Title: 너도 인간이니? | Neodo Inganini? | Are You Human Too?
Genre: Science Fiction | Mystery | Romance
Episodes: 36
Broadcast Network: KBS2
Broadcast Period: June 4, 2018 to August 6, 2018
Synopsis:
Nam Shin is the grandson of a rich and powerful technological corporation, PK Group. Oh Ro-Ra, his mother, who is a genius AI scientist is unacceptable to his grandfather to be his father’s wife. When he was still young at the time his father msteriously died, he and her mother were forcefully separated by his powerful grandfather. Oh Ro-Ra in despair escaped in Czech Republic. She missed her son so much that she built a child-like robot who looks exactly like her son and continuous to develop the robot till adulthood. All is well until her real son, Nam Shin came to Czech Republic and try to find her. An attempt of his life led him into a coma and Nam Shin III, the adult robot, took over Nam Shin’s life in South Korea to protect his position in the Corporation. Nam Shin III ended up meeting a spunky bodyguard, Kang So-Bong, a former MMA fighter who likes to earn an extra buck and is not afraid to break the rules. Initially, it was tenuous relationship between Nam Shin III and Kang So-Bong until feelings flourishes between them but the challenge of dealing with one is human and that the other is a robot made their journey to be together difficult.
Characters:
- Seo Kang Joon as Nam Shin | Nam Shin III
- Oh Han Kyul as Younger Nam Shin | Nam Shin I
- Lee Joo Chan as Teen Nam Shin | Nam Shin II
- Gong Seung Yun as Kang So Bong
- Lee Joon Hyuk as Ji Young Hoon
- Park Hwan Hee as Seo Ye Na
- Kim Sung Ryung as Oh Ro Ra
- Yoo Oh Sung as Seo Jong Gil
- Park Young Kyu as Nam Gun Ho
- Choi Duk Moon as David
- Kim Hye Eun as Nam Ho Yun
- Seo Eun Yool as No Hee Dong
- Kim Won Hae as Kang Jae Shik
- Kim Hyun Sook as Reporter Jo
- Oh Hee Joon as Jo In Tae
- Cha Yup as Robocop
- Chae Dong Hyun as Go Chang Jo
- Cha In Ha as Hwang Ji Yong
- Jo Jae Ryong as Secretary Park
- Choi Byung Mo as Choi Sang Kook
- Oh Ui Shik as Cha Hyun Joon
- Choi Dae Hoon as PK Group Security Team Leader
- Huh Young Ji as Yun Ye In
- Kim Seung Soo as Nam Jung Woo
My Review:
I watched this k-drama because I was interested to see how different or similar it is on one of my favorite underrated k-drama “I’m Not A Robot”. Because both k-dramas are about robots, I felt that I should review this k-drama by comparing the 2. It is the first time I will do something like this in my review but I felt it will be more interesting to do it so.
So, What are the similarities between “I’m Not A Robot” versus “Are You Human Too?”
(1) Both the lead actors have delivered their roles very well. Yoo Seung-Ho as Kim Min-Kyu and Seo Kang Joon as Nam Shin and Nam Shin III have transitioned into their different personalities successfully distinguishing one from the other. Though with Kim Min-Kyu, as he outgrows his health issue and pain from being abandoned and distrust to people as human he naturally learns how to love. While with Seo Kang Joon is playing both the human and robot Nam Shin with totally different characteristics. There’s difficulty in the writer to stay true to the characteristics of the robot not being able to feel.
(2) The leading ladies, Chae Soo-Bin as Jo Ji-A or Aji 3 and Gong Seung Yun as Kang So Bong are both charming in their own way in portraying their roles. They are both cute, although, Chae Soo-Bin feels more feminine both the real and reel than Gong Seung Yun, whose chaaracter in this k-drama is more assertive and physically stronger. They also both have chemistry with their leading men.
(3) Both of the k-dramas’ heart of the story is a human being falling in love with a robot. However, in “I’m Not A Robot”, it was really just technical because Jo Ji-A is a human being pretending to be Aji 3 robot and Kim Min-Kyu actually truly fell in love with Jo Ji-A and not really a robot. Unlike this k-drama that Kang So Bong really fell in love with Nam Shin III and not the human Nam Shin.
(4) In both k-dramas, the existence of having the robot in the life of the character is due to loneliness and in need of someone to love. However, on this k-drama, it is the longing of the mother of Nam Shin that made her create the robot while in “I’m Not A Robot”, Kim Min-Kyu bought the rights of Aji 3 development because of his inner need of a companion in his lonely life.
(5) Both k-dramas have good OST that allows the story to be enhanced rather be a distraction.
What is the Difference of the 2 K-Dramas and is “Are You Human Too?” better than “I’m Not A Robot”?
(1) Ironically, even with the solid script of “I’m Not A Robot”, it didn’t par well in ratings in comparison to this k-drama, “Are You Human Too?”, that got higher ratings at nearly 10% nationwide in South Korea even, in my humble opinion, with an unbelievable and messy script. It is probably because the optics of this k-drama is far superior as its production invested so much to make this happen. On special effects, this k-drama excels than “Im’ Not A Robot” and probably one of the reasons why the audience especially sci-fi enthusiasts preferred watching this. Though, I appreciated it but it really isn’t something that can waive my dissatisfaction on how this k-drama was written.
(2) In “I’m Not A Robot”, the fantasy was explained logically but in this k-drama the fantasy is on top of another fantasy. Why? One, the logistics and practical necessities are so far out on this k-drama, “Are You Human Too?”. Just the creation of Nam Shin 1 in 1998 that truly looks like a child is already so far out. And, even with the help of David and the money coming from a backer (I won’t mention here who, so, as not to ruin the surprise while you’re watching it), the probability is really way, way, way down to zero. Oh Ro Ra is also both software and hardware genius? Not to mention, the time frame the robots are built. Maybe the title should be “Are You A Robot Too?” for Oh Ro Ra. Second, the abilities of Nam Shin III like being able to eat or be in water are again something so hard to accept in a fantasy trying to show certain level of realism to the audience. Notwithstanding the ending, where he shed a tear. Third, the love angle. Okay, I can accept that Kang So Bong fell in love with a robot. But, we all know that physical intimacy is also part of a romantic relationship. Every time Kang So Bong and Nam Shin III kisses, I can’t help but wonder what’s really inside Nam Shin III’s mouth. Don’t tell me there’s a tongue and the whole shebang of oral cavity parts there? What about reproductive parts of a man? As I’ve mentioned on One, the practical necessities like this makes the love story of Kang So Bong and Nam Shin III an almost impossible foregone conclusion of having happily ever after. This doesn’t even mention Nam Shin III’s need of maintenance considering its creator will not be able to do it and David will not live forever as well.
(3) The development and flow of the story of this K-Drama, although, charming to watch because of Seo Kang Joon is not as good as “I’m Not A Robot”. “I’m Not A Robot” has depth in its concept because of its characters and the journey of Kim Min-Kyu in loving on someone whom he thought is a robot and deciding to let go while on the other hand, Jo Ji-A’s difficulty of loving a man who thought her as a robot.
(4) The confusion of the writer and the director of whether Nam Shin III is really a robot or not because Nam Shin III keeps on saying he doesn’t feel yet in every conflict Seo Kang Joon has to act Nam Shin III like he actually feels. This difference with “I’m Not A Robot” is very distinct and much appreciated. Thus, there’s no confusion on how Chae Soo-Bin should act when she’s Jo Ji-A and when she’s Aji 3.
I really don’t put a lot of credence in ratings, so, even if this k-drama did well in ratings, I can honestly say, hands down, I will prefer the way “I’m Not A Robot” tackled this sci-fi fantasy concept of a robot a lot, lot, lot better.
Would I recommend this K-Drama? It is okay.
My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 3/5 Stars
OST:
01. Tell Me – Kim Na Young
Play Me:
02. Love – LYn | Han Hae
Play Me:
03. Who Are You? – Red Hair Ann
04. The Longing Dance – Im Ji Eun
05. Heart – 2BIC
06. Is This Love? – VIXX
07. For The First Time – Gilgubongu
08. In Your Eyes – Yong Zoo | Yezi of Fiestar
09. Milagro – Im Ji Eun
10. Why Do We – DMEANOR
11. You Are My Love – Seo Kang Joon
For Lyrics in English, Romanization and Hangul, CLICK HERE