Title: 시티헌터 | City Hunter
Genre: Action | Drama
Episodes: 20
Broadcast Network: SBS
Broadcast Period: May 25 – July 28, 2011
Synopsis:
Lee Yoon-Sung is handsome, smart and rich guy who works at the intelligence department of the Blue House. Women loves him and men envies him but what they don’t know is that he had a difficult past and has an even deeper secret. He was brought up in the jungles of Thailand by a military man whom he thought was his father. He was trained to be a fighter and be good at everything he does without receiving any kind of love from a mother whom he was told abandoned him and an adopted father whose main goal in life is to seek revenge to the people who caused the death of his best friend and 19 other soldiers in defending Korea in a secret military mission. He forced his anger and desire for revenge to Lee Yoon-Sung. And, against all odds, Lee Yoon-Sung though willing to avenge his adopted father, wants to seek it through justifiable means inspired by the one woman he ever fell in love with, Kim Na-Na. He became the infamous City Hunter, who fights for justice and exposes the corruption and evilness of the men who caused the death of his biological father. However, in doing so, it may end the love he has been seeking for all his life.
Characters:
- Lee Min-Ho as Lee Yoon-Sung | Poochai
- Park Min-Young as Kim Na-Na
- Lee Joon-Hyuk as Kim Young-Joo
- Kim Sang-Joong as Lee Jin-Pyo
- Kim Sang-Ho as Bae Man-Duk | Bae Shik-Joong
- Hwang Sun-Hee as Jin Sae-Hee
- Goo Ha-Ra as Choi Da-Hye
- Chun Ho-Jin as Choi Eung-Chan
- Park Sang-Min as Park Mu-Yeol
- Kim Mi-Sook as Lee Kyung-Hee
- Lee Seung-Hyung as Song Young-Duk
- Yang Jin-Sung as Shin Eun-Ah
- Lee Kwang-Soo as Ko Ki-Joon
- Jung Joon as Kim Sang-Gook
- Lee Hyo-Jung as Lee Kyung-Wan
- Choi Jung-Woo as Chun Jae-Man
- Choi Il-Hwa as Kim Jong-Shik
- Choi Sang-Hoon as Seo Yong-Hak
- Min Young-Won as Min-Hee
- Yoon Ye-Hee as Mrs. Yong
- Kim Byung-Choon as Jang Woo-Hyun
- Shin Young-Jin as Kim Mi-Ok
- Chae Sang-Woo as Young Puchai
My Review:
I have watched this K-Drama 3x. First, after a few days of its end run in 2011, the 2nd is 2 years back and the 3rd is done recently in a 2 day binge to do this review. I must say it certainly didn’t bore me every time I watched it. In all 3x I’ve seen it, I didn’t feel the urge to even fast forward it or feel stupid that I spent time watching it in probably a total of 7 days of my life span. For some reason, the feeling that it is good remains in my head but for some reason or another I can’t totally remember the story unlike my other all time k-drama favourites. Maybe because it deals more on the political and legal corruption in a Korean society set-up and the twists to achieve revenge to certain characters. Having said that, it is done generally well and all the actor gave their best to deliver a great action-packed k-drama. Although, I’m not much into Lee Min-Ho, he certainly leaves a mark here on this K-Drama but for me, more so on these 3 actors, Lee Joon-Hyuk as Kim Young-Joo, Kim Sang-Ho as Bae Man-Duk or Bae Shik-Joong and Hwang Sun-Hee as Jin Sae-Hee. They made the entire story have more depth, give a bit of humour and assuage the tragedies with compassion, respectively. Salute!
So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?
(1) The problem with certain K-Dramas are the details to make the entire story plausible but this K-drama is an exception to the rule. Indeed this K-Drama took some time to provide the necessary logistics and details. The moment I asked about the questions after the ending of episode 1 regarding citizenship, passport and the very basic things to be someone else, this K-Drama took time to briefly give those answers and done it successfully. However, there’s always one flaw that you can find in all K-Dramas wherein they have difficulty to surmount is language barrier, that is if the actor playing the character cannot speak English and the character’s background is supposedly from the US or grew up from another country. Everyone knows that when you grow up in a different country even if your parents are Korean and they speak to you in Korean, you will never be able to speak the language in an accent exactly the same as those native from that country unless you have the special talent which seems to be not the case in regards to Poochai.
(2) I like that the character of Kim Na Na. She’s is strong and really capable to do things for herself. She’s girl power even if her name sounds ridiculous.
(3) I like the fight scenes and action sequences. It made it exciting to watch.
(4) I like that there are unexpected surprises whether tragic or happy. It really dealt with issues in real life and the cruelty of life.
(5) I appreciate that all my questions in regards to the motivations of each characters have been answered in the end, however, the ending seems to be hurried and left a taste of bit disappointment especially in not giving to the audience what they’ve been waiting for after 20 long episodes, a spectacular reunion between the lovers.
What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?
(1) It has certain flaws but none more frustrating than the level leading to stupidity of how their secret service handles protection like in episode 4. After informing their clients to dock, she didn’t even protect herself. And, he was so fast, faster even the bullet triggered that he had the time to switch off all the lights and be able to save her.
(2) Sometimes expediency in the delivery makes the story suffer. Like how can the national security system of their blue house allows someone to go back to the job and work at the same department that this person used to hack the system for his own benefit? Isn’t that the cardinal sin?
(3) One of the tell tale signs of being a great actor is to stay in the character even if the focus of the scene is not you. Same goes for the director who’s main job is not only make the drama entertaining but more or less be realistic. How can a limp person go up the stairs with no signs of limping at all? Why place your actual address in your application when you are trying to hide something? You can’t possibly break a car window without damaging your hands unless your Superman, isn’t it?
(4) I don’t understand these sacrifices of not being together so one can be safe. Because even if they are doing the sacrifice of not being together it seems both of them are not safe and one will still sacrifice his/her life to save the other. So, what’s all this nonsense then?
Would I recommend this K-Drama? Yes
My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 5/5 Stars
OST:
01. Sarang – Yim Jae-Beom
Play Me:
02. So Goodbye – Kim Jonghyun
03. It’s Alright – Yang Hwa-jin
04. Cupid – Girl’s Day
05. Cupid (Acoustic Version) – Girl’s Day
06. Cupid (Instrumental) – Various Artists
07. Morning Garden – Various Artists
08. Dead or Alive – Various Artists
09. Sad Run – Various Artists
10. Middle Point Symphony – Various Artists
11. Nice Play – Various Artists
12. Red Water – Various Artists
13. Suddenly – Kim Bo-kyung
15. City Hunter” (Instrumental) – Various Artists
16. Aria of the City (Instrumental) – Various Artists
17. Nana’s Theme (Instrumental) – Various Artists
18. Glory of the City (Instrumental) – Various Artists
19. Mama’s Crying (Instrumental) – Various Artists
20. I Only Look At You – Gyuri
21. You and I – Rainbow
22. Can’t Stop – Son Han-Byeol
23. I Love You, I Want You, I Need You – Apple Mango
24. I Love You, I Want You, I Need You (Sweet Acoustic Version) – Hara
For Lyrics in English, Romanization and Hangul, CLICK HERE