[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Remember" Episode 13

At one point here the possibility is broached for an obviously adorable romantic scene between Jin-woo and In-ah. And the moment this possibility came up, I asked myself what was more likely- that we would actually get to see this adorably romantic scene, or that writer Yoon Hyeon-ho would once again find a way to end the episode the episode with borderline absurd melodrama? If you can't already guess the answer to that question, well, you probably have not been watching "Remember" up until now.

Advertisement

The structural foundation of "Remember" is such that I keep bursting out laughing every time the a flashback pops up to remind me of another nearly forgotten horribly contrived storyline. It's funny in part because there was once upon a time when these plot devices drove me nuts, but I've gotten so accustomed to them by now I can barely even get irritated over such absurdities as Dong-ho testifying in place of the witness. Although who knows, maybe Korean courts work differently.

They certainly have plenty of other fun rules. Apparently the large courtroom monitor which I thought was just supposed to be used displaying vdigital evidence can also be tuned to television frequencies. What possible legal purpose could this serve? Does courthouse security hang out in this room at night drinking soju and playing go-stop? Or was it set up this way on the off-chance that decisive evidence will be presented in a news report?

It's all so bombastic, so perfectly scripted for dramatic courtroom scenes yet not of any apparent use in any other context. Which more-or-less describes "Remember" as a whole. Foreshadowing exists mainly to provide a foundation for epic burns which will inevitably be tossed at the corporate conspiracy. The script is practically self-aware at this point. Everybody knows about Gyoo-man's anger management issues and deliberately taunts him about it.

Oddly enough this does in fact appear to be the best way to keep from getting hit by Gyoo-man- make him think you're expecting it. Oh yeah, nothing comes of the opening scene by the way. It was just exposition so we could get a scene with Gyoo-man quite literally not understanding the concept of friendship, as if he were a character in a children's cartoon. Everything about "Remember" is consistently ridiculous. And yet the acting and camerawork is so good, I just can't bring myself to hate this drama. What's story logic compared to epic lawyer speeches and swooning sadness?

Review by William Schwartz

"Remember" is directed by Lee Chang-min-I, written by Yoon Hyeon-ho and features Yoo Seung-ho, Park Min-young, Park Sung-woong, Namkoong Min, Jung Hye-sung and Jun Kwang-ryul

Watch on Viki