Brain Works

Pretty funny at times

Sep 2024
Bit of fun with a mildly darker element running in the background, as a "too nice to be true" detective (who tries to cover it up by being off-hand), from a somewhat haphazardly run crime team, meets a cold, but brilliant neuro scientist, who's fallen from grace and gets assigned to the team.
The team is overseen by an awful man, stuck in the past, who has a huge complex, using his senior position to verbally bully a mild and weaker character on his team. That's meant to be comical, but often fell very short.
There are very funny moments though, but also the overly silly ones so often included, too.
The idea that psychopathy can be mapped in the brain, is based in fact, but the methods in this make for the darker element, as does the mystery of the death of a main character's parents.
I liked the cast and enjoyed it overall. Would make a good filler whilst waiting for episodes of a currently airing drama.

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"Brain Works" it's a drama about the partnership of Ha Ru and Myung Se. Ha Ru is a neuroscientist and Myung Se is a cop. The two start to work together to solve criminal cases.

A very entertaining drama, with an interesting and intriguing story. I loved how in each episode the crimes involve some brain syndrome, seeing Ha Ru explaining each situation to us was really good. Ha Ru and Myung Se are an amazing duo, they are complete opposites but they fit together very well.

It was because of Myung Se that Ha Ru changed, he started to care more about others and he needed that, since his brain has all the traits to turn him into a psychopath, so he needs to be around people, see the problems, the pain... even if he can't understand it completely, since he has a lack of empathy and that's not his fault. I will miss the moments when Myung Se says: help me, to Ha Ru. HAHA'

Jung Hwa is proving to be a fantastic actor, incredibly better than when he started his career with "You're Beautiful".

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We Are More Than Our Brains

This drama ticks many of my boxes: a plethora of brain conditions/injuries, intelligent characters, and engaging actors. The co-leading man was a handsome psychopath; the other co-leading man was the relatable, comic relief; and the supporting/guest actors were gems. I'm always mesmerized by Ye Ji Won: she never plays a boring part.

I enjoyed all the brain dilemmas, even though the science was flawed. I'm capable of overlooking poetic license for a little drama.

I'm a sucker for intelligent characters, and this drama had mostly smart people until the 15th and 16th episodes, when everyone must have take stupid pills and overdosed. I was cringing at the thought of two neuroscientists being so brainless, and three cops (count them!) being so unprofessional and unprepared. There is also no way a truly psychotic being would have ended the way he did. It was agonizing sitting through all that while muttering, "Call for back-up!"

I wanted to remove a star due to the cringe-worthy ending, but I can't because the leading man had a two-story library and a mouse/rat named Algernon (read the short story Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes; don't read the novelette as the short story is superior: https://www.sdfo.org/gj/stories/flowersforalgernon.pdf). It obviously doesn't take much to make me overlook a disappointing ending. I also liked the philosophy that we are more than our brains. We don't have to be constrained by what we're given.

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an unexpected surprise!

I didnt have very high expectations for this drama and thought of starting it with the plan to just breeze through it. BUT who knew, this show was actually not bad! The cases were interesting and by watching them solve it I actually learnt a few tips :) They were able to explain concepts and ideas in simple terms making the drama more relatable. Every case was related to psychology and understanding the intentions of the culprit based on specific actions that can be triggered via the brain.

The acting was average, there wasn't any heavy/deep plot for the actors to display their acting. It was more of a casual and light set up.

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Brainless Behaviour

This drama was a constant coin toss for me, swinging between great and bad throughout, this included the story, characters, jokes, and, in particular, cases. Every case related to one or multiple subjects around neuroscience for the doctor to talk about, however, some subjects were poorly executed and questionable. These ones were totally forced and stretched thin just for the sake of including them. Other cases were actually interesting. The humor as well was a big hit or miss, especially with the male leads. The drama placed too much focus on the male leads while neglecting the remainder of the cast dynamic. On the other hand, the detective wife didn't fit quite well and it took until the last few episodes for her character to finally blend. The drama had its good moments with its witty humor but it lacked in many areas to be a solid drama.

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Quirky and educational

This show starts off slow with a lot of over-acting but once you get into the hang of it, it's pretty entertaining. The drama starts off trying to be a comedy with a background of mystery. The premise is a top neurosurgeon (Jung Yong Hwa) comes in to help the police solve crimes related to the brain ailments. I'm particularly surprised by the over-acting of Jung Dong Hwan. He's such an established actor; there's really no need for over-acting.

The pacing gets better around episode 3 when the mystery and crime-solving comes to the forefront instead of being buried in the exposition of each character. Having a story of the week really helps prevent the overall series from getting caught up in the over-acting. Once the show got underway, I enjoyed the weekly lessons and brain science that the neurosurgeon character played by Jung introduced.

Jung Yong Hwa hasn't acted in a lot of dramas over the years, and in this drama, he's as prone to over-acting as the other leads. I can't say that this drama is his best work (I still like Heartstring because the role reflects what he does best - being a kpop idol) but I do enjoy the wide variety of drama roles that he attempts. I got to give him credit for trying new things and sometimes they work out (Three Musketeers, the Package), and sometimes they don't.

In short, don't take the drama too seriously. Watch this drama for a light laugh and take it with a huge pinch of salt.

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it's fun. it's to-the-point. and a little yawning in between: but a solid 9!!

i thoroughly enjoyed the whole series, so much so that i wont like to point whatever plotholes it has. what i loved the most about it is that it highlights how the human brains work and how we can control our brains with our will. the character of Shin Ha Ru was the best, relatable on an intellect level and very practical and that of Geum Myung Se was relatable on the emotional level- though Myung Se was an over empathetic human. i loved the co-ordination between the two characters, how they balanced each other out and how the story unfolded. the chemistry between the two actors was commendable.
THE CHARACTERS:
talking about Ha Ru, i really liked it how everything around him was chaotic yet so in order. he knew how to handle himself and (the brains of) others. he is best psychopath i have come across (,,,^_^,,,). Again the best about him was how practical he was. i know some may find him as a character who can exist only in fiction, but it wasn't the case for me. especially Shin Ha Ru's initial opinion on his memory loss (distortion) was something i always wanted other characters of other dramas with a memory loss track to have; and this opinion made the character a little real to me. he said "My brain has blocked the memories that are painful to me and there's a reason to that. why would i go against my brain when i know it would hurt me?" this dialogue had me. and another admirable fact was how Ha Ru didn't give in to any manipulation whatsoever. Jung Yong Hwa did real justice to the character of Shin Ha Ru.
[this Ha Ru is my next favorite Ha Ru after Number 13 Ha Ru from Extraordinary You]
next up is Geum Myung Se. i think no one would have played that role better that Cha Tae Hyun. since i couldn't relate much to this character i cant say much about it. all in all, Myung Se's existence was of real importance for Ha Ru- he made him realise the importance/ the feeling of having a friend. the love-hate relationship they shared was so good and so funny. however, Myung Se being overly empathetic was a little over the top.

THE CASES:
the cases involved were so unique in their own ways and they had my full focus. mystery, suspense and even the drama was evenly scattered throughout. even case was like a lesson to me (even though some may not be a real lesson). i found Ha Ru a lot cooler in the second half of the story compared to the first. However, the ending seemed to be rushed. scientific in every way, while not so in the last 2 episodes to be precise, i couldn't understand the real motive of the final antagonist- what the hell he wanted to prove with harmonizing the the brain waves of two totally polar opposite people, is beyond my range of comprehension.

THE OTHER ELEMENTS:
the actors did a great job. the comic timing was perfect. there were some boring parts, but whatever it has A HANDSOME HOT PSYCHOPATHIC NEUROSCIENTIST (ufffff) and even the music was good. to those who like such science fictions and hot scientists and comedy and can sit through even the yawning parts, then please watch it. it's worth it.

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Cliche but Different

There’s a lot of tropes that have been done before. Cold male lead and warm male lead team up. Classic enemies to partners to friends. Medical mixed with law. Quirky police team. BUT, It has a nice twist. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a neuroscientist being added to a drama like this specifically. And the back story to Dr. Brain’s condition is interesting.

Story: Despite being a bit cliche, there’s some fresh approaches as well. Overall, it’s unique enough to keep you invested (starts off bad….ep1 and 2 are blah. BUT, if does get more action packed and fun as you go).

Cast: The cast is good. I just feel the acting is over-the-top/forced at times (but it kinda fits the vibe of the drama). The very slow-burn bromance is nice (super subtle though). Watch for the main leads (everyone else is quite forgettable).

Music: Just there I guess. Nothing special.

To watch it not to watch?…
Watch it! The male leads’ chemistry is humorous and enjoyable. The story has enough twists to stay interesting. The science aspect is unique. Easy watch. It’s not amazing, but it grows on you.

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We Want Season 2!!!

I really love this K-drama series!! From the very first episode, I was completely hooked on the story, the characters, and the brilliant execution of the plot. The way the drama presents complex cases, unique investigative techniques, and psychological elements makes it incredibly engaging and different from other crime-related K-dramas.

I am a huge fan of K-dramas that fall into the genres of police investigations, prosecutors, courtroom dramas, and anything that involves intelligence, mind games, and strategic thinking. These types of dramas keep me on the edge of my seat, constantly making me think, analyze, and guess what will happen next. I enjoy mind-bending dramas that challenge my thoughts, and Brain Works is exactly the kind of K-drama that I have been eagerly waiting for!

The chemistry between the characters, especially the dynamic between the main leads, is one of the strongest points of this drama. The way they interact, solve cases together, and handle conflicts makes the series even more exciting to watch. The balance between intense investigations, psychological battles, and even moments of humor creates a perfect mix that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.

One of the things that make Brain Works stand out is how it delves into the mysteries of the human brain, using neuroscience to solve cases. This concept is refreshing, unique, and thought-provoking. It’s not just about catching criminals but also about understanding the psychology behind their actions. This adds an extra layer of depth to the storytelling, making it more than just an ordinary crime drama.

Because of all these reasons, I sincerely request the Producers and Director to seriously consider making Season 2 of this incredible drama! There are still so many possibilities to explore—new cases, new challenges, and deeper character development. The potential for more thrilling investigations and psychological battles is limitless.

For me, this drama is without a doubt one of the Top 10 K-dramas I have ever watched! The storyline is amazing, engaging, and truly unique compared to many other series in the same genre. It deserves more recognition and, most importantly, a continuation so that fans like me can experience more of its brilliance.

Please bring back Brain Works for another season! The story isn’t over yet, and we, the fans, are eagerly waiting for more!

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Disappointing to say the least

Well, I'm definitely not happy about this drama. When I saw who the second ML was I just knew I would be in for a treat. The dramas I've seen Cha Tae Hyun has been a treat for me even though he was in only one episode in Cafe Minamdang I enjoyed that episode because of how well he played his role.
I get attached to anybody who's known for their martial art skills. I don't know why but I've always been that way ever since I was a kid.

The episodes I've watched so far has left me feeling so underwhelmed. The one thing that grates my nerves is actors who can actually fight pretending that they can't. Cha Tae Hyun played a dim wit and I hate characters like that. With the constant bashing by the first ML and his team pitting against him because of how 'cool, suave, and sophisticate' the main ML was got to be pretty irksome. I was so disappointed in what I was watching.
Each episode is different but there's no 'oomph' in none of them. There's no suspense, no build up, no element of surprise...nothing. The cases are rather dismal to say the least.
The main ML got to be annoying pretty quick. There wasn't a moment that went by where he felt the need to boast about how good looking and smart he was and how he shot down anybody who he felt wasn't on his level.

The animation of his brain picking up something that could be solved and his fake snapping of his fingers annoyed the heck out of me. This was done on numerous occasions in every episode. I could go on and on but that will just lead me to sounding like a crabby old a** which dramas like this leads me to be.

I'm so angry at this supposedly police drama right now. I even fell for the positive reviews! I said out loud that this needs to be dropped but I tried to stretch it out because I don't have any other Korean dramas lined up. There will be sequels to the other dramas that I've watched so I guess I'm going to have to wait for that.

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brain lessons

It's a semi-comedy series with animated figurines where you can also learn something about body signals and brain functions.
I love this team formed by a neurologist and a detective. One the opposite of the other.
The collaboration begins after this brain doctor is suspended from work because of this detective. So he thinks it's a good idea to find revenge by working side by side with him.
The cases are interesting and not at all predictable.
I only asked myself one thing: why does everyone trust and let themselves be manipulated by this psychopath? Even the genius doctor falls into this trap. Too much self-confidence or too tempting a challenge?
The detective's laugh... unique.

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