The First Responders Ending Explained: What Happened to Jin Ho-gae and Bong Do-jin?

The First Responders (소방서 옆 경찰서) is a new thriller K-drama series directed by Shin Kyung Soo and written by Min Ji Eun. The series stars Kim Rae-won as Jin Ho-gae, Son Ho-jun as Bong Do-jin and Gong Seung-yeon as Song Seol. The rest of the cast includes Jung Jin-woo, Lee Jung-hu, Ji Woo, Jung Sang-hoon, Kang Gi-doong, Son Ji-yoon, Woo Mi-hwa, Seo Hyun-chul, Lee Hwa-jung and more.

The new emergency rescue drama centres around a hot-headed, stubborn police officer who follows unconventional ways to solve various impossible cases. Along with two firefighters, Bong Do-jin and Song Seol, the trio assists and cooperates to save innocent victims and bring them justice.

The first season premiered on SBS TV on November 12, 2022, and airs every Friday and Saturday at 10 pm KST.

Disney+ Hotstar describes the series as:

A police station and a fire station adjoing each other COORPERATE IN COMBINING CRIME AND FIRE IN THE MOST BRUTAL AND TRAGIC CASES.

The First Responders Ending Explained

After Dojin hands in the evidence of the fire caused around the city to Ho-gae, he starts investigating. Upon looking closely, he noticed the fires occurred exactly three hours apart, 10 AM, 1 PM and 4 PM, respectively. It was expected that there would be another fire at 7 PM, but instead, the death of a cat was reported. Without wasting any time, he digs up the cat’s body and takes it to the forensic for further investigation.

The forensic report said that the cat died from consuming a poisonous flammable substance called toluene. The substance was mixed with bread, and the cat passed away upon eating it. Ho-gae and Dojin’s suspicions increases, and they head out to find more evidence.

Also Read: The First Responders Episode 12 Recap and Review: Jindo Dog and Bulldozer Join Forces

Were the fires an accident or planned?

Ho-gae and Dojin, along with the team of detectives, reach the basement where the cat used to stay. A toilet paper roll was spread across the stairs, but the trail was torn. It was concluded that the arsonist laid out the tissue, but the cat unintentionally sabotaged the plan by tearing it. They also noticed that the trail led to a shelf of bread with toluene, which was the cause of the cat’s death. Dojin also finds the arsonist’s signature star mark, and their suspicions turn out to be true.

Everyone wonders who could be the culprit, and Ho-gae assumes that someone is most likely looking for revenge on Dojin.

The First Responders still 1
Still from The First Responders Episode 12

Were Dojin and Ho-gae able to save the day?

The detective and the firefighter set out to find the arsonist in their own way. Ho-gae investigates the crime scene by thinking outside the box and collecting shreds of evidence through all the possible indications. In contrast, Ho-gae goes on petrol to look out for any possible fires that may occur.

As they were on the job, a sudden fire broke out, and the police and the fire department reached the scene. The fire happened in an enclosed parking lot. Ho-gae joins Dojin to help him extinguish the fire. It could only be put out through the space’s roof, and they successfully reached the area through a ladder.

Both entered the parking lot with a water hose as the rest of the team waited for further instructions. But suddenly, a massive explosion occurs inside the parking space while Ho-gae and Dojin are still inside. Everyone present at the scene panics at the incident, and the episode ends on a cliffhanger.

The First Responders still 2
Still from The First Responders Episode 12

What are your thoughts about the ending? Let us know in the comments below!

The First Responders is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

Also Read: All of The First Responders Reviews


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Hrishita Das
Hrishita Das
Hrishita Das is an Anthropologist by training, but her true passion lies in delving into the human experience through prose. A cinephile and pop culture enthusiast, she has been a writer for a year.

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