[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Duel"

The idea of cloning is a highly controversial one and for good reason. South Korea has had its own advancement in and moral debates over it, making the lack of the topic's presence in drama fiction a surprising one. "Duel" does not really focus on the existential and other implications of human cloning, but it aims to be an action thriller experience with a related twist.

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The series is a pretty straightforward suspense piece with the focus on action and violence OCN is known for. The drama may not break any molds, but it does have the unique appeal of embracing the cloning aspect of its premise, which could have easily been a mere gimmick. Perhaps OCN is learning that baiting does not work without delivery. The drama tries to build a solid mystery around the concept of human clones.

The list of good points for "Duel" is sadly not very long, but the strong cast and their good chemistry definitely elevate the drama through many of its problems. Promising rookie Yang Se-jong takes on multiple roles convincingly and Jung Jae-young is as impressive as one would expect, given the veteran's caliber. It is the performance of Kim Jung-eun which stands out, however, as her Choi Jo-hye becomes an unsettling, mysterious force whose trajectory remains wonderfully vague.

While the cast and their chemistry are solid, their characters and their relationships are unfortunately gravely underdeveloped. Choi Jo-hye, formidable as she is, has little involvement in things until the final episodes and the central "bromance" has no time to mature. "Duel" focuses so much on the chase and its mysteries of the past, on who must chase or catch whom, that it veers more into action territory than a story-based work. As a result, its story feels like an afterthought at times.

The biggest issues with "Duel" are ultimately its plot holes and the eventual injection of far-fetched, forcefully dramatic twists and events into the story which seem more appropriate for soap operas than for a sleek thriller. The writing completely drops the ball on many occasions and the closing episodes are messy in their delivery of an ultimately unexciting resolution. It feels as if the story juggles too much with too little time.

"Duel" is lacking in many aspects, especially considering the talent and appealing plot stakes involved, but it is a passable work which at least shows dedication to the catchier side of its premise. The characters are easy to feel for and their adventures are therefore engaging when focused on them, rather than on the often convoluted power games. "Duel" is not terribly exciting, but it is not half bad.

"Duel" is directed by Lee Jong-jae, written by Kim Yoon-joo and features Jung Jae-young, Kim Jung-eun, Yang Se-jong and Seo Eun-soo.

Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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