English Dub Review: Viral Hit “A New Opponent”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
Hobin is reluctant to take on Gaeul’s bullies, the Comedy Crew, but when Bomi is hospitalized as a consequence of a prank they pull on her, he sets his sights on taking them down.

Our Take:
Pranks can be funny at first, but if they trick someone under terrible circumstances, they can have severe consequences for the prankster and even the victim.  This scenario is no exception, as the Comedy Crew’s latest stunt resulted in Bomi breaking her leg.  Thankfully, she didn’t get hit by a car, as we’re led to believe, but that didn’t stop the situation from getting worse, with the Comedy Crew mocking her near-death experience.  Usually, we would let the police or even karma overwhelm these heartless viral bullies.  However, considering our situation, that’s not good enough, especially since they’re not around to keep this dangerous viral sensation in check.  This means that Hobin has found some new bullies to beat up before the season ends.
The previous episodes usually pit Hobin in a one-on-one match against a bully, like Pakgo and Taehun.  This one takes a different approach by having Hobin fight multiple ones simultaneously, mainly the so-called “Comedy Crew”.  However, in this episode, Hobin tries a new approach to dealing with the bullies after finding out most of the Comedy Crew’s videos are staged.  With the help of Rumi, Hobin and the others expose the bullies’ plot to start a rumor that’ll ruin Viral Hit’s reputation, ending with Hobin performing his praying mantis bluff to scare them off.  If he hadn’t fumbled at the last minute, this would’ve made it the first time in the series that Hobin solves the bullying problem without violence.  I guess that’s wishful thinking.
I found this episode particularly enjoyable due to Hobin’s strategic thinking. Despite his fear of getting killed and guilt about not being with Bomi, Hobin understands that the most effective way to handle bullies is by exposing their mean-spirited nature rather than resorting to physical confrontation. This “brains over brawn” tactic makes Hobin a relatable protagonist beyond just being a fighter. “A New Opponent” also effectively explores the pros and cons of unscripted prank videos, shedding light on the show’s portrayal of online popularity and bullying. With only two episodes left in this hard-hitting livestream, how would Hobin escape this predicament now that his bluffing has been exposed?