The best word to describe this drama is; “Unique”. The Noir genre this drama boldly chose is one that is mostly only seen in K-Movies, and it’s fair to say this drama is the FIRST All-Noir Korean Drama. While I’m pretty sure that owing to the huge popularity this drama gained (contrary to the super-low viewer ratings it received), that there’ll be other dramas with a similar genre coming up soon in its wake, but this one definitely deserves to be up-and-most the first and I hope not the best. This drama so honestly depicts Korea’s dark and shady crime world –with its both sides; criminals and crime-fighters- the power struggles and the constant betrayals within, drawing a big and dark canvas of a “Heartless City” (btw I very like this title and am very glad they made the title change from “undercover” which would have been a major spoiler) The drama shows the Good vs. Bad fight but not in the normal manner where both sides are distinctly shown and you have the “all-Good” hero to cheer and the “all-bad” enemy to curse, rather it shows how both (good and bad) are two sides of one coin; how not all people who believe themselves fighting for the “Good” cause could be considered Good by the society, and how the seemingly “Bad” is not all there is. The good working for the good cause if absorbed by the “end justifies means” concept can very well turn bad. And while it’s believed that anyone always has the choice whether to be/stay Good or Bad, it still shows how such a choice is anything but easy and that regardless to the choice made, the result is not always what one would wish for. Drug dealing was used as the crime type here, with drug dealers at one side and crime fighters (police and DA) at the other. The war that ensues is not simply the fight between both sides, but there are also numerous wars taking place on both sides, like a big survival game where the “survival of the fittest” is the only rule, and everyone only works for one’s benefit, no loyalty or pure trust anywhere to be found. It’s a very dark drama, with a very interesting and unique story, intriguing characters each with their own agenda and cause and beliefs, characters so special only such a dark noire crime drama could be able to bring out so beautifully. The story was very addictive always keeping you at your seat at all times, so I guarantee a rough and enjoyable ride with this one. There is not only crime and drugs to it, there’s also melodrama, romance, and bromance all so beautifully mixed up in just the right portions, so thankfully the romance served its part without being too dense in a way that distracts you from the main plot or worse ruin up a good noire drama. The main story is kept in focus at all times, that’s another positive thing about this drama. But…(here comes the but) Why I gave the story an (8): The story itself is AMAZING down to its tiniest details, it’s so enjoyable to watch the characters’ interactions and each one’s character development, to sum it up it’s a story with potential, but the execution of all that was unfortunately anything but flawless. I won’t go into details less I spoil anything, but with all the constant sides shifting and power struggle going on in this show, came quite a bunch of power-ranks inconstancies, unexplainable decisions made, crime-fighter with crazy methods that feel CHILDISH, and the ‘supposedly’ EVIL that comes out pure STUPID. You’ll need to watch to understand what I’m talking about, but the execution (and sometimes script) fell short on some levels, you end up watching with a “What the?!” that develops into a “OKEEEY!!” finally into “I-don’t-really-care-anymore” kind of thing, your eyes go ?_? But to be honest you still can’t resist watching; so even though it might have fell short on being convincing and relatable sometimes, it still manages to attract and suck you in its darkness and mysteriousness. The Acting and the direction were definitely the best part about this drama. While not all the cast was that good, Jung Kyung Ho single-handedly carried this drama to an all new level with his epic portrayal of Shi Hyun, that even if all the cast were crap (which they were not) I would still give the acting a 10! It’s my first drama of his, but I’m sure now it won’t be my last The Direction and camerawork were SUPER, especially in moving car and fight scenes, and while at first the scenes felt too dark, the more you watch the more you get used and start to appreciate it since it suits the plot so well. Re-watch value; there was too much going on with this drama, too much fighting scenes for my taste, too much complicated relationships, too much to re-watch at least any time soon. If you’re into crime/noir movies, this drama will definitely suit you, if you’re into detective and police dramas this one’ll give a good dose of it but let me worn you don’t pay attention to the little details coz the police sucks in this drama so badly. If you’re into romance and vengeance this is just the one for you, though you have to dig a bit deeper coz such aspects come next to the survival-game and the undercover missions. ENJOY!