[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Lookout" Episodes 3-4

After a fast-paced introduction, "Lookout" jumps into the catalyst that turns cop and mother Soo-ji into a grief-stricken woman thirsting for revenge. She storms down a path that is quite terrifying, especially when those surrounding the circumstances of her daughter's death are driven by selfish ambition and revenge. Please do remember that hour episodes are split into two so four half-hour episodes will air each week!

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Chief Prosecutor Yoon (Choi Moo-sung) is sketched as the man who wields all the power and the man who Do-han ultimately wishes to bring down. In order to do that, Do-han seems willing to ignore the nagging of his conscience and perform whatever act is necessary to orchestra his revenge. This includes covering up the fact that Yoon's son is some sort of sociopath who purposefully killed Soo-ji's daughter. While I'm not thrilled to have a sociopath behind the killing, I do appreciate the political power plays that protect him and that forge a strong backdrop for the story of people who come together to pursue justice.

The group of people who Soo-ji will join, Bo-mi and Kyeong-soo, make short appearances again, telling us little more about them that we had already received in the promotional material, but throwing in just enough intrigue and humor to make the time well-spent. I'm curious to see whether or not this future ragtag group of crime fighters is going to go head-to-head with the brilliant, driven Do-han, or if they will eventually convert him to their side. I'm interested to see how long Do-han can follow his path of revenge, fighting his better judgement, and hurting others to achieve his will.

Lee Si-young deserves marked praise for her performance in these two episodes. Her emotional outpouring as a grieving mother was one of the most impactful performances that I've seen on the small screen in a very, very long time. Her performance made the violent attach she made on Siwan, her daughter's murderer, absolutely shocking and thrilling to watch. It magnified the performance of Lomon as Yoon Siwan, transforming him into a chilling villain.

This first week has been quite a ride and one that I'm enjoying. I care not for the split format, but dramas garner funds from the one-minute commercials between episodes.

Written by: Lisa Espinosa AKA Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

"Lookout" is directed by Son Hyeong-seok, written Kim Soo-eun, and features Lee Si-young, Kim Young-kwang, Kim Tae-hoon, Kim Seul-gi, Key, and Choi Moo-sung.