Both Connection and Defendant are gripping, fast-paced crime thrillers starring veteran actor Ji Sung. They are similar because their plots revolve around an upstanding law enforcer who loses their memory, is framed for a crime, and must fight to uncover the truth about a corrupt inner circle.
The Lead Actor: Both shows heavily rely on the acting skills of Ji Sung to drive the story. In Defendant, he plays an elite prosecutor, and in Connection, he plays a talented narcotics detective. In both roles, his character is the ultimate "good guy" who is pushed to the absolute limit.
Framed for a Crime: The core mystery in both shows begins with the protagonist being framed. In Defendant, the prosecutor wakes up on death row, accused of murdering his own wife and daughter, with zero memory of what happened. In Connection, the detective wakes up forcibly addicted to an unknown drug, framed for the suspicious death of a high school friend.
Memory Loss and Missing Time: Amnesia is a major connecting theme. In both dramas, the main character is battling "missing time". They must retrace their steps, solve the mystery of their own altered states, and figure out who is setting them up to take the fall.
Fighting a Corrupt Inner Circle: The main characters in both series are up against wealthy, powerful, and deeply corrupt people. They cannot trust the system or even some of their own colleagues. They have to rely on their own wits, a few loyal friends, and allies they make along the way to expose the truth.
The Themes of Trust and Betrayal" Both shows explore how greed, money, and power can destroy friendships. The mysteries in both Defendant and Connection are deeply rooted in the past, forcing the protagonists to question the true loyalties of the people closest to them.
The Lead Actor: Both shows heavily rely on the acting skills of Ji Sung to drive the story. In Defendant, he plays an elite prosecutor, and in Connection, he plays a talented narcotics detective. In both roles, his character is the ultimate "good guy" who is pushed to the absolute limit.
Framed for a Crime: The core mystery in both shows begins with the protagonist being framed. In Defendant, the prosecutor wakes up on death row, accused of murdering his own wife and daughter, with zero memory of what happened. In Connection, the detective wakes up forcibly addicted to an unknown drug, framed for the suspicious death of a high school friend.
Memory Loss and Missing Time: Amnesia is a major connecting theme. In both dramas, the main character is battling "missing time". They must retrace their steps, solve the mystery of their own altered states, and figure out who is setting them up to take the fall.
Fighting a Corrupt Inner Circle: The main characters in both series are up against wealthy, powerful, and deeply corrupt people. They cannot trust the system or even some of their own colleagues. They have to rely on their own wits, a few loyal friends, and allies they make along the way to expose the truth.
The Themes of Trust and Betrayal" Both shows explore how greed, money, and power can destroy friendships. The mysteries in both Defendant and Connection are deeply rooted in the past, forcing the protagonists to question the true loyalties of the people closest to them.
Both "Connection" and "The Trunk" are dramas centered around a mystery. While "Connection" does not include any romantic elements in its plot, the character dynamics are quite similar to those in "The Trunk." Suspense builds progressively from episode to episode in both dramas. All the actors in both series are highly acclaimed ones who can actually ACT. However, "The Trunk" features more angst in its characters compared to "Connection". But the plot of both dramas revolves around a mystery in that sense these dramas are very much similar.
