[2022 Year in Review] Guilty as charged

by solstices

In a year inundated with legal dramas, I’m actually surprised I didn’t watch that many despite my interest in criminal law. Perhaps that can be attributed to how many of these dramas simply use the courtroom as a tried-and-true (but decidedly trite) method of engineering conflict, or maybe it’s simply the oversaturation of lawyers that dulled their appeal. Or perhaps it’s because this was the year I finally got around to playing The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, which was such a profoundly phenomenal blend of investigating and lawyering that it put many dramaland offerings to shame. (If you want an intricate mystery with lovable characters, quirky humor, and a thought-provoking emotional core, this game’s for you.)

Still, if I were to sum up my drama-watching year of 2022, a courtroom analogy seems like the most fitting way to do it. Juggling university and writing for Dramabeans meant that I often had precious little free time, pushing me to be a lot more critical of the media I consume (and a lot more ruthless in dropping shows that just weren’t satisfying). Just like a prosecutor picking apart deceitful alibis, I found myself poking holes into lackluster plots. One-dimensional characters could barely hold my interest for long, and I was quick to tire of subpar acting.

Yet on the other hand, I couldn’t help but defend certain dramas for their merits, too. Perhaps it’s my inclination to view things with a charitable lens, or perhaps it’s simply my fondness for K-dramas as a storytelling medium that propels me to give them the benefit of the doubt. Either way, I found that many dramas lingered in my mind for their memorable highs rather than the low points where they faltered.

And so, without further ado — the game is afoot! What reprehensible crimes have this year’s K-dramas committed, and do they deserve to be condemned to the gallows? Time for the verdicts, served up with a side of my favorite quotes from The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles…

Through the Darkness

Crime: Usurping the spot of my #1 favorite drama

The exceptional Kim Nam-gil? Check. A tightly plotted, intricate story that’s as much a thrilling mystery as it is a complex contemplation of humanity? Check. A compelling ensemble cast, ranging from competent detectives to bone-chilling criminals? Check. What more could a crime mystery aficionado such as myself possibly ask for? Through the Darkness was starkly realistic in its grim depictions of heinous murders, yet also empowering in how it gave victims and their bereaved families a voice. It was a sensitive exploration of trauma, and an insightful look into the inevitable emotional toll that comes with a career in crime. This is probably my tenth love letter to the drama by now, but I’ll never stop waxing poetic about how astounding this drama was.

Verdict: 100% guilty — and I’m happy for it!

TGAAC quote: “I’ve always known there are demons that live inside people. And now I know there is one in me. The fact that it very nearly consumed me is something I’ll carry with me until the end of my days… while I devote my life to fighting those whose demons have got the better of them.”

Seasons of Blossom

Crime: Giving us such a tender and swoon-worthy Seo Ji-hoon, and cruelly ripping him away from us

Given that I would watch anything for Seo Ji-hoon, and that I’ve liked So Joo-yeon since her web-drama debut, it’s no surprise that I dove headfirst into this show despite already knowing the impending tragedy. It definitely hurt, but it hurt so good — the drama painted its tale with sincerity and sensitivity, conveying a heartfelt nostalgia through the youthful love story of our leads. Seasons of Blossom was poignantly bittersweet, and while it was certainly sorrowful, it was also surprisingly empowering. I loved its thoughtful reflection on grief, and its central theme of empathy and healing.

Verdict: We all saw it coming, but still…! *sobs* Guilty as charged!

TGAAC quote: “The times may change, but a steadfast friendship will remain true. We have but to gently close our eyes, and we are with our companions once more.”

The Golden Spoon

Crime: Hyping me up for Lee Jong-won, and then wasting him

As a longtime fan of Lee Jong-won (Go, Back Diary! XX! My Unfamiliar Family!), The Golden Spoon was another drama I watched solely for a favorite actor. While initially enrapturing in its unpredictability, its twists and turns began to veer off in increasingly ridiculous directions. Lee Jong-won was the emotional anchor of the drama for me — I suspect I’d have been a lot less invested, and thus a lot less forgiving, if he hadn’t been cast. I was hoping for an incisive and realistic reflection on morality and poverty, told through the lens of a humorous fantasy tale. Instead, the drama sacrificed depth for the shock factor, which I thought was a real shame.

Objection! To be fair, though, the drama was entertaining. And on a more personal note, The Golden Spoon marked a turning point in my weecapping, pushing me past my limits and challenging me to condense its confusing plot threads into a coherent narrative. It led me to finally discover my own writing style, honing it into something that I was proud of by the drama’s conclusion. So I guess I have The Golden Spoon to thank for that!

Verdict: Guilty, but it increased Lee Jong-won’s public recognition, so maybe it’s kind of a win?

TGAAC quote: “I was considering what cuisine would best complement the contents of my hallowed chalice this luncheon.”

Tomorrow

Crime: Tugging on my heartstrings and dehydrating me

Initially, I was hesitant to watch Tomorrow because of its heavy subject matter. But Lee Soo-hyuk, Kim Hee-sun’s fabulous hair, and my soft spot for gentle giant Rowoon were enough to tempt me. And the moment I found out Cha Hak-yeon had a role in the drama too? All my hesitation crumbled away, and I’m glad for it. Tomorrow led me to discover the gem that is Yoon Ji-on, who not only has impeccable comedic timing, but also nailed all his emotional scenes with such raw pathos. Week after week, this drama wrung tears out of me with its heart-wrenching storylines. It gave its characters their much-needed justice and closure, with a compassionate sensitivity that always reaffirmed their inherent worth.

Objection! One tiny gripe I have, though, is that the overarching storyline wasn’t fleshed out as much as it could have been. It set up such a tragically heartbreaking backstory, and it’s a pity Tomorrow didn’t fully leverage on that and its leads’ crackling chemistry. On one hand, I would’ve cried an extra river or two. On the other hand, I would’ve gladly done it.

Verdict: Guilty! *reaches for my third box of tissue*

TGAAC quote: “If I force the grievances I feel from my mind… I start to see you in a very different light.”

Grid

Crime: Telling a very, very complex tale

Expectations were understandably high following Forest of Secrets, mine included. As a result, our faith in writer Lee Soo-yeon’s abilities often warred with our gradual realization that perhaps the plot was getting a little too complicated after all. Still, I found that I quite enjoyed Grid’s cerebral questions and ambitious world-building. I’ve always been interested in time travel theories, and I think that kept me invested in the show even as its plot grew increasingly convoluted. Grid definitely required lots of pondering (and running my fingers through my hair in frustration as I struggled to figure out how to translate its ideas into a recap), but I thought it was well worth the effort by the end. Neverending mysteries and questionable action sequences notwithstanding, Grid was a thought-provoking show that was commendable in its courage to try something new.

Verdict: Guilty, but as a nerd: that’s not necessarily a bad thing!

TGAAC quote: “And at the end of it, I finally realised. No one else chose the path for me. I chose it myself.”

Business Proposal

Crime: Being chock-full of hilarious hijinks

So, I don’t usually watch rom-coms, but my love for Choi Byung-chan led me here — and I couldn’t help but stay! From its laugh-out-loud antics, to its hilariously on-point sound effects, this show was a hoot. I loved the earnest way its characters wore their hearts on their sleeves, making them utterly relatable underneath all the humor. Kim Se-jung made Hari such a winsome heroine, charming me just as much as she did Tae-mu. And of course, Seol In-ah and Kim Min-kyu were such an endearingly wholesome couple as the energetic Young-seo and the steadfast Sung-hoon.

Objection! As we all know, the show ended up falling victim to its own tropes towards the end. Still, given how many other things it got right, I’m inclined to close one eye.

Verdict: Guilty, and I’ll never look at an archaeopteryx — or the names Samantha and Rachel — the same way again!

TGAAC quote: “Curses! The plan is ruined!”

Bulgasal: Immortal Souls

Crime: Serving up an epic tragedy that could’ve been a drama of its own

This show certainly isn’t without its faults, but it was such an enjoyable ride! From its breathtaking cinematography to its immersive world-building, Bulgasal: Immortal Souls delivered so many narratively satisfying layers of irony. Do-yoon betraying his father figure and the rest of his found family, all supposedly for the sake of his sickly older brother? Hwal bemoaning the curses that tormented those he deeply cared for, only to realize that he had a hand in it all along? Eul-tae craving companionship and understanding, when he was the one who drove everyone away with his own deceitful scheming? So, so good.

Objection! I’d gladly have watched another ten episodes of that larger-than-life Goryeo backstory, but once we settled into the present timeline, I grew to love it, too. The found family trope gets me in the heart every time! Gong Seung-yeon’s feisty courage made Shi-ho one of my favorite characters, and Kim Woo-seok won me over as little Do-yoon the moment he appeared onscreen with his adorably plaintive eyes and sheepish smile. Of course, I can’t leave out Lee Joon’s brilliantly nuanced portrayal of Eul-tae, with his extravagantly vibrant suits that were equal parts ridiculous and impressive.

Verdict: Guilty, but it worked so well within the wider narrative, too!

TGAAC quote: “May you feel the jaws of the beast at your throat every time you swallow.”

Revenge of Others

Crime: Stealing my heart, earning my trust, and shattering both

I’ll admit I started watching this entirely for Seo Ji-hoon, but somewhere along the way I got sucked into the drama’s perplexing mystery and thrilling pace. The drama was surprisingly contemplative, too, often letting its meaningful silences speak for themselves. Are we ever justified in pursuing vigilante justice on behalf of someone else? For that matter, is vigilante justice itself ever justifiable? The ending came full circle in a hauntingly poetic way, leaving us with a message that’s almost uncomfortable in its subversiveness.

Objection! Stretching the episode count longer might do the story’s tight pacing a disservice, but part of me wishes we spent more time delving into Seo Ji-hoon’s character. He’s so compellingly complex that he could be a protagonist in his own right, and I yearned for a deeper look into his emotional revelations and moral turmoil. Then again, maybe that’s just my fangirl heart talking.

Verdict: Guilty, but does it really count if it wasn’t the drama per se, but Seo Ji-hoon specifically?

TGAAC quote: “There is something we must not turn our backs on… I refer to the truth, and no other.”

Kang Young-seok, Choi Dae-hoon, and Kim Hieora

Crime: Stealing the show, and my heart as well

Okay, so this is a bonus category, but I simply couldn’t leave them out! These actors transcended the limits of their supporting roles, breathing life into their characters and leaving a lasting impression on me. Kang Young-seok was a new discovery this year, making me glad I weecapped Insider — that show was a hidden gem, and so was he. From last year’s Beyond Evil to the numerous roles he took on this year, Choi Dae-hoon showcased his range and versatility. And of course, the stunning Kim Hieora, whom I love on both the theatrical stage and the television screen. Her singing voice is so beautiful that I want her to go back to musical roles, but I’m also enjoying how she commands the camera with her captivating charisma. Here’s to more roles for these three, and more breakout actors in 2023!

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