[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Iseul] As expected, Son Hyun-joo is truly reliable.
Son Hyun-joo made a powerful appearance as Kang Do-chang, an 18-year veteran detective at the Western Police Station, in the first episode of JTBC's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Model Detective' aired on the 6th. With his subtle acting, he firmly anchored the core of the story. Once again, the collaboration between Son Hyun-joo and director Jo Nam-guk resonated well with viewers.
On this day, Kang Do-chang (played by Son Hyun-joo) was cautious with his words and actions ahead of his promotion review. Having developed stress-induced alopecia, a new partner, Oh Ji-hyuk (played by Jang Seung-jo), appeared. Oh Ji-hyuk was ranked first in performance at the Crime Investigation Unit but was nicknamed 'the troublemaker.' Before they had time to size each other up, a case involving the murder and abandonment of a high school girl occurred in front of them.
Kang Do-chang and Oh Ji-hyuk searched through wildlife observation cameras and CCTV footage at the scene, striving to find clues. At this time, a mysterious man, Park Gun-ho (played by Lee Hyun-wook), appeared. He confessed to kidnapping and killing the woman but showed an inscrutable expression during the formal interrogation, saying, "I don't remember."
Park Gun-ho, who entered the crime scene, repeatedly insisted, "I really don't remember," uttering the same words over and over. Later, after receiving a call that the unidentified high school girl's body was found on the beach, Kang Do-chang became convinced that Park Gun-ho had deliberately turned himself in.
The murdered high school girl was speculated to be the daughter of a death row inmate Kang Do-chang had arrested in the past. The missing high school girl's name was Lee Eun-hye (played by Lee Ha-eun), the death row inmate's daughter, and it was revealed that Park Gun-ho was a prison officer who worked at the same prison as the death row inmate. The opening scene hinted that the death row inmate might not be the culprit, adding to the intrigue.
Son Hyun-joo collaborated with director Jo Nam-guk for the fifth time, following dramas such as 'The Chaser' and 'Empire of Gold.' The meeting of the top actor and director was once again praised as the right choice.
Son Hyun-joo's dignified acting, fully immersed in his role, and Jo Nam-guk's meticulous directing enhanced the immersion. Watching Son Hyun-joo as a detective was also highly enjoyable. Detective stories have been produced many times in dramas and films, which might cause a sense of d?j? vu, but it was different with Son Hyun-joo. The densely layered emotions made viewers nod in agreement after just one episode and look forward to the following episodes. Son Hyun-joo led the story, while director Jo Nam-guk pushed it forward, creating a dense and captivating development.
'Model Detective' leaves no gap in acting skills. Especially Lee Hyun-wook, despite his special appearance, shone with a strong presence. His ambiguous portrayal, leaving viewers unsure whether he was the actual perpetrator, helped deepen their engagement. Lee Hyun-wook, who boldly opened episode 1 without yielding in the intense power struggle with Son Hyun-joo and Jang Seung-jo, continues to attract attention.
It remains to be seen whether 'Model Detective,' which has set sail, will continue to navigate smoothly until the final episode.
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