"Rugal" Premiere Recap: This is Just the Beginning of Kang Ki-Beom's Revenge

A new sci-fi Korean drama just launched for viewers to binge on. Titled Rugal, the series is Netflix's newest addition to its list of Korean shows for those who have been itching for a non-typical genre. It talks about justice and revenge for a loved one.

Rugal, in the urban world, is a fictional character from the King of Fighters series. He has a belief that he is a human god. His eye was destroyed by one of the heavenly kings of Orochi. This latest series is based on a popular webcomic Rilmae. 

A perfect couple, donned in their best suit and wedding gown, was shown. Kang Ki-Beom lied on the floor and was struggling for his breath while covered in blood. He tried to look on the other side while his wife was unconsciously lying. He could see blood in every part of her body.

Both bodies were transported by ambulance to the hospital. Transferred by a stretcher, he was mobbed by the reporters who were trying to get a picture of his situation. He awakened with a blindfold and shouted with full of anger in his heart.  

A flashback of two months ago, prior to the incident, Ki-Beom talked with his partner in the police force Song Mi Na. They were protecting their witness for a case they filed against the syndicate leader Yong Deok. He warned his team to be safe and ready the witness as they were supposed to travel to the courthouse. As soon as he hung up, a group of masked men attacked Mi Na and the whole team. They were all shot to death by the syndicate, including the witness they were protecting.

Meanwhile, leader Yong Doek was released by the court since no witness came in to file the case against him. Ki-Beom went to the place where they hid the witness and the house was empty. Everyone died on that day. He attended the funeral with huge anger in his heart. Ki-Beom faced the police commissioners and was questioned for his failure to protect his team and the innocent victims. 

On his way home, he passed by a flower shop to buy bouquets of flowers for his wife. It was their one year wedding anniversary. Ki-Beom reached his apartment and saw his wife on the floor. He was beaten by surprise by yet another group of masked men. Outnumbered, the men took out his eyes and left him with a surge of pain.  

In the hospital, he could hear a calm voice talking to him. Although he couldn't see anything, the voice commanded and described his surroundings. Choi Geun Che convinced him to trust and do what he says. Soon, if things are ready, he will be rescued.

When he recovered, Ki-Beom was transferred to a prison. Inside the walls he stayed, Ki-Beom practiced how to walk and balanced each move he made. Geun Che would teach him a few tricks and encouraged him what to do with his exercises.

The awaited part came when Geun Che and his team helped him escape. Geun Che instructed him how many steps he will do for him to reach the exit area. Geun Che had been using a satellite to monitor Ki-Beom from the start. At the right timing, Geun Che's team successfully rescued Ki-Beom. They traveled to meet Geun Che and a place where his life starts to change: K Hospital. 

Geun Che met Ki-Beom and introduced him to his team of doctors. He informed Ki-Beom of the options to make him see again and in return to work for him. Ki-Beom accepted the offer. Without hesitations, he continued with the procedure. His new artificial eyes were successfully attached.

After the surgery, he passed out a few times. Ki-Beom felt pain and recurring sounds. After a few days, he awakened and saw the team, including Mi Na. He was very happy to see that his partner is alive. Ki-Beom started his training with the Rugal team, consisting of Han Tae Woong, Lee Gwang Cheol, and Song Mi Na.