The Good Detective (2020)
A gripping Korean crime drama where two mismatched detectives race to expose the truth before powerful forces bury it forever.
The Good Detective - Series Information
- Original Title: 모범형사
- First Air Year: 2020
- Last Air Year: 2022
- Created by: Cho Nam-guk, Choi Jin-won
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Action, Adventure
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (65 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 32
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- First Air Date: July 6, 2020 (United States - TV-MA), July 6, 2020 (United Kingdom - 15), July 6, 2020 (France - 16), July 6, 2020 (India - U/A 16+), July 6, 2020 (New Zealand - 16), July 6, 2020 (Australia - MA15+), July 6, 2020 (Brazil - 16), July 6, 2020 (Italy - VM14), July 6, 2020 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: JTBC
- Alternative Titles: 모범형사 (KR), ตำรวจพันธุ์แกร่ง (TH), 模范刑警 (CN), Model Detective (US)
- Production Companies: Blossom Story, JTBC, JTBC Studios
- Production Countries: South Korea
The Good Detective - Plot
A drama about the race between people who want to get closer to the truth and those who want to cover it up. Jang Seung Jo will take on the role of Oh Ji Hyuk, an elite detective of nine years who does not share his feelings with others due to pain he experienced when he was young. He is not swayed by money and power, even with the huge wealth he inherited from his uncle.
The Good Detective - Trailer
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The Good Detective - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Cho Nam-guk
- Choi Jin-won
Main Cast
- Son Hyun-joo
- Jang Seung-jo
- Cha Rae-hyung
- Jung Soon-won
- Kim Ji-hoon
- Kim Myeong-jun
- Son Jong-hak
- Jo Hee-bong
- Baek Eun-hae
- Lee Ha-eun
Writers
- Choi Jin-won
The Good Detective - FAQs
Where can you stream The Good Detective?
The Good Detective is available to stream on Netflix and Rakuten Viki, including Netflix Standard with Ads. Free ad-supported viewing is also available on The Roku Channel and Tubi TV, making it accessible across a wide range of platforms and budgets.
What is The Good Detective about?
At its core, The Good Detective is a battle between truth and cover-up. A seasoned, morally unshakeable detective named Oh Ji-hyeok teams up with a more pragmatic partner to expose deep-rooted corruption within the legal system. Themes of justice, friendship, and institutional rot run throughout both seasons.
How many seasons and episodes does The Good Detective have?
The Good Detective ran for two seasons, each containing 16 episodes, bringing the total to 32 episodes. Season 1 aired in 2020 and Season 2 followed in 2022, both on the South Korean cable network JTBC.
Is The Good Detective worth watching for K-drama fans?
Definitely. The series earned strong praise for its tight plotting, compelling bromance between its two leads, and unflinching look at police corruption. Son Hyun-joo and Jang Seung-jo deliver standout performances, and the pacing keeps tension high from start to finish across both seasons.
Who plays the lead detectives in The Good Detective?
Son Hyun-joo plays Kang Do-chang, a veteran detective with street smarts and a flexible moral compass, while Jang Seung-jo portrays Oh Ji-hyeok, an elite nine-year detective driven by principle. Their contrasting personalities and evolving partnership form the emotional backbone of the series.
Does The Good Detective deal with real corruption cases?
While not based on a single true story, The Good Detective draws heavily from real-world themes of wrongful convictions, corrupt legal systems, and police misconduct that have been widely documented in South Korea. The storytelling feels grounded and credible precisely because of those real societal parallels.
What is the content rating for The Good Detective?
The Good Detective carries a TV-MA rating in the United States, indicating content suitable for mature audiences. It includes intense crime sequences, depictions of corruption, and morally complex situations. International ratings vary: 15 in the UK, 16 in France, and 19 in South Korea.
What shows are similar to The Good Detective?
Fans of The Good Detective often enjoy My Name, Sacred Games, and The Bequeathed for their crime-thriller intensity. For more Korean detective dramas with strong character dynamics, Cross and Good Boy are solid picks. Sleeping Dog offers a compelling European take on the wrongful conviction theme.
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