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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Masked Prosecutor" Episode 11

"Masked Prosecutor" is both better and worse this episode. It is very engaging on an emotional level and focuses more on the core relationships in the show rather than the faulted procedural happenings.

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The relationship between Dae-cheol and Min-hee in both of its incarnations is endearing because Min-hee has stopped fighting her feelings for both Dae-cheol and his masked alter ego. I find it difficult to believe that she doesn't recognize Dae-cheol's voice nor his mannerisms when he is masked, especially after such in depth interactions. It's the writer's attempt to prolong the big reveal, but it's losing its potency the longer the farce goes on. At the same time, the interaction opens up Min-hee in a way we haven't seen and makes her more relatable than ever before.

Dae-cheol is still a fascinating character, but he has not been written as clever enough to pull off being an effective prosecutor or superhero. Is constantly errs and doesn't learn. It's such a strange path for him. He deepens emotionally, deals with his mommy issues and his romantic situation, but in terms of avenging his father he doesn't seem to be making much headway. Part of that is due to the weak procedural writing. "Punch - Drama" had similarly twisted villains, but created a riveting drama with strong characters zipping along with the iron-clad plot. Despite the differences in genre between "Punch - Drama" and "Masked Prosecutor", it shows that "Masked Prosecutor" needs better construction with all its legal undertakings.

The humor I so loved at the start of the drama cameo'd briefly in this episode, but it was Sang-take who was the highlight. He is no longer a villain, but a man who is torn between the dark path in life he has chosen and his newfound daughter who has been tainted by his horrible decisions. Jun Kwang-ryul delivers a multilayered performance as a man who is a caring father, but has been so long entrenched in wrongdoing that he may not be able to change. The fact his relationship with his daughter is known makes their interactions very rich. Perhaps the same would hold true if Dae-cheol's identity as the masked avenger were made known to Min-hee.

Dae-cheol's mother is difficult to read in a bad way. She isn't mysterious because of well-planned writing, but because of convoluted writing. The same holds true true for Ri-na. Her battle with Min-hee for Dae-cheol would be so much better had she been written better and developed much earlier on. Or developed at all.

I'm most looking forward to Sang-taek's and Min-hee's relationship taking its course. It's the richest of all the relationships in "Masked Prosecutor".

Written by: Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

"Masked Prosecutor" is directed by Jeon San, written by Choi Jin-won, and features Joo Sang-wook, Kim Sun-a, Uhm Ki-joon, and Jun Kwang-ryul.

 

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