“I’m not a good priest. I’m not even a patient one. But I will find out who killed Father Lee – even if I have to burn this whole city down…” – Father Michael / Kim Hae-il
Welcome to ‘The Fiery Priest’, the 2019 SBS action-comedy that became the highest-rated miniseries on public broadcast that year and returned for an equally explosive second season in 2024. Starring Kim Nam-gil, Kim Sung-kyun, and Lee Hanee, this drama follows a priest with anger management issues who teams up with a bumbling detective and a corrupt prosecutor to solve a murder.
It aired on SBS TV’s Friday and Saturday timeslot, the first drama to do so, with Season 1 running from February 15 to April 20, 2019, and Season 2 premiering on November 8, 2024.
Starring: Kim Nam-gil, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Hanee
Written by: Park Jae-beom
Directed by: Lee Myung-woo
Episodes: Season 1: 20 episodes | Season 2: 12 episodes
Network: SBS TV
Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki, Hulu, Kocowa
The Plot
Father Michael / Kim Hae-il (Kim Nam-gil) is not your typical priest. An ex-NIS agent who retired after a traumatic accident during his last mission, he met Father Lee and decided to take the path of the priesthood, hoping for his sins to be forgiven. He was very close to Father Lee, which is why he’s now obsessed with punishing those responsible for his death.
Contrary to the image of a typical priest, Hae-il is short-tempered, prone to violence, and unafraid to throw punches in the name of justice.
Goo Dae-young (Kim Sung-kyun) is a clumsy detective who has become a pushover, constantly manipulated by his superintendent and senior officers. Once a dedicated police officer, his life changed after the death of his former partner. Reluctantly dragged into Hae-il’s crusade, he provides the muscle — however uncoordinated it may be — and the moral compass that keeps the priest from going too far.
Angela / Park Kyung-sun (Lee Hanee) is a corrupt prosecutor who has covered up crimes committed by Gudam’s administrators, including the police chief and the borough head.
She is initially drawn to Hae-il because of his good looks, but constantly bickers with him. As the investigation deepens, she finds herself torn between her comfortable career built on corruption and an unlikely attraction to righteousness.
Together, this mismatched trio takes on corrupt businessmen, compromised officials, and a criminal underworld that reaches higher than anyone expected — all while trading insults, throwing punches, and discovering that redemption comes in many forms.
The Characters
Kim Hae-il / Father Michael (Kim Nam-gil)
An ex-NIS agent turned priest with a volcanic temper. Kim Nam-gil delivers an iconic performance — equal parts action hero, comic genius, and surprisingly vulnerable man of faith. His Hae-il swings between praying and punching, often within the same scene. The role earned him numerous accolades, and it’s easy to see why: he makes violence feel righteous and faith feel fierce.
Goo Dae-young (Kim Sung-kyun)
A clumsy, weary detective who has lost his way. Kim Sung-kyun brings warmth and pathos to Dae-young, whose physical comedy contrasts contrasts beautifully with his more serious moments. He’s the show’s reluctant hero, the man who simply wants to do his job but keeps getting dragged into explosive situations.
Park Kyung-sun / Angela (Lee Hanee)
A corrupt prosecutor with a sharp tongue and a hidden heart. Lee Hanee steals every scene as Kyung-sun, whose constant bickering with Hae-il crackles with chemistry. Her arc from comfortably corrupt prosecutor to someone struggling with her conscience provides some of the series’ most satisfying moments.
Why This Drama is Your Next Binge-Watch
- Kim Nam-gil’s Career-Defining Role: The actor has never been better than he is as this hot-tempered priest who can’t control his fists. His physical comedy, dramatic intensity, and surprising vulnerability make Hae-il one of K-drama’s most unforgettable characters.
- Explosive Action-Comedy: The fight scenes are brutal, funny, and beautifully choreographed. Hae-il fights like an ex-spy but prays like a priest, creating tonal whiplash that somehow works perfectly.
- Perfect Trio Chemistry: The bickering, reluctant partnership between Hae-il, Dae-young, and Kyung-sun is pure gold. They insult each other constantly, but their growing loyalty feels earned and touching.
- Highest-Rated Miniseries of 2019: According to Nielsen Korea, this was the most-watched miniseries on public broadcast in 2019. The numbers don’t lie, audiences couldn’t get enough.
- Two Complete Seasons: With Season 2 premiering in 2024, there is double the fiery action to enjoy. The second season introduces new cast members, including Sung Joon, Seo Hyun-woo, and Kim Hyeong-seo (BIBI).
A Deeper Look
At its core, ‘The Fiery Priest’ is a drama about rage, righteousness, and the messy business of seeking justice in a corrupt system. Hae-il chose the priesthood to escape his violent past, but his anger never truly left; it just found a new target. His journey asks whether holy rage can be a virtue and whether the ends can ever justify violence.
The drama also critiques institutional corruption. The police, prosecutors, and politicians all protect each other, and it takes an outsider (a priest), a burnout (a detective) and a sellout (a prosecutor) working together to expose the rot. It’s a deeply cynical show with an unexpectedly hopeful heart.
Through its wild tonal shifts — from slapstick comedy to brutal action to genuine emotional moments — ‘The Fiery Priest’ argues that faith, friendship, and fury can coexist. Sometimes, the holiest thing you can do is stand up and fight against injustice.
The Final Verdict
A wildly entertaining and uniquely Korean action-comedy that earned its place in K-drama history.
Decades from now, viewers will still talk about Kim Nam-gil’s unforgettable performance as a priest swinging rosary beads in one hand and throwing punches with the other while screaming prayers at gangsters. ‘The Fiery Priest’ is messy, over-the-top, and absolutely unforgettable. If you haven’t watched it, now is the perfect time. And if you already have, Season 2 is waiting.
An ex-spy who became a priest. A broken detective who forgot how to fight. A corrupt prosecutor who might remember how to care. Together, they are the most unlikely weapons against corruption — and they are unstoppable.
Written by: Trisha Deka
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