SBS’s new Friday-Saturday drama, “The Fiery Priest 2,” made a spectacular comeback, captivating viewers with its first episode aired on the 8th. This season kicks off with an intriguing drug case in Gudam district, five years after a period of peace. The fiery priest, Kim Hae-il, portrayed by Kim NamGil, is back in action, along with the ‘Gudamz’ members, signaling a reunion to tackle new challenges.
Kim Hae-il, disguising himself as a monk, confronts and subdues the thugs terrorizing the temple, showcasing his unwavering charisma. Meanwhile, Sister Kim (Baek Ji-won) has become a gambling-savvy senior nun, Father Han (Jeon SungWoo) has transformed into a more intense priest, and Song-sak (Ahn ChangHwan) emerges as Gudam’s honorary police officer and leader of the riders. Oh Yo-han (Ko KyuPil) has enhanced hearing thanks to an electric shock, working as a convenience store manager.
Park Kyung-sun (Lee HaNee) returns from LA looking more radiant, while Goo Dae-young (Kim SungKyun) has been promoted to lead the violent crimes team at Gudam Police Station. Despite appearing laid-back during the day, he teams up with Kim Hae-il at night to combat injustice.
The plot thickens when Park Kyung-sun finds herself in danger, almost being arrested by armed police while dining in an LA restaurant. In a parallel event, Kim Hae-il’s beloved altar boy, Lee Sang-yeon (Moon WooJin), collapses during a peaceful mass, foreshadowing ominous events. Shockingly, it is revealed that Lee Sang-yeon was poisoned by a drug called Hepanil, stirring tension. Although Kim Hae-il and Goo Dae-young rush to help, the drug investigation team takes over the case, raising suspicions when news of the Hepanil incident disappears overnight.
Determined to uncover the truth, Kim Hae-il gains a clue from a name mentioned in a phone call Lee Sang-yeon received before collapsing. Goo Dae-young and Song-sak set out to gather evidence. Kim Hae-il, frustrated by the inaction reminiscent of five years ago, stands resolute, rallying the ‘Guvengers’ with the spirit of their past adventures. Together, they stage a dramatic scenario portraying Kim Hae-il as a priest possessed by a vengeful spirit, ultimately defeating the bullies responsible for Lee Sang-yeon’s overdose and identifying Gudam district’s drug distributor.
In a thrilling showdown, Kim Hae-il, Goo Dae-young, and Song-sak overpower a group of 18, extracting a crucial hint about ‘Busan Eel.’ However, Kim Hae-il questions the ‘Guvengers,’ pondering, “What would Father Lee Young-jun do in this situation?” before suggesting the possibility of ‘Busan Eel’ being in Busan. The episode concludes with Kim Hae-il donning Lee Sang-yeon’s headphones, arriving at Busan Station with a determined look, setting the stage for an unyielding joint operation.
“The Fiery Priest 2” continues to deliver laughter, surprises, and heartfelt moments, capturing the essence of writer Park Jae-beom’s narrative. Kim NamGil’s portrayal of the justice-driven priest remains sharp and witty, and his lines during mass resonate deeply, challenging societal norms with humor and insight.
Director Park Bo-ram showcases his flair for both action-packed and emotionally charged scenes, with the fiery opening punch sequence and Park Kyung-sun’s daring plate-throwing swing in LA highlighting the heightened action. The comedic slapstick in the drug den adds a thrilling and satisfying punch.
Returning cast members Kim NamGil, Lee HaNee, and Kim SungKyun deliver impeccable performances, embodying their characters with charm and chemistry. New faces Sung Joon, Seo HyunWoo, and Kim HyungSeo introduce intriguing dynamics, with Sung Joon’s cold demeanor, Seo HyunWoo’s calculated villainy, and Kim HyungSeo’s bold dialect sparking curiosity.
According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode achieved impressive ratings, reaching 12.4% in the metropolitan area, 11.9% nationwide, and peaking at 15.4%, securing the top spot for its timeslot and all Friday programs.
Catch the second episode of SBS’s “The Fiery Priest 2” on November 9 at 9:50 PM KST for more thrilling adventures and comedic escapades.
