The new K-drama Spring Fever begins with a teacher trying to escape her past and a man whose intimidating reputation might be a complete lie. The first episode, which premiered on January 5, 2026, introduces Yoon Bom, who has left a successful life in Seoul for a quiet teaching job in the small coastal town of Sinsu. Her plan for a peaceful, invisible life is immediately challenged by the arrival of Seon Jae-gyu, a large, heavily built man who sends the entire school staff into a panic. The premiere sets up a classic story of first impressions versus hidden truths, wrapped in the show’s romantic comedy style.
The Troubled Teacher: Yoon Bom’s Mysterious Past
Episode 1 opens with a recurring, unsettling dream. Yoon Bom, played by Lee Joo-bin, is confidently teaching in a classroom when another woman enters and slaps her across the face. This violent dream jolts her awake, her hands shaking, a scene that repeats every night. The contrast between this dream and her current reality is stark.
Once known in Seoul as the energetic “Story Slayer,” Bom was the life of the party and a gifted teacher. Now, in Sinsu, she is a shadow of her former self. She deliberately dresses head-to-toe in black, keeps to herself, and aims to be as unnoticeable as possible. Her withdrawal is so complete that her new colleagues gossip about her without realizing she is standing right beside them. The episode carefully avoids revealing exactly what happened in Seoul to cause this dramatic change, making her painful past the central mystery of her character.
School Panic: The Arrival of Seon Jae-gyu
The routine of the small school is shattered when Seon Jae-gyu arrives. Portrayed by Ahn Bo-hyun, Jae-gyu is tall, very well-built, and has a large dragon tattoo on his arm, which immediately fuels fear and speculation. Whispers among the teachers paint him as a dangerous gangster, with wild rumors claiming he can lift cars and has committed acts of extreme violence.
Jae-gyu is at the school for a specific and personal reason. He is the guardian of his nephew, Seon Han-gyeol, a top student who was denied a school award. The school’s reason was that Han-gyeol “has no parents.” Jae-gyu confronts the teachers, forcefully defending his role. He explains that he has raised the boy himself since his parents passed away and demands that the school recognize him as Han-gyeol’s rightful guardian. While the other teachers cower, Yoon Bom observes this scene. She feels a pang of fear but also finds herself quietly agreeing with his argument, recognizing the unfairness shown to his nephew.
Questioning Appearances: Is the Gangster Real?
While the rest of the town is terrified, Yoon Bom becomes curiously observant. Her first suspicion arises from an awkward, late-night encounter near her rental house. Later, she sees Jae-gyu in a completely different light. She spots him having a meal at the local market with the men rumored to be his gang. Instead of a threatening group, they appear to be normal, friendly people simply enjoying lunch. This moment leads Bom to seriously doubt the stories she’s heard. She even begins to suspect that the fearsome dragon tattoo on his arm might not be real.
A lighthearted moment highlighted by a viewer on social media shows a different side to Jae-gyu. In an attempt to connect with Bom, he seriously claims to be “half Seoul-born” because his mother is from Seoul, and then speaks in a stiff, robotic version of the Seoul dialect to prove it. This odd attempt at being “bilingual” adds a layer of unexpected humor and charm to his character.
The Tense Meeting and a Lawyer’s Threat
The teachers’ fear peaks during parent-teacher meetings. No one wants to meet with Jae-gyu, so the task is left to Yoon Bom. While she feels uneasy, Jae-gyu is relaxed. He confirms her name in a way that increases her anxiety, and he seems oddly fascinated by her, hinting that they may have met before—something Bom does not recall.
“He tells one of the people who works for him that she doesn’t seem to recognize him.”
Meanwhile, a separate story begins in Seoul. The episode introduces Choi Yi-joon, a lawyer played by Cha Seo-won. He files a lawsuit against Jae-gyu, seeking his address. Yi-joon reveals that he was severely bullied in high school and believes Jae-gyu was his tormentor. He is now seeking payback, suggesting a darker chapter from Jae-gyu’s past is about to resurface.
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Episode Ending and How to Watch
The first episode ends on a quiet but charged note. During their meeting, Jae-gyu leans in close to look at his nephew’s grades, leaving Yoon Bom visibly flustered. This moment of proximity sets the stage for their developing connection.
Spring Fever is based on a web novel and is directed by Park Won-gook. The premiere episode is approximately 70-75 minutes long. It airs on tvN in South Korea every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM KST. For international audiences, the series is available to stream globally on Prime Video, as well as on Korean platforms Wavve and TVING. New episodes will be released weekly.
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