Title: 라이어 게임 | Raieo Geim |
Genre: Thriller | Suspense
Episodes: 12
Broadcast Network: TvN
Broadcast Period: 20 October – 18 November 2014
Synopsis:
The characters of the story revolves around in a reality game called Liar Game playing with high stakes of money. The contestants need to use smart strategies which involves mainly one to lie, deceive, steal and get the better of another. The participants are interesting characters with the common thread of needing much money to save themselves from dire situations thus are desperate enough to do anything to win. One of the favorites, Nam Da-Jung, a pretty young lady who is honest, naive and totally opposite for what one needs in order to win the game, became a contestant because, she, unbeknownst to her was manipulated to join the game. She was motivated to do the game in order for her to be with her father. She’s been surviving the game through the help of two very unexpected characters, Ha Woo-Jin, a genius and talented Psychology Professor who went to prison for manipulating the stock market of L Company to avenge the death of his mother. He has this unique ability to detect whether the person is lying or not, assess immediately the situation for what it truly is and brilliantly implement a plan to get the desired result. And, Jo Dal-Gu, a loan shark, who instead of collecting money from Nam Da-Jung to pay for his father’s debt ends up protecting her both inside and outside the game. The Liar Game was created by a cunning man, Kang Do-Young, who is manipulating the entire game and its participants in order to achieve his own hidden agenda.
Characters:
- Kim So-Eun as Nam Da-Jung
- Lee Sang-Yoon as Ha Woo-Jin
- Shin Sung-Rok as Kang Do-Young
- Choi Yoon-So as Goo Ja-Young
- Kim Young-Ae as Woo-Jin’s Mother
- Jo Jae-Yoon as Jo Dal-Gu
- Um Hyo-Sup as Da-Jung’s Father
- Kang Min-Kyung as Sung-Ja
- Cha Soo-Yeon as Lee Yoon-Joo
- Choi Jin-Ho as Director Jang
- Kim Ik-Tae as Hyun Jung-Beom
- Lee El as Oh Jung-Ah | Jamie
- Jang Seung-Jo as Kim Bong-Geun
- Lee Si-Hoo as Choi Sung-Joon
- Lee Jun-Hyeok as Criminal
- Lee Kyu-Bok as President Bae
- Lee Cheol-Min as Bulldog
- Lee Hae-Yeong as Lawyer
My Review:
I have seen this K-Drama in 2014 and repeated to watch it again several months ago, so, I can do this review. It was as good as it was when I first saw it. There’s a reason why there’s a big following all over the world for K-Dramas and why there are K-addicts like me and this K-Drama’s execution and style is one of the reasons why. Although, this was based on a manga series written by Shinobu Kaitani from Japan published in 2005, this K-Drama was able to successfully translated what was written into the screen so brilliantly. Moreover, having only 12 episodes made the entire journey of watching it easy and much pleasurable because there’s no wasted scenes that’s not critical for the audience to see in order to understand. The games done are also exciting and made me really feel I am a real part of the live audience of the reality game show.
So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?
(1) The actors are so good in portraying their characters notwithstanding getting the treat of watching Lee Sang-Yoon, whom I like so much as a lead actor ever since I’ve watched him in Angel Eyes. All of them have truly done an amazing job to make this K-Drama so delightful to watch. However, I must say, I find Jo Jae-Yoon as Jo Dal-Gu shine more among all the rest. He made being a loan shark likeable and was able to humanised him even if he is a goon.
(2) The story was tightly written and executed with no boring moments. It is as suspenseful as it was when I first saw it in 2014 especially since there are some scenes I’ve already forgotten, so, it was really like watching it for the first time.
(3) I am beginning to like K-Dramas that are not produced in very long episodes. It challenges the writer and the director to make it concise yet not to affect the quality of its delivery. And, I get to do some other things and not spend too many hours of my life watching dramas and missing out living my own. After all, I’m doing this for free and just for my own stress-relief.
(4) Almost all the questions in my mind when I’m still trying to figure out some scenes were answered by the K-Drama with logical basis on it.
(5) The set and the creativity of the games were quite engaging with philosophical overtones which I always love. It brings value to the time one spent in entertaining oneself via cinema when there’s also a message one can learn and think about. It becomes both entertaining as well as educational.
What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?
Although, it was only after it was fully shown that this K-Drama created a buzz, this K-Drama is quite perfect in my book, so, I do hope tvN will do a second season. Having said that, I have 2 comments that is in NO way affects its brilliance.
(1) The games are interesting but, some, I get confuse because some have certain complexity that gets lost during translation especially the final game. But, I get the hang of it after the 2 rounds.
(2) It was never answered what’s the point of killing the other contestants who got eliminated.
Would I recommend this K-Drama? 100% A Definite Yes.
My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 5/5 Stars
OST:
01. Liar – Dear Cloud
02. Mask – Gyun Woo (견우) of M Signal (M시그널)
03. Where Are We? – Joo Hee of 8Eight (에이트)