‘Jirisan’ Episode 1: Jun Ji Hyun Meets Rookie Ju Ji Hoon + Encounters Challenging Rescue Mission
One of the most anticipated Kdrama "Jirisan," finally premiered, giving the viewers a round of heart-stopping scenes featuring Ju Ji Hyun, Ju Ji Hoon, Sung Dong Il, Oh Jung Se and more.
Following the much-awaited premiere, the tvN series even made it to Twitter's trending topic with hashtag #JirisanEp1 while loading the action thriller drama's twist and turns.
'Jirisan' Episode 1 Highlights: Jirisan Park Ranger Welcomes Newbie Kang Hyun Jo
Mt. Jirisan's park ranger embarked on a challenging mission to find the 14-year-old boy left hiking in the mountains.
"Jirisan" episode 1 featured 2018 when Kang Hyun Jo (Ju Ji Hoon) first became one of the park's rangers.
On his first day, he immediately experienced his first-ever rescue mission to find the missing student. Kang Hyun Jo was paired with Seo Yi Kang (Jun Ji Hyun), also known as "demon Seo."
With the rangers rushing to rescue the kid before the golden time ends, the team endured the grueling mission despite being hounded by a strong typhoon.
Unfortunately, the situation left the rescue team in a tough and dangerous circumstance and was ordered by their captain to abort the mission.
READ MORE: 'Jirisan' Star Ju Ji Hoon Confesses Being a Fan of Jun Ji Hyun Since 'My Sassy Girl' + Lead Stars 'Honored' to Work with Screenwriter Kim Eun Hee
Kang Hyun Jo and Seo Yi Kang Believes that the Boy is Still Alive
At the park station, Kang Hyun Jo believes that the child is still alive and has to be rescued immediately. It came after he visualized something and thought that he could track the location of the boy.
As for the senior park ranger, she also had an inkling that the 14-year-old was still alive. It was after she spoke to the boy's grandmother where she told her that the search would resume once the rain had stopped.
Here, she saw the boy's last message to his grandmother, saying, "I'm sorry, grandma."
With this, she secretly went to the mountain alone despite the harsh weather.
Interestingly, she happens to bump into Hyun Jo, who is also searching for the lost hiker.
The newbie told his senior that he would regret it if he did not come and save the boy.
"Jirisan" episode 1 highlights the start of the duo's connection as field partners.
Will Kang Hyun Jo's First Rescue Mission be Successful?
As they attempt to locate the survivor's possible spot, Hyun Jo mentions going to the Bidam Cliff where he believes they can track down the boy's location.
It was after he saw a vision of the rock formation in an oak tree, hinting that the mountain was signaling him about the possible area where they could find the survivor.
After a challenging and dangerous hike on the trail, Kang Hyun Jo saw the boy, who was unconscious due to the low temperature.
Fortunately, the child was safe and was immediately transferred to a hospital.
Here, Seo Yi Kang confronted the newbie and asked him how he knew about the location.
"I saw it," he said, adding, "I can see the place where the person who was in distress is on this mountain."
Initially, she did not believe it but then realized that Hyun Jo's statement must be valid after a cultural resources researcher told them about the signal they found under the rock.
It was used during the ancient times when they fell behind or lost contact with their tribe. With this, Hyun Jo thought that they might use it if they could not reach one another through walkie-talkies.
Seo Yi Kang Returns After Two Years
"Jirisan" episode 1 also illustrates the devastating incident that happened to Yi Kang and her partner.
The head of Mt. Jirisan park ranger, Jo Dae Jin (Sung Dong Il) says that someone will return to be one of their team members.
Jung Goo Young (Oh Jung Se) was surprised to see Yi Kang as one of the park rangers despite being in a wheelchair.
Here, Seo Yi Kang managed to track down the lost hiker who has been locating by the team for months.
She then pointed out the signals which she and Kang Hyun Jo used to utilize.
Rookie ranger Lee Da Won (Go Min Si) then mentioned that it might be her partner who has been placing the signals, to which Jo Dae Jin disagreed.
It was then revealed that Kang Hyun Jo was in a coma after facing an accident on the mountain.
