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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Who Are You - School 2015" Episode 13

The explanation behind Eun-byeol's disappearance is both more simple and more complicated than what I was expecting. This is mainly a function of a few plot holes in Eun-byeol's plan which may or may not be addressed. Overall it's not really a big deal. The important, quickly established information is simply that the main plot has been resolved, so how are the characters supposed to deal with the aftermath?

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At first it seems as if Eun-byeol will get away with everything scot-free. The regular So-yeong confrontation this episode takes on a much more aggressive turn, because unlike Eun-bi, Eun-byeol has zero fear that she'll be outed. Eun-bi's shy mannerisms may have been a bit of a giveaway, but Eun-byeol quickly makes a point of being fierce and aggressive, be it with friends or anyone else. It's easy to see how Eun-byeol gained such a fearsome reputation at school. This is not a girl you can push around.

I'm really glad to see Eun-byeol show up in part because it really shows off Kim So-hyun's range. Eun-bi and Eun-byeol really are completely different people, in spite of their identical appearance. Where Eun-bi has been constantly worrying about hurting the feelings of her classmates, Eun-byeol just takes it for granted that everything should go her way. As we've seen with So-yeong, this kind of arrogance is very much a weakness. It makes Eun-byeol incapable of subtlety.

Tae-kwang also gets high marks here. The hairdo makes him look briefly unrecognizable, but of course this is the same Tae-kwang we've always known and loved. He really is capable of acting nobly when the situation calls for it, even if he acts like a jerk most of the time. Tae-kwang really just needs his energy properly redirected. I especially loved all the scenes where he interacts with Eun-bi's old life. It's surprising how well Tae-kwang fits into an environment that's pretty much the exact opposite of his upbringing.

The drmaatic beats are tense and tough to miss. In addition to the usual tough cliffhanger "Who Are You - School 2015" gives us frequent hints that schemes can only go so far. It's not a matter of all's well that ends well. People don't like being manipulated and the paper trail just keeps getting worse and worse. Prosecutor Kang is misjudging his position. At best all he and So-yeong are going to do is take Eun-byeol down with them.

Review by William Schwartz

"Who Are You - School 2015" is directed by Baek Sang-hoon and Kim Seong-yoon, written by Kim Hyeon-jeong-II and Kim Min-jeong-II, and features Kim So-hyun, Nam Joo-hyuk, Yook Sung-jae, Lee Pil-mo, Lee David, Kim Hee-jung-I and more.

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