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kobeno1

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

kobeno1

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Vagabond korean drama review
Completed
Vagabond
4 people found this review helpful
by kobeno1
Apr 6, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

Absolute Thrill Ride Despite Flaws!

When it comes to a series that has all of the twists and turns, the action sequences, and the intrigue like "24," you really can't go wrong with "Vagabond."

Much like "24," nothing in Vagabond is as it seems. Characters aren't as they appear to be, and those that you figured to be the "villains," you suddenly find everything turned around.

A Korean airliner is taken down by terrorists, and the absolute distraught uncle, Cha Dal Geon, is determined to find out why as well as who is behind it. Of course, at first, nobody believes him until small pieces begin to fall into place. Geon is given some credibility as a movie stuntman who also teaches martial arts classes. However, he quickly finds out that martial arts rarely beats out a special forces soldier. I liked that they put some limitations on Geon. However, I was occasionally frustrated by how he took the lead in NIS investigations. That part was lacking in realism. I understand that he has a vested interest, but I doubt that NIS would give him such free reign and latitude. Still, Lee Seung-gi brings a character with a lot of charisma as well as genuine feeling to the role. He was excellent.

Go Hae Ri is the "rookie" NIS agent stationed in Morocco. I had a harder time with her character. Suzy Bae is a good--but not great--actress. She seemed to find a hard time treading the line between depicting an agent who is inexperienced but trained. There were times when I just didn't find her depiction believable. I was hoping more for a seasoned actress like Doona Bae (Stanger) who brings intelligence and presence to her roles. Half the time Go Hae Ri doesn't seem to know what she's doing. And too often, she took a backseat to Geon, when she is the field agent! If you're stationed in Morocco as a field agent, you can't be that green. I thought the writers could have done a better job here. Bae also needs to broaden her range. Too often, she has an almost blank expression or the same expression in most of her scenes. I also quickly tired of her "16-year-old" reactions to the small, intimate moments with Geon. If there is a "weak link" in the cast, it's definitely Suzy Bae!

There were a number of character errors in the series. Never implement a character error in order to move the plot. That's a rookie mistake, and it was used several times in this series to the point when you can't help but shake your head at such carelessness.

Several times, Go Hae Ri or Geon would return to their homes even when they know that they are targets. Do you really think an NIS agent would make this kind of a mistake?

There was an instant when Go Hae Ri is assigned to protect Geon. She's drugged and knocked out. When she comes to, she immediately goes to the bathroom rather than checking to see if Geon is in danger...or even worse, not knowing if the assassin is even still in the building! If she has enough state of mind to easily make her way to the bathroom, I doubt she was disoriented.

Another instant is when we have a sniper trying to take out a target. Geon and Hae Ri are protecting him. We already know that the sniper has orders to kill anyone, including Geon and Hae Ri. And yet, a professional assassin decides not to shoot them in order to kill her target?! I don't know many assassins who have such a conscience. It made no sense.

I also wondered if male prison guards are allowed to work at female prisons in Korea.

In any case, don't let these minor flaws prevent you from watching this adrenalin-boost of a series! There's scarcely a dull moment, and the rest of the cast, especially Kyeong-Yeong Lee (Edward Park) is nothing short of fantastic! I've seen him in several other series, and he's always tremendous!

What really got me, however, was the season-ending cliff-hanger! So unlike most of the Korean series I've seen where I now have to wait for Season 2! I absolutely can't wait!
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