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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 14

The tension never dies in "Punch - Drama". Just when the good guys get a leg up on the pervasive corruption that endeavors to drag them down, the bad guys find a soulless way to quash them. Amongst the bloody political and personal battles are the most beautiful family scenes that center the show and keep it full of heart.

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Tae-joon is the mastermind behind the corruption. He has long since accepted his selfishness and the fact that he will do anything to achieve his goals, including hurting others to do it. Minister Yoon has recently followed his path, but is just as ruthless. Ho-seong, Ha-kyeong's childhood friend, is still in denial, like Yoon was. He makes the excuse that he does wrong in order to make his end goal of doing right. While these three pull others down with them to achieve their selfish ends, Jung-hwan moves in the opposite direction. Where he was once ruthless and uncaring, he now thinks more like Ha-kyeong: he considers what is right and wrong and what the law of the Republic of South Korea says. He may be dying, but his convictions are stronger than ever and it brings him back together with Ha-kyeong. He starts to live up to her expectations of him that she spelled out at the start of the drama.

On the other hand, Ha-kyeong is changing as well. She was once very black-and-white and refused to understand Jung-hwan. But as the drama unfolded, she was able to see his intentions and reasons. It did not change the fact that he was doing wrong, but it did give her insight into him. Her understanding and her ability to question herself and others allows her to become closer with Jung-hwan and work together with him. They are able to meet morally and emotionally in the middle of the divide that once kept them apart. The changes that happen in the characters are gradual and satisfying, including those in Minister Yoon and those who are changing for the worse because the changes feel organic and real.

The most beautiful, heartfelt scene in the episode was when Jung-hwan takes his daughter to the beach and pours his heart out to her. He tells her the truth: that he made bad choices and admits to her that he was wrong. It's raw and real in a way he hasn't been. He admits his wrongs to the person who matters most to him: his daughter. And also to himself. It's powerful because its the first voiced admission of wrongdoing and its from a person who was once the most corrupt of them all. Ye-rin had been angry at him for what he'd done, but she forgives him unconditionally and promises to live better than he did, like Ha-kyeong. It's such a raw, open relationship that needs no more than a few scenes to remain the heart of the show.

Some small things that make me appreciate the direction in "Punch - Drama" are the way that the camera takes seconds to focus on the non-speaking roles in scenes, to record the expressions and reactions. It adds layers of meaning under the running dialogue and music. It's just one way that the story never loses tension.


Written by: Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

"Punch - Drama" is directed by Lee Myeong-woo, written by Park Kyeong-soo and Yoon Soo-jeong, and features Kim Rae-won, Kim Ah-joong, Cho Jae-hyun, and Seo Ji-hye.

 

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