A drama definitely not for binge-watching.

I started watching this drama with high expectations because of all the comments, hype, and high rating. That’s where I made the mistake; from the first episode, it started feeling unsatisfactory. But yet, it was intriguing and baiting enough to watch more.

The acting and cast was all very well chosen and performed. It’s the only thing I do not have any comments about. They executed their roles, expressions, behaviors in quite an admirable manner.

On the other side, the characteristics/personalities of the characters were also well initially built except for that of the FL, I can say. In general, for all the characters, I didn’t see development, they really were walking around in circles. I felt especially frustrated with the FL and how much she kept going back and forth about her trust and belief. It’s as if she is the one that doesn’t love her husband, and is ready to give him up for a given reason. They tried to push the idea that she only believes what she sees in front of her, but it doesn’t justify anything. She cannot just base her judgement on what she saw at that moment, and forget the past 10 years. Even if he had lied to her about his identity, she should know how he was at first, and all the change he went through. She must know that he was being himself and not hiding his “true nature”.

Another aspect that I found problematic is the plot. In fact, to me it was the most problematic. From small incidents, to the bigger events, everything felt awfully coincidental, exaggerated and too pushed. Not just that, but very predictable also (starting from around episode 6). I somehow was not surprised by anything. The writer just somehow cannot step out of (successful) examples in drama history, and they only make the incidents in an advantageous way, in a way to continue to the story as planned, not in a rational or consistent manner at all. It is a big jumble of all what makes a drama mainstream.

To give an example, the first episode, after the ML had the reporter locked up in the basement. The scene where our man was serving breakfast, setting up the table. The wife comes, she tries to help but no she isn’t good enough. She tries to take care of her daughter, but the daughter preferred the father. That was already a lot to see, but to make the thriller meter go up and worry us all, she very randomly and spontaneously chose to go downstairs to clean. She goes into the room with no tools, with no plan, just starts walking aimlessly and looking around until she finds the piece of ceramic from the broken pot. They did not even bring it up again later, so it was an unnecessary incident. She was soon taken up again by her husband because the fact is, the breakfast is served and the there are zero reasons why she should be cleaning the workshop at that moment.

That was what first scene that bothered me, and at the end, they couldn’t avoid the overly used trope of partial or selective memory loss. Once again, I find it very unnecessary. FL was looking for the same person, and even the ML himself said he wants to look for the same person again, so what are we left with? No change. He could’ve changed slightly anyways after all they went through, it would be more realistic after he felt the huge amount of emotions upon learning of her death. They built up so much, they made them go through cruel circumstances, so why delete it all? Why destroy that and make them begin again in an awkward state?

Along with these points, I felt like slow motion in the cinematography or the physical slow motion, long-ass stares and silent moments of pondering were excessive. Before anything slightly important happens, there is a lost minute (that I would skip skip skip). If all the reactions are unrealistic, the mind cannot accept it.

With all these thoughts, I believe my high expectations could have made the drama fall short, but the points I pointed out surely made it boring. It would’ve been more digestible to watch one episode a week.

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Is it really a second season?

I loved watching Ie Uru Onna (first season), everything was interesting; the characters, the clients and their stories, and everything else. There should have been a 3 year difference in production between the two seasons, but it really seems like a continuation.
What is saddest about the second season, is that there is almost no character development, they are the exact same even after so much time has passed for the role and actual actors/actresses.
The new antagonist that they introduced does thankfully change the dynamic, and he was a very good choice, but unfortunately, he does not do much until the very end, and it was all too rushed.
Another point to mention is that the moral values, ideas, beliefs, trends and everything of that sort seemed a little too pushed. Each episode had it's theme, and all the clients were revolving around that. It is certainly good to have some order, and not throw around random ideas, but this is too thoughtful that it loses its flow and becomes robotic.
Speaking about robotic, it would have been really nice for the viewers to see at least one different expression from Sangenya Machi. I am sure they valued consistency above all, but it cannot always be the same case in every situation. It loses it authenticity and becomes boring.
With all that said, I really enjoyed watching the drama because all the characters were very adorable and entertaining. Kachou and Niwano were a real bliss.

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This is the kind of drama we all need to watch

I seriously enjoyed watching Prison Playbook all because the prisoners and the guards were hilarious and really adorable at times. Their friendships and bonds are expressed so well, and the way they support each other all the time was very engaging and fun to watch. Of course, all the bickering and fighting inside the cell was the best. I couldn't get enough of fights that happened between looney and anyone else, his behavior and speech were phenomenal and so lovable, and the way he irritates them and they retaliate is wonderful. All the members of the cell were lovable actually, and each of their characters and background were well written and performed.
I have two points that made me score the drama down, first, all the memories and the romance between the main couple and the second couple was too long and I had to keep skipping through it. Many times it felt like fillers, and I would have much rather watched more interactions of the prisoners and all. Second part is that the prisoners had a great lot of freedom inside the prison, even the guards were very carefree. I am sure it is not ever like that inside prisons of most countries. Yes surely, it is a drama and the special treatment is exaggerated for our baseball player, but many other parts were exaggerated and the officers were so lovely and friendly. As if they are all friends just hanging out. All the other prisoners had like no presence or effect on the general daily atmosphere or behavior of the guards, only when an actual fight or big issue came out.
Not that I am complaining seriously, I enjoyed watching it an awful lot.

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A drama truly worth watching.

This drama is one of the best Korean dramas in terms of creativity, plot, and execution. The essential idea of the protagonist believing himself to be the psychopath serial killer, and living the role and becoming fearless when confronted with any situation is really perfect. It was really enjoyable to watch. Of course, the interactions he had with the actual psychopath were the best part of the whole show. It really made me think this is one of the best remedies for people struggling in their social life due to low self-esteem. It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy, or a fake it till you make it mentality but he is not aware that it's fake.

The actors all did a great job in performing their roles, I would say. Seo In Woo's actor choice Park Sung Hoon is really ideal in terms of general looks and vibes, and his acting was also really suitable.
Yoon Shi Yoon is also a really interesting and fitting choice for the character. His innocent and young features makes him much more comedic as a psychopath. He sometimes goes all out and crazy, and though it's exaggerated, it did not feel too much or irritating to watch. If someone else had done it though, it probably would be.
Jung In Sun in terms of acting was really great also.

While watching the show, I had these slight criticisms.
First of all, the officer Shim Bo Kyoung is far too smart. In almost every situation she is doubtful and so calculative, she theorizes and catches on the slightest things so perfectly. It is way too staged and planned. I understand her background with her father and all, but they made her this ideal intelligent and fearless officer, which is not realistic nor believable. Especially when everyone around her is dumb-efied; the higher up you go, the less intelligence they have. (Which is why she wanted to stay as a neighbourhood officer, I suppose)
Another problematic point is that, Dong Sik always tried to fit whatever information and idea he gains from those around him about himself into the mould of a psychopath, which is great, hilarious, and all, but it cannot always add up. He almost had no moment where he doubted his psychopathic self, or the diary and its origin. He cannot just blindly believe that this diary is his. Yes, at some point he started changing his direction and as if by choice ending his psychopathic activities, but he still didn't doubt their truth. Only until officer Shim questions it in jail, and though he denies it first, it soon all sank in and he so quickly changes his whole belief. They should have had him have multiple moments of doubt and questioning before that last bit for it to all directly make sense.

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I'm glad I watched Season 2

Although it has been probably been a year since I watched S1, I do not remember it leaving such an impact on me. I connected much more with this season, with the characters and the trauma cases they had. But in general, the goodness of the seasons are pretty similar.

There are a few shortcomings to this season and its plot, but it certainly did not overwhelm all its great aspects. First of all, I believe it was highly character driven. It was obvious that SuSam, Eun Tak Sam and Mr. Jang got much more screen time this season because they were loved and appreciated and I generally enjoyed their parts.
Something I was very happy about in this season is that Kim Sabu is much much much softer. In the first season, I found him frustrating and unrealistic many a times. After having been through that, I believe he now understood that it is much better to communicate with people. He always gave well-headed comments and feedback. I was satisfied with his role and happy how he got along with everyone. It makes him deserve all the love and respect he receives. Although he pushes himself too much, and does not treat himself the same way he treats others, it seemed okay.

As many people have stated, this is not a romantic drama, the main couple really put off their relationship for as long as possible, and when they got to it, it seemed fake and very untouching. He liked her from their university days, and I believe his love for her didn't change much. She acknowledged his interest from the beginning, and she acts upon it, but I didnt see her once even looking like she actually likes him romantically. I am not sure if it's the character's way or the actress's. Honestly, Lee Sung Kyung acted in the exact same way as she acted in Kim Bok Joo, and even though it's probably her charm, in my opinion she acts with her face. All cutesy and pretty all the time. She is very conscious of how she looks, and what her face is like, so her expressions are somehow much more external. I am no expert, but it's the style of acting pretty people tend to have more. (Ex: Lee Dong Wook).

On the other hand, baby boy Ahn Hyo Seop was very in touch with his character's emotions and background. He was always tearing up and having all these tiny expressions swell up from inside, and that made me feel like he was a wonderful actor. I enjoyed watching him throughout the drama, especially when he cared and worried about Kim Sabu.

Lastly, Park Min Guk was the most relatable character to me. From the beginning, it was obvious he is a good man internally. He wasn't the blind, stupid villian like Dr. Yang and Do Yoon Wan. It's just this man has studied hard, and worked hard to build a name for himself, and he knows people have great expectations for him. But then he is torn between his inner voice of conscience, and people's view of him. It seemed like he truly is a weak and soft person on the inside, and he can in no way battle Kim Sabu, and no matter how much he realized it, he tried to still fight back. Problem is, he was fighting in all the wrong ways, and heading into the wrong direction because of Yoon Wan and whatnot. I really wished the writer redeemed his character earlier than that, and gave him more chance to show his true self. I loved seeing him taking responsibility and being a true doctor. It was such a huge and sudden jump that he also aims to turn the hospital into a trauma center. As an actor and a character I believe he deserved a bit more redemption. When he came back into his office crying, I felt happy to finally see him like this, but also very torn because he is just a very good person with very bad decisions. I hope I get to see this character in more main roles in the future.

Do I wish for third season? Not really. But I would still watch it if it comes. I really hope they pay more attention to the plot and leave Do Yoon out because I am sick of him.

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