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."

Read More