Gangnam B-Side

A violent gritty thriller set in the shady underworld of Gangnam where the lives of young girls have little value for anyone apart from the friends and families of these victims. The three main characters are Kang Dong-woo as Jo Woo-Jin a detective who is trying to save his estranged daughter from this world, Kim Hyeong-seo as Kang Ye-seo a violent pimp trying to save his friend and Ha Yoon-kyung playing Min Seo-Jin a prosecutor who may or not be on the side of the evil drug company boss behind it all. It is only eight episodes and is entertaining enough with good performances from the cast but in my opinion the plot is too simple and the characters behaviour and portrayal are over the top and if it had been reined in a bit it would have been more entertaining.

Gangnam B-side is a dark story of this bustling city. The first 6 episodes of the series show the real world of power, desire and self-interest of various interest groups, and how the people at the bottom are just playthings in their playground.

The story depicts the absurdity of Gangnam's nightclub life, the drugs market, the helplessness of the call girl's life, the police and the prosecutor's choice between justice and profit.

The overall story is fast-paced, the plot flows smoothly, and the action scenes have a strong sense of reality, especially when Ji Chang-wook insists on not using a double to fight in the boxing ring. His control of the short sword is so smooth and agile that it is very impressive.

The series has an intriguing premise centered around corruption, a theme that holds significant weight and relevance. However, it suffers from inconsistent execution.

The storytelling lacks fluidity, with too many characters and plotlines crammed into a short runtime, making it difficult to fully connect with any of them.

While the acting is solid and the action sequences are well-shot, the lack of depth in character development and emotional engagement weakens the overall experience. Additionally, the series fails to immerse viewers in the unique atmosphere of Gangnam; the events could have taken place in any generic location, missing an opportunity to leverage the distinct vibe and culture of the area.

It had the potential to be a gripping crime thriller but falls short due to its fragmented narrative.

Suitable for fans of fast-paced action, but not a standout drama.

I think this is one of the best dramas of 2024 (if not the best). This is a hard look at really that society wants us to forget and ignore. Choosing Gangnam as the backdrop of this story was a great move, because behind the glitz and glamour that this place represents lies the dark truth at all is not well in this world. The stories of survival in this drama touches on reality , and it was really very well told, it did not hold back, whether it is painful or not, acceptable or not, the story told it as it is. Those who watched it and understood what it is all about will find it thought provoking (and painful at times). With 4 episodes down, we are really rooting for the characters to have a "saving grace ending" (to be less painful and a lot hopeful)...This is a must watch.... Great work to all those who made this masterpiece of a drama.( Special mention to Ji Chang Wook who must have had the hardest time shooting, great choice of work) Bravo!!!!!

A great drama that touches the soft underbelly of society, and I was even more surprised that the story is based on a true story, perfect casting of the actors, perfect acting by Ji Chang Wook, such a talented actor, who doesn't need much text, he simply has a phenomenal ability to convey a variety of emotions with his facial expressions and eyes. It's true that there are violent scenes in the film, but they are necessary for the plot. The plot reminds me of the scandal of Burning Sun in Seoul, which involved politicians, celebrities, police officers, lawsuits/prosecutors, trafficking in women, drug use and trafficking, corruption, sexual favors. And all of this happened in a nightclub for friends only.

It's true that the first two episodes are a bit confusing, but in the following episodes the picture becomes clearer.

Excellent soundtrack Perfect direction And as I said, perfect casting A drama worth watching.