The First Responders Season 2 Episode 12 Recap and Review: Jin Ho-gae Returns With a Bang For the Finale!

The First Responders Season 2 Episode 12 premiered on September 9, 2023, with a total runtime of 60 minutes. It is a new thriller K-drama series directed by Shin Kyung-soo and written by Min Ji-eun. The series (소방서 옆 경찰서) stars Kim Rae-won as Jin Ho-gae, Son Ho-jun as Bong Do-jin, and Gong Seung-yeon as Song Seol. The supporting and recurring 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, Jo Seung-yeon, Seo Jae-kyu, Lee Do-yub, Jo Hee-bong, Jeon Kuk-Hwan and more.
The second season premiered on SBS TV on August 4, 2023, and airs every Friday and Saturday at 10 pm KST, while the first season premiered on November 12, 2022, with a total of 12 episodes. The First Responders Season 2 takes over SBS’s Friday-Saturday 10 PM KST timeslot previously occupied by Revenant.
-The First Responders Season 2 Episode 12 Recap Contains Spoilers-
The episode starts with Jin Ho-gae’s funeral, where everyone goes to pay their respects. The prosecution office builds up a case that blames Ho-gae for the murder of Ma Tae-hwa. However, Pil and the others start their own investigation to bring out the truth. They went to Sunyeol’s wife’s residence to find out his whereabouts. After they go to Sunyeol’s hideout, he is found dead.
Meanwhile, Dex meets Song Seol at the funeral home and reveals to her all his actions. After she finds out that he killed Ho-gae as well, she is shocked. Someone seems to have arrived at the funeral house, and it is none other than Ho-gae himself. He realises that Dex has taken Song Seol to a secluded place. Ho-gae instantly finds out and drives towards the location.
On the other hand, Pil and Doha find out that Dex is one behind everything. They also arrive at the location to save Song Seol. However, they stepped onto a landmine that Dex had set up. Ho-gae arrives at the location and hits Dex right before he is about to inject lethal poison inside Song Seol. They get into a face-to-face brawl, and Dex somehow defeats Ho-gae in the fight. But Song Seol stabs him from behind with a knife.

Dex looks behind and chokes Song Seol. Ho-gae comes back in time and finally beats Dex till he becomes unconscious. The police arrive and arrest Dex. The others are taken over to the hospital for their treatment. Everyone in the hospital bed gets together and discusses about the vents that took place within the few days. Song Seol gets upset with Ho-gae for risking his life for her.
Song Seol goes outside the hospital, and Ho-gae follows her. They have a conversation about why Ho-gae took such a risk just to save Song Seol. While talking, Song Seol grabs Ho-gae and kisses him. They finally express their love for each other and get into a relationship. The longing that they both displayed for days is finally shown through actions.
Dex is taken to the court to decide his punishment. The judge sends him to life imprisonment for the counts of murder, attempted murder and deliberate planting of explosives. Just when he was about to be taken to jail, the US representative appeared to extradite him from South Korea and take him back to the United States.
The fire department and the police officers hold a party where everyone enjoys with their heart’s content. Moreover, Ho-gae is given an award for his exceptional actions towards the nation and for showing responsibility to save the citizens. The episode ends on that note.
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The First Responders Season 2 Episode 12 Review: Final Thoughts
The season finale is exciting and thrilling from the first to the end. The story remains superior plotwise while adding the dramatic effect to the max. Although it has extremely dramatic elements, the plot remains airtight with no plotholes. The story remains true to its roots, providing the audience with a reasonable explanation of the intricate elements. Moreover, every actor gave an incredible performance that elevates the story further. Especially Kim Rae-won who gave a strong performance from the start till the end.

The First Responders Season 2 Episode 12 is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Did you watch The First Responders Season 2 Episode 12? Let us know in the comments below!
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