A show that stands the test of time

Conspiracy in the Court is an 8-episode series set in the last days of King Jeong Jo’s reign. This mini sageuk turns out to be so special I swear I’ll remember it forever.

The show starts with a serial murder on the streets of Joseon and ends with the revelation of a horrifying secret inside the palace. It is a wonderful blend of action, thriller, mystery and romance, while remaining strong in both plot and character development. At 8 episodes, the twists and turns of a fast-paced plot is more than enough for a thrilling experience. What’s impressive is that each event propelling the plot also adds nuance to the characters, down to the minor ones. Everyone is fleshed out in a natural and almost nonchalant manner, so when a momentous decision triggered a plot twist, I already learned everything necessary to explain the actions of all involved.

Such detailed characterization is no small feat considering each character struggled with both internal conflicts and external obstacles. Some conflicts at the core of the show are conservatives vs progressives, hope vs reality, (familial/romantic) love vs duty. Imagine what miracles (or tragedies) occurred when these characters interacted and influenced the plot. Some had clashing objectives. Some shared goals but chose different execution. Then things happened, people evolved and alliances changed. At the end, two unions emerged on the opposite sides of history. History already declared who lost, but what was left of the losers?

Conspiracy in the Court, which aired 14 years ago, was a forgotten show of the 2000s. In my heart, though, it proudly stands the test of time. I’m so so impressed with the people who made this show. How did they build a plot that seamlessly weaves action, mystery, philosophy and romance? How did they write beautiful monologues and dialogues? How did phenomenal actors (like Ahn Nae Sang) breathe life into powerful speeches that fully embody their characters? It’s heartwarming to know there are people who possess this much creativity and willingly work hard to share their works with the world. This is not the kind of show to sit back and enjoy, more like fasten your seatbelt, stare at the screen and immerse yourself in the despair of unsolvable conundrums. But overall I’m happy with the torturous (sorta) experience, and will patiently wait until I get to experience these feelings again with another special show.

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I'm surprised that I love Are You Human Too way more than expected. Despite many wtf moments in terms of logic, this drama is emotionally truthful and thematically consistent. There are several themes to tease out, but I particularly enjoy how questions about identity occur in the setting of a conglomerate family, a dehumanizing environment where what matters is one's 'usefulness' to the authority figures they serve. The concept of a 'stand-in' or a 'replacement' is central to Nam Shin 3's early journey but also mirrored through Seo Jong Gil and Ji Young Hoon. Alternatively, the pain of having no agency over their actions is central to Nam Shin 3 at the end and human Shin. I like that we could peek at how human Shin has been treated through the way he treats Nam Shin 3, and it's unsettling to hear him say Nam Shin 3 has no right to disappear considering the flashback of him escaping home and what Chairman did after he fell into a coma. Despite the parallelism in their circumstances, each of these character finds or reclaims their identities in different ways that suit the characterization.

Watching this drama is almost like self-indulgence. The writer discussed topics I'm interested in, built character arcs the way I wish she would and wrapped up their journeys nicely to convey messages that exceed my expectations. Maybe I like it so much because it feels so personal? When So Bong told Nam Shin 3 that she will protect him no matter what despite being weaker and not nearly as smart as he is, I thought that's one of humans' most admirable trait and wished that this line is more than just cute banter. It's nice to see the journey of a vulnerable yet resolute protector plays out through Nam Shin 3 (at the end), So Bong, Mom, Young Hoon and even human Shin (at least to his hyung).

Overall this drama makes me think long and hard about some meaningful, emotionally resonating themes. For that, I'm more than willing to look over its flaws, and actually feel guilty of writing a review that is all over the place. Then again, I'll excuse my laziness by saying that the review is somewhat similar to what I think of the drama. Kinda messy but never devoid of sincerity!

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This drama gets numerous justified complaints: awful directing, infuriating music, two actresses overacting like there’s no tomorrow. But putting all of that aside, the script is dazzling. It took me on a journey of character study and genre-blending frenzy. The drama starts as slapstick comedy with one-dimensional characters, and thus pretty hard to sit through. That’s both unintentional (did I mention awful directing) and intentional (the writer plays with viewers’ perceptions). Over time, it adds layers of complexity to all characters including minor ones, with a mix of romance, comedy and mystery. Towards the end, it evolves full force into a psychological thriller that explores the depth of jealousy and obsession. On Friday, I had to pause in the middle of an episode to laugh hysterically while on Saturday I paused to avoid dying of tension.

This rollercoaster ride works marvelously because nuanced characterization and strong messages are always at the core of the show. At least for me, it is a story about how flawed our perception of others can be, about the blurred line between dream and obsession, about letting go and moving on. No matter what elements are on screen, comedy or mystery, they all add to my understanding of the characters and the themes. It’s a marvel to see a script so tight that almost every detail serves a purpose, or sometimes multiple purposes. Like the same thing can be used for laughter in ep 4, reap its emotional impact in ep 8 and become a key clue for the mystery in ep 12. I don’t know how that is possible, but as with other Park Yeon Seon’s dramas, there’s only one lesson. Pay attention, and you will be rewarded!

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