In my previous preview I mentioned that EP3 - 4 are certainly slow burns. Perhaps the build in EP3 - 4 paid off in EP5 - 6 where our detective made significant process, from Tae Sik discovery that the father has been hiding his son’s actual disappearance.

But first this drama is more about who really are the persons around Seo Hui.

 At start of the episode we are given a flashback from Jeong Yong Mun (Sang Hun dad). After the loss of his wife and biological son, he discovers a boy resembling his own son, and he adopted him, takes time to teach him. But from his repeated insistence that his adopted son is Sang Hun, it is implied that his love are twisted and selfish in nature. 

And should we even trust Jeong Yong Mun? He kidnapped his son to a mental hospital. And he doesn't seems to be deadly ill (else he would have been administered with specific medicines by the doctor). There are tons of webs beneath the lies and we only manage to scratch the surface.

Seo Hui has became wiser in this EP even she accept the bill. But she still fail in a sense that she thinks in a black and white. Just because Hong is a baddie doesn't means he has the same interest as In . 

Speaking about In, he  continues to be inscrutable. He makes sure his hands are clean and he clearly knew law well despite not formally educated beyond secondary school, perhaps indicating a missed opportunity. He has a cleanliness streak when dealing with things, so its not him that is messing up with Sang Hun escape.In’s actor, Seo Hyun Woo, did a pretty great job in making his character stoic but not wooden. Even his slightly raised tone portrays his calculated character extremely well.

Our director also shown Jeong Yong Mun being restlessness beneath the surface. He is clearly rattled that In might be the person that kidnaps his son from the hospital.But what was he playing? Does he has other chess piece than his extremely capable right hand man In?

The detectives have certainly made a lot of progress - Tae Sik attention to detail has get them the scope on Sang Hun actual kidnapped date - and they even got a new lead - which leads to an exciting cat and mouse chase, with the hyena lurking nearby waiting for dibs. That scene was certainly well done, as I cant’ recall there is a lot of kdrama where the eavesdropper is the villain themselves. I think its a tidy way to create possible plot points for the villain to play with the detectives in future.

Other notes

I wont say the chemistry they exude here are crazy but there is such a warmth and naturalness that the audience will felt its super genuine. LeeYooYoung  shows her versatility here. She is warm and trusting vs Jae Yi in Tunnel.  She exude naiveness,warmth and affectionate within the ones she love,& I love that LeeJoonHyuk plays off her really well. He has a sense of mischievousness, frankness and affectionate when with Seo Hui. They both are really well cast and directed. Plus the scenery are just gorgeous.

This episode continues last ep trend - by being fast paced enough, but retain some space for emotions  - especially for Seo Hui who broke down after confirmation by forensic expert.

 Again Lee Yoon Young did a fantastic job in that scene and throughout the episode on portraying her despair, her naiveness, and her determination in saving her husband even if it might be a huge trap. She also did a great job portraying how Seo Hui tries to keep a neutral face and yet clearly has something to hide. She portrays each facet of her character in such realness that she is the star of the show.

The detectives arc has a hand in maintaining the suspense and pace. A cat and mouse chase lead them to new clues. In additional to engaging dialogues, humourous reactions from Jin Gyeong  and adept action scenes, the director’s choice of palette made it an engaging watch.

Speaking about cinematography, the opening scene is breathtaking，as it enhances the excitement and thrill as Seo Hui chases her husband’s car until they reach a pier.   

But for me the cinematography aids the most at the end scene, where Seo Hui has a dream sequence of meeting her father in law and seeing her husband with his hand intact her realisation that it is a dream. In the first sequence, the scenes are rather dream like, whereas the reunion sequence, the director choose to made the scene feel so real, and when she wakes up she realises that it feels so real because she has been rubbing her hands in sleep.

Notice the green background where dream Seo Hui spokes with her father in law

Looking forward to EP3 & 4!

Rating 8/10 stars

Fantastic introductory episode. The poster did indicates the fantastic cinematography quality and music (overall speaking, other than the cheapish feel instrumental at intro), with clearly written plot outlines and character intro.

The plot starts out in a straightforward way, which is a simple skill a lot of mystery/thriller/detective genre lacks. It introduces Lee Min Ki as Jo Tae Sik, a detective who wants a more simpler life and is due to transfer in two weeks. His superior however drags him into the case of Assemblyman Kim.

Kim’s daughter, the female lead Kim Seo Hee played by the excellent Lee Yoo Young starts out as the naive and worrying daughter and wife, stuck between arguments between her father and her husband, and her husband reluctance in telling her anything. To any detective/thriller aficionados, they will groan at this apparent weakness, but they could not be more mistaken if they characterize Kim Seo Hee that way - Inside her there is this helplessness, yet she tried her best to stay put. We are given hints to her “uselessness” by her own mother. Yet she remains clear in sight, and there is something in her acting prowess and the director’s and crew skill to make her stand out in her sorrow. Each of her feelings are so genuine that it genuinely conveys to the audience.

It’s a good pilot episode - beside the above, we are introduced to the characters without spelling it out what they are - the slightly thoughtless team lead, the brash and funny junior (who asks for marriage when her career is in trouble?). Her chemistry with Tae Sik are full of bickering and feels genuine, and both takes turn in bullying the temporary staff.

We also have a cameo from perpertual villain-who-appears-in-lotsof-detective-suspect-boards Lee Jonn Hyuk

The highlight of this episode, other than the fantastic introduction and Lee Yoon Young introduction is the ending, The episode is building up for this moment, and we witnesses one of the best kdrama scenes filmed. The child discovery of her husband’s hand causes a frenzy, and at the same time the fountain went up, which also leads to people scrambling around. In the midst of chaos Tae Sik and Seo Hee ran over, before Seo Hee lift her hand, realising the disembodied hand has the same ring as hers. She screams, and her screams remains in the background for a minute or more, even when her face is not in view. Fantastic shot. I hope this direction continues