[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Revenge Note" Episodes 17-19

So the second plot about a teacher who may or may not be engaging in appropriate extracurricular activities with a female student is resolved. In contrast to the other "Revenge Note" stories we've seen so far, this particular plotline is just really depressing. When Goo-hee ultimately decides to use the app to punish the at fault party, there's no sense of righteous indignation. Goo-hee, and us, are just depressed at how she is forced to take responsibility for the situation.

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Why Goo-hee needs to take responsibility for something that has nothing to do with her is not made clear. Granted, Goo-hee is witness to enough of the more specific goings-ons that she's in the best position to make a judgment call. But considering how in the end, the school is the one that uncovers the critical evidence...does this really matter when it comes to the premise? It feels like the production team just slipped in a very sad unrelated plot into the otherwise fluffy and social justice oriented "Revenge Note" we all know and love.

The new storyline is more of a return to form. Granted, it does feel a little silly sometimes, since a critical part of the premise requires us to believe that Kim Hyang-gi is not inherently pretty. Well, I guess she's more cute than pretty, but all the same. Goo-hee is short, and as such is probably not good material for being a model. Why all guys should inherently want to be together with a model, though, is a question not elaborated upon.

I am of course overthinking this because nearly all of the characters in "Revenge Note" are stupid teenagers who are allowed to be wrong. Really, I'd argue that Ji-hoon is attractive not so much because he's being played by Lomon, but because the young man is very wise. Ji-hoon has an eye for whether or not people have good hearts, and is also very nonplussed by social standards and just says what he means.

This is all just background. So far "Revenge Note" hasn't even come up with an evil act that warrants anyone commit revenge in the first place, and with only three episodes left, I'm guessing the drama isn't going to really get into much detail and what exactly the titular "Revenge Note" is. Which is a pity. I'd like to see an antagonist take a swipe at the app directly instead of just tormenting a protagonist or someone the protagonists know personally.

Review by William Schwartz

"Revenge Note" is directed by Seo Won-tae, written by  Han Sang-im, Kim Jong-seon-I and features Kim Hyang-gi, Lomon, Park Kyung-rim and Kim Hwan-hee.