Roonilwazlib
This drama was on my radar ever since I heard about it after Stranger. Writer Lee Soo Yeon and Cho Seung Woo together could not go wrong! And I was right. This drama is excellent because it managed to get the point across and question our society despite being and extremely difficult topic to tackle without inducing snores. . Where else can you make a drama that questions nature of medical services, politics, capitalism and society's treatment of person with physical disabilities and still make it interesting! That has to count for effort but it delivers excellence with writing, acting and direction. The relationship between the Ye brothers is to watch out for. The story that Ye brothers carry is just heartwarming. The treatment of Ye sun Woo by his brother and those in his circle is the something that needs to be seen. Its eye opening and uncomfortable to watch but it deserves the empathy it gets. Also, not to be forgotten this drama is heavier on romance than Stranger. But considering it was nonexistent in Stranger, I guess the writer threw us a bone that I gladly chewed. The ending is nicely and realistically tied up without going overboard that dramas usually go for.
Overall, the story may not be for everyone but if you enjoy a charcater driven story, this one is for you. What can be a boring story about politics is made alive with nuanced characters with shadows of past in driving their story of growth.
The Characters
Mr. Gu as a character was one of the best characters that I have seen in Kdramas. He is a brilliant as President of Sangook University Hospital, who as an audience you try to dislike because of the nature of his job compared to the doctors, but he is rational and humane. He is a corporate slave who tries to do what is right and questions the doctors on their God Complex while delivering profits to the Corporate Overlord using the hospital. It sounds complex because he is complex yet highly admirable.
The doctors are varying shades of grey characters. The almost white as his coat character is Dr Joo who is what we think an ideal doctor and human should be. He works to save lives and steps in when needed.
The one character that is also brilliantly written Dr Oh se-Hwa. It is rare to find a female character that is badass in a no nonsense way. She is self centered and ambitious and when she goes head to head with Mr.Gu or anyone trying to undermine her...Boy! Beware.
The Acting
The acting carried the show just as much as the writing. Given to lesser actors, the characters would have come across as stoic and impossible to read.
Cho Seung Woo is brilliant as his character. It was possible to read his inner thoughts in any situation with just a few muscle movements on his face. He is one actor who delivers excellence in subtlety that is expected of the character and then some more.
Lee Kyu Hyung as Dr. Ye Sun Woo was just as amazing as he is in previous works. His emotions were so raw at times. He carried the character like a skin.
Yoo Jae Myung As Dr Joo...Just give that man a leading role already. Nuff said.
Lee Dong Wook as Dr Ye Jin woo is underwhelming and the weakest link. Considering he is the main lead, its slightly disappointing. His acting seems green compared to the rest of the cast who never made me doubt their existence as the characters themselves. He got overshadowed by the acting chops of rest of the cast.
One of the things that turned out to be a pet peeve of mine is his comedy. He does stoic well enough but the understated comedy that is required to lighten the dark tones of the drama is just not for him. His face contorts and somersaults and basically goes overboard to convey the comedy which is just cringy to watch. Its the only reason to not give the entire cast a 10.
Soundtrack is as good as it gets for political medical thrillers in that, it is minimal but appropriate use to convey the suspense factor.
Rewatch Value is good when you are feeling philosophical. I can watch it again just to admire the writing and acting.
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It’s masterfully done. Second season equals the brilliance of the first.
This season cemented the author Lee soo yeon’s credibility in writing complicated characters and plot lines. It’s so well done. I’ll be following her work religiously.I was prepared for a slightly less entertaining season 2 because sequels don’t usually follow the brilliance of the first. But this season of stranger shone just as bright if not more on its own.
The story, albeit complicated to follow, is gripping. Many things happen at the same time, which might leave you wonder where the plot is going or if there is going to be one culprit to find amidst it all. You end up focusing on every detail because you never know who you might have to suspect. And it’s just seems scattered at first. But by the end of it, a larger picture emerges and it brilliantly grounded in philosophy and ethics of work and justice rather than actively being on the ground to pin it on the one culprit. This season is a lot less legwork and more battle of words and institutions that seemingly protect the society. It might be tedious for the less inclined but every episode makes you think on so many levels and that’s the brilliance of the story. The story wraps up in best and the most realistic way possible. It’s not a perfect ending like what most of drama watchers might be accustomed to but it’s perfect because it stays true to its characters and reality of the world we live in yet shines a light towards the good and the decent.
Characters:
Hwang shi mok has to be my favourite character of all time. For a person incapable or at least wary of showing emotions, he is just so endearing! He sticks out like a sore thumb but his work ethic parallels none. His sense or morality in not innate. He just seems to follow the law and all that it upholds to the letter. He is justice personified. Also, he smiles a lot more in this season which is like twice but I’m not complaining.
Han Yeo Jin: she is just the coolest person anyone can have the privilege of working with. She is righteous. She is fun. She is doggedly pursues truth and justice no matter the circumstance. She has the rare courage of standing up to authorities and hwang shi mok couldn’t have found a better friend or just a person he could trust.
Seo Dong jae : This guy. He is shady and always seems to be working in the shadiest ways but he is smart in a way that Shi Mok isn’t. Dong Jae is like a errant puppy. He will exasperate you but you’ll end up liking him nonetheless. Also, how exasperating does one have to be to make Hwang Shi Mok almost roll his eyes!?
Choi Bit: She is one badass woman. It’s great to see her just be ambitious and what it means to succeed as woman. She makes questionable choices to get to the top just as her male counterparts would and that’s what makes her so cool. She is flawed for sure but it’s just nice to see a woman who isn't painted black or white. She stands her own in this story.
Acting: Everyone from the previous season came back with their characters as their second skin. All the actors in this season deliver. Maybe except Yoon Se Ah. I don’t know why I just didn’t buy her story most of the time. It felt like a caricature portrayal of her character. But it’s minor.
Overall, I hope there’s season 3. If not, I hope the writer keeps writing brilliant characters and casting Cho Seung Woo, Bae Doo Na and Lee Joon Hyuk.
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And kudos to Madam Lee and Doctor's son. Such amazing characters! They totally managed to win me over everytime I thought Soo Min didnt make any sense. Their relationship is so weird yet so enviable. And thats what makes it so fantastic. They have their moments of doubt but never at the cost of each other. The true strength of their relationship is that one moment in the last episode. Oh the tears I shed.
I hated the villians with passion and I loved the heros and antiheros with passion. And that makes the drama golden in its own right. It manages to hit all the right spots in your heart.
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