[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Masked Prosecutor" Episode 2

"Masked Prosecutor" gave hero Dae-cheol his impetus in episode two. Until now, he has been a prosecutor who wore a mask, a man who hid behind his mask. Now he shall because the "Masked Prosecutor", a man who seeks justice. We also get to see beyond the stony mask of heroine Min-hee and it's a story just as tragic as Dae-cheol's.

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Both of the leads are compelled to find justice for their families. Until now, Min-hee fought wholeheartedly for her cause, propelled forward by a fire within her. In contrast, Dae-cheol merely fought for his father's cause. While it moved him, it didn't light the same fire beneath his feet as Min-hee's did hers. But the events at the end of this episode will compel him to move forward and to truly understand his father's endless hunger for revenge. They also give his father insight into how difficult it has been to fight for someone else's cause. Even though his father's story split up their family, it is not Dae-cheol's story. I like how the character is distanced from revenge and is then forced to become intimate with it.

With that said, I find Dae-cheol to be the richest character. He has so many layers: abandoned orphan, man in love, dutiful son, frustrated lawyer, complete goofball. It's his depth that allows for the undecided tone of the show to function. If Dae-cheol is in a scene, his character can aid to set any mood. On the other hand, when he isn't there, pulling off the lighter moods is difficult because of how heavy the rest of the story is. Min-hee struggles as being the result of her mother's rape. Dae-cheol's mother remarried and is now living (seemingly) happily with her new family and her son who is basically his father's pawn. That son, Kang Hyeon-woong (Uhm Ki-joon), is a mindless puppet. I'd like to see him learn to think for himself.

Going back to Dae-cheol, he had some gorgeous moments this episode like when he called to his mother and then had to apologize and pretend he didn't know who she was. Joo Sang-wook is reaching deep for this character and it's much needed since the tone of the drama is still unsteady. He is the insecure hero who makes Spiderman noises and feels unable to live up to his father's wishes. Speaking of wishes, I wish the rest of the show would develop as nicely as Dae-cheol, especially Min-hee who, at the moment, is rather stiff. But we are only two episodes in. Let's keep watching!

Written by: Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

Follow @ raine0211

"Masked Prosecutor" is directed by Jeon San, written by Choi Jin-won, and features Joo Sang-wook, Kim Sun-a, Uhm Ki-joon, and Jun Kwang-ryul.

 

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