Love the action-packed opening sequence. However, I found the outdoor arcade game too gimmicky. DOKI left the poor victim MARIA there to… play a game?? Why didn’t he just escort her to their secret James Bond-ish underground hideout so the rest can meet her as well? Where will she go after playing that game? Also, she obviously still needs some medical help. Why leave her there?? *Looks up to the sky*
The chicken delivery was also gimmicky. Well, it served its purpose and gave us a few light moments, but still, I hope the next eps will have less gimmicks like these. Minus points for lack of realism.
Okay episode. We wrap up MARIA’s case. Just some points though:
1 That flashback where we see DOGI enter the “batcave” for the first time has lost its impact on us because we’ve seen the batcave (how well hidden it is; the labyrinth one has to go through to get to the heart of it). They should have sequenced it so that DOGI’s “discovery” of the batcave would have been OUR discovery, too. Missed opportunity there, imho.
2 Oh, another one-man-against-armed-many fight scene. Nothing new, guys?
3 That flashback with the kids visiting MARIA in the sweatshop with a teddy bear gift. How the heck did those kids get there? It wasn’t shown.
One of the reasons why I watched this dramedy ahead of the others in my must-watch list is because it’s directed by the same director of REPLY 1988 and HOSPITAL PLAYLIST (1 and 2), both highly rated series.
If we compare REPLY 1988 (2015) with PRISON PLAYBOOK (2017), you’d notice that there’s a big improvement, style-wise. The photography and camera work in this series is superb.
The flashback visual clues are consistent: The screen goes black & white if the scene that follows happened before the current time (whether just minutes ago or years ago). It will turn black & white again to denote the end of a flashback. Yeah, like bookends.
And since it’s from the people who made REPLY 1988, many actors from that 2015 series are also here.
Bear in mind though that this one is a slow burn. Though there are funny and endearing scenes in the initial episodes, I got really hooked starting with EP 4. No turning back from then on. The series actually gets better and better as it nears the finale.
Are prison cells in South Korea really that clean and neat? Well, this is consistent with the theme of the series that a prison is “a place where humans stay” and that it is possible to even thrive there. And that not all folks who are in jail are really bad people; some were framed or were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This is not for everyone one though. Like REPLY 1988, many found PRISON PLAYBOOK a great series, but some people did not. To each his own taste.
Also, if you’re looking for romantic titillating moments, these are few and far between here. But there’s bromance, if you like that.
In the finale, I missed Looney. Didn’t expect that the penultimate episode was his last. I was kinda hoping that it was just a bad dream – because THAT scene looked kinda dreamy, right? And also, he was so determined to clean up his act. Oh well. I felt sad and disappointed for his ending. Felt sad for his lover and parents, too.
I’m really glad I stayed on and finished this great series. I rate it 10 / 10.
Love the finale. I just wished they told us what happened to KI-BUM, the sidekick of JA and to KWANG-IL, the loanshark? There’s no mention of what became of them.
1) I thought ALAN just got a little too drunk. Now, he needs therapy to help him walk again?? Guess I missed some details. Ooh… ok, he has a wound. Nothing like that was mentioned in the last scene of EP 6. They just said he’s drunk.
2) The lighting of the scene when LI MING’s mom arrived is not consistent. In one camera angle, it’s bright; then when another angle is shown, it becomes darker. Not good, DP. Same is true for the scene when LENG and LI MING are talking about abortion in that narrow passage.
3) It’s already the penultimate episode and I’ve only found out now that LENG and LI MING are NOT brothers! All the while I thought they were because at one point, LENG call LI MING “my bro.” It’s either I missed something or the writers forgot to clear this up earlier.
4) WEN has left his former love nest with ALAN, right? And now, he’s there as caretaker while ALAN is recuperating. Fine. What is NOT fine is him bringing JIM there. He shouldn’t have done that – out of respect for ALAN.
5) GAIPA’S MOM. This is double whammy for him. First, the rejection by JIM. And now, this. =(
6) I was wondering how GAIPA and ALAN would meet. This episode answered that question.
7) I’ve seen a woman at the temple using a phone. Also, WEN using his laptop to work. Are those allowed?
8) ALAN (actor: FIRST) doesn’t know how to walk with a crutch. It was unintentionally laughable the way he did it.
9) UNCLE JIM and LI MING’s convo (while having beer) is one of the best ones so far in this series.
10) GAIPA’s funeral speech/song made me tear up. Great acting there. Made me wonder though: Do family members of the departed really have to give speeches? Because I wouldn’t know what to say and I wouldn’t face people and talk about my grief. I guess it’s hard for introverts like me to be in that kind of situation.
11) Why is LI MING wearing a regular (printed) t-shirt at the funeral – when the rest are in black? No explanation was given.
its very common for Thai to call each other bro sis (if there is an age different btw them obviously) even to…
Speaking of that dowry, I read someone comment that it was IRRESPONSIBLE of UNCLE JIM to NOT pay his car’s insurance. He said that giving dowry is an outdated tradition and that it’s not practiced anymore by the new generation.
its very common for Thai to call each other bro sis (if there is an age different btw them obviously) even to…
Ok, thanks. Maybe another reason why I thought LENG was also UNCLE JIM’s nephew was that he (UNCLE JIM) delayed the payment of his car’s insurance so he could buy a necklace to be used as LENG’s dowry to PRAEW. So, I really thought they were blood relatives, otherwise why would someone sacrifice an important expense for someone who is not their relative, right? Obviously, I was wrong into thinking this. =)
1) I thought ALAN just got a little too drunk. Now, he needs therapy to help him walk again?? Guess I missed some details. Ooh… ok, he has a wound. Nothing like that was mentioned in the last scene of EP 6. They just said he’s drunk.
2) The lighting of the scene when LI MING’s mom arrived is not consistent. In one camera angle, it’s bright; then when another angle is shown, it becomes darker. Not good, DP. Same is true for the scene when LENG and LI MING are talking about abortion in that narrow passage.
3) It’s already the penultimate episode and I’ve only found out now that LENG and LI MING are NOT brothers! All the while I thought they were because at one point, LENG call LI MING “my bro.” It’s either I missed something or the writers forgot to clear this up earlier.
4) WEN has left his former love nest with ALAN, right? And now, he’s there as caretaker while ALAN is recuperating. Fine. What is NOT fine is him bringing JIM there. He shouldn’t have done that – out of respect for ALAN.
5) GAIPA’S MOM. This is double whammy for him. First, the rejection by JIM. And now, this. =(
6) I was wondering how GAIPA and ALAN would meet. This episode answered that question.
7) I’ve seen a woman at the temple using a phone. Also, WEN using his laptop to work. Are those allowed?
8) ALAN (actor: FIRST) doesn’t know how to walk with a crutch. It was unintentionally laughable the way he did it.
9) UNCLE JIM and LI MING’s convo (while having beer) is one of the best ones so far in this series.
10) GAIPA’s funeral speech/song made me tear up. Great acting there. Made me wonder though: Do family members of the departed really have to give speeches? Because I wouldn’t know what to say and I wouldn’t face people and talk about my grief. I guess it’s hard for introverts like me to be in that kind of situation.
11) Why is LI MING wearing a regular (printed) t-shirt at the funeral – when the rest are in black? No explanation was given.
12) JIM cancels the diner’s lease. Good decision, if you ask me. That diner was his conjugal project with BEAM. And since BEAM is not here anymore, it’s symbolic that he let go of that memory by moving on and focusing on his new prospects, including heart matters, of course.
Hiii, i really enjoy reading your thoughts but is it ok if you tag them as spoiler for people who haven't watched…
Thanks, TanK. Each batch of comments I place which EPISODE I'm commenting on. So, those who still have to watch that particular episode will NOT read what I had written. =)
THOUGHTS WHILE WATCHING EP 6: THE WALK TO FORGET AND FORGIVE
1) The episode title is about closure. So, who among the characters will get closure in this episode?
2) The product placements (TORO CAT FOOD) are getting more frequent and it’s now NOT being subtle anymore.
3) The gate and main door of the HEART’s house is always open? Remember (EP 1) when LI MING entered and startled HEART? The door (and obviously the gate) was open. Anyone could have entered, right? Now, LI MING enters the open gate again and saw HEART’S MOM gardening.
Considering that HEART’S DAD is portrayed as a corrupt police officer, then the more he should have people around him to protect him and his family, right?
Also, the mom suddenly became a home buddy? And gardening, at that! Haha! Where was she in the last THREE YEARS that HEART was cooped up in their house?? Or even just in the past few weeks that LI MING had been secretly sleeping over and taking HEART out of their house??
4) So Jim’s boyfriend BEAM died in a ferry accident – after they had a quarrel. And JIM never found out who the woman in the photo was.
5) Wow! GAIPA was quite straightforward asking JIM about his chances! And JIM was also straightforward in rejecting him. Ouchee.
6) BL series? Beach. Check!
7) That kiss after the New Year countdown. And UNCLE JIM saw it. Like uncle, like nephew!! =)
8) I though ALAN’s role in the series is over and his last appearance was in EP 5. Apparently not.
THOUGHTS WHILE WATCHING EP 5:1) They didn’t make ALAN’s character an entirely “bad guy.” I think in the…
ALSO A LITTLE STRANGE: When HEART went up to his room, LI MING followed him later, acting as if he’s part of the household. And this didn’t bother the parents at all?? No reaction from them AT ALL?? Hmmm…
1) They didn’t make ALAN’s character an entirely “bad guy.” I think in the end he’ll be helping JIM get that load. That’s in consideration of actor FIRST’s career.
2) LI MING and HEART work as mascots now. How can HEART leave his house now? Isn’t he forbidden by his parents? Or is it okay now? It wasn’t made clear up to this point.
3) WEN messaged GONG to get him a pre-owned condo unit. What?? Didn’t he tell ALAN that he already has gotten a condo unit and that he’ll be moving out of their unit soon? Or was that just a bluff?
4) Finally, WEN really ended this relationship with ALAN – with finality. Good job!
5) Also finally, HEART stood up to his parents for cooping him up in their house.
6) WEN has finally left ALAN’s place. Will he now live in with JIM?
1) So, WEN and ALAN used to be lovers but not anymore, though they still share the same apartment. If WEN has fallen out of love, why does he still stay there? Couldn’t he just move out so he can be free to do whatever he want without considering or hurting ALAN?
Gong’s advice is right: “If you want to start a new chapter, finish the old one first.”
EDIT: Later in this episode, WEN told ALAN that he has found a condo and will be moving out soon.
2) That altercation between UNCLE JIM and LI MING was superbly acted. Hysterical vs controlled emotions. EARTH’s acting here is superb. Subdued yet effective. Those tears!!!
3) BL staples: chasing each other/splashing on a beach, piggyback ride, and …. getting each other wet (usually using a hose). The last one is present in this episode.
4) ALAN is still holding on to a slim chance of him and WEN getting back together. He hasn’t moved on yet. And that’s problematic if not dangerous. WEN, on the other hand, is over him, thanks to his new inspiration, UNCLE JIM.
5) Small world. ALAN will be handling JIM’s loan!
6) EARTH is only 29. Here, he is playing an “almost 40” character and sometimes it’s just hard to believe that.
7) GAIPA and his MOM’s relationship is very ideal. Hope every gay guy has a mom like her.
8) I find it incredible that HEART’s parents are really clueless about what HEART has been doing (like keeping LI MING there). Are they really out of the house all the time?? I’m quite sure they’ll get caught sooner or later – otherwise, there’ll be no conflict in their substory.
9) Confrontation. ALAN asked JIM: “Did you sleep with my boyfriend?” So, to him, their relationship isn’t over yet. And WEN didn’t say anything!!! He should have told ALAN off right there and then. Otherwise, JIM would think that they’re still in a relationship.
JIM’s reaction is also confusing. First, I thought he was concerned about WEN’s wound. But then he also told him to leave.
And that gash on WEN’s forehead looks so fake. Haha! They should’ve just made it a bump/lump. =)
Love the action-packed opening sequence. However, I found the outdoor arcade game too gimmicky. DOKI left the poor victim MARIA there to… play a game?? Why didn’t he just escort her to their secret James Bond-ish underground hideout so the rest can meet her as well? Where will she go after playing that game? Also, she obviously still needs some medical help. Why leave her there?? *Looks up to the sky*
The chicken delivery was also gimmicky. Well, it served its purpose and gave us a few light moments, but still, I hope the next eps will have less gimmicks like these. Minus points for lack of realism.
Okay episode. We wrap up MARIA’s case. Just some points though:
1 That flashback where we see DOGI enter the “batcave” for the first time has lost its impact on us because we’ve seen the batcave (how well hidden it is; the labyrinth one has to go through to get to the heart of it). They should have sequenced it so that DOGI’s “discovery” of the batcave would have been OUR discovery, too. Missed opportunity there, imho.
2 Oh, another one-man-against-armed-many fight scene. Nothing new, guys?
3 That flashback with the kids visiting MARIA in the sweatshop with a teddy bear gift. How the heck did those kids get there? It wasn’t shown.
One of the reasons why I watched this dramedy ahead of the others in my must-watch list is because it’s directed by the same director of REPLY 1988 and HOSPITAL PLAYLIST (1 and 2), both highly rated series.
If we compare REPLY 1988 (2015) with PRISON PLAYBOOK (2017), you’d notice that there’s a big improvement, style-wise. The photography and camera work in this series is superb.
The flashback visual clues are consistent: The screen goes black & white if the scene that follows happened before the current time (whether just minutes ago or years ago). It will turn black & white again to denote the end of a flashback. Yeah, like bookends.
And since it’s from the people who made REPLY 1988, many actors from that 2015 series are also here.
Bear in mind though that this one is a slow burn. Though there are funny and endearing scenes in the initial episodes, I got really hooked starting with EP 4. No turning back from then on. The series actually gets better and better as it nears the finale.
Are prison cells in South Korea really that clean and neat? Well, this is consistent with the theme of the series that a prison is “a place where humans stay” and that it is possible to even thrive there. And that not all folks who are in jail are really bad people; some were framed or were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This is not for everyone one though. Like REPLY 1988, many found PRISON PLAYBOOK a great series, but some people did not. To each his own taste.
Also, if you’re looking for romantic titillating moments, these are few and far between here. But there’s bromance, if you like that.
In the finale, I missed Looney. Didn’t expect that the penultimate episode was his last. I was kinda hoping that it was just a bad dream – because THAT scene looked kinda dreamy, right? And also, he was so determined to clean up his act. Oh well. I felt sad and disappointed for his ending. Felt sad for his lover and parents, too.
I’m really glad I stayed on and finished this great series. I rate it 10 / 10.
1) I thought ALAN just got a little too drunk. Now, he needs therapy to help him walk again?? Guess I missed some details. Ooh… ok, he has a wound. Nothing like that was mentioned in the last scene of EP 6. They just said he’s drunk.
2) The lighting of the scene when LI MING’s mom arrived is not consistent. In one camera angle, it’s bright; then when another angle is shown, it becomes darker. Not good, DP. Same is true for the scene when LENG and LI MING are talking about abortion in that narrow passage.
3) It’s already the penultimate episode and I’ve only found out now that LENG and LI MING are NOT brothers! All the while I thought they were because at one point, LENG call LI MING “my bro.” It’s either I missed something or the writers forgot to clear this up earlier.
4) WEN has left his former love nest with ALAN, right? And now, he’s there as caretaker while ALAN is recuperating. Fine. What is NOT fine is him bringing JIM there. He shouldn’t have done that – out of respect for ALAN.
5) GAIPA’S MOM. This is double whammy for him. First, the rejection by JIM. And now, this. =(
6) I was wondering how GAIPA and ALAN would meet. This episode answered that question.
7) I’ve seen a woman at the temple using a phone. Also, WEN using his laptop to work. Are those allowed?
8) ALAN (actor: FIRST) doesn’t know how to walk with a crutch. It was unintentionally laughable the way he did it.
9) UNCLE JIM and LI MING’s convo (while having beer) is one of the best ones so far in this series.
10) GAIPA’s funeral speech/song made me tear up. Great acting there. Made me wonder though: Do family members of the departed really have to give speeches? Because I wouldn’t know what to say and I wouldn’t face people and talk about my grief. I guess it’s hard for introverts like me to be in that kind of situation.
11) Why is LI MING wearing a regular (printed) t-shirt at the funeral – when the rest are in black? No explanation was given.
=)
1) I thought ALAN just got a little too drunk. Now, he needs therapy to help him walk again?? Guess I missed some details. Ooh… ok, he has a wound. Nothing like that was mentioned in the last scene of EP 6. They just said he’s drunk.
2) The lighting of the scene when LI MING’s mom arrived is not consistent. In one camera angle, it’s bright; then when another angle is shown, it becomes darker. Not good, DP. Same is true for the scene when LENG and LI MING are talking about abortion in that narrow passage.
3) It’s already the penultimate episode and I’ve only found out now that LENG and LI MING are NOT brothers! All the while I thought they were because at one point, LENG call LI MING “my bro.” It’s either I missed something or the writers forgot to clear this up earlier.
4) WEN has left his former love nest with ALAN, right? And now, he’s there as caretaker while ALAN is recuperating. Fine. What is NOT fine is him bringing JIM there. He shouldn’t have done that – out of respect for ALAN.
5) GAIPA’S MOM. This is double whammy for him. First, the rejection by JIM. And now, this. =(
6) I was wondering how GAIPA and ALAN would meet. This episode answered that question.
7) I’ve seen a woman at the temple using a phone. Also, WEN using his laptop to work. Are those allowed?
8) ALAN (actor: FIRST) doesn’t know how to walk with a crutch. It was unintentionally laughable the way he did it.
9) UNCLE JIM and LI MING’s convo (while having beer) is one of the best ones so far in this series.
10) GAIPA’s funeral speech/song made me tear up. Great acting there. Made me wonder though: Do family members of the departed really have to give speeches? Because I wouldn’t know what to say and I wouldn’t face people and talk about my grief. I guess it’s hard for introverts like me to be in that kind of situation.
11) Why is LI MING wearing a regular (printed) t-shirt at the funeral – when the rest are in black? No explanation was given.
12) JIM cancels the diner’s lease. Good decision, if you ask me. That diner was his conjugal project with BEAM. And since BEAM is not here anymore, it’s symbolic that he let go of that memory by moving on and focusing on his new prospects, including heart matters, of course.
=)
1) The episode title is about closure. So, who among the characters will get closure in this episode?
2) The product placements (TORO CAT FOOD) are getting more frequent and it’s now NOT being subtle anymore.
3) The gate and main door of the HEART’s house is always open? Remember (EP 1) when LI MING entered and startled HEART? The door (and obviously the gate) was open. Anyone could have entered, right? Now, LI MING enters the open gate again and saw HEART’S MOM gardening.
Considering that HEART’S DAD is portrayed as a corrupt police officer, then the more he should have people around him to protect him and his family, right?
Also, the mom suddenly became a home buddy? And gardening, at that! Haha! Where was she in the last THREE YEARS that HEART was cooped up in their house?? Or even just in the past few weeks that LI MING had been secretly sleeping over and taking HEART out of their house??
4) So Jim’s boyfriend BEAM died in a ferry accident – after they had a quarrel. And JIM never found out who the woman in the photo was.
5) Wow! GAIPA was quite straightforward asking JIM about his chances! And JIM was also straightforward in rejecting him. Ouchee.
6) BL series? Beach. Check!
7) That kiss after the New Year countdown. And UNCLE JIM saw it. Like uncle, like nephew!! =)
8) I though ALAN’s role in the series is over and his last appearance was in EP 5. Apparently not.
=)
1) They didn’t make ALAN’s character an entirely “bad guy.” I think in the end he’ll be helping JIM get that load. That’s in consideration of actor FIRST’s career.
2) LI MING and HEART work as mascots now. How can HEART leave his house now? Isn’t he forbidden by his parents? Or is it okay now? It wasn’t made clear up to this point.
3) WEN messaged GONG to get him a pre-owned condo unit. What?? Didn’t he tell ALAN that he already has gotten a condo unit and that he’ll be moving out of their unit soon? Or was that just a bluff?
4) Finally, WEN really ended this relationship with ALAN – with finality. Good job!
5) Also finally, HEART stood up to his parents for cooping him up in their house.
6) WEN has finally left ALAN’s place. Will he now live in with JIM?
💖
1) So, WEN and ALAN used to be lovers but not anymore, though they still share the same apartment. If WEN has fallen out of love, why does he still stay there? Couldn’t he just move out so he can be free to do whatever he want without considering or hurting ALAN?
Gong’s advice is right: “If you want to start a new chapter, finish the old one first.”
EDIT: Later in this episode, WEN told ALAN that he has found a condo and will be moving out soon.
2) That altercation between UNCLE JIM and LI MING was superbly acted. Hysterical vs controlled emotions. EARTH’s acting here is superb. Subdued yet effective. Those tears!!!
3) BL staples: chasing each other/splashing on a beach, piggyback ride, and …. getting each other wet (usually using a hose). The last one is present in this episode.
4) ALAN is still holding on to a slim chance of him and WEN getting back together. He hasn’t moved on yet. And that’s problematic if not dangerous. WEN, on the other hand, is over him, thanks to his new inspiration, UNCLE JIM.
5) Small world. ALAN will be handling JIM’s loan!
6) EARTH is only 29. Here, he is playing an “almost 40” character and sometimes it’s just hard to believe that.
7) GAIPA and his MOM’s relationship is very ideal. Hope every gay guy has a mom like her.
8) I find it incredible that HEART’s parents are really clueless about what HEART has been doing (like keeping LI MING there). Are they really out of the house all the time?? I’m quite sure they’ll get caught sooner or later – otherwise, there’ll be no conflict in their substory.
9) Confrontation. ALAN asked JIM: “Did you sleep with my boyfriend?” So, to him, their relationship isn’t over yet. And WEN didn’t say anything!!! He should have told ALAN off right there and then. Otherwise, JIM would think that they’re still in a relationship.
JIM’s reaction is also confusing. First, I thought he was concerned about WEN’s wound. But then he also told him to leave.
And that gash on WEN’s forehead looks so fake. Haha! They should’ve just made it a bump/lump. =)
💖