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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Modern Farmer" Episode 15

Hyeon-sik (played by Lee Jae-woo) is not aware of the fact that he has a son. Moreover, the flashback that details his separation with Yoon-hee clearly establishes that they're both coming from understandable, sympathetic ground. At the time anyway. In the present, Yoon-hee's unwillingness to come clean about the current situation is terribly frustrating. While she's correct in stating it's no one else's business, Yoon-hee really doesn't have the right to withhold information like this. Not considering the way her son's been acting lately, and the fact that Hyeon-sik has once again taken an interest in Yoon-hee apropos of nothing.

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Unfortunately that's all the development we're getting in regards to the Hyeon-sik storyline at the moment. Part of this is deliberate. Yoon-hee is stalling entirely because this isn't a problem she wants to deal with right now, even if it's obvious to everyone else that this issue is what's fueling her inferiority complex. Moreover, the longer she waits, the more likely it is that Hyeon-sik and Min-ho will both resent her. True movement on this plot point will have to wait until next episode.

In the meantime, enjoy some of the best comedy "Modern Farmer" has had to offer in some time. Some gags, like Gi-joon's abortive attempts to acquire back pay, just play off of the fundamentals of good physical humor. Others hit mostly because of the context. One development just starts of as a classic trope given a Disney twist, then ultimately morphs into an extremely vengeful callback. Funny stuff.

Also the dog makes a reappearance. I could have sworn that the last time we saw that animal it was just a puppy...anyway, while the Hyeon-sik storyline moves slow, for the first time there's major movement on the question of where all the money is buried. It's fairly clear that Han-cheol and Soo-hyeon haven't actually learned anything, and I'm rather doubtful they ever will. But still, it was funny.

Right now "Modern Farmer" is hitting everywhere. There's emotional resonance, comedy, and character development to a point that far outstrips the misses. There's just the right balance of tension, with humor effective enough to prevent the drama's stalling tactics from getting frustrating. This is exactly how you build up to an exciting climax, while making the build-up itself plenty of fun in its own right. It's solid storytelling on top of everything else, which is what's really making "Modern Farmer" a lot of fun right now.

Review by William Schwartz

"Modern Farmer" is directed by Oh Jin-seok, written by Kim Ki-ho and features Lee Hong-ki, Lee Hanee, Lee Si-eon, Park Min-woo, Kwak Dong-yeon and Lee Han-wi.

 

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