Doctor Prisoner (2019)

A revenge drama through and through, Doctor Prisoner delivers in many aspects.

It was fast paced, and the plot was basically characters outsmarting one another for their selfish wants. If revenge best served cold is your type of thing, this is the place for you. Taking the stay of execution, the writer made a revenge drama into a thriller worth watching. it was creative to see the prison as a setting, and see the ML take it from there. The strength of this drama also include the hate-trio, that is, Lee Jae Jun, Director Seon, and Dr Na.
Now, to point out the flaws:
While the plot went along smoothly for the most part, the flashbacks hindered the viewing experience. The comedy was out of place - I laughed more at the characters laughing in tense scenarios than in the "light-hearted" moments. With this, had they stayed loyal to the dark tones and kept the mystery (that is, no flashbacks, or minimum) it would have been a favourite. Another let down was not dealing with certain characters the way they should have, and allowing only one to be punished; and there was the under-use of the FL. Lastly, certain scenarios' conclusions got predictable.

The acting was top-notch. Choi Won Young was easily the star of the show. He has control over his expressions and body language like a true actor. He has played a similar role before, but he still manages to make the characters feel different. Nam Goong Min was good, but I feel he should have turned off his charm (his signature expressions, although delightful, still left me wanting something new); however, since that's personal preference, I won't deduct any points from this. And we have Kim Byung Chul - I will forever remember his crazy smile. Overall, great casting choices.

The beep, beep, beep was a personal favourite when it accompanied turning points. The BGM could be a little loud, but I still liked it.

If I have to rewatch anything, it would be the scenes featuring Choi Won Young.

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STORY: This drama really defines what a revenge drama should be. Full of mind games and suspense, never knowing what to expect and who is on which side, as characters constantly kept changing sides, until the very last moment. Every episode had its twists and turns, just when you think it is going downhill for the male lead, he does something else to turn the tables.

CAST/ACTING: Nam Goong Min was just phenomenal. How he portrayed Na Yi Je from being a kind doctor to a vengeful and power seeking character. His signature expressions was everything!! He truly became one with his character. Kim Byung Chul was just stellar as Seon Min Sik, seriously that smile was creepy, and at times i did find him annoying, but in the 2nd half he really played his cards well. Choi Won Young was great as Lee Jae Jun, the way he had such great control over his expressions and body language to portray his character and the illness. I wish Nara's character was more developed and incorporated. I felt like the female lead was just left as a side character, but whatever scenes Nara had, she was great. And i also loved the supporting cast members, they were soo good! Loved Prosecutor Jung and Miss Oh's interactions a lot!

OST: I personally really liked the soundtrack. They fit in well with the ambience of the drama. There were songs that felt hopeful, but then also sad and agonising.

REWATCH: I don't really re-watch dramas, but there are definitely some scenes that i would watch again.

One of the most well scripted, well directed and well cast drama i have seen in a long time!! This drama is gonna take me a while to digest.

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