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As a brief synopsis, this drama focuses on the relationship among two siblings, Jin Kang & Yoo Jin-gook, and the man who comes between them. Jin Kang is a 29 Year old marketing designer, and her brother, Jin-gook, is a homicide detective. We start the drama with two scenarios: (1) a pottery exhibit of Jin Kang's best friend, Baek Seung-ah, and (2) a local police office exploring a recent, presumed suicide which is later determined to be a murder. Linked to both of these events is Kim Moo-young (Seo In-guk), a mysterious man with an ambiguous past. This enigmatic brewer's assistant becomes the central character and anti-hero as the drama progresses, intertwines, and reveals a complex history behind this relationship triangle.
At Seung-ah's exhibit, Jin Kang is attempting to win an advertising bid when she is spotted by Moo-young, who is helping cater the event. It's an uneventful meeting, one of those everyday moments of interacting with strangers who you'll most likely never see or interact with again. Yet, Moo-young's obfuscation and veiled comments make you pause to reflect on the conversation, something is odd, but you can't put your finger on it. What follows is the introduction of a recent murder as the it flashes to two detectives, Jin-gook and a junior partner on his team, examining a crime scene of recently deceased university student. These two settings put in motion the relationship including the romance, tension, and rivalry that develops among our Moo-young, Jin-gook, and Jin Kang.
***Warning Spoiler Alerts Ahead***
Talk about a mixed bag of emotions. After finishing this series, I almost need to take more time to sort through my thoughts and feelings before finalizing an opinion. This a darker drama, which I'm not quite sure how to classify. I'd categorize this as a melodrama romance, but at the same time it's also a mystery and/or crime series. Make no mistake, there is definitely a love triangle, but not the typical geometric equation usually found in K-dramas. Rather than a female protagonist caught in a romantic choice between two male leads, Jin Kang is caught between her romantic love for Moo-young and the platonic love of her much older brother. Closer to a father figure, Yoo Jin-gook's disapproval and disappointment of her choice of boyfriend goes well beyond that of an older brother. Moo-young has been connected with three murders, is antagonistic to pretty much everyone (except Jin Kang), and has a strange connection to Jin-gook.
Almost to the very end, I consistently flipped on my theories on Moo-young, specifically, is he or isn't he a villain. There is something unsettling about his character, a feeling which is explicitly called out by Jin-gook, and I'd definitely agree. Abandoned since childhood, or at least he thinks he's been abandoned, Moo-young's perceived reality is that of a world who doesn't want him; so he doesn't care about those around him, only those who intrigue or upset him. He appears to be charming, yet he is covertly hostile and manipulative. People are considered objects in a game. Win or lose, he sees his self-serving behaviors as permissible and doesn't care about the repercussions.
With each episode (until about episode 10), new details emerge about the events leading up to the initial murder. These details provide a, incongruous, snapshot like view from the different perspectives of the involved parties. Often, these are facts being pieced together by our brotherly detective, Jin-gook. Because of his personal bias,he points all fingers at Moo-young as the culprit. Given his previous, romantic relationship with Seung-ah, as well as the hand Moo-young played in her death, Jin-gook has good reason to want his baby sister to stay far away from this perceived sociopath. As Moo-young's memories and parentage are revealed, the intertwined past from our three characters takes center stage, leading to an emotional journey of discovery, loss, and regret.
This makes for an fascinating story, because Moo-young's only redeeming quality is the true feelings that develop for Jin Kang. In tandem, you get to see the type of person who is capable in falling love with a sociopath. For us normal folks, we can identify with Jin-gook, and see this for what it is: a toxic relationship. What ensues, after a few moments of early relationship bliss, is a downward spiral for our lachrymose heroine. Jin Kang ends up losing out on job opportunities, losing her relationship with her only brother, losing her closest friend, and eventually, losing her life.
The Good: There are quite a few "what-the-heck" and "how could he do that" moments, that made me want to keep watching. Moo-young is an un-diagnosed sociapath, and the acting from Seo In-guk, who plays the character, is quite excellent. Fans of Reply 1997 will recognize the moody and loner-boy acting, but in this drama, he takes it to another level. His manipulation of Seung-ha, the pugnacious attitude towards Jin-gook, and his tenderness for Jin Kang are just some of the range of emotions and acting chops displayed throughout.
Secondly, while one can spot some usual suspects for plotlines in this makjang drama (story extremely dramatized and exaggerated dramas), including childhood relationships, bribery, and the aforementioned love triangle, there are deft nuances to ensure the audience doesn't foresee the resolution, and once the revelation occurs, then BOOM, you are forced into another story arc. The gasp-worthy moments of how Moo-young is manipulated himself after he is told Jin Kang is his long, lost sister (y'know after they've had intimate relations), is both gut-wrenching and cathartic. One feels a sense of justice is served by him getting what he deserves. Of course, it would be highly uncharacteristic for this to be true (incest, even accidental, isn't something you'll see in mainstream Korean Dramas). So, we find out they were childhood friends, but have no recollection of each other. This misunderstanding isn't cleared up in time, and it is the catalyst for some very permanent actions leading the dramatic events in the last two episodes.
Lastly, when the final pieces of the puzzle are put together, and Jin Kang's & Moo-Young's parentage is revealed, it's not as far stretched as you'd think. It makes a lot of sense, and in the context of the series, it could be plausible. The overwhelming sense of regret from Moo-young, knowing that he is a killer, his father was a killer, and what he's put Jin Kang through is poignant. Despite his last words of "I want to live," the thoughts that crossed my mind were: "Can you?"
The Not-So-Good: I found this show to be equally interesting and draining. Aside from some of the plotholes, e.g. we never really get to understand the catalyst or reasoning for Moo-young's behavior in two major story arcs: his revenge against Seung-ah's domineering boyfriend or why he chose to get involved. Aside from the presumption that he is a sociopath, there is no closure on these fronts or explanation other than he did it because he is a bad guy. Additionally, the tension among the police officers just doesn't make sense. Jin-gook is ostracized by his team members because of how he killed a suspect in a previous case. His boss is downright unbearable, giving him demeaning jobs or not letting him add his expertise (his very good at being a detective) to the investigation. In cases of self-defense, boys in blue band together and protect their own. While there are other circumstantial reasons, it still doesn't feel natural or needed.
The Bad: The abrupt deaths of Seung-ha and her boyfriend, as well as chemistry between our two leads. If you watch the drama, and for those in the mood for a heavier drama, I'd definitely recommend this one, you'll understand how these are vital to the plotline. They help cement the character of Moo-Young, as well as introduce him to a final villain: female sociopath and heiress, Kim Taehyung. That said, these vital points feel rushed. The fact that we lost two of the primary sub-characters in a matter of minutes, with low to no future references makes you wonder why they were included in the first place.
For the relationship between our protagonists, it’s rather bland. The attraction, aside from the attractiveness of these k-stars, comes mostly from Jin Kang. She’s been harboring feelings of resentment towards her brother, as well as a sense of loneliness, after she accidentally discovers she isn't the biological sister to Jin-gook. This gives her a sense of solidarity with Moo-young, but it doesn't get enough development. Especially since Moo-young spends over half of the drama daing Seung-ha. Despite knowing he isn’t a good person, she agrees to date him as long as he promises to be ”good.” So in essence, she wants to fix him. Whereas Moo-young is more interested in Jin Kang because of her initial disinterest in him (another key sociopath trait). For a murder mystery romance, it doesn't match the tone of the series.
The Details: While the details don't set it apart or make it memorable, there are still some smart choices. There is a grittiness and filtering to the series which makes it almost sepia toned. This adds a somber note to the series, and really juxtaposes the brilliant and bright flashbacks which occur off and on through the drama. Speaking of light and dark, I haven't mentioned it yet, but there is the sub-character of Eom Cho-rong. He is an earlier love interest for Jin Kang; While he isn't essential to the story, this character helps drive home the lesser qualities of Moo-young. For Jin Kang, he is better in almost everyway: kind, supportive, up-beat, and genuinely cares. While this will be a one-time watch for me, it was a good investment into my precious K-drama time.
Ultimately this drama is worth the watch. Buckle up, sit back, and prepare for an emotionally bumpy ride.
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