Connection

Solid Cop Drama Elevated by Exceptional Acting

The title really says it all.

The story was good. Not terribly new or original. As someone who was in high school when 24 was originally airing, this made me remember the season when Jack Bauer accidentally got addicted when he was undercover in a cartel, although this was better.

That aside, some aspects of the drug world and drug addiction felt very off to me. Like something between an overwrought after school special and a simple lack of factual information. It sounds strange to say that I felt like the drama was sometimes forgoing story for an attempt at educating civilians on the damaging nature of drug addiction. But it seemed to miss the mark a little because some aspects of drug addiction and the world of drug dealers felt a little inaccurate.

That said, most of the time I could dismiss all that with a "this is a fictional drug, mostly, and thus they can make it do whatever they want" and that's fine, too.

The real highlight here was Ji Sung, who is incapable of underperforming, it seems. Watching him in The Devil Judge finally made me understand what they mean when they talk about having "presence." That's not a large man, but he fills the entire room.

His depiction of a forcibly drug addicted cop was, frankly, incredible. In this regard, the drama was spot on. His constant, intense struggle was very true to the nature of addiction. The expression on his face when he was held down and given a hit said it all; combined panic, anger, relief, sorrow, guilt, and finally pleasure.

This is somewhat hard for me to rate. The story was good, but not incredible. The premise sometimes felt a little "educational" and thus its drama and impact were kind of diminished. But the characters and the actors were really, really great. I'd rewatch this just for the characters. In truth, I'd rewatch this just for Ji Sung's performance.

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A dysfunctional friendship connected through their past

Connection has an intriguing premise: What happens when the leading investigator in the drug department is forcibly addicted to the very substance he routinely hunts down? Situated among a group of friends who have known each other since school and remain connected into adulthood, bound by a paradoxical relationship between affection and resentment, Connection sets up a mystery that repeatedly questions and places these bonds under scrutiny.

The show performs very well for about nine episodes, connecting multiple plotlines that are intrinsically linked from different angles. After that point, however, the trick behind the series becomes visible and reveals the inherent flaws the thriller stubbornly tries to brute-force its way through in order to maintain progression. At one stage, the drama repeatedly relies on the same mechanisms to move the plot forward, whether through eavesdropping, a character coincidentally arriving at the right moment, or the use of surveillance cameras.

Overall, the drama balances positive and negative elements, which makes it a worthwhile watch, even though it cannot fully conceal its weaknesses. Characterisation, as well as the dynamics and development between characters, particularly the main lead's, are handled well. While the mystery often points toward one particular figure, the drama continues to raise questions that demand resolution.

This leads to the ending and one major gripe the series normalises, which renders the friendship trope somewhat unsettling. The main characters nonchalantly accept that their deceased friend was cheated on by his wife, and not only do they continue to support her and attempt to maintain a friendship, but they also financially assist her using the money they inherited from their late friend. Aside from this issue, the resolution of the central mystery is largely satisfactory, though it should have occurred four episodes earlier. But it reflects a broader issue within K-dramas, where extended episodes often harm the quality.

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To long

Drama was okay. Some actors could improve their expression but generally speaking it's not bad but storyline was to long. It could be done in like 8 episodes but they kept dragging it for so long.
I kinda regret sitting through it all. I don't understand why they are making k-dramas so long if it's not necessary. Is it really that profitable to make actors shoot for so long. Spend so much money on locations and so much energy? Wouldn't it be more time and cost efficient if they made like 8 episodes that are fully entertaining packed with content?
It would also make more people rewatch the show. Although it was okay I won't rewatch it because it wasn't that special. If you have a lot of time to spend go ahead but it isn't one of those groundbreaking shows that you won't forget. Also announcing the final culprits and their motives wasn't really that enjoyable. The reasons why they did it and the final episodes were underwhelming.

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Masterpiece

Connection is the story of Jae Kyung. He is an ace detective who is hell-bent on his job and does not allow even the slightest emotion to come between his work. The wall of his room has been burdened with his past which is a clue to the secret the man has been carrying within him. His strong conviction takes a pitfall when his twenty-year connections with friends and foes question him about his own choices.
Being a huge fan of Ji Sung, this story has been my must-watch ever since its announcement. He brings nuances into his psychologically strained character making them intriguing. As the story keeps on going past while tackling issues of the present, suspense builds around what happened twenty years ago. Helmed by the man behind "Lovers of the Red Sky", a connection has severe darkness etched throughout. The character Yoon Jin portrayed by Mi Do is another mystery to be read along. Her Yoon Jin also bears a big baggage like Jae Kyung. The upright and assertive she is gets clouded by an unfair dismissal.
The task of a writer involves giving space and breakages to every character which builds a story. The way past and present clashes help in intensifying the connection between leads throughout. The use of black and white color outfits works as the element to exhibit what those cloth wearers are feeling inside. There is no color left in their lives. The drinking scene at the beginning where Jae Kyung mostly stays silent and only pours a drink to everyone describes his social ineptness.

The biggest element of a crime thriller is to maintain the pace. Director Moon Kyo did a terrific job of keeping the motion strong while bringing unprecedented twists with each scene. The gap between the present and past is what this connection is about.

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Best thriller airing right now

Omg I was just holding my breath till the end of the second episode. what a fast paced series.. with lots of suspense and everytime leave us in a cliffhanger. Not to mention the acting, we all know the leads and their extraordinary performance. Ji sung my fav..
From the 1st two episodes, we can see friendship, revenge, love, death, investigation, fight and everything. This is a complete pack.
The plot also seems new to me. A detective from the narcotics team (jang jae- he is the main lead) who, after being forcibly addicted to drugs by some illegal drug dealers, finds unexpected turns in his life. And at the same time, his old friend commits suicide which he believes as a murder. The main plot twist is that, his dead friend left 5 million dollar worth insurance money to both our main leads jung jae and oh yun ( btw they were not so close to give them 5 million dollars lol). it's suspicious. Now our officer has many things to unfold, like.. the drug dealer, the murderer, and also the reason for his friend to take a life insurance worth 5 million dollars, all while hiding his addiction from everyone. The answer to the questions is all connected.
It's interesting to me atleast. But I can guarantee you.. you will all wonder what will happen next.. for sure
So go and watch this masterpiece

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Who is the Doctor?

This is a good crime drama with a well-written plot and characters. The overlap between characters flows nicely, so it does not feel forced. The pacing is also smooth and well-controlled, preventing the series from feeling slow or boring as the audience learns new things and sees developments in each episode. To me, this is an A series; I give it a 9.

I assume I'm not dropping spoilers since what I'm writing here is my guess, as this crime drama plays with a detective theme. To answer my headline question, I'm guessing the 'real' or the 'first' doctor is already dead. Now, who is playing the 'Doctor'? (whom I call the new Doctor). The new Doctor seems to care more about money above all, rather than maintaining control and power. It could be the prosecutor, the widow, the loyal secretary, or the narcotics chief.

While from enemy to friend story is cute and heartwarming, friend turning into an enemy is devastating. In this crime drama, I particularly enjoy the exploration of a friend becoming an enemy, as in this story, they were classmates in high school.

Lastly, Jae Kyung seems to be one step behind. Although it's a bit blurry, someone appears to be reading his moves. Let's see if the writer or director isn't too shy to push this narrative. I believe someone in the Narcotics Team is involved, my bet is on the lady boss. If it's not her, then the head of the Anhyeon Police Station might have something to do with it.

Final note: I understand that it takes a really smart writer to pull off a crime detective story where the culprit is someone close and well-known to everyone. It requires well-crafted settings to cover the tracks without flaws. Otherwise, it will result in plot holes. It would be safer if the writer used a side character, who the main lead is not very close to, as the main culprit.

So, let's see!!!

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Drama of the year, indeed!

It is so me to find the best dramas of 2024 only retrospectively in 2025! This show was so good and I knew it would be but I didn't expect it to be this perfect and I had to postpone watching it for a while but I finally got around to it and I loved it!
The most amazing part of this show is the main character. The lead actor is so perfect? I knew of him only through the infamy of his viral "oppaaaa" gif but that was enough to know he is a good actor. He was amazing though! I'm discovering (all these already super-discovered, well-known, applauded by literally everyone) older k-actors and I don't know, I may go back and watch all their old dramas!
This show is a murder mystery with a pressure point that is about to explode like a ticking bomb. The main character's personal investment and involvement in the situation, adds a necessary urgency to the plot that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until all is revealed. I have to say, this was very well-planned. The plot moved so smoothly...that said, there were some parts of the final reveals that I did not love. But overall, everything connects, just as the name of the show promises, like fates connected with a red string of fate. I also loved the characterizations. From the main protagonists to the main villains, to the minor characters, everyone seemed well-thought out with motives that moved the plot forward and helped unravel the mystery.
The story is also strewn with melancholic nostalgia. As the plot progresses and secrets are revealed, old connections are dug up and people are forced to face each other after years of estrangement, you feel sorry for what could have been and what was lost along the way.
In addition to the interesting characterization and sufficient plotting, the show had perfect production. You know how I know it was perfect? It was basically invisible! You don't even notice it! Everything went so smoothly that it never stood out like a sore thumb.
I wouldn't rewatch this probably but it was still such a great drama.
Overall: If you like mysteries, action that isn't just mindless violence, tense plots and interesting characterization, look no further! Watch it! This was the best 2024 show I have watched so far!

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