2021 seems to be the year of vigilante heroes and antiheroes in K dramaland. Whether they be cops, consiglieres, judges or even taxi drivers, there’s a vexing feeling that all’s not that well with the world and someone needs to set things right. Going by the book doesn’t seem to be helping because the book often ends up being a tool for the wealthy and the well-connected further widening the gap between the haves and the have nots. To add insult to injury the haves can’t help but flaunt their power by their conspicuous consumption deliciously caricatured by the drama here. In this so-called Korean dystopia, only the working man and woman on the street bear the brunt of the economic costs of lawlessness perpetuated on them. Needless to say the premise is a familiar one — corruption in high places and seemingly intractable conspiracies among power holders.
I could not get past the first episode of DJ. Though I found the dystopian premise intriguing, I found the incident of the bus crash too calculated, extreme and unbelievable with all its close calls and with the Judge (not Security) suddenly the man with a high-powered rifle (why?) in his hands to save the day. Way too over the top right out of the gate. Made me question the writer's skill and his/her confidence in the viewers willingness to believe anything the show puts forth. Surely there could have been a more intelligent and believable way to start to establish the characters of the two MLs.
The Devil Judge (2021) Episodes 1-4: Early Impressions
I could not get past the first episode of DJ. Though I found the dystopian premise intriguing, I found the incident of the bus crash too calculated, extreme and unbelievable with all its close calls and with the Judge (not Security) suddenly the man with a high-powered rifle (why?) in his hands to save the day. Way too over the top right out of the gate. Made me question the writer's skill and his/her confidence in the viewers willingness to believe anything the show puts forth. Surely there could have been a more intelligent and believable way to start to establish the characters of the two MLs.