Wise Prison Life
What an AMAZING drama! The best I’ve seen in character study, depiction and a deft balance of humour, realism and entertainment. A rare show which I fell in love with almost all the characters and cast.
This is now right up there with Forest of Secrets as my top rated and fav dramas of all time. I’ve love love Choi Moo Sung(discovered and loved him in Reply1988 more than the boys), finally a drama role worthy of Jung Woong In and so excited about thespians like Lee Kyu Hung. Actually everyone in the cast was stellar, I’ll probably have to write a few long posts to talk about each actor.


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    Every actor was so great in their roles and they sold their characters so well. I love them all so SO MUCH and right now I’m tearing up just thinking about them. I MISS THEM ALREADY

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      Me too!

      It got me out of my kdrama slump. I was searching for a show that could entertain me and this beautiful thing came along. Not only did it entertain me, it made me laugh, cry and reflect on issues. It’s really a gem. Sadly, there were no recaps on DB except for the first two episodes. I’d have love to read the thoughts and comments. I guess fans must have written on the fanwalls. OTs and What We Are Watching but I’ve been out of DB.

      There are many undiscovered, underrated acting talents in Korean showbiz and often the drama itself is the one that lets down the actor. So, I am thankful we get dramas like this(even though very rare) which introduces us to such artists.

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        That’s what happened with me too! I was in a slump and I casually started Prison Playbook because Kang Seung-yoon of WINNER was in it. I thought, okay, if I don’t like it, I’ll just watch the episodes he’s in since I know he’s already leaving after a few eps.

        Then I somehow marathoned 10 episodes in 2 days during the holiday season… Slump cured and not only that, but my heart was so full, it could burst. From happiness, to sadness, to misery, to loving and caring for them all.

        I love that I now know Kim Sung-cheol because of this show and I know he’s a stage actor mostly but I hope he breaks into dramas because his portrayal of Jailbird was so good! Then we have this cast full of film actors or newbie actors and you wouldn’t think that anyone’s not pulling their weight because everyone’s so good in their roles and I’m sure Shin Won-ho had a big hand in extracting these performances from them.

        Btw, some people are commenting on the first episode recap to discuss. Maybe you could join us!

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          I am hopeless with Kpop and kvariety. It was only from comments on those streaming sites that I got to know some youngsters in the cast are known figures in showbiz. This is exactly the type of show I’d like a idol actor or any new actor to be in. The focus is purely on acting and they will have a wonderful opportunity to learn from their sunbaes.

          Stage actors are usually wonderful because the stage is where true thespians cut their teeth if they love the art.

          You are right about the Shin Won ho, I can’t stress how important a PD is.

          These days, partly due to my busy schedule, I have less time to write comments. Well, at least I can start to read them.Thanks for the heads up!

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            Yes! It’s such a blessing when stage actors come share their talent to TV/film because TV doesn’t really deserve them. Hahaha!

            Heh, I forgot to say who’s Seung-yoon. He was Jean Valjean, the prodigal son of Minchul our Papa Bear. I’m so happy he did well.

            Hope your schedule clears up a bit soon! (For more drama watching and DB time hahaha)

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    this show, despite the long hours, was always the one i was excited to watch because their shenanigans was so much fun to watch and all the characters were so well written and acted out. definitely my fave work from this PD

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      A Twitter mutual of mine started watching PP and she said that the episodes aren’t really long like what I warned her since they’re only 45 minutes long. And I was like: girl, they’re 1.5 hours per episode.

      She was so shocked because she truly felt that they were only 45 minutes. Hahaha!

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        They really do go fast despite the length

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          I keenly felt the length when I was watching the first episode. Then, I didn’t know what to make out of the show. Soon, I was marathoning it and it did strike me strange that I took longer than usual. I’d completely forgotten that each was 1.5 hours. Every episode was gold.

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    I have been wondering where you are! Are you now out of drama slump? LOL

    Absolutely loving this show. Still haven’t watch the last two epi because refuse to let go of this gem yet!

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      Hello there, chingu!

      I can’t really say I am out of the slump. Funny thing was while I was in it, I drifted further and further away from DB. Actually I had been watching Nirvana In Fire 2 until Wise Prison came along and I devoted all my attention to the latter. So, it seems that I can now survive a day without checking DB. I still open the first page every now and then but I kind of lost the will to write anything. My two posts on Wise Prison Life were because this show is so darn awesome, I just had to post. So, maybe till another great drama comes along and make me post.

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        Hi there! Long time no see!

        Yay for this wonderful show bringing you out of your drama slump! And I relate with the “DB slump” too… I went through a phase where I didn’t spend my whole day on DB but Wise Prison Life and Just Between Lovers brought me back in full force. Go Back Spouses was a good show too!

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          Hi chingu, good to see you here.

          Even you had a DB slump? I remember those days when you were the first or one of the first few who reached Goblin’s Underpants. What riotous fun we had then.

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            So much fun! The other day Azzo was talking about those days too! 🙂

            I did! But not a complete departure from DB. Just stopped spending like 18 hours a day on here! 😛

            Have you been keeping well in rl?

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            Yes, I have. Thank you.

            Busy schedule probably isn’t the only reason for my absence. I guess DB is somewhat like a drug. I had very little time in Nov and Dec so it’s kind of like Looney going to prison and the drugs being less accessible. Once you wean off it, the craving lessens.

            Okay crap analogy, ha! Talk about Looney, many viewers were upset with his ending. Sadly, that’s the truth. I don’t think drug addicts can fight their addiction alone. For Looney’s case, it was unfortunate that he thought his lover and his family weren’t there for him when they actually were waiting anxiously. It also shows how easily one wrong turn can end up with such serious consequences.

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        Ahh I know that! I hope we’ll be seeing you around during Laughter in Waikiki because you know Tae-swoon is back 😌😋 DB is the only social acc that I’m still actively using at the moment, although I’m also at lost whenever beanies talk about INAR or JBL because I’m not watching LOL. Despite of being active here, I’m quite behind with drama. I’m watching many drama, but those days have long gone when I will check drama immediately after the sub out 😅

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          Yeah, I caught a glimpse of that news about Tae Swoon 😋.

          I am watching Mother now but the show just started so it’s bad if I get hooked on it. Maybe I’ll try Return cuz I like Go Hyun Jung.

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        Nah… good analogy! And you are right… once you are able to stay away for around 10 days, you stop being curious abt fan walls and DB in general.

        I was upset but I thought it was quite realistic. And it didn’t break my heart as much as it did for others. I had spoiled myself from fan walls so that helped cushion the blow. I did feel really bad for the lover and family! They were only following his wishes and he wanted them not to.

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    not surprised that Jung Woong In can be adorable fairy godmother. He was a sweetheart in Last Scandal, too.
    Very surprised: That Jung Hae In can have such a menacing look in his eyes. I was more startled by him occasionally than the Baldy. He should try playing a gangster.
    Kaist with his physical humor, irreplacable.
    Regretful that Dr. Ko didn´t stay around longer, very good actor, that!
    Looney: want to see him in theater, isn´t he a theater actor mostly (people shared youtube clips of him practicing at some point on their walls)

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      Yes! Jung Hae-in was SO SCARY the first episodes he appeared. I couldn’t believe it because how can that face be that menacing?!?!?! So props to him though that while he looks like a puppy, he can turn into a wolf with a look.

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        I’d thought he would be real badass. Read somewhere that he’s a relatively new actor or rather he’s been slowly building up his resume. I’m impressed.

        Captain Yoo’s hyung is just as awesome. Why haven’t I noticed him before?

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          Captain Yoo’s hyung was so good too! When these brothers cry, I cry. I’ve only seen him previously in Chief Kim.

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          Jung Hae-in is still quite new, he debuted like 4-5 years ago if I’m not mistaken. He is charismatic and has a convincing expressions. I’m looking forward to see what he will give us in Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food.

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      I felt that Jung Woong In got typecasted as a villain since his marvelous turn in I Hear Your Voice. He’s capable of so much more. So, I am really glad for Lt Paeng.
      Who knew that the prison guards and warden would turn out to be such lovable characters. The warden was a surprise for me, I had taken him for a fool but it turned out quite the opposite.

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        I also thought he was spineless and just says yes to everything Capt. Na says so I was pleasantly surprised when he put his foot down in saving Lt. Paeng from being transferred.

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