Shark (2013) poster
7.7
Your Rating: 0/10
Ratings: 7.7/10 from 3,238 users
# of Watchers: 8,468
Reviews: 15 users
Ranked #4254
Popularity #1794
Watchers 3,238

After being left for dead and witnessing the death of his father, Han Yi Soo / Yoshimura Junichiro returns to Korea from Japan after changing his looks and identity to take revenge on the people who caused his family’s downfall. While using Jo Hae Woo, the granddaughter of the main mastermind who was his first love when they were young, he finds himself falling in love with her again. Meanwhile, Oh Joon Young is the man that Hae Woo got married to while thinking that Yi Soo had died becomes suspicious of his real identity and motives. Will Han Yi Soo be able to avenge the death of his father and expose the dirty secrets of his enemies. Edit Translation

  • English
  • Bahasa Indonesia
  • Español
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Country: South Korea
  • Type: Drama
  • Episodes: 20
  • Aired: May 27, 2013 - Jul 30, 2013
  • Aired On: Monday, Tuesday
  • Original Network: KBS2
  • Duration: 1 hr. 5 min.
  • Score: 7.7 (scored by 3,238 users)
  • Ranked: #4254
  • Popularity: #1794
  • Content Rating: Not Yet Rated

Where to Watch Shark

Viki
Subscription (sub)

Cast & Credits

Photos

Shark (2013) photo
Shark (2013) photo
Shark (2013) photo
Shark (2013) photo
Shark (2013) photo
Shark (2013) photo

Reviews

Completed
unterwegsimkoreanischenD
30 people found this review helpful
Apr 29, 2022
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.5
This review may contain spoilers

A shark may not be able to generate suction, but "Shark" can very well do so !

The title "is an allegory and a leitmotif - be it the original title "Shark" oder the sometimes internationally also used title "Don´t Look Back: The Legend of Orpheus".

The latter not only alludes to the ancient legend of Orpheus, but also to Marc Chagall's painting of the same name, which can be found in the KDrama as a leitmotif, too. It basically describes what this is about. As far as the mythology is concerned: Ultimately, Orpheus never gets his great love Eurydice back - even as tries to return with her from the realm of the dead, he unfortunately doesn't manage to do without "looking back" (the condition for the rescue to be successful). In relation to the story of the KDrama, this could mean: the protagonist would have to give up his revenge - his being stuck in the past. And that brings us to the core of the story: revenge.

The original title "Shark" refers to a second leitmotif: Since childhood the protagonist feels a great affinity and sympathy for this particular predatory fish. Ocean sharks must always be on the move. Their mouth remains open so that fresh, oxygen-rich water can reach their gills and they are able to ´breathe´. Not moving means no fresh oxygen supply and thus their certain death. This implies an inevitable activity at all times - consequently they are always dangerous. Ocean sharks are loners, too. At most they join together in groups for hunting. In this respect, the story is set in the world of powerful, highly influential Jaebeol, whose machinations tremendously drive the Wheel of Fortune. They never stop shaping the world at their will, regardless of the cost. The protagonist courageously competes against one of the really big ones (actually against two). There is plenty of manipulation on all sides - as if you were pulling the strings of puppets. Sometimes one might think of vodoo dolls... Police and lawyers are breathlessly chasing behind the events. (It came at a time when bribery and corruption in South Korean business and politics was still more common and taken for granted than nowaydays. It was only a couple of years later that even the head of state was accused of being part of a shocking network controlled by Jaebeol bribery. To that extent the KDrama was just on spot at its time.)

"Shark" offers a fine study about injustice trying to be compensated by vigilantism. However, making amends is not possible. The protagonist's father is and remains dead. Revenge isn't that easy either, because in the course of his chess moves the protagonist stumbles over truths he didn't expect and a love that could get in the way of revenge plans. (Somehow Orpheus is whispering into the protagonist´s ear: "Do not ´look back´!", e.g. let go of revenge and vigilantism...)

The shark (as an animal) may himself not be able to create suction (for breathing), but the KDrama "Shark" can do so very well. The soundtrack sets the rhythm, the melody burns in, the events take their course and you always want to look around the next bend to see what might happen next. Although the good guy is the bad guy, you're feverishly at his side. And on the side of the bad guys, there are the good guys too. What to do with morals...

"Shark" gives practical insight into the early hours of the Jaebeol and their machinations over time. The roles of their long-term companions, who knew them from the earliest hour before their rise as Jaebeol, are also highlighted (e.g. their companions, today assistants, secretaries, drivers, lawyers, etc.). With those they have come a long way and so the know each other, like no other).

"Shark" is more on a tranquil side and maybe less colourful than other KDramas. Both background and heart of this KDrama with its characteristic tinting are set by the tender childhood love - between the Jaebeol´s grand daughter and the driver´s son... The differentiated side plots also keep viewers on their toes. ... It remains thrilling until the end, when open questions are answered.

Mercilessly the wheel of fortune turns, over 20 episodes. The premonitions of the first scenes are set ´today´. Then, in retrospect, the emotional relationship between the protagonists, what happened back then and where they are coming from is portrayed via their youth experiences, before the today´s storyline is picked up again.

Some call this KDrama a masterpiece. I am one of them.
Yet the whole is as often more than its parts. If you are primarily in it for the romance you might be disappointed in the end. Rather against the setting of this love story the KDrama is giving insights into the careers and backdrop of the shiny Jaebeols´ shady practices. In return on this solid drama-soil the emotionally challenging processes of those two ´associated in love´ unfold...

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Iloveasianndrama
27 people found this review helpful
Aug 2, 2013
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
I just finished watching this drama like 2 minutes ago. A lot of people didn't like the ending, but I did. I couldn't think of other ways to end it. This drama, I really enjoyed it because it's not only revenge, but you learn about other things along the way. Well you will need to watch it to know what I mean. This was a good drama in my opinion and I would watch it again, but not a for a while because then if I watch it a right away it will lose it meaning. So maybe in a few years or so. There were some part that was draggy, but overall it was a good drama. But I wish they would focus more on the other characters other than Hae Woo and Yi Soo. This drama was kinda similar to Bad guy, but in the end it was a lot different. I enjoyed the soundtrack. I have to admit after watching this drama I as curious about the Legend of Orpheus, so I am going to read it about it. Well at least I learned something from this drama is that Revenge is not a way to solve a problem.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?

Recommendations

Time Between Dog and Wolf
Bad Guy
Bad Guy
City Hunter
City Hunter
City Hunter

Recent Discussions

Title Replies Views Latest Post
ENG SUB NOW UP!! by MINT CHOCO 1 0
saya
Dec 11, 2022

Details

  • Drama: Shark
  • Country: South Korea
  • Episodes: 20
  • Aired: May 27, 2013 - Jul 30, 2013
  • Aired On: Monday, Tuesday
  • Original Network: KBS2
  • Duration: 1 hr. 5 min.
  • Content Rating: Not Yet Rated

Statistics

  • Score: 7.7 (scored by 3,238 users)
  • Ranked: #4254
  • Popularity: #1794
  • Watchers: 8,468

Top Contributors

24 edits
19 edits
10 edits
8 edits

News & Articles

Popular Lists

Related lists from users
Thriller/Horror Dramas
519 titles 126 loves
Onde assistir?
6453 titles 74 loves 2
Top Painful/Saddest Death in Kdramas
130 titles 785 voters 37 loves 20

Recently Watched By