In Episode 1 of Dong Jae, the Good or the Bastard, prosecutor Seo Dong-jae faces another setback after being passed over for a promotion, while his peers celebrate their success. He constantly finds himself at odds with fellow prosecutor Cho Byung-gun. While having a solitary dinner, Dong-jae reads articles about his previous accomplishments, reigniting his determination to impress his boss and earn a future promotion.
Months pass with Dong-jae stuck handling trivial cases, but his situation changes when he is assigned a case involving a man whose pottery, valued at 100 million won, broke after a restaurant owner unexpectedly appeared in front of his car. Initially dismissive, Dong-jae becomes intrigued upon learning that the restaurant owner, known for providing affordable meals to the underprivileged, is frequently featured in the media. Seizing the opportunity, Dong-jae dives deeper into the case.
During his investigation, Dong-jae uncovers a specialized delivery method used by exhibition houses to safely transport valuable items. Posing as a customer, he visits an exhibition center and discovers that the pottery owner had signed documents assuming responsibility for the transport. However, Dong-jae remains suspicious and continues his investigation.
Later, the pottery owner confronts the restaurant owner, threatening him into settling. The restaurant owner retaliates by threatening to kill him, only to be interrupted by Dong-jae’s arrival. Dong-jae takes action to fix the restaurant’s water supply, which had been shut down, and humorously suggests that the owner participate in media interviews, though without success.
While returning, Dong-jae narrowly avoids a car accident, only to realize the car belongs to the pottery owner. As Dong-jae gathers more evidence, CCTV footage reveals that the victim had been targeting the restaurant owner all along, though the pottery owner offers excuses. Dong-jae’s boss later invites him to a meeting where a construction CEO attempts to bribe him to favor their side in the case, but Dong-jae declines.
As the plot thickens, the CEO reveals his history with Dong-jae, mentioning a redevelopment project and a fraud scheme involving the restaurant owner. The episode ends dramatically when Dong-jae visits the restaurant owner, only to find him digging up human remains. Knocked unconscious, Dong-jae awakens bound, with the owner preparing to kill him. Dong-jae negotiates for his life, offering the owner a way to make billions.
In Episode 2 of Dong Jae, the Good or the Bastard, Dong-jae continues negotiating for his life with the restaurant owner, revealed to be serial killer Lee Kyeong-Hak. Dong-jae proposes a legal loophole to help Kyeong-Hak dispose of his victims’ bodies, including his wife and the original restaurant owner. Kyeong-Hak eventually agrees, and they head to the prosecutor’s office to register the deaths of unidentified individuals.
However, Dong-jae unexpectedly calls for help, prompting his colleagues Jo Byung-gun and Kim Ji-Hee to rush in, though their efforts prove comical. Kyeong-Hak takes Dong-jae’s colleague hostage but is arrested after an elevator malfunction. Dong-jae, wounded, is taken to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor’s office covers up Dong-jae’s involvement to avoid scrutiny over past corruption cases, though they plan to reward him internally. Kyeong-Hak is visited in prison by Nam Wan-Sung, the CEO of Lee Hong Construction, and his lawyer, who was previously involved in the artifact scam. Kyeong-Hak tries to bargain, offering his land in exchange for Dong-jae’s death, but Wan-Sung declines.
At the hospital, Dong-jae encounters a mysterious schoolgirl hiding from someone, who leaves before he wakes up. His estranged wife calls, concerned for his safety, and as Dong-jae watches news coverage of the incident, he feels a fleeting sense of pride, overshadowed by the resurfacing of the sponsored prosecutor case.
The next day, Dong-jae receives a small bribe from Nam Wan-Sung, which infuriates him. Dong-jae confronts Wan-Sung at a club, where Wan-Sung reveals that a piece of land Dong-jae had accepted as a bribe years ago has now skyrocketed in value. Wan-Sung reminds Dong-jae of his past as a “sponsored prosecutor” and demands that Dong-jae convince Kyeong-Hak to sell the land. As the episode unfolds, Dong-jae discovers the deed to the land while Cho Byung-gun’s connection to a drug ring starts to unravel, with a drug lord’s family member getting caught up in the investigation.
By combining suspense, intricate legal drama, and shocking revelations, Dong Jae, the Good or the Bastard keeps viewers hooked with its layered plot and complex characters.
Dong Jae, the Good or the Bastard delivers a gripping mix of legal drama, suspense, and dark humor. Seo Dong-jae’s morally ambiguous character drives the plot, as he navigates corruption, blackmail, and personal struggles in his quest for career advancement. The show masterfully weaves intricate cases with personal stakes, keeping viewers hooked through unexpected twists, tense confrontations, and sharp dialogue. Its portrayal of the fine line between good and evil, combined with a richly layered storyline, makes it a must-watch for fans of complex, character-driven dramas.