, the cinematography immerses viewers in the high-stakes intensity of every scene. Fire sequences are shot with meticulous realism, using smoke, lighting, and tension-building cuts that place the viewer right inside the danger zone.
Narratively, the drama is paced like a thriller. Each episode’s structure begins with a tense emergency, but threads a larger mystery through it—connecting episodic cases to a larger arsonist plot. This mix of episodic and serialized storytelling keeps the suspense alive while developing its characters organically.
Emotionally, the show focuses on the psychological cost of heroism. Each character isn’t just defined by their job but by the personal baggage they carry. Whether it’s guilt over a past fire, fear of failure, or emotional burnout, the drama tackles these themes with sensitivity and realism—making their victories feel hard-won and meaningful.
Finally, the show excels at showcasing the value of teamwork. While the professions differ greatly, the series underlines that real success in crisis response comes when professionals listen, trust, and support each other. It’s a message of unity that resonates deeply, especially in today’s fragmented world.
Popularity & Reception
When The First Responders aired on SBS, it quickly gained attention for its fresh concept and gritty realism. While not a romantic drama, its intense pacing and cinematic action scenes earned high praise from viewers craving something different from typical K-dramas. In Korea, the show garnered steady ratings between 6-8% nationwide, respectable for a late-night genre series.
Internationally, especially in the U.S., the drama found a niche following through Disney+ streaming. Fans on Reddit and Twitter praised its balance of police procedural and emotional character work, comparing it favorably to Western shows like “9-1-1” and “Chicago Fire.” One viral tweet read, “Korea just made a procedural that makes you cry while someone’s leg is being amputated. I’m not okay.”
Many YouTube reaction videos highlighted the fire sequences as visually superior to even some big-budget productions, while viewers applauded the grounded performances that made every emergency feel personal. Gong Seung-yeon especially earned praise for bringing emotional depth without melodrama.
The drama's portrayal of ethical dilemmas—such as rushing into fire zones without protocol or the gray lines in investigative methods—sparked thoughtful online discussion about the moral weight of saving lives. Fans also created art and video edits celebrating the “fire-cop-medical” trio, showing just how beloved this non-traditional team dynamic became.
Cast & Fun Facts
Kim Rae-won (Jin Ho-gae) returned to the crime-action genre with powerful restraint. Known for his romantic roles in “Doctors” and action film “The Prison,” this role marked a grittier turn. He reportedly trained with former detectives to perfect the way Ho-gae interrogates, stands, and studies crime scenes. His nuanced performance is rooted in subtle emotional control, especially in scenes where grief simmers beneath his stoic face.
What’s notable is that Kim Rae-won personally insisted that his character not be softened with romance. Instead, he wanted Ho-gae to focus on justice, regret, and the burden of past cases—bringing a rare masculine vulnerability that impressed both critics and fans.
Son Ho-jun (Bong Do-jin) previously known for comedic timing in “Reply 1994” and “Go Back Couple,” underwent fire safety training and studied real-life rescue missions for this role. His portrayal of a jaded, quietly loyal firefighter was praised for its realism. He often did his own stunts—crawling through fire sets in full gear without complaint, despite the physical intensity.
Behind the scenes, Son Ho-jun reportedly bonded closely with real-life firefighters, even joining training drills with Seoul’s emergency crews. One firefighter commented in an interview, “He respected the weight of our job—he listened, sweated with us, and it shows on screen.”
Gong Seung-yeon (Song Seol), long admired for her work in “Are You Human Too?” and “Bulgasal,” brings grounded humanity to the drama. Her background as a former trainee at SM Entertainment meant she brought physical discipline and poise to physically taxing scenes. In one interview, she shared that she shadowed paramedics for weeks and even watched live surgeries to prepare emotionally for her role.
Audiences noted how Gong’s quiet acting style made Seol’s presence deeply comforting in the chaotic world of first response. Many fans said she became “the heart of the show,” and viewers praised how her strength was expressed in empathy rather than force.
Director Shin Kyung-soo, who previously helmed “Six Flying Dragons,” brought his signature cinematic touch. He opted to shoot fire scenes in one-take action sequences where possible, to preserve realism. CGI was minimal—most flames were real, and safety measures were tightly controlled. The result: an adrenaline-fueled but emotionally intimate show that respects the professions it depicts.
Interestingly, the show’s production was split into two seasons from the start. SBS confirmed early that Season 2 would follow shortly, allowing the cast to explore deeper psychological arcs and more complex emergencies in a format that mimicked real-life shifts.
Conclusion / Warm Reminders
If you’re seeking a drama that fuses thrilling rescues, complex characters, and emotional weight, The First Responders delivers. It doesn’t rely on fantasy or romance but earns your investment through grounded performances and high-stakes realism. The lives depicted aren’t superheroes—they’re ordinary people doing extraordinary things under pressure.
Especially for viewers interested in justice, emergency response, or even legal gray zones in crisis management, this show provides an emotionally layered and morally engaging experience. It’s not just about catching criminals or saving lives, but about what it costs a person to walk into danger every single day. That’s why this series resonates far beyond its flames and sirens.
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