Where is DJ???

I seriously never thought I would say this, but I miss DJ. Without him, everything feels pretty heavy. I find myself wanting to scream, whoever took him, cut it out, bring him back. Things are getting so complicated. Chief Choi, Hanjo, and Tae Ha look more dubious than they did last week, especially Tae Ha, he’s involved in what happened to Prosecutor Gwang Soo somehow. If not, why run to his widow? It’s also clear Yeon Jae knows the details of what happened, even if she wasn’t the CEO at the time, at least I don’t think she was, and it’s obvious she thinks the Chief’s connected in some way. And she is it seems. Even DJ’s wife is acting suspiciously now. It feels like she’s hiding something. Could she be the one having an affair? And we have the lady prosecutor getting a bit sensitive when SM asked about DJ’s private life; add to that LYJ’s director, and the possibilities are endless. Plenty of other suspects out there too.

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Best episode to date

Best episode to date. I love Shi Mok's power of deduction. When they showed Yeo Jin doing that look back at DJ, my heart dropped. It felt like a goodbye. This episode confirms Choi and Tae Ha are involved in all the cases in one way or another. And despite Choi's best efforts, the kidnapper is a cop or at least someone who wants everyone to think the police are involved. So, now I am quite interested in this witness and what he has to say.But then why's the prosecution acting so suspicious, especially the lady prosecutor; even with all that, I get the sense DJ's kidnapping is personal. It will be the act that outs the corruption within the police and the prosecution. As they say, cunning leads to deception. It is but a step from one to the other and one that's very slippery. Only lying makes the difference; add that to cunning, and it is deception.

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Hooked Early

There's a lot of beauty in this drama, but at the same time, one senses the underlying tensions. I know it's only the second episode, but I could feel a hidden rivalry between the brothers, especially in Jin. He knew his brother liked Ye Ji, but he went for her, nonetheless. The hiking flashback provided some insight, but it didn't provide the why. I mean what could've happened to make Jin resent a brother that adores him -- is it guilt, jealousy, or something entirely different; the thought alone is disturbing. I cannot stand this notion that it's better to be a part of a toxic family than not to have one. The reality is it's more than okay to cut toxic family members out of one's life. Blood is never thicker than self-worth. But then when one doesn't think they deserve better, they will forever remain victims of their own minds. I am quickly falling for Seo Hwan; I love his subtle but poignant demeanor and that voice. They say a man's real power is in the size of the smile of the woman sitting next to him, he is a man indeed. I can see why Ye Ji would fall for Jin. He came along at the right time, but sadly not all that glitters is gold. I am slowly but surely hooked.

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Cinematic

I must say, I am immediately struck by how beautiful the cinematography and scenery are – just breathtaking. I missed Im Soo Hyang since her fantastic portrayal of Su Ki (she will forever be that in my head), so I am glad to have her here and look forward to seeing a different side to acting. My main reason for watching this is Ji Soo, although I’ve watched him in other dramas, I cannot say I noticed him (shame on me), but something about him in the trailer caught my attention, and I cannot wait to see what he brings to his role as Seo Hwan. I am also excited to see Ha Seok Jin (he has the best smile) back, I loved him in 1% of Something and know how skilled he is at his craft. That said, the unfortunate thing about unrequited love is that it’s an infinite curse of a lonely heart. I just hope it doesn't take a drastic turn to relieve that curse

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Police and Prosecutors

Oh, my Lord, things are about to explode. I don't like Kim Sa Hyun at all, but find Chief Bit and Tae Ha even less likable. The first council meeting was a total train wreck, and the prosecution undoubtedly lost the first round. They came off defensive with only Shi Mok, asking the relevant questions. And even though the police made valid points, I was surprised they didn’t already have a firm plan on how they would validate the legality of warrants. As they say in politics nothing happens by accident, if it happens you can bet it was planned that way. As expected, the power struggle brought out the worst on both sides. Luckily Shi Mok and Yeo-jin aren’t the types to be blinded by that struggle even if they are pitted against each other. I was glad to see I misjudged Yeon Jae. She isn’t after revenge, but she does seem to be walking the very thin line between good and evil to stay in the game. Dong Jae (he is good) is still as sly as a fox if not worse this time around, but as they say, anyone who trusts a serpent deserves its bite.

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sketchy political maneuvers

Clearly, none of the higher-ups are interested in reform; it's all politics and bound to bring out the worst in both sides, as each is determined to win at all costs. It looked to me like Chief Choi wanted Si Mok on this council, so Tae Ha or whoever decided it was better for them if he was on their side. Choi must've thought she could manipulate him, I wonder why. But then everybody is trying to manipulate everybody else. One thing is for sure, using Si Mok as a means to an end, never boded well for anyone that's tried. I have no doubt he will be able to turn whatever tricks they try to his advantage. The corruption on both sides is so blatant it's almost suffocating, but thanks to Si Mok, Yeo Jin, and Jang, we have breathing room, and I cannot wait to see them do their thing. One thing is for sure; this council is going to be interesting and super tense. Welcome to the battle round.

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betrayal

The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from one’s enemies -- it’s interesting how Sang Mi has to pretend Do Chang is corrupt, so she doesn’t feel guilty for taking him down to save herself. If it weren’t sad, it would be amusing how Do Chang and Ji Hyuk have to play cat and mouse with the Chief to do their jobs. I will give it to them, though; their plan is brilliant. Maze chasing the gangsters was my favorite part; I laughed so hard; I appreciated the scene’s lightness to the drama’s underlying darkness. I so enjoy a twist. I loved that Detective Jae Hong understood that loyalty is the people who stay true to you even behind your back. I so hoped he'd tell Do Chang about Sang Mi’s threats. So, it was quite exhilarating to see that he did. And now that the tables may be turned Sang Mi will have to watch her back. As much as I feel bad for Do Chang’s sister, I’m starting to find it hard to continue to sympathize with her, she doesn’t try to be the change she needs and is quite annoying (kudos to the actress). The Yoo brothers baffle me, they continue to be a mystery; what are they playing at; I am wondering if they should be on Do Chang and Ji Hyuk's suspect list, right there with Nam Gook Hyun, Jo Sung Dae, and Oh Jong Tae. I am so liking this ride and think the real detecting begins now

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Without a doubt

Without a doubt, Jong Tae is a creep, but I cannot stop admiring the actor. He truly amazes me. There are many missing pieces to this puzzle, and Jong Tae is just one piece of the puzzle, Yoo Jung Seok also seems to be a feature in this puzzle that is Dae Chul. His reaction to Seo, bringing up Dae in the meeting, says he either knows or is hiding something significant. But the main question is who is the puppet, and who is the puppeteer? That said, kudos to Jo Jae Yoon (Dae Chul) for his excellent portrayal of the character, he had me in tears today. Ji Hyuk, on the other hand, is carrying a lot of hurt from his past; witnessing his father's murder and losing his mother to depression is not an easy thing to live with at any age, let alone as young as he was, and he still lives with it.

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blind acceptance

The enemy of the truth is blind acceptance, in that sense, Sang Beom, Team Lead Bong Sik (I hate his groveling), Do Chang and the rest disgust me for knowing and seeing the truth but still choosing to believe the lies. That’s why Ji Hyeok and Seo Kyung are like a breath of fresh air for recognizing that the truth will always be the truth, even if no one believes it, and a lie is just a lie even if everyone chooses to believe it. And complacent yet complicated Detective Do Chang knew he couldn't hide from the truth forever; he will only understand the damage he’s done until the same happens to him. And it’s only a matter of time before that happens. That said, nothing is as simple as it seems, everybody has their own motives for wanting to reveal or cover up the truth. And creepy Oh Jong Tae, Kim Gi Tae, and his subordinate/driver are right in the middle of it. No doubt. I am interested in knowing Ji Hyeok’s backstory; he seems to be connected to everything in some way. Fantastic episode, I'm really enjoying this drama.

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Trust

Trust is earned, I don’t blame Lee’s daughter for not trusting the police; I cannot even imagine the life she’s had to live. However, I do commend Do Chang for not giving up on the truth, Dae Cheol, or his daughter now that he understands the damage he’s done by blindly accepting someone else’s version of the truth. I wonder when Seo Kyung will realize Jung Seok and the future Minister of Justice are not looking to reveal the truth but manipulate it. I am bothered by why Kim Gi Tae would want Park Gun-Ho dead it seemed like they were both after the same thing or were they not. Or was it even him that ordered his killing; I mean, he was the one to tell Seo Lee was innocent. What is he really after? The other thing that really bothers is me is why would Team Lead Nam cover-up Park’s murder; I am starting to think Nam had something to do with his partner’s murder. There is nothing worse than a public servant that manipulates the truth to cover up their own incompetence -- Detective Sang Mi has some nerve, how does she sleep at night. Why am I not surprised to see Oh Jong Tae smack dub in the middle of this case?

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absolute power corrupts absolutely

Fighting corruption shouldn't be an end on itself. I understand Chief Choi Bit's need for change as absolute power corrupts absolutely. I believe, however, change is needed for both the prosecution and the police. In that sense, I hope she's doing what's doing because she genuinely cares for justice rather than a means to an end -- because those who fight corruption should be clean themselves. I loved how awkward but familiar Shi Mok's and Yeo Jin's first meet in three years was -- made me smile. I doubt their bosses know what they've gotten themselves into, picking them.I was saddened to find Yeon Jae right back where her dead husband started, corrupt; I knew Lee's sacrifice (at least that's what he thought of it in his mind) would be for nothing as everybody seems to be precisely where they were before, if not worse. Even Dong Jae is still at it; he'll sell you the shoes on your feet if he could. He is so slick. I love Choi Moo Sung and think the role of Woo Tae Ha suits him perfectly. And what's more, he and Chief Bit seem so similar in that they each believe they are doing the right thing even if they go about it the wrong way. Their fights will be epic. The hardest part about watching this drama as it airs is the wait.

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Dazzling

Dazzling, as usual, it was worth the over three-year wait. Having Lee Chang Joon’s voiceover to start the episode was just brilliant. A reminder that the road to justice is long and rife with political tension. And, of course, where there is a crime to be solved, there is Hwang Shi Mok. I love it. I enjoy how he meticulously observes, sizes up a situation before questioning or jumping to conclusions. It’s good to see Bae Doo Na back as Han Yeo Jin, love her with long hair and Detective Jang. I love seeing them all at work; they click intuitively. It’s always great to see a woman in roles typically given to men and Jeon Hye Jin at that. I cannot wait to see what she brings to this show as the police and ever-powerful prosecution office fight over independent investigative authority. I’ve always thought it quite weird how the prosecution has sole jurisdiction. So, I am interested to see how this fight will go down and how it will affect Shi Mok and Yeo Jin’s fight against injustice. I am already all the way in on this one!

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Nothing about this drama was simple

Nothing about this drama was simple. I was utterly sickened by the older couple's adult kids; instead of taking care of their parents, they burdened them to the end, how sad. Myung Won was not playing when he told his wife she knew nothing about him. To know it was all for nothing must've been a hell of a blow to Lieutenant In and even more for MW but neither deserve any pity. They are a sum of their choices.Lieutenant In's failure to do his sworn duty as a cop cost not one life but countless others. And to think it was all done in the name of love, utterly disgusting. I seriously wondered why Myung Won's wife's father helped cover up his crime when he didn't even appreciate his own daughter. It made perfect sense that it was her all along, the hit and run and everything else that followed—what comes easily goes easily— truly beyond despicable. They all knew the truth, but none of them tried to protect Su Jin or her mom.I totally enjoyed the twists and turns of this fantastic scripted and acted mini-series. A thousand kudos to the writer (I can see why it won an award of the best script of 2019), the director, the actors particularly Kang Sung Yun as Miss Lee, she was beyond dynamic. Jo Han Sun, as In Cheol Ho, I have to give it to him. He was amazingly versatile in this role and all the side characters—brilliant build-up to the climax—what an ending, short but impactful. No amount of cover-ups or lies will stop the truth; it always reveals itself in the end.

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Shook

I am shook. Yes, blood is thicker than water but is it really above justice and other people's blood; I don’t think so. But even worse than what Myung Won did was Cheol Ho covering it up. But what’s more unforgiving is all the lies and the bad deeds he's had to do and tell to cover a truth that reveals itself in the end. Now more than ever I understand why Miss Lee did and said what she said to him. She knows everything, but she’s not any better than Lieutenant In. She was willing to cover up Tae Hwa’s wrongdoings. On the subject of Tae Hwa, I find him incredibly annoying.How can everybody be so twisted; I knew Lieutenant In would figure out Miss Lee’s play, but I did not expect the older woman, I swear I couldn’t stop laughing. That whole apartment building is a maze of infested lies and secrets, and after all that, the phone didn’t even have the evidence. How one leads their life is summed by the choices they make. Now more than ever I am a hundred percent sure Myung Won’s wife killed Su Jin. Of all the twisted and crooked people in that apartment building, she's the scariest. This whole drama is one big twist after another.

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Oh My God

Oh my God... twists upon twists, what a drama. I have to say Miss Lee is something else. I found myself starting to hate her crooked ways. I understand she is trying to protect her own, but she crosses the line time and time again. I cannot believe the delivery guy, Seo, and Miss Lee are connected. They undoubtedly played Lieutenant In so well, but he is no dummy. He will catch up to them sooner or later. I was a bit taken aback to see that Myung Won and In either knows each other or are related. Everybody is after that construction company for some reason or another. But one thing is sure everybody is crook to some degree or another. None of the characters are without sin/secret. I thought this would only be a two-episode mini-series, but it might be four, I am glad for it as I'm hooked.

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