Episode 1 of "Dong Jae, the Good or the Bastard" kicks off with a frustrating turn for prosecutor Seo Dong-jae, as he once again misses out on a promotion while his colleagues bask in the glow of their advancements. His path is rife with clashes, particularly with fellow prosecutor Cho Byung-gun, who seems to constantly rub him the wrong way.
Amidst the disappointment, Dong-jae finds solace in a solitary ramen dinner, flipping through articles that recount his past triumphs in unraveling intricate cases. Fueled by this nostalgia, he vows to make a lasting impression on his superiors, determined to secure that elusive promotion in the future.
However, the months that follow are a tedious slog, filled with mundane cases and petty squabbles that sap his enthusiasm. That is, until he stumbles upon a case that piques his curiosity: a man whose priceless pottery, valued at a staggering 100 million won, shatters in his car trunk after a sudden encounter with a restaurant owner.
Initially dismissive, Dong-jae's interest is piqued when he discovers that the restaurant owner is a beloved figure, renowned for his affordable meals that nourish the less fortunate and frequently drawing the spotlight of the press. Sensing a hidden narrative, Dong-jae dives headfirst into the investigation.
He delves into the intricacies of artifact transportation, uncovering a sophisticated delivery system employed by exhibition houses. Posing as a client, he infiltrates an exhibition center, where he uncovers a damning detail: the victim had willingly assumed the risk of transporting the fragile pottery. When confronted, the victim offers flimsy excuses for forgoing the secure service, only fueling Dong-jae's suspicions further.
Tensions escalate when the victim storms into the restaurant, demanding compensation from the owner, who retaliates with a chilling threat of his own. It's only Dong-jae's timely intervention that averts disaster. Going above and beyond, he arranges for the restaurant's water supply to be restored, saving the business from closure, and even playfully encourages the reluctant owner to embrace the media spotlight, albeit to no avail.
On his return journey, Dong-jae narrowly escapes a second near-fatal car accident, realizing with a jolt that the vehicle involved belongs to none other than the victim. This revelation spurs him on, and he relentlessly gathers evidence, eventually summoning the victim for questioning. CCTV footage exposes the truth: the victim had been deliberately stalking the restaurant owner, his justifications ringing hollow in the face of undeniable evidence.
Dong-jae's supervisor subsequently extends an invitation to him for a dinner engagement, an occasion that unexpectedly leads him to cross paths with the influential CEO of a prominent construction conglomerate. Amidst the finessed ambiance, the CEO, with a cunning smile, attempts to sway Dong-jae with a blatant bribe, hoping to sway the legal tide in his favor. However, Dong-jae stands firm, unwavering in his principles, and promptly withdraws from the compromising scenario.
The CEO, undeterred, pursues him relentlessly, the veil of anonymity dropping as he divulges a shared past when Dong-jae served as a prosecutor under his sponsorship. The revelation unravels a sinister plot: the CEO's insatiable ambition for a lucrative redevelopment project has driven him to concoct an elaborate fraud, with the sole obstacle being the restaurant owner's staunch refusal to sell his property. In a fit of rage, the CEO hints at exposing Dong-jae's secrets, a veiled threat hanging heavy in the air as he storms off.
Later, Dong-jae, intent on conveying a glimmer of hope, treads cautiously towards the restaurant owner's establishment. But his good intentions are met with a gruesome sight—the owner, shovel in hand, engaged in a macabre excavation of human remains. Panic-stricken, Dong-jae attempts a hasty retreat, only to be felled by a brutal blow to the head, plunging him into unconsciousness.
Awakening to find himself bound and at the mercy of the enraged owner, Dong-jae listens in horror as the man vents his fury over Dong-jae's involvement in summoning authorities, a move that compelled him to unearth the hidden truth. The tension mounts as Dong-jae, facing his own mortality, launches into a desperate plea for survival, a cunning proposal echoing through the tense air: he claims to hold the key to unlocking billions of won in profit for the owner, a gambit that might just save his life. The episode draws to a cliffhanger, with Dong-jae's fate hanging in the balance as he negotiates for his very existence.
