Stranger (2017)

Наслаждалась "Лесом тайн" как бутылкой хорошего вина. Неторопливо, по глоточку. Какое-то странное притяжение в этом сериале. Вроде бы не совсем интересная для меня тема коррупции, превалирующий серо-синеватый цвет, цивильные костюмы кругом. Но не оторваться. И в этом явно заслуга отличного сценария и превосходного актерского состава. Есть "ложки дегтя", куда же без этого, но Чо Сын У и Пэ Ду На прекрасны. После эмоционального персонажа в God's Gift - 14 Days, тут он совсем другой, периодически пугающий. А ее я большей частью видела в западных проектах и обращала внимание поскольку-постольку, а "Сочувствие господину Месть" было почти 10 лет назад, и тут - такой интересный персонаж и безукоризненной воплощение. Браво.

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Review of "Stranger 1st season"

- First of all, can I just point out how fucking unique the plot line is!!!!! Honestly I was interested on how the director would play out the whole "no emotions" thing because while it was an intriguing idea it could have been a home run or a hit or miss and honestly I personally think they hit a home run with it!! They managed to create a character who was able to be apatheic in certain situations which was good because he was able to rationalize and reasons in ways that you can't when your being overwhelmed by emotion, but you could also tell he cared.
- While his face barley ever changed (props to the actor btw) he body language told us all we need to know. From the way he stand to even how he placed his hands, I think they did a great job portraying this type of character.
- Now what I was impressed with was the most was the OST. Both the intro and the outro had me bopping, so much so that i would watch the credits just to hear the music. It also was very impactful with the storyline too.
- Now I'm just saying this to let you know, but this series contains but the smallest bit of romance. its not a big part of the story and it can't even really be called small either because while it does further the relationship between the characters it doesn't turn into anything big.
- Overall , this series is a must watch if your into crime/mystery with politics, corruption, and betrayal thrown into the mix. This show is definitely binge-worthy!!!

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Um drama investigativo com mais lições de vida que alguns melodramas!

É um drama investigativo, com um ótimo roteiro e plot-twist maravilhosos. Para alguns o drama pode parece sem nada atrativo até o fim do segundo ep que é hoje as coisas começam a fazer sentido.

Apesar de ser um drama investigativo ele tem muito mais da parte " a moral da história" do que a maioria. A figura anticorrução é bem observada pela figura da policial Yeo Jin (#DoonaBae) e o Shin Mok ( #JoSeungWoo) faz um ótimo papel de analista de situações.

Acho que para um drama fictício ele aborda muito a realidade principalmente com os personagens "agridoces", mostrando que ninguém é santo o tempo todo e todos tem seus monstros internos e pecadores.

Não é um drama de romance mas impossível não shippar, nada verdade eu shippei todo mundo com todo mundo os diálogos ambíguos foram ótimos (rs). Apesar de não ter romance e o drama não te dá romance até o final o drama acaba perfeitamente.

Enfim... nota: 10/10 real perfeito sem defeitos, tão sem defeitos que eu tô com medo de assistir a segunda temporada.

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Stranger

My first review on this site was about my best friend who had passed last year from a drug overdose. How 'Hi Bye, Mama!' explored the permanent effects of a sudden loved one's death had on them, and how unfair life is that you can never give them a proper send-off, was something that resonated deeply with me - especially having watched it so soon after my friend's passing.

A year has gone by, and I came across Stranger one day and finally got around to watching it amidst a lacklustre summer of productivity (or lack thereof). While it was genuinely a solid drama backed by an intriguing plot and excellent acting (as expected when you have Bae Doo-na in the line-up), there was a scene in particular that brought back the same sorrow I experienced while watching HBM.

It was revealed that Yoon had murdered Park due to his involvement in a traffic accident that led to the death of Yoon's 6-year-old son, along with thirteen (fourteen?) other kindergarten kids, through a web of corruption and cover-ups. He had murdered Park as he lost all belief in the justice system, and how the people responsible for such an atrocity were walking around as free men and growing more and more powerful every passing second - while he had to deal with the pain of suddenly losing his son as a result of the people he worked under.

I was confused as to whether or not I should despise Yoon.

He mentioned that he had a wish. Before the coach carrying the children exploded into flames, it had flipped over. Yoon's wish was that he hoped his son died on the impact of the crash - rather than the slow painful sensation of burning to death, one rarely fit for anyone let alone a child. He refused to participate in his son's autopsy, as he didn't want to risk knowing that his child died from inhaling the flames that would soon turn his lifeless body into nothing but a slab of charcoal.

It dawned on me that I had expressed similar hope for my best friend when I heard about his death. While dying from a drug overdose is considerably different from dying through impact or fire, I had wished that, for someone who suffered through such a troubled upbringing, yet was so unimaginably filled with love, his final moments were that of such utter bliss that he had simply forgotten to breathe to the point that he peacefully left... rather than have the thoughts that had torn his life apart up to that point ultimately overtake him.

The idea that my best friend died in a state of nirvana was the only thing that kept me going at the time. And in a way, I empathised with Yoon with what he had done; not because I agreed with his self-righteous action of killing another human being, but because I could understand his pain of losing a loved one -- and the self-inflicted compromises that naturally come with the cycle of grief.

If my best friend did die in a euphoric state, I hope that stayed with him on his journey to Paradise.

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a MASTERPIECE. enough said.

I’ve watched several titles of prosecutors, police officers, lawyers, but this drama, would be the most memorable for me. The male lead, who was the prosecutor, wasn’t “perfect” like what several other dramas often characterized. He had a super painful past, and he’s not always correct in every of his predictions. He failed several times, but got back up again and finally succeeded.

Although we didn’t see much of Hwang Si-Mok celebrating his success with the team, I’m super duper satisfied just seeing him smile at Han Yeo-Jin, it totally warms my heart. I hope, on the S2, we can see more of Hwang Si-Mok and Han Yeo-Jin scenes together! Great drama, super great storyline (although it’s somehow complicated with so much character names), excellent casts, and lastly, an OST that really matched.

Totally recommended, a 10/10 ⭐️ Can’t wait for the 5th season, Si-Mok-ah! See you there! ;)

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You never really know someone

I watched this show purely because I love the serial killer genre. I was surprised how this good was this series. Shi Mok inability to feel emotion makes him a decisive attorney who is able to see things as it is without being skewed. His very uncanny first encounter with Lieutenant Han started off on the wrong foot but they shared such a bond later. She always believed in him and he always trusted her. There is no romance but there is definitely something between them.

Shin Hye Sun plays a young attorney who is under his wing at prosecution office. She does not know about his inability to feel and she keeps trying to impress him but he keeps her at bay. Eventually when tragedy strike, Shi Mok does feel he could have done more for Eun Soon and finds her killer.

The plot is engaging and keeps you guessing. Ultimately the truth comes out. Watch season 2 as well.

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Guessing till the End

Overall

This show is one of the few mystery shows that managed to take me by surprise with the culprit and made it believable still. I continually guessed at it throughout the show, but in the mass of morally gray characters, it was difficult to know who was the true and ultimate evil at the end. I loved that. The characters didn't have unique ideas to them, but the actors played them with such personality that they really seemed unique and each developed in their own way. The Plot was born out of the characters actions, so that I never knew where it was going to go next, or who was going to be evil or get exposed or get arrested. This is really everything a mystery should be: I never knew, until they revealed it, who was guilty and who was good.



Spoilers below in the rest of my review!! (BIG spoilers in the characters.)




Characters



A strength of this show is that it had so many characters (which allowed us to be surprised by the mystery and the culprit) but it introduced them in a steady way that wasn't confusing.

I loved that I could never tell who was really evil, just a bit morally gray, and who would betray who. This show kept me on my toes guessing at all the characters, which might have been a problem if we didn't have Si Mok as our center of moral gravity. It was just so well written and acted.

Hwang Si Mok: I really liked him. I liked the slow development of his emotions and how his "sad past" of his surgery wasn't made a big deal of, and wasn't even really exposed until the later half of the series. It was refreshing from other Kdramas.

Lieutenant Han: I loved her. She was so believable, and her struggle with morality in her own team and work place was so well done.

Yoo Eun Soo: I miss her. The beginning had me doubting her and I really liked how her truth was simpler than what Si Mok and the audience was expecting.

Seo Dong Jae: Same as with a lot of the other in between characters, to me he was realistic in that he never committed to one side. He wanted survival, and to get that, he backstabbed whoever he needed to in order to stay on top;. I hated him in the beginning, and by the end if I didn't like him I at least understood him.

Lee Chang Jun: Evil. Eviiil. Even though he did something right in the end by working to expose the corruption, he still participated in it, orchestrated murders, and was overall really, really terrible. What a good villain though. I doubted that he was the ultimate bad guy sometimes; sometimes I thought he might really be good, and other times I was convinced he was satan. His story was so well done (I know I'm repeating it, but I'm really in awe of this show).



Plot


The plot was created by the characters, which is a basic element of storytelling that is so often ignored by TV shows in general. It was so well crafted in Stranger: the plot revolved around the audience being kept guessing at who is behind everything, who is going to backstab who else, who is going to die. At no point did I feel like it slowed down, or got boring, and unlike a lot of other Kdramas, I really liked the pacing towards the end.

My one problem with this show might be that there were too many flashbacks. Kdramas love to show flashbacks, and sometimes it is helpful, but mostly it just takes away trust that the audience will connect the dots themselves, and drags dramatic moments out.


Soundtrack was amazing. This is the first time I've had an instrumental stuck in my head and I didn't mind at all. I want to watch season 2, but I'm also scared that it won't hold up to season 1.

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Neste K-Drama conseguimos vislumbrar o retrato de organizações corruptas de forma muito intrigante e inteligente. Envolvidos por uma trama extremamente interessante e uma dupla incomum o drama se manteve no ritmo até o final.

Eu geralmente não me prendo à um drama logo nos primeiros minutos mas este foi um drama extraordinário. A escolha do elenco foi muito bem feita e as atuações foram impecáveis. O enredo é fluído e a maneira que a história se desenvolve é admirável, me senti dentro da história e PRECISAVA assistir ao próximo episódio. Não me senti cansada ou enfadada em nenhum momento. Os personagens são excepcionalmente interessantes e o que dizer do maravilhoso promotor? É possível se apaixonar por um personagem desta maneira? Acabo de encontrar meu personagem preferido: Hwang Shi Mok! A sintonia dos protagonistas foi simplesmente formidável, uma dupla que aparentemente não tem nada em comum, um promotor sem expressão, frio e que não demonstra emoções e uma policial durona, mas com um bom coração unidos por um bem maior, o combate a este mal que assola a sociedade: a corrupção.

Resumindo: Este K-drama teve tudo o que eu mais gosto em um drama: uma história crível, personagens intrigantes, ótimas atuações e um desenvolvimento fácil de acompanhar, eu AMEI! Aguardo ansiosamente pela segunda temporada que será lançada este ano!

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True suspense thriller

From the first scene of the drama, we are introduced to a hero that is not your typical hero. He' seems rude and anti-social (although there is reason for this), but what you'll come to find out throughout the drama is that he's very honest, not subjected to manipulation or bribery easily, and wants to do right by his job, which is to seek justice. The same is true for our female lead, she's definitely more likable but is also righteous in seeking justice. The two of them make a dynamic duo (opposite sides of law & order). It's great to see them form a lasting bond. Someone like Shi-mok often seems so lonely that its great to see at the end that he has friends. The murder itself is intriguing, but is just a small drop in the larger overall conspiracy that is swirling around them. There are also complex side characters, that you either love or hate, but they are never black or white. The chase scene in the beginning was thrilling and sets you up for the ride that the show will bring you on. I love the way they film the different scenarios that Shi-mok reenacts in his head when trying to figure out what happened. The look of the show also seems grittier, darker in tone, and the accompanying music adds to the overall feeling of suspense. Doing a re-watch, the drama is still great and that's due largely to the acting, writing, and directing of the show. You may know what is going to happen, but the excellent performances still pull you into the story.

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Stranger is one of the best mystery drama of Korean, American, Japanese, or Chinese origin. Admittedly, I am only on Episode 9. The twists are of many varieties, subtle, obvious, significant, and incremental. Ok, I'm slow in catching on, but at the end of Episode 8, I realized that I need to re-watch Episode 1 et al. Why? because there are no gratuitous scenes, wasted monologue, or fluff. Some things, all things, most things, are clues or clues leading to clues. I literally get tired watching because the required focus is draining. LOL.

I do NOT want to skip to the end. The journey is clearly entertaining, and each twist is an ending in and of itself.

I stopped guessing. The clues will take me to where I should be headed. It is a wonder filled path. Enjoy.

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Amazing acting! Amazing Story!

Should you? Would you? Could you?

You should watch this one (YES! )
You would recommend this to others. (YES!)
You could watch this again. (NOT REALLY)

Ending: Justice served for the moment

I must commend the writers of this show. They have taken the story to another level with their in-depth analysis of politics within the judicial framework.
While the cast is simply brilliant, it’s the story with its twists and turns that keeps you on your toes.
The start is slow and then it gradually climbs to a height that seems unattainable.
The cast is excellent each in their respective roles. I can’t think of anyone who hasn’t done a great job. So so impressive. What I also liked are the subtle undercurrents of a possible romance that keep you hooked in anticipation of one and yet doesn’t take us away from the severity of the main plot. And yes l loved the background score. In a drama that is steeped in mystery, the background score adds a lot to the entire effect. The perfect beat, a good rhythm & haunting tunes are needed which is in sync in this drama.
Watch it with patience ( because there will be times that you will be tempted to fast forward just to know who the mastermind is behind all the mystery.... I know I was tempted....but just don’t succumb to it)

Enjoy it. About to start season 2 and hoping it will be equally good ( I think it will).

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Found this drama on Netflix and was intrigued by the cast and having seen the poster on here a few times when I was searching for a drama to watch. So glad I took my time in watching this drama and really soaking in the pure genius craft of it. What is a beautifully constructed drama, many might miss because it is not of the romantic genre, however, those who are willing to give law and crime dramas a chance, this, THIS is the one to begin with. I read one of the reviews and was shocked to learn that this was the writer's first drama?! Having watched more than 40 dramas in the past 3 years, this drama has nailed on the head of what is a perfectly written and fast pacing drama. It is hardly ever stagnant and the complex nature of the dialogue and script is what kept me, as the audience, attentive and hanging onto every word. Because if you missed a line, you probably missed an important line that would lead you to the next conclusion. What is so amazing about this drama is that it initiates you to think and draw conclusions on your own while providing their own. However, even when you think you've gotten it right, the writer manages to evade this and completely twist the story in a remarkable way. The cast themselves have outdone themselves; the portrayal of good and evil sometimes were blurred and led me to contemplate on what is truly good and evil in this world. This has gotten rather long, but I hope those who are contemplating on watching this drama, don't. Just watch it and immerse yourself into the world of corruption but also hopeful justice.

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