Finally a k-drama that is so good that I don't even have to make allowances for the genre in giving it a high rating. This is a drama whose only flaw is maybe that it runs a little too long. Sixteen episodes would've been just perfect.
I never imagined I would enjoy an office drama that is just that - an office drama, full of backstabbing and corporate politics, sure throw in a little attempted murder here and there. I don't know how they did it, but it works. A lot is down to the actors really shaping and inhabiting their role, but also, let's face it, good, creative writing and enjoyable dialogue.
And speaking of actors, give this guy Kim all the awards. Wait, they practically did... His facial movements, his gestures, his intonation, his smirks, his strut, his constant monologues, they become a staple of the character but he is not a laughing stock or just comic relief. You delight in and root for this guy, despite his reluctance to do the right thing and his tendency to be deliciously bad. And don't even get me started on his chemistry with Lee Jun-ho. I mean you could cut the sexual tension with a knife. It's no wonder this office drama has no office romance. There's hardly a need for it when you got these two constantly at each other. In a parallel universe this would be a very believable BL I tell you... These two in figure hugging suits, walking shoulder to shoulder, teaming up to take down ... This is some Goblin reenactment right there. Without the big coats of course. Just very tailored suits. Sorry, I got distracted for a moment there. Anyway, this is Jun-ho's best role, and it's a very early one. I'm sure he got paid much better for the later ones, but let's face it those are not really acting roles. This one here is.
How on earth did I not recognize Kim Seon-ho at all in this? I just now saw him in the credits. Damn his hairstyle. And the chaebol son is played by the psychotic killer in Suspicious Partner. Damn he was impressive in that one. Here I didn't fully buy his change in behaviour but he becomes key in the resolution of the plot.
Why is Nam Sang-mi not bigger? She was delightful. I was low-key shipping her for a while with either Kim or Yul, but nothing came of it really. And I didn't mind. The drama has a lot to offer without that. Rare, isn't it? And to think I came across it from a video on FB from OnDemandKorea of Kim and Yul waking up in an embrace and Yul having a full-on meltdown because of it. Adorable!
