Prison Playbook (2017)

Soooo Pleasantly Surprised!!

So most of the dramas I watch are romcoms, and for this one, I let my co-worker choose from my "plan to watch" list as I have such a hard time deciding what to watch next. I was unsure for the first 1-2 episodes, but I find I feel like that with almost all dramas just because it's new at the time and I'm still not over whatever drama I just finished. lol

So for this review I actually made notes on this site as I watched it so I wouldn't forget things so some of this will be written as if I'm currently watching it. I'm going to make bullet points.

* So far the sister is irritating because she is VERY "woe is me". I get he's where he is because of her (at least in her mind), but it's enough already. He's the one in prison, then he's the one forced to retire from the job he loves, and she's over here sobbing away feeling sorry for herself. To make it worse, she won't even visit him. She's really pissing me off.

* I feel ZERO chemistry between ML and his girlfriend. Maybe it's his dry personality in the beginning, but I don't care about them as a couple at all. He has more chemistry with his best friend and other prisoners than he does her.

* I was SO happy that Crony turned out the way he did. That was a great direction to take that storyline. I also (at the time) loved the college girl visiting and writing a paper on Min Chul. Little did I know!!! ML's girlfriend being "too busy" to visit was just as annoying as the sister doing the same thing to him.

* He just can't figure out how to pitch straight, and 'ex-gf' comes up with the idea to put an X in the glove and suddenly that solves it and she's a genius who knows him better than anyone and no one else could have pulled that off. Really? Like it hadn't occurred to him to aim at the glove before the X? *eye roll*

* I do NOT want to do another villain arc where someone tries to kill him but here we are with the wood shop guy scheming in the greenhouse.

* NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO Please tell me this was a fever dream and he did not do ALL that hard work, for a year, quitting drugs, only to immediately do them again the moment he left. I swear to god, I will riot.

* Stating the obvious here, but Lt. Na is an insufferable grunt.

* His POS sister has still not visited. On top of that she's dating his best friend, who is also a guard there. What a shitty sister.

* I'm so happy that Lt. Paeng went to his daughter's career day. Crony being left behind made me sad, even though he did some heinous shit, and he'll obviously have the company of Captain Yoo for awhile. Also, would've liked to see him get out as well, maybe even Crony, so they could all meet up like they talked about.

* I love that Min-Chul had a daughter and that she reached out.

* The entire story is amazing and the friendships and chemistry is unmatched with this cast. I could've done without the girlfriend as there's no chemistry there. I also could've done without the sister because she was insufferable and selfish. They could've just had him saving any random chick.

I wanted to give this a 10/10 but I cannot forgive Loony's ending. It doesn't make any sense for his character. NONE. Also, I hated that we didn't get to see them all out of prison living their lives, or at least meeting up. Even if they just did a flash forward like they did with ML.

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Do not avoid it because of its Title

I watched prison playbook recently and My senior recommended it and its really awesome. I don’t have enough words to express my feelings. But still I want to say few words.

Prison Playbook what a story man am still laughing and enjoying this series. Making a simple story into a great script I applause to the screen writers.this drama returned my faith in kdrama because I had been bored of due to usual, accident, memory loss and romance in kdrama which is too much of cliche.

To the wonderful script of prison playbook all the actors did their part very well.KIM JE HYUK as the center of the story was written off well and PARK HAE SOO played it even more amzingly.I had an awesome laugh when everyone was trying to get hot water for noodles and KJH sleeping I had other thoughts that they might be trying to break off the jail.his friend LEE JOON HO being a support from the beginning was the best. All the cellmates had their own stories and everyone played it outstandingly overcoming their hardships.loony, kaist,crony,kim etc. All the other character such as girlfriend, sister of KJH, brother of LJH and captain yoo,were also given their parts in perfect proportion not to make it more as a family drama.
I had this crush over jung hae in when watched him in drama while you were sleeping..And after watching prison playbook am just obsessing over him.he just rocked the military and prison uniform handsomely.He is in my new addition to favourite actor list.

Music is also catchy and worth listening.the first ost OK by Bewhy from the first episode makes its deep impression with the beats and lyrics.

Rewatch ofcourse yes. Anytime and any mood you can have this watch with anyone friends or family either low mood or good mood. Its perfect. 10/10

My only concern after watching it was like does prison life seems this easy as shown, then I remember KJH saying to captain yoo that he is also hanging in their to survive.

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You will surely love this.

It's my second time to add review to a drama since I last watched "The Third Charm".

This drama gives us a peek of prison life and gives us real life lessons that not all in the prison are "bad". Some are falsely accused, some are slaves to their weakness and some are really wrong. The main lead taught us that it better to have EQ than IQ and that's when comedy enters in the drama. I just love this drama even if it is more than an hour long. It made me laugh hard and cry hard. Every character left an awesome impression for me. I hope the producer would give us a second season. This drama is gold and will teach us how to behave so that we would not end up in jail. Haha. God bless MDLister.

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I absolutly loved this show. The acting was good and I love that they don't completley glorify prison life. I love that each character has a story and each character knows what they did to end up in jail was wrong... For example, Min Chul knew it was wrong when he killed that man and he doesn't glorify prison... And though his time there is not horrible he still makes the best with what he can, owns up to his mistakes, and tries his best.

I also love that Je Hyeok is kind and willing to give anyone a chance as long as they earn it. I love that even though he didn't have too, he gave Crony a 'new beginning' by bascially 'killing him with kindness' and in turn caused Crony to become appreciative.

Speaking of Crony, it brings me to my next point... Aka: the only issue I really had with the show and that I am a bit surprised no one else spoke about in their reviews.... I am honestly a little butthurt that we didn't get to witness Crony or KAIST getting out of jail... Same with captain Yoo (though after discovering his retrial went well we knew it was coming soon) after they moved KAIST to Deogu they just completly drop his existence and that really upsets me. He deserved to be brought up again.

I also am upset how they played the crap out of Looney. He spent MONTHS vecoming sober and drug free just to get out and immedietly get set up by the hippie guy and sent back to jail? WTH was that about? I was so happy his mother showed up to see him and his boyfriend was wanting to propose...just for him to F it up and go right back? They did his character dirty.

Would have loved to see a "several years later" type of scenario that included updates on everyones lives.

Other than those things I thoroughly enjoyed this show. I would rewatch it and I would recommend it to others, I already have actually.

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Well, i will be honest. I was firstly attracted by the high rate in MDL, then i've checked out the plot and yes, it seemed interesting but not so much. I mean, we are talking about a drama that shows the life in prison, so no plot twist, no love stories, no laughts, maybe a bit boring... but then i thinked about it again and there had to be a valuable reason for that high vote: while searching for more information, i found out that the director and the screenwriters were the same of Reply series. I've watched all 3 of them and i loved them so so much, especially 1988 and 1994 (two of my favourite dramas of all time, together with "Prison playbook" now). If you watch Prison playbook with attention you will certanly notice that they have very much in common: the type of humor, the background sounds when something funny or stupid happen (in this there are twittering bird, in reply were the sheep bleating), a profound attention to the music, the use of many flashbacks for tell and explain the characters background and some of the actors of the cast are the same.

STORY:

The firsts episodes (maybe 1, 2 and 3) serves to introduce you to the story and to presents you the numerous characters that are in the drama. You can notice right away that there is a sad tone, very much serious, but also a very energetic ritm and many funny moments, thing that you wouldn't expect in this type of context.
First of all, let's talk about the main character: even though at the beginning he seems an anonimum person (temperamentally speaking), bit by bit you'll learn to know him and you will find out a very warm man, with a kind heart, probably because he knows very well what means to feel real pain and despair. He is a bit stupid sometimes (in a good way, he made me laugh so much), very genuine and naive, but he knows how to play his own cards when the game requires it, and he perfectly succeeds in empathizing with others like nobody could do. The thing i loved the most about him is that all the kind gestures he do, he never speak of them about it, he just do them, in silence, only because he can't stay put and watch other's pain.
Even though i adore all the characters, if i have to choose my favourite, probably he would be Tenent Paeng, because below the rudeness there is a very kind man that love his job and has a very clear vision of how is the best way to do it. Jail in not a common place: dangers are always behind the corner and you have to remain mentally and emotionally stable. You can't be friendly with the convicts, but is extremely important to remain human. So, the balance is fundamental, but is not a very easy task: Tenent Paeng understood this very well and even though is very rude sometimes, in reality he do what he can to help the convicts to survive to jail in the most human way possible. He has done so much for a them in silence, and in that aspect is very similar to the protagonist Je Hyuk (but he has a more puppy way to do it). If i have to choose one word to discribe him, it would be "tsundere" :D <3
Loony (Han Yang) is another important character to me: he made me laugh so much and cry so hard. In his extreme solitude, he seems like a defenceless puppy in my eyes. I've pity him for feeling alone for most of his life and yes, he became a drugdealer and it's a very serius crime, but like in every case, it's important valuate the personal background of the criminal and his story was so so sad. Every time he becomes serious and talk about himself and his life, i feel like my heart is torning to pieces. I would want to hug him and say him "you're not alone", but i can't beacuse he is a character in a drama, (but not being able to help him it's frustrating anyway).

As the episodes goes by you will find yourself completely absorbed: the daily routine in jail (that i wrongly thought it might be boring) is a very valuable part, that make you understand more than anything else that in a lot of cases there isn't black and white, right and wrong, bad and good. The only thing that is truly there is life, and life can be difficult, because you could choose the wrong pat and you have to pay for it, but also because sometimes there is no much justice as we would. Someone could do a bad thing because is a bad person, yes, but maybe someone else only found himself in a difficult situation and had no other choice. The most important thing that i really learned and feeled watching Prison playbook is that you truly can't judge a book by its cover, and not only you can't, but you musn't, because every human been have the right to be heard first. The most powerfull thing is the meaning of the little things and the little gestures, that can make someone happy in a very sad or difficult moment, because if hating or just give the cold shoulder is easy, in the same way is easy also to do a small thing, it doesn't cost anything.
Bromance is also a very important part of this drama: Je Hyuk and Joon Ho are best friends that doesn't see each other for years, but they meet again when Je Hyuk get arrested and goes to jail. Lee is a prison guard and his presence there helps Kim Je Hyuk a lot: he find in his best friend the strongness for fight again in this difficult situation that he's in. Their friendship is one of the best friendship i have ever see in a show (film, drama, anime and whatsoever), they have a truly sincere and strong bond, more than between bloodrelated brothers. Joon Ho is always rough with Je Hyuk, but also very affectionate in his own way. Surely they would give away their life for each other.
One of the thing that you wouldn't expect it is the strong sense of family: obviously i'm not talking of the classic family, but after all family is not only your mum, your dad or yours brothers and sisters related by blood. Family is a strong and deep bond that could born even in the most unexpected place, just like a jail (where maybe the common imaginary is more the feeling of loyalty between criminals or gangsters, obviously a stupid way of thinking).

ACTING/CAST:
I have nothing to say, only a big WOW! The actors impersonate the charcaters so much that it doesn't seems at all that they are acting. A special plause goes to to Lee Kyu Hyung (Loony), because the character that he has interpretate was so complex in every aspect!

MUSIC:

A big mention goes to the sundtrack (including the opening and the ending songs): apart from the classic ballads that you can also hear on most of the Korean dramas, there is also a big part of rap and pop music that seem to have nothing to do with the general atmosphere of the show, but in reality they match with it very very well.

REWATCH VALUE:

Even though the episodes last 90 minutes (they are very long, because usually they go for 60/70 minutes), you will not event notice it and time will flies away while watching it. It's not so foregone to want to rewatch a thing that you liked, because there are stories that are based on plot twist and once you've watch them the strong emotion will gone, because there will be no more surprise effect anymore. But this drama is based on human emotion and on the nature of the characters, so if you watch it a second time or a third, maybe you will learn something new everytime.

CONCLUSIONS:

I can say without an esitation that this drama becomes a real drug. You must put in part pregiudice for one of the best drama ever. Prison playbook is really much more than a description in words could explain (but i had to tried anyway). The strong feeling while watching it is so intense and real that you might forget that you are watching a drama at all. The story development and the many flashback that shows the background of every main characters are so immersive that you can feel it right to the bones. Every single moment is very well thought out and functional to complete the large puzzle.
in conclusion, if it would have been possible to give 15 instead of 10, i would have done it right away, without even thinking it.

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I have so many things to say about this drama. This show is about humanising those who society will never forgive. Once you let the writer take you by the hand into his story, trust me, you’ll never let go.

While watching it, so many emotions went through me: I either wanted to hug the characters, or slap them when they were acting dumb, even cry with them. And I laughed. So much. I doubt any drama made me laugh that much before. As in really laugh out loud.

I also have to praise Jung Kyung Ho and Park Hae Soo for their acting: they couldn’t have looked like more friends than what they did. I honestly thought I was watching two best friends just being two best friends.

I loved the subtle and not-so-subtle friendships that grew right in front of our eyes. I loved how slow-paced yet exciting the storyline was. I just wanted to finish the whole thing and see all the characters get their happy endings. This drama is about regretting, and about redemption. Just like in real life, you sometimes don’t understand why people do this or that, but it’s because you don’t know their background stories. If you knew, you’d probably understand.

If there's one thing that left a bittersweet taste it's definitely the fact that you don't get to see what happened for a few characters, I'd have liked to know what happened to them.

I'm happy and sad I finished watching this show: it's the kind of drama you like so much you wonder if you'll ever get to watch something like that again.
Now I remember why I watch korean dramas: I honestly would have never gotten to watch something like that if I had stuck to western TV shows.

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Absolutely delightful watch.

I loved getting to know all the characters, and the show was brilliantly cast.
Jung Kyung Ho is uniquely endearing, as always, and I enjoyed all the character development.
Many laugh out loud moments. My very favourite part was finally getting to see Jung Woong In (Lieutenant Paeng) do some real acting - because he gets to play a real person - and not just a generic jerk.

That was the most fun of all, because it really made me like the actor, which I hadn't before.
Well worth anyone's time. There were quite a few emotional bits toward the end, and the writers really knew how to get me invested in each and every character. I was ... dare I say it? ... reformed ❗️?

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Perfect

One of the best dramas out there. The plot, the characters, the colour scheme were all perfect. I genuinely cannot find one fault in this show. I've rewatched it like three times. The OST was so good, I still listen to the song The door by winner and zico.

The one thing I didn’t like was the romance part of the main lead, found it not necessary to be honest.

The chemistry between all the cast/ cell mates was one of the best ever. I loved how the show showed so much depth of the characters.

I’ve rewatched it around 5 times now and I still enjoy it like it’s the first time I’m watching it. I don’t know what hold this show has on me but I’m genuinely obsessed with it lol. I highly recommend it :))

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Amazingly thoughtful bromance

I thoroughly enjoyed this drama. It was heartfelt, with a great balance between showing us the internal struggles and thoughts of each character, and throwing in some plot elements that keep the story moving.

At first, I wasn't super impressed with Je Hyuk and wondered whether the story would be more entertaining if it revolved around a different character. But after a few episodes it became clear that he was the glue that holds the ensemble together. I especially loved Jung Woong In as the experienced guard and Kang Gi Doong as a younger guard. Along with Jung Kyung Ho, they were simply fantastic.

The crew of prisoners was also impressive, especially Choi Moo Sung as Min Chul, the lifer with a heart, and of course Lee Kyu Hyung as Loony, who always kept us sympathetic to his plight. I also enjoyed Jung Min Sung as Doctor Go and wish his story had been fleshed out more.

The show isn't quite perfect though. For some reason, Kaist's story was dropped rather suddenly, leaving me to wonder if there was a budget reduction or last-minute scheduling conflict with Park Ho San. And the backrgound stories of the cellmates could have been expanded upon a bit more. A few more episodes would have fit the bill. And I know this show is about a male prison, but I feel there could have been some way to include more females in the cast, perhaps as the journalists, or as part of various flashbacks.

All in all, this would be a fantastic rewatch, full of stellar performances.

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Can't Stop Watching Since Eps 8

I found myself dragging to watch the show for the first 7 episode. But since Episode 8, I always dream about watching it when I'm not! It was hillarious, funny, and great amount of bromance. The acting is superb as I know many of them are from background theatre. So, the funny moments that, if done by those who can't pull it off, would make us cringe. Not this one though.
Not a lot of love-romance kind of thing. But really emphasis on the human relationship. It is so funny that I can't stop laughing every episode (again, from eps 8 and above).

So, if you find yourself bored, give yourself a chance to wait until it hits episode 8. It's worth it!

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At first, I had a hard getting into the story . The first 2 or 3 episodes were not really interesting cause the side characters kept changing and the main one was a little blend,
BUT, I think the real story begins when Lee Jin ho played by Jung kyung ho appears.
And after that, the remaining episodes are an absolute delight, a mix of smart comedy and emotions.
The characters are so human and you really get attached to each one of them.
The drama really reminded me of the reply serie in its dynamic and its bitter sweet feeling with a really happy, comic note. The sound effects, one of the trendmark of the director, are also serving their comic purpose really well in this drama !
Anyway, it took me time to get in the story , but once I was in, I was hooked.
I definitely recommend !!

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Prison Playbook and Jeong

As a Korean Canadian, I had heard the term "jeong" to describe a feeling among people, especially in Korea. It's a Korean word and there is no English counterpart. Prison Playbook shows us what jeong is. I was hesitant to watch this for a year because the trailer didn't really entice me, but I loved Hospital Playlist and Reply 1988, so I had to trust Director Shin Won Ho and the screenwriters.

Jeong can mean affection, love, connection, relationship. The love and affection that develops among the inmates is incredible. The support they have for one another despite the hardship and the difficult situation they were in is beautiful. It is a deeply human story and strangely relatable. It was also hilarious at the most unexpected parts and that's what I need when I watch dramas. Not everything ends up going well for our main characters and I was ok with that.

I was most moved by the writing, whether it was the funny parts or the deeply moving and encouraging parts.

"You did your very best, but you weren't given any opportunity. So just blame the world instead. The world should've tried harder. The problem was that the world never gave you an opportunity."

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