Stranger Season 2

Prosecution Vs. Police

STRANGER. (Forest of Secrets/Secret Forest/Bimileui Sup) This k-drama is definitely one of the best crime shows I've watched. It seamlessly blends the genres of Procedural Crime, Mystery, Thriller, and Drama perfectly. It was a highly addictive watch, an unforgettable experience.

Let me first start by saying, the cast is simply fantastic, especially our two main leads, the apathetic and stoic Prosecutor, Hwang Si-mok (played by Cho Seung-woo) and the feisty, quirky Lieutenant Han Yeo-Jin (played by Bae Doona)-who both have one thing is common-the desire for justice and to purge their departments of corruption, no matter the cost. Since there begins to look like there is corruption everywhere, the two end up forming an unspoken alliance. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable and interesting.

While the entire cast and characters are great, even side characters and antagonists are interesting and relatable. My only complaint, and it is a pretty minor one, is that I often wished for more character backstory and depth, especially in side characters. However, I grew to love and care for many of the characters regardless, even without extensive character details and history. Not many series are able to pull that off.

Cho Seung-woo (Prosecutor, Hwang Si-mok) brilliantly plays an apathetic character type, and somehow manages to give him so much depth, heart and expression, again almost all in subtext and subtlety. He really stands out among all the "cold genius" archetypes and by Season 2, has become one of my all time favorites. He is such an odd mixture of apathy, cunning, and bluntness all the while being polite, passive and quiet. While he is certainly brilliant it never seems that his work is ever easy for him. It is always difficult and challenging-he is just stubborn and driven enough to find the truth and seek justice.

On the other hand, actress Bae Doona (Lieutenant Han Yeo-Jin) manages to portray an equally interesting character. She is quirky and eccentric, lively and outgoing, that you can't help but love her. Her strong and yet compassionate persona make her the perfect counterbalance to Hwang Si-mok. The two leads really propel the series along. They are almost complete opposites but for their shared sense of justice and duty, and together make a brilliant team.

I think what I really loved about this series is the realistic character portrayals. No one felt or looked like a fashion icon or typical drama idol. They were all flawed and unique and make the series highly believable.

This series storyline is incredibly complex and well thought out, with a very tight, intelligent plot. There's a lot of suspense. Often, I find a common issue with procedural crime shows, in that they tend to be slower paced and drag along. Not so with this series. The pacing is quick and sharp. Also, I love how it never tries to dumb things down. You really have to follow along with it, because it wastes no time trying spelling things out for viewers and there can be quite a bit of subtext going on. This all proves the great writing and direction. I highly recommend this series if you are looking for a fast paced crime thriller. A MUST SEE.

[NOTE: This Review is for Season 1 & 2]

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6 years later (REWATCH)

I watched this drama when it came out and binged both. Now in 2026 I rewatched both. After seeing other reviews I can agree on some things such as the multiple subplots being thrown together while simultaneously throwing off the actual plot. At times it did get confusing.

Me personally I loved the long episodes but if you’ve never watched a law/government based dramas they are definitely a lot to take in, especially with the way writers try to lead up to the corruption plot. Some take a while (like this show) and others take not as long but it’s still a long wait.

I also feel like I loved this drama bc it reminded me of another drama called “beautiful mind” where the ml had a similar medical condition as this ml. I clearly have a thing for these types of dramas lol.

I do like the fact that the romance here was supposed to be more low-key but it completely changed lol. I would have loved way more progress in their relationship this season! I know ppl shipped the girl who died in S1 with Si-mok but if her character was always meant to die then that was never gonna happen no shade just an observation. I did like their dynamic tho and I actually shipped her with Dong-jae before finding out he was married. regardless I loved Sik-mok and Yeo-jin together especially when he smiled around her and only with her lol it was so cute. I have always loved her as an actress she’s even been in many American movies/tvshows. To me it was very clear who the writers were “shipping” him with lol I think they also used the girl who died as a way to make Yeo-jin jealous in S1.

Honestly, looking back from then to now I still love the show and not once was I bored while watching I actually feel like there needs to be more shows like this now (with substance). The fact that I rewatched it after 6 years is telling. Praying for a S3 but doubtful, it’s funny how they made a spin off after 5years tho but not a S3 lol. Such a waste hopefully I can find other shows like this one.

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Very good but something was missing

I watched Stranger and Stranger Season 2 back to back. I liked them both but TBH, I think the former was better.

Si Mok. Oh, what a character! I’ve thought about him the most of any KDrama character I’ve watched. What would it be like to live without emotion? What would it be like to know a person like him. I’d try to understand him. I believe I’d respect him for his brilliance and dedication but I also think I’d be just as frustrated as everyone else was.

Cho Seong Woo (an incredible actor) embodied Hwang Si Mok to a T and didn’t falter in his portrayal through both seasons even though they were 3+ years apart. I liked him so much in this second story I truly wanted to learn more about what made him tick. And, btw, he never visited his mom.

This second story was really good but perhaps too intricate. That was a big reason I gave Second Season a lower rating. It had so many elements it was tough keeping up, and I like complicated legal thrillers. This one just had too many situations to consider. I admit I bailed on the story about Lee Yeon Jae. I knew she was a plot driver so, I picked up what I needed to know about her part of the story and fast forwarded through most of her scenes. I thought it was cheap to only talk about her husband and brother as if they were directly involved in the story but never letting us see them.

I was disappointed the relationship between Si Mok and Yeo Jin never went anywhere - they had little significant screen time together making it impossible for it to develop. I wasn’t necessarily expecting a romance to bloom between them. I know she had her own storyline but, at times, it felt like Yeo Jin was more of a supporting character to Choi Bit’s. There was more depth to explore with Si Mok’s character. The obvious path to that discovery was through Yeo Jin but we missed getting that opportunity.

Tae Ha’s character added heft to the drama and was well played by Choi Mu Sung. Even though I still didn’t like Dong Jae from the first story, I was genuinely sad for what happened to him in this story. BTW my dislike for Dong Jae is a compliment to awesome Lee Jun Hyuk.

Hwang Si Mok is a truly interesting character and both his stories were great. When I miss him I’ll definitely watch them again. I already missed Shin Sung Han that I found myself watching Divorce Attorney Shin for the second time. Maybe it’s that I just missed Cho Seong Woo. 😉

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This is Drama is really good..

I want Season 3 on this Drama..same Character and Have Romance for the two main leads.. Please make it happen for us all the fans of them..🙏🙏🙏🙏this is really good Drama that's why we need Season 3 with Romance please I really really Love them..Jebal ..make make make it happen please.. please..🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 really want to see them again.. they are always good together.. want to see them with Romance also..🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I've already missed them although I didn't finish yet the Season 2..🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

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Perfect. That's all I can say: perfect.

Now that's out of the way, let me just say how the the second season picks up years after the events of the first season. Prosecutor Hwang Si Mok has been assigned somewhere remote and Superintendent Han Yeo Jin has been assigned to the head office. The first season broke my heart with all the deaths surrounding it but it was needed to be done in order for the characters to grow. This season introduced new characters and gave the kind of reunion only Si Mok and Yeo Jin would have. It also depicted a plot that would put both of them at the different sides of the spectrum. It focuses on the ongoing war between who should hold the power to grant a warrant: will it be the prosecution or the police. What I liked about this is that even though Si Mok and Yeo Jin were pushed into the middle of years long fight, they still trust each other with their life. That is how they are loyal with each other. That even though both the prosecution and the police were plotting against each other both of our beloved leads still share information with one another. Every character in this season held their weight and it didn't feel like this was all on the shoulders of Doona Bae and Cho Seung Woo.

For me, romance between Si Mok and Yeo Jin isn't the most important part of the show. Heck, I will be even okay if they did not introduce any hint of romance because their relationship goes beyond romance. They will always be partners no matter the circumstances and that is what's most important.

Also, am I the only one clamoring for a third season? Please? Universe?

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The web of stories were all important

Without a doubt, Stranger is the best kdrama that I've seen. S2 has been released last year and I still cannot find myself getting this obsessed with another kdrama.

Some of the reviews I've seen hated the intricate web of stories that the writer shown in S2. On the first watch, I kind of agree that the first half is a bit dragging and I didn't see the relevance of telling these smaller storylines... but they are all part of LSY's bigger picture. In reality, prosecutors and police don't just work on a single case. So if somebody got abducted or killed in their line of work, police needs to go through all the previous cases and see if anyone might have some grievance against them. It is but natural re-investigate these cases, especially since SDJ has taken quite an interest on them.

By the second half of the drama, it became clearer and I understood the writer's intention and reason for introducing the smaller plots. It might be dragging if one watched S2 on a week by week basis vs binge watching it.

Somebody asked me which season I liked best and I honestly cannot choose between the two. S1 is all about the story. S2 is all about the character development. I have rewatched the two seasons for several times and I have plans to continue doing so. New nuances come up with every rewatch making me appreciate the writing, directing, acting, editing, scoring all the more.

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Story

There are only a few Drama series that contain all aspects that make a series brilliant and this was one of them. Stranger and Stranger 2 were superb. I have seen other series by the same Director and knew it would be worth watching. The Script was full of twists and turns.. and the gathering of some of the best Korean actors to date. I couldn't wait to see the next episode and in the end binge watch the two series. You know a good series from the first episode if it catches your attention.
It's top of my list for one of the best dramas ever with
Goblin.. Devil judge.. Angels fall sometimes.. Taxi Driver.
SKorea is up with best producing and directing great KDramas... ❤️

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Contemporary Crime Drama

Stranger
K-Drama
Ep 32
Two Seasons
PG-13

I like Contemporary stories and Crime / Murder mystery so when I heard this was a mix of both I was excited!

Sadly it was just okay for me.

This show had great actors and 97% of them played morally grey characters. The only exception were the leads!
Let's do some pros & cons

Pros:
◇The acting
◇How it wasn't as dark and gory as it could be 👌 (Definitely PG-13)
◇The Leads

Cons:
◇It felt like it dragged at times
◇The plot twists were okay
◇The writing at times
◇Wanted more friendship & chemistry

Over all I am happy I watched this show. Would I recommend? If you like slow crime dramas then yes, if you like fast past thriller type then maybe not.

Rewatch? No

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Good social commentary

I think the best parts of this were undoubtedly the relationship between the two leads and seeing them work together; they don't have so much screentime together but when they do it always steals the scene.

I'm a bit more mixed on the overall plot; I like the themes it's addressing a lot, from the prosecutor-police relationship to broader institutional corruption, but the pacing feels pretty slow and I wasn't fully interested in all the characters involved, like Yeon-Jae (the Hanjo chairwoman). It feels like it makes its point clear really early but then takes a really long time to get to it.

Ultimately though, I still think this was solidly written, but not really as engaging as it could be.

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Secret Forest had that charm about it and the 2nd season sure did that a full justice. I really was skeptical but interested in how the writer would hook me for a more political plot rather than the investigations in season 1 and wow! she really did. This season had it's special story, narrative, message and an overall feel to it that is so different in its course than a ton of dramas that tackle prosecution. It was smart, beginning to end. Of course the ACTING was top notch as expected. Maybe I didn't love the side characters as much I really loved those of season 1 but the story here was I guess made the focus more than navigating any emotional attachment to the characters. Watch it if you haven't cause I don't know why you are still waiting!

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