A new romantic comedy on Netflix is captivating audiences by breaking one of the most common storytelling rules in K-dramas. Dynamite Kiss, which premiered on November 12, 2025, features its main couple sharing a passionate kiss in the very first episode, a dramatic departure from the typical slow-burn romance format the genre is known for. The series has quickly climbed Netflix’s global charts, indicating that this bold risk is resonating with viewers.
The Rule That Was Broken
In most K-dramas, the romantic tension between the lead characters builds slowly over many episodes. The first kiss is typically a major event saved for the midpoint of the series or even later, making it a climactic moment for the audience. For instance, in another popular Netflix K-drama Business Proposal, the main couple’s first kiss did not happen until episode 7. This pattern of delayed intimacy is a familiar and often expected part of the K-drama viewing experience. Dynamite Kiss shatters this convention by having its leads lock lips in episode one.
How the Kiss Unfolds
The story follows Go Da-rim, a clever but unemployed woman, and Gong Ji-hyeok, a disciplined and successful CEO. The two meet by chance on a trip to Jeju Island. When Da-rim’s ex-boyfriend appears with his new girlfriend, she and Ji-hyeok impulsively decide to pretend to be a couple. To make their fake relationship convincing in front of her skeptical ex, Da-rim makes a split-second decision and kisses Ji-hyeok. As they kiss, literal fireworks explode in the sky overhead.
This moment is not just a spontaneous act; it serves as the inciting incident for the entire series. For Ji-hyeok, a man who had given up on love because of his parents’ unhealthy relationship, the kiss is a profound shock. He later describes the experience as feeling like “the titular dynamite,” completely challenging his worldview.
Why Breaking the Rule Works
Placing the kiss at the very beginning of the story allows Dynamite Kiss to explore a different kind of romantic narrative. Instead of a story about two people slowly falling in love, it becomes a story about what happens after a powerful, unexpected connection. The show explores a “love at first kiss” scenario and the complications that follow.
The characters are reunited in Seoul under difficult circumstances. Da-rim, desperate for a job, pretends to be a married mother to secure a position on a special project team at a baby products company. To her shock, the team’s leader is none other than Gong Ji-hyeok. He is dismayed to discover the woman he hasn’t been able to forget now appears to be a married mother, creating a tense and complicated workplace dynamic.
Fan Reactions and Show Success
The bold narrative choice has not hurt the show’s popularity. According to Nielsen Korea, the drama’s viewership has been on a steady rise. Episode 3 achieved a national rating of 5.3%, a significant increase and a personal best for the series, securing the number one spot among weekday dramas. The show has also broken into Netflix’s Top 10 most-watched shows globally, proving its international appeal.
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A New Direction for K-Drama Tropes
Dynamite Kiss uses familiar K-drama elements like fake dating and workplace romance but puts a fresh spin on them. By moving the first kiss to the start of the story, the show creates a foundation of established chemistry and immediate complication. This allows the plot to focus on the challenges of a second-chance romance and a forbidden office relationship, rather than the long wait for a first confession. The series demonstrates a willingness to play with genre conventions to create a unique and engaging story.
The drama airs on SBS every Wednesday and Thursday and is available for streaming on Netflix. The final episode is scheduled for December 25, 2025.
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