‘Stranger’…An expertly crafted thriller about fighting and fixing the system from within.
Korean title translates to Secret Forest/Forest of Secrets. Note, this review is for season one only.
Spoilers Ahead…
Stranger, simply put, is a drama about a prosecutor solving a murder. What makes it notably refreshing — apart from the excellent writing by Lee Soo Yeon, which dares you to keep up with the reveals — is how Hwang Si Mok (Cho Seung Woo, effectively understated) the prosecutor in charge, isn’t motivated by any precursory incident for which he is seeking answers or revenge. All he is doing is his job.
As unusual as this feels in a K-drama, it is a welcome change.
Aptly titled as Secret Forest (when translated from Korean), Si Mok’s investigation into the murder of Park Moo Sung (Eom Hyo Seop), a broker who mediated deals with high ranking officials by bribing them with prostitutes and money, discloses how far and wide the net of corruption is cast, and how deeply entrenched lobbying and acceptance of favours from middlemen are. As Lee Chang Jun (Yoo Jae Myung), the deputy chief prosecutor recalls, it all starts with the acceptance of a free meal, and before you know it, all your work revolves around repaying these favours.
Hence, throughout the course of this inquiry, the drama focuses on the power of choice and the idea of self-righteousness. Despite accepting a few free meals from Park Moo Sung, Prosecutor Kang Won Cheol (Park Sung Geun) stands by Si Mok and his decisions during the investigation, but Professor Young Il Jae (Lee Ho Jae) who has been sitting on hard evidence for three years, doesn’t give it up, even when the time comes, choosing instead to do nothing, the consequence of which is sadly bore by his daughter Young Eun Soo (Shin Hye Sun).
He feels that he is doing the right thing, by abiding by a promise made years ago, but so are many others, like Si Mok himself, who is willing to investigate his own seniors and colleagues, that too for no personal gain in exchange. Is he right in doing so? Because not everyone has a choice — some like Seo Dong Jae (Lee Joon Hyuk) have to network as he isn’t taken as seriously as his fellow Seoul University graduates, and some like Sergeant Kim Soo Chan (Park Jin Woo), have to do their boss’s bidding, in order to pay for his son’s education abroad. Even the climatic reveal hinges on these ideas.
That’s why none of the victories, feel like one, but are seen as uncomfortable truths, and by some people even termed as betrayal. It also doesn’t help that despite the hard work, some higher ups and chaebols are still going to walk away unaffected. But as Han Yeo Jin (a terrific Bae Doo Na) says, someone’s got to keep their eyes open and call out the wrong deeds.
Stranger is the perfect example of sticking to the basics. A focused script that never meanders (now, that I sit and think about it, there were so many instances that were clues to the answer) with an excellent cast complemented with beautiful characterisation — I particularly loved Yeo Jin’s love for doodling; it contributes nothing to the plot, but is a unique touch of how these characters can be living, breathing people and have interests outside of work. Si Mok’s introverted personality doesn’t equal a condescending jerk (he gets many reminders that other prosecutors have cleared the bar exam too) but rather someone driven, straightforward and whose lack of emotions (and likewise reactions) unnerve others. The drama also doesn’t exploit his medical condition for some cheap suspense.
I eagerly look forward to season two.
