Watching a Korean drama exercises our minds as we try to speed read the long subtitles flashing across the screen and struggle to become acquainted with characters whose triple names can confuse. We learned the family name precedes the first name; almost half of South Koreans bear a family name of Kim, Lee or Park whether or not they’re related. No spoiler alerts are necessary. This investigative thriller is too complex for me to summarize the myriad threads of its plot or identify the various culprits. Glen and I faltered early on in our efforts to figure it out, but persistence pays off.
STRANGER (Korean, Netflix) ♦♦♦♦½
Titles often guide us into a series. In this one “Stranger” refers to the main character Hwang Si-mok who, as a young boy, underwent brain surgery that inhibits his emotions. A taciturn prosecutor, Hwang is our touchstone of objectivity and integrity, of incorruptibility in a world rife with corruption. We understand to trust whoever he trusts — and that helps us differentiate among the culprits.
Hwang’s colleagues and superiors often show their frustration and impatience with his impassivity. But not police inspector Han Yeo-jin, herself rather quirky. She and Si-Mok develop a charming relationship that provides sweet humour as she coaches him on social graces. When she discovers his hypersensitivity to high-pitched noise, caused by repressed stress, her tender treatment of him is heartwarming. The duo escorts us through the process of solving mysteries, by their musings and re-enactments at the crime scenes.
Characters are unfailingly civil: bowing, apologizing, smiling, showing respect. Their civility’s admirable except in certain women and men it masks their chicanery. Big business is corrupt, so too are some members of the judiciary and law enforcement in Seoul.
This crime drama differs from American ones. There’s minimal violence. No sex, no foul language, no precocious children.
After watching 32 episodes, Glen and I were sorry to say goodbye to Si-mok and Yeo-jin, as well as to other engaging characters in the series. •
P.S. In 2017 Netflix paid $200,000 for each episode (16) of the first season.
P.P.S. My viewing companion gives “Stranger” ♦♦♦♦. He likes the scenes of mouthwatering Korean food!
KAREN G SCRABA says
Lovely to see more converts to the beauty of K-dramas! Thanks for the Stranger review, Pam, I watched the first episode but checked out because I could not connect as I had to other K-dramas. Now I will check it out again soon.
Pam McPhail says
Feel free to send me titles of your favourite K-dramas, Karen. I will confess we tried Mr. Sunshine but turned it off after an episode. Maybe it too required persistence!
Glen Wickens says
In the second season of Stranger a disclaimer appears with the main titles saying that everything in the series — characters, incidents, locations — is fictitious. After viewing a few episodes we can see why: the legal and business world of Stranger is so corrupt that it does not need criminals operating outside the law. Any Korean viewer would likely connect Hanjo corporation in the series to Samsung and Hyundai. It is as if the dream of the Corleone family in The Godfather saga to become legitimate has already happened with the Lee family in South Korea. We think of North Korea as a ruthless dictatorship. Stranger suggests that in some respects South Korea is little better.
Tim McPhail says
Interesting comparison to The Godfather, Glen. From Pam’s description, this seems to be Godfather written from the perspective of the FBI or NYPD. Perhaps in one story line they try to prosecute a narcissistic property developer who borrows Corleone money and uses Don Vito’s political connections to further his towering ambitions.
BTW, are their any scenes with Bulgogi being cooked ? That would get my mouth watering.
Pam McPhail says
You seem to know Korean food, Tim. We don’t but noticed that Kimchi appears frequently. Coincidentally a new Korean restaurant opened down the street from us. Maybe we’ll order take-out one evening — and will look for Bulgogi on the menu.
Catherine McCallum says
I will definitely check it out. I am a lover of crime films or tv series especially the dark Scandinavian/Icelandic series like The Bridge and Bordertown or the multiple British and French/Belgium series. All excellent. Now i can add to my list!
Pam McPhail says
The Bridge is one of our favourites, Cathy. Have you watched Spiral (French), an equally engrossing crime drama, six seasons of it? And the political drama of Borgen (Danish)? So many …
Linda says
I appreciate your review and recommendation, but movies with subtitles are not my favorite. Although I might have to take a look if Glen thinks the food looks great.
Pam McPhail says
You’re a foodie, Linda! If you’re not inclined to foreign viewing, stay clear of Stranger as the subtitles were almost too challenging for us.