This review may contain spoilers
This drama is honestly infuriating. I can guess where the creators were trying to take it, unfortunately it just falls short. The best way I can think of to describe this drama is 'agenda driven'. The message the show is trying to convey is too heavy-handed, and it doesn't feel natural.
First of all, what I noticed right from the start is that the show deals too much with cases concerning sexual assault and harassment. It gets very, very repetitive and the motiff of harrassment is also brought up outside of the courtoom. Not only does it seem like every other case they deal with concerns sexual misconduct, the very first scene of the first episode is the main heroine confronting a groper on the subway. One of the earlier episodes has a scene where a female court employee is harrassed by a group of men late at night. The main protagonist, portrayed by Go Ara, has also been the victim of sexual harassment in the past, not just once, but twice. The fact that sexual misconduct seems to be a heavy focus of the show really gets tiring, especially considering the fact that the show takes a very biased approach. They seem to portray this problematic matter in a very one-sided manner, that seems extremely condescending not only to the victims, because they are allways shown as weak, frail and unable to stand up for themselves, but also for us as viewers. Go Ara's characters takes these cases very personally, and is eventually able to draw the male protagoninsts onto her side, and none of them seem to take a level-headed approach. The show seems hell-bent on portraying all men as sexual predators, and every woman as a poor victim, oppresed both by society and the men around her.
Go Ara's character is very nosy, can't seem to mind her own business and is extremely emotionally invested in the wellbeing of every single one of her female co-workers. She seems to think that they all need her help, speaks of them as "weak" and "underprivileged" and this behaviour, while it may seem like the right thing to do at first, is extremely condescending. Im Ba Reun is completely unable to confront her on any of her foolish ideas, and just goes along with them, even though he should know better. He never scolds her for being too emotionally invested, and for this extreme hero complex of hers.
In conclusion, this show clearly has an agenda, and it's making it almost unwatchable for me. However, when it takes a break from that and takes a more light-hearted approach, when it deals with cases of different nature (not concerning sexual misconduct) then it becomes very enjoyable. I'm just not sure whether the good parts weigh out the bad parts. I most certainly do not recommend it. If you're looking for a great court drama, I suggest Remember with Yoo Seung Ho. That one is much, much better.
First of all, what I noticed right from the start is that the show deals too much with cases concerning sexual assault and harassment. It gets very, very repetitive and the motiff of harrassment is also brought up outside of the courtoom. Not only does it seem like every other case they deal with concerns sexual misconduct, the very first scene of the first episode is the main heroine confronting a groper on the subway. One of the earlier episodes has a scene where a female court employee is harrassed by a group of men late at night. The main protagonist, portrayed by Go Ara, has also been the victim of sexual harassment in the past, not just once, but twice. The fact that sexual misconduct seems to be a heavy focus of the show really gets tiring, especially considering the fact that the show takes a very biased approach. They seem to portray this problematic matter in a very one-sided manner, that seems extremely condescending not only to the victims, because they are allways shown as weak, frail and unable to stand up for themselves, but also for us as viewers. Go Ara's characters takes these cases very personally, and is eventually able to draw the male protagoninsts onto her side, and none of them seem to take a level-headed approach. The show seems hell-bent on portraying all men as sexual predators, and every woman as a poor victim, oppresed both by society and the men around her.
Go Ara's character is very nosy, can't seem to mind her own business and is extremely emotionally invested in the wellbeing of every single one of her female co-workers. She seems to think that they all need her help, speaks of them as "weak" and "underprivileged" and this behaviour, while it may seem like the right thing to do at first, is extremely condescending. Im Ba Reun is completely unable to confront her on any of her foolish ideas, and just goes along with them, even though he should know better. He never scolds her for being too emotionally invested, and for this extreme hero complex of hers.
In conclusion, this show clearly has an agenda, and it's making it almost unwatchable for me. However, when it takes a break from that and takes a more light-hearted approach, when it deals with cases of different nature (not concerning sexual misconduct) then it becomes very enjoyable. I'm just not sure whether the good parts weigh out the bad parts. I most certainly do not recommend it. If you're looking for a great court drama, I suggest Remember with Yoo Seung Ho. That one is much, much better.
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