'Doubt' Starring Han Suk-kyu Grips Viewers with Thrilling First Episode (2025)

The new MBC Friday-Saturday drama 'Doubt (이토록 친밀한 배신자)' captivated audiences with its cinematic intensity right from the first episode.

'Doubt' (produced by Nam Koong Sung-woo, directed by Song Yeon-hwa, written by Han Ah-young) premiered on October 11, unraveling the story of Jang Tae-soo (played by Han Suk-kyu 한석규), a father thrown into an unthinkable dilemma: "What if my daughter killed someone?"

The first episode of 'Doubt' recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 5.6% and 5.5% in the metropolitan area, signaling a promising start. The episode's climax, where Tae-soo lets out a deep sigh after discovering his daughter’s potential involvement in a murder, reached a peak rating of 6.4%. The tension-filled ending hinted at many more gripping cliffhangers to come. Han Suk-kyu's return to MBC after 30 years was met with praise, as his impeccable portrayal of a father torn by suspicion left a lasting impression on viewers, leading to reactions like, "As expected, Han Suk-kyu delivers," and "Han Suk-kyu at his best." (According to Nielsen Korea)

Tae-soo may be a top profiler at crime scenes, but he was a terrible father at home. After the death of his wife, he tried to be more involved in the life of his daughter, Ha-bin (played by Chae Won-bin 채원빈), but work always got in the way. He was soon hit with unexpected news: Ha-bin had been lying to him about quitting her study programs and had been caught in an altercation involving a stolen phone at the police station.

Despite Ha-bin's denial, Tae-soo sensed she was lying, and when a mysterious phone was found in her bag, his suspicions deepened. Ha-bin coldly shot back, "Do you think it’s stolen?" and walked away. Tae-soo, feeling guilty after verifying her innocence via CCTV footage, realized his baseless doubts had hurt his daughter. His late wife, Yoon Ji-soo (played by Oh Yeon-soo 오연수), appeared in his imagination, chastising him, "How can you read the mind of a criminal so easily but not your own child’s? Do you want to ruin her too? I died because of you!"

Amid this personal turmoil, a bodyless murder case emerged. Tae-soo agreed to take on the case in exchange for delaying his return to headquarters, hoping to spend more time with Ha-bin. However, Ha-bin lied again, claiming she was going on a school trip, only to disappear. Fearing she had run away, Tae-soo requested her location be tracked, only to discover that her last known whereabouts matched the location of the crime scene. Shocked, Tae-soo muttered, "Why was she here...?" and submitted his own blood for forensic testing.

Although Ha-bin wasn’t the victim, Tae-soo was left bewildered as to why she had been there. His confusion grew when he learned that Ha-bin had been admitted to the emergency room after reportedly jumping in front of a car intentionally. Fear crept in—was she trying to create an alibi? Could she be involved in the murder? Every step Tae-soo took was fraught with unsettling thoughts.

The episode’s final scene, where Tae-soo looked at his daughter in confusion and Ha-bin stared back coldly, left viewers breathless. With Tae-soo torn between wanting to trust his daughter and his growing suspicions, the anticipation for the next episode is sky-high. What is Ha-bin hiding, and how will Tae-soo’s emotions evolve?

The first episode of 'Doubt' effectively set the stage for an intense and gripping story, capturing the audience's attention with the emotional conflict of a father who begins to question his daughter. Han Suk-kyu’s outstanding performance, especially his pained sighs and conflicted expressions, left viewers eager for more. Chae Won-bin, portraying Ha-bin, delivered a mysterious and secretive performance that heightened the psychological tension between father and daughter. Supporting characters Han Ye-ri and Noh Jae-won added depth with their strong performances, while Oh Yeon-soo’s presence as Tae-soo’s tragic wife was unforgettable.

Following the broadcast, viewers were full of praise for the actors, direction, and compelling ｓｃｒｉｐｔ. Comments ｉｎｃｌｕｄｅd: "It felt like watching a movie," "Han Suk-kyu’s acting is just unmatched—he’s a god," "The directing was so good, I couldn’t look away," "From the first episode, you can tell this is going to be a masterpiece," and "Ha-bin isn’t your average daughter—something’s definitely up."

Meanwhile, episode two of the 90-minute extended MBC drama 'Doubt' airs tonight at 9:40 PM KST.