The much-awaited K-drama Blood Free aired episode 1 on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 4 p.m. KST on Disney Plus. The series, also known as Dominant Species, revolves around the biotechnology company BF, founded by CEO Yoon Ja-Yoo (Han Hyo-Joo). As the company dominates the genetically engineered meat culture market, Ja-Yoo faces opposition for her mission to have humans stop eating animal meat.
Episode 1 of Blood Free saw Woo Chae-Woon (Ju Ji-Hoon) decide to become Ja-Yoo’s bodyguard on orders by former President Lee Mung-Gyu. The latter sent Chae-Woon to Ja-Yoo on suspicions of her being the culprit of a bomb blast that took place in the past and caused severe damage. Chae-Woon, who carried the guilt of the blast and could not protect people, agreed to look into Ja-Yoo’s actions while gaining her trust as her bodyguard.
Blood Free episode 1: Han Hyo-Joo faces opposition to her mission
The debut episode of Blood Free began with BF Group CEO Yoon Ja-Yoo giving a product presentation of her genetically cultured meat products. She claimed that the company not only succeeded in culturing livestock but also the four most consumed seafood items – tuna, salmon, mackerel, and shrimp. Meanwhile, former officer Woo Chae-Woon arrived at the event.
Woo Chae-Woon saw Ja-Yoo’s team members—Kim Sin-Gu (BF Research Team 3 Leader), Seo Hui (BF Research Team 1 Head), Haeng Sae-Ip (researcher), and Jeong Hae-Dun (BF Legal Advisor, Planning Director). As Ja-Yoo promised her products to be blood and danger-free, she also promised to culture all types of grain and food crops in the next six months. Meanwhile, Chae-Woon kept recalling a bomb blast incident that claimed many soldiers’ lives.
While returning from the event, a stockbreeder who allegedly went bankrupt due to the BF group jumped to his death and landed on Ja-Yoo’s car. Chae-Woo witnessed the incident and came around to help. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Seon Woo-Jae heard about the incident. At the hospital, Ja-Yoo looked at the CCTV footage with On San (Research Director & Team 2 Leader). Her employees decided to get Ja-Yoo, a full-time bodyguard.
In the CCTV footage, Ja-Yoo saw Chae-Woon helping them out. She asked Hae-Dun to find out about him. Back at home, Chae-Woon kept having flashbacks of the bomb site. He soon discovered that BF Group suffered rumors surrounding its culture fluid being full of germs. Ja-Yoo then found out that Citizen X (a ransomware organization) had hacked her computer systems and demanded 80 billion KRW in Bitcoin within the next 48 hours.
Moreover, Ja-Yoo realized that only the lab computers had been hacked. Hae-Dun revealed that news outlets received an anonymous tip through an email sent by Schrosky. The tip mentioned that BF Group’s research and bacteria-filled culture fluid were illegal. The team realized Citizen X was behind sending the email as well. Meanwhile, Kim Sin-Gu expressed his anger at people badmouthing the culture fluid he had devoted many years to creating.
Hae-Dun mentioned that Citizen X might have hacked their systems while they were at the event. Eventually, Ja-Yoo ordered the lab to close down for the next two days. While Hae-Dun received constant calls, the team contemplated whether their members used an external network. They were worried that the hackers read their files containing the lab’s core technology. Ja-Yoo advised the team to manage their work until they found the culprit.
Ja-Yoo asked Hae-Dun to deny all allegations and threatened to take legal action. She also asked the team for a culture fluid analysis and its reports. Jaa-Yoo requested the team to keep the hacking incident to themselves. Meanwhile, Hae-Dun informed Ja-Yoo of Chae-Woon’s identity. Hae-Dun recalled him being Sanghwa Group Chairman Park Dae-Seong’s bodyguard. Hae-Dun further informed that he left Sanghwa Group.
Later, Ja-Yoo discovered that Citizen X attacked the Naval Intelligence Command (NIC) in 2022. However, there were no articles mentioning it publicly. Ja-Yoo then realized that Chae-Woon worked with the NIC from 2020 to February 2023. On the other hand, Chae-Woon met with former President Lee Mung-Gyu.
Mung-Gyu asked Chae-Woon if he had found the terrorist. Chae-Woon said he hasn’t been successful yet. The president recalled how he was asked to meet the troops at the last minute. He was on an overseas trip with affluent CEOs, including Ja-Yoo. The CEOs decided to accompany the president to a former battlefield. It was then that the blast took place.
Mung-Gyu recalled that two ministers died and a few other CEOs retired due to severe internal injuries. He laid his suspicions of planting the bomb on one among STL Chairman Lee Nam-Jin, Sanghwa Group Chairman Park Dae-Seong, Tech Games’ Han Gi-Ho, and BF’s Yoon Ja-Yoo. Mung-Gyu sent Chae-Woon to the BF event because he was sure that Ja-Yoo was the culprit.
Apparently, Ja-Yoo met with Mun-Gyu as soon as he took office. She wanted him to abolish the law requiring cultured meat to be labeled as genetically modified foods. When he followed suit, he had to step down and even lost his legs in the bomb blast. Meanwhile, BF grew exponentially. Mung-Gyu requested Chae-Woon to investigate into Ja-Yoo’s alleged illegal actions. Chae-Woon, whose job was to protect the president at the time, agreed to Mung-Gyu’s wishes. He found out more about Ja-Yoo while preparing to be her bodyguard.
Tune in to Blood Free every Wednesday at 4 p.m. KST on Disney Plus.
