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SKITC

Probably within reach of a coffee

SKITC

Probably within reach of a coffee
Military Prosecutor Doberman korean drama review
Completed
Military Prosecutor Doberman
5 people found this review helpful
by SKITC
Apr 28, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 6.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 3.0

So many glaring defects and yet still a likable and fun ride

A pun? Who thinks that naming a show with a pun is a good idea? The only possible answer to that is someone that knows that their title sequence is so painfully bad that papering it over with a ridiculous pun will distract from the ineptitude of the opening credits.

The bad things just keep rolling though:

The supporting cast has some highlights but also some of the worst performances of the current calendar year.

The music, whether during the title sequence or outside of it, is sensationally poor.

There's innumerable unnecessary and sloppily choreographed fight scenes.

The twists are so unsurprising that whether they were intended to be twists or reveals has to be questioned.

There should be some buildup of tension and intrigue as pivotal conflicts approach, but instead they just seem to randomly cut from a nondescript scene to a major confrontation.

It's so frustrating to watch everything be so ineptly put together because

[DEEP BREATH]

...the scenario is fresh and it works, it really works, even with all of its deficiencies. Firstly, because Kang Mal Geum is a shining beam of unfiltered warmth and joy as Do Bae Man's aunt. Every moment she has on screen is a delight.

Second, vengeance is probably not a good real life pursuit but man is it almost always a terrific basis for fictional dramas. And this is an above-average revenge backstory.

Jo Bo Ah and Kim Young Min are both well-suited for their characters, Actually, with more developed and complex characters, both could have been stellar here. Points for the casting director getting these two on board.

But mostly, while the lead cast is fairly strong, this is a show centered on Ahn Bo Hyun and he delivers. Granted, it seemed that the first few episodes were rough. With the show switching from serious to comic on a frequent basis, there's a serious case of actor not knowing what to do with his character. After not too long though, Ahn Bo Hyun settles things down with more gravitas and only enough wry sarcasm to give Do Bae Man an extra dimension. That Ahn Bo Hyun is one of the most physically imposing actors in the industry aids in giving the military prosecutor an ominous presence, but it's balanced by a kind and empathic air.

Will this lead to award nominations for Ahn Bo Hyun? If it does, that would be more than mildly shocking. But it absolutely should convince other productions that he's more than viable lead actor for future productions (which hopefully will have better pieces around him).

Not strongly recommended but still qualifies as a recommended watch.
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