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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Two Weeks" Final Episode 16

The final episode of "Two Weeks" deals with crime and punishment. In terms of bringing the villains to justice, it's pretty much just stock action stuff. There are well-designed setpieces, and a bit of questionable story logic because Tae-san decides to involve himself. Obviously, Il-seok and Seo-hee are never going to stop trying to kill Tae-san, but still. As the opening title states, this is the day of the operation. Although I guess conceivably at this point Tae-san could still make the transplant even as a corpse.

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Where the theme gets into much more interesting territory is with all the characters who aren't villains. Just as the last episode clearly spelled out the relationship between Seong-woo and Soo-jin, this one answers all the unanswered questions about Seong-woo and In-hye. And even though his character isn't in heavy focus, it's an incredibly strong moment of emotional honesty that I wasn't expecting. I think that I (just like Seong-woo) assumed that this relationship was supposed to adhere to certain cliches, and finding out that it doesn't but this is still totally OK really strikes a chord.

I really love the way this drama defines masculinity. We saw it from the very first episode, where Tae-san's sexuality is clearly telegraphed as one of his more destructive traits. All throughout the drama, we've been given reminders that what makes Tae-san valuable as a person, what makes his life worth living, is not his ability to be a macho bully but his willingness to get in touch with his emotions, step up, and do the right thing.

And that's entirely how the episode concludes, with an extended look into who Tae-san was and how he has to make up for that. It's surprisingly touching- I was expecting a more conventionally happy ending, but the drama never stops reminding us that this is just the first part of a longer journey for Tae-san. But that's fine, because he's going to keep trying. He's not going to give up. And he's not doing this for any direct tangible benefit, but because it's the right thing to do.

Similarly, just as Tae-san begins the process of repentance for his past deeds, so do the other characters have to embrace forgiveness- whether it be for themselves or for other people. "Two Weeks" is extremely strong in its broad perspective of how people from all walks and all life philosophies should act- and the finale does excellent work realizing this in a final fully emotional revelation. While the acton in "Two Weeks" may have had its ups and down, the heart of its message remains truly transcendent.

Review by William Schwartz

"Two Weeks" is directed by Son Hyeong-seok, written by So Hyeon-kyeong and features Lee Joon-gi, Kim So-yeon, Ryu Soo-young and Park Ha-sun.

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