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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Lookout"

Hell hath no fury like a grieving revenge drama lead and "Lookout" takes this fury very seriously. Revenge is a team effort this time around, as the series unites several characters into one group after one very evil man and his equally disturbing hellspawn. A mysterious hidden leader and a heroine with a goal fight against these forces while trying to maintain their own humanity.

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The unique approach of "Lookout" to its characters and their moral alignments is what really carries this refreshing piece. Rather than going for the usual idealism and absolute sense of camaraderie found in such stories, the drama portrays symbiotic relationships birthed from necessity and shared pain as well as goals. The drama is an action revenge one, but it takes an interesting, albeit brief look at morality and the stretching of means to justify a cause.

Soo-ji facing Seung-roDo-han in his brother's church

The series has solid action scenes and suspenseful conflicts, but its best part is without a doubt its nuanced leads and its off-putting villains. The latter may not be terribly complex, but they are so deeply twisted that they truly feel like forces which absolutely need to be stopped. The leads are no heroes either and their difficult and often twisted moral choices make their trajectory unpredictable and therefore engaging.

Despite the promise of these characters and the acting elevating them, the series focuses too much on action and the proceedings of achieving justice. It chooses this over the development of the delightfully human and raw characters it has to work with, as well as over the relationships between them. There are some brilliant moments of very fresh, very real connections among roles who are by design and portrayal very distinctive. It is a shame that the series does not pour its all into what is undoubtedly its best asset.

Eun-joong trying to arrest Soo-jiBo-mi comforting Kyeong-soo

At the same time, the revenge element itself is not very central to the plot, at least not in the form encountered in most dramas, and too many characters become involved. This may help to keep the plot going, but it inevitably dilutes it. When time runs out, everything which should have been the bread and butter of the series is rushed through and the storytelling is left with none but messy options.

"Lookout" is a flawed work in terms of execution and seizing potential, but its personal flavor and its entertainment value reveal its creator as someone to be reckoned with. It is a series which dares to try new things and mold characters who could have very well been Dramaland stereotypes into something "new" and engaging. I definitely want to see this writer grow, because "Lookout" is a solid start.

"Lookout" is directed by Son Hyeong-seok, written by Kim Soo-eun and features Lee Si-young, Kim Young-kwang, Kim Tae-hoon, Kim Seul-gi and Key.

Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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