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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Masked Prosecutor" Episode 6

"Masked Prosecutor" has such potential that it is not living up to. Dae-cheol hides behind his mask because he feels impotent as a prosecutor. The story is about how he grows up. Min-hee also hides behind a less literal mask, one of a driven, hard woman who works for justice and who leaves little time for herself to be happy.

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Neither of these characters are compellingly written. They are both lackluster. The only reason Dae-cheol is so fascinating is because of Joo Sang-wook's layered performance. He carries the story, which is unfortunate. He should be swept along with the story, but it cannot keep up with him. Surprisingly, neither can Kim Sun-a. She's usually such a powerful presence on screen, but here she is stiff, unyielding and shows little depth. Yes, her character is all of those things, but an actor's job is show what writhes beneath. I rarely see that in this performance save when Min-hee is feeling amorous. Hopefully now that she has seen Dae-cheol's wall that maps out the incidents in his father's unfortunate life she will become more involved and therefore a more engaging character. Perhaps that will inspire Kim's performance.

Also, all of the legal work and the police work is haphazard. Cases develop by necessity rather than becoming a driving force. The group of prosecutors that plot for power like an Evil league of Evil is laughable. Such gathering are found in every political drama set in ancient to modern times, but this one is particularly absurd and poorly driven. The fact that it is lacking means that those doing battle against it have little substance to fight against. It's wonderful that Dae-cheol is now working with Ri-na's minister father and being forced to do battle plain-faced and with his powers as a prosecutor. Dae-cheol needs to start to realize that he has powers beyond brutality and intimidation. I just wish he had a better-written and more compelling enemy.

Hyeon-woong is also a confusing character. "Masked Prosecutor" lacks clarity in its writing. Clarity differs from mystery in that mystery means one can see that the show has a goal in mind, the viewer just doesn't know what that goal may be. A lack of clarity means that one has no idea what's going on. That's how Hyeon-woong's character is shaping up. I think he may soon face the age old dilemma: family versus justice. But maybe he won't.

The transition from opening material and setup has been rocky, but perhaps it will even out as the drama chugs along. I'm an optimist.

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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