I HAVE NO WORDS. MUST WATCH!!!
DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST DRAMA KOREA HAS EVER MADE. REWATCHING IT RIGHT NOW!!!!~THE CASTS, THE ACTING, THE STORYLINE. THE OST AND THE CINEMATOGRAPHY IS SO COOL. VEYR NICE. VERY FUNNY. VERY EXCITING. AMAZING AND VERY HEART WHELMING. I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY ANYMORE HAHAHAHA IT SAYS I NEED TO POST THIS IN 500 CHARACTERS SO LEMME JUST LAUGH AND DON'T MIND IT OKAY? MUST WATCH PEEPS! MUST WATCH. I SWEAR. HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHGHAHHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHGHAHHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHGHAHHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHUHGHAHHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
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Secondly, I've got to give a hand to the writing. Although the last few episodes felt a little bit sudden, the overall drama was written to be both heartbreaking and immensely heartwarming. Through the combination of slice-of-life writing and talented acting, this ensemble grew to be a family in my eyes. For a drama about prison, this drama ended up being more about ordinary life than one would think. It's not a dramatized caricature that's looking to romanticize criminality, but rather it's a narrative that attempts to portray real people dealing with the same problems that we all have, just in a unique setting.
Specifically, with this drama, each character's arc felt meaningful and subversive. Everything in the drama really is not what it seems, and that holds most true with our "loveable idiot" Jehyeok. Yes, we know that he can be a bit slow and thick-skulled at times, but Jehyeok isn't at all an idiot – he's thoughtful, he plans things out, and he never gives in. He sees people as they are, and maybe that is the gift of his straightforward thinking. I also love that he's reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms this whole entire time, because it's clear that he can't get through it, and yet he's kind of planning out his own tactical strategy this whole time – it shows that his talents don't lie in book smarts, but he can still make good choices based on his sense of self and his ability to be good to others. Also, love that this drama is called "Prison Playbook"/"Wise Prison Life" because that's really what it is – kind of like a playbook for surviving life.
The soundtrack is also amazing, from commanding K-hip hop raps to sweet k-indie love songs.
Everyone should watch this drama! It's just darn good TV, and I also learned a few things about my own life from it.
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I will explain now about what I enjoyed in the drama. Firstly the character development. Wow. Each character, was so well written and deep. I especially liked Loony, the druggie. He was hilarious, tragic and endearing all at the same time. There were characters who showed me that you should never judge a person until you know them really well personally and some who showed that positive transformation in behaviour and mind really is possible. This was of course helped by the largely talented cast, who all acted exceptionally. I ended up rooting for many characters, not just the leads.
Secondly the comic timing was great. It perfectly blended comedy and drama with a pinch of romance. The inclusion of a gay couple in normal light, was just so beautiful. There was just enough violence to reflect a genuine prison.
Each episode Is as long as an average feature length film. If this was another drama I would have complained. Fortunately each moment was justified. The writers have done a superb job.
The OST was amazing! It was very versatile and really complemented the excellent writing.
Overall this drama will make you feel some empathy for prisoners, prison guards and their families. The drama reinforced how important family support is as well showing how forgiveness and repentance can have positive consequences. I hope this review leads people to watch it. It will make you cry, laugh and think.
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A Story About Humanity…
‘ Prison Playbook’ easily has to be one of my personal favorite shows and for good reason.The series gave many opportunities to present humanity of its characters. No one in the drama felt like a stock character or particularly “ good” or “ bad” but instead human. The fact that the series presented many moments to see characters from all- sides which is a factor which can be hard for a lot of screenwriters.
Liked the acting front also. It was well- done by everyone in our main cast and helped to present an emotive and impactful storyline.
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Definitely worth the time.
I've always been a fan of romantic comedy dramas but this drama surprised me (in a good way). The story, characters and the acting together with witty and tasteful script, cinematography and music was PERFECT. You can learn and see humanity as its worst and finest through pivotal characters in this drama. If you want layers of story, emotions and life lessons about depression, discrimination and stereotypes then this is the right drama for you. If you're used to romantic comedies and predictable plots, then this will be one wild roller coaster for you. While there are some aspects of drama that can be too scripted or planned, their is a sense of reality and sincerity to the portrayal of the prison life. I'd say this is one of the best dramas I've watched throughout the decade as I've seen nothing like it before.Was this review helpful to you?
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This review may contain spoilers
Definitely Recommend
Where to start? I loved this drama. At first I wasn't sure about it but decided to give it a watch anyway since there was nothing else. I did hear that this was about friendships in prison and unlike other dramas this time it is based on older characters. I was not sure what to expect even knowing this. I was not disappointed. It was funny and very emotional. I found myself laughing more than I have while watching a drama in awhile and I also found myself getting all teary eyed and crying a little near the end.I will say that the ending for han yang and kaist kind of sucked. Although what happened with han yang is realistic it still sucks that he relapsed when he just got out of prison too. Getting over an addiction is never easy but he did his best and if he was able to do it once he can do it again. I will also say I felt bad for Kaist too because he did what he could and trued to be a good father to his son but his son did not want that. He just did not have a very good ending at all. I did love ki soos ending though because he spent the rest of his days in prison all happy which made me very happy.
As for the ost it was awesome. Not many times do I watch a drama that also has an amazing soundtrack. So if you are into that then I would recommend this drama even more.
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The biggest problem I have with this drama was that they introduced so many characters which also had a lot of screen time but I guess the writer got lazy to end and finish their stories well. There was no follow up whatsoever. The characters that really grew on me just disappeared mid season. There is nothing really exciting about the male lead, I preferred watching the supporting characters. Overall this was just a decent drama, it would have been better if only it had a more satisfying ending. I would recommend but don't expect much.
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This review may contain spoilers
Tbh, I was hesitant to watch it at first. I thought it's going to be serious and tedious since it's not like the usual KDramas that I watch. If you're a sucker for romcoms and you've never tried watching other genre of KDramas like "Prison Playbook", don't worry! Your time will definitely not be wasted! I thought 1 hour and 39 mins for 1 episode is too long, but it's not! Episode was not that great tbh but I got hooked at ep 2! I love each of the characters' story. The drama was heartwarming and funny. (SPOILER AHEAD)I love how the story of Kim Je Hyeok and his cellmates ended, except for Hanyang. I was hoping he would start a good life with his lover. He was able to fight his craving for drugs for months while he was in prison. I was so disappointed that not even an hour after he got released, he was doomed once again. But.. I guess what happened to him was kinda realistic.
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Je-Hyeok is a famous baseball player adjusted well in his prison life with the help of his inmates and his bestfriend Joon-Ho who is also a prison officer. But my most favorite character is Han-Yang a.k.a LOONEY grabe na ang tawa ko basta xa nga mga trashtalk hahaha... sometimes his normal and sometimes his druggie which is I loved the most hahaha... If he made you cry in Hi Bye Mama, here you will cry in laughter ???. And Captain Yoo (Jung Hae In) is so hot and his acting here is different from his other dramas that Ive seen. And if you hear the tweeting bird you already know what it means hahaha ????.
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Good Show
I liked this show. Most of the characters were developed excellently, causing one to get attached to them. The show is lighthearted and provides a great laugh but still has parts where it is serious. However, the serious parts are not needlessly serious and are a great addition to the plot overall.In general, I would recommend it.
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And as for Jung Hae In, this guy really just compliments all uniform he puts on. He looked damn good in a cop uniform in "while you were sleeping" and in here he looked damn good in a military uniform as well. Even the prison uniform, haha.
Overall: Great human show. Something different from the typical soap-opera kdrama.
Rewatch: yes.
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