Title: 실종느와르 | Siljongneuwareu M | Missing Noir M
Genre: Crime | Drama
Episodes: 10
Broadcast Network: OCN
Broadcast Period: March 28 to May 30, 2015

Synopsis:

A special group was created to investigate and solve crimes that is heinous missing cases and highly sensitive to be handled by the regular police force. It is a small group which was headed by Gil Soo-Hyun, considered a genius, studied at Harvard University, graduated early and became a part of NASA and ended up at FBI. Oh Dae-Young, on the other hand, is a hands-on detective and continues to try to be the best as he can be. He reads the law books on the side to be better detective. Jin Seo-Joon is a young and talented IT who helps their group to analyze and interpolate evidence. Kang Joo-Young is their forensic pathologist. And, lastly, the person responsible in forming the group, Park Jung-Do.

Characters:

• Kim Kang-Woo as Gil Soo-Hyun
• Park Hee-Soon as Oh Dae-Young
• Jo Bo-Ah as Jin Seo-Joon
• Kim Kyu-Chul as Park Jung-Do
• Park So-Hyun as Kang Joo-Young
• Kang Ha-Neul as Lee Jung-Soo on Episode 1-2
• Ko Bo-Gyeol as Kang Soon-Young on Episode 1-2
• Jung Woo-Sik as Kang Min-chul | Joseph Joo on Episode 2
• Ryu Tae-Ho as Kim Seok-Gyu on Episode 2
• Lee Seung-Hyung as Kim Seok-Jin on Episode 2
• Park Hae-Joon as Ha Tae-Jo on Episode 3-4
• Son Jong-Hak as Ryu Jung-Gook on Episode 3-4
• L. Joe as Yang Jeong-Ho on Episode 7
• Dean Dawson as The Man on Episode 10

My Review:

I have seen already a couple of K-Drama from OCN and like TvN, it produces uniquely quality K-Dramas. They may not be the typical romcom I love but, even if I am a romcom gal, I can’t deny great productions when I see one. Just like Vampire Prosecutor, this K-Drama shows different cases in 1 to 2 episodes and all are riveting and captivating. The cases are exceptionally well written and intricately thought out. When I get to see productions like this wherein it is story-driven rather than commercially-driven, I get to appreciate talent in its purest sense. This K-Drama didn’t waste any second from start to end to deliver such impressive stories within the stories of the lead characters. It is like watching a movie every case they had. And, in my mind, even if it is most of the time dark and sad, it is one hell of an entertainment on its own rights.

So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?

(1) I love each story or case they handled. Can’t help but cry on Episode 7. It is totally heart wrenching. It made me appreciate so much of my life and people like me is so bless with such mundane problems, so, shouldn’t complain about nonsensical stuff. The world is indeed cruel and sometimes those who are bless to have a safe and loving home forget that. This K-Drama especially on Episode 7 reminds me to be thankful of what I have.

(2) The script is so wonderfully written, directed to be shown by such brilliance and acted by actors with superb talents including each and every guest stars. I specially like what Oh Dae-Young said, “That the thing called law is in the end something people make and rather than the law, it seems like the people who handle the law might be more important. But, the ones above the law, how are we supposed to catch them?” Such a profound insight. Salute to Yoo-jin Lee!

(3) This K-Drama, although, shows the harshest realities of life, it didn’t make an excuse nor pretend what is not. It doesn’t cut corners just so it will appease the audience of a happily ever after. I, for one, don’t like too much reality but unlike “The Secret Love Affair” that’s just simply dark and a bit pretentious because it skids around the corners and uses other stuff to deal with sex which is supposedly its topic, with this K-Drama, however, it is remains true blue on its genre. Its stories are cruel and shows evil in this world yet the director achieved in creating it palatable enough that you get intensely involved in the story. This is one of the best if not the best detective K-Drama I’ve seen. It reflects human frailty but at the same time goodness, thus, delivers certain hope. I’m sad that it got low ratings because I believe the kind of quality entertainment shouldn’t be base on commercialism but content and manner it was done to give its message.

(4) This K-Drama didn’t use any other elements to make it more interesting such as being supernatural because the stories are interesting in themselves. Although, it is a crime and police drama, and a serious one, it is one of the few that at least show a realistic view of police procedures. Of course, corruption is there but much are given to provide a modicum of professionalism in the aspect of investigation. Something that irks me to no end in a lot of police drama.

(5) For a non romcom story, surprisingly I love the OST. It is not music you would like to hear to be entertained and be relaxed but it truly works with the scenes. It is not too overpowering that obviously there to scare or make you feel certain emotions but it blends with the scene with enough dose to naturally just provoke you to feel these varying emotions that the scenes are trying to deliver.

What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?

It is indeed rare to find fault on a K-Drama that was brilliantly done, however, again it has the element that totally irks me when they provide background of the character that lived most of his life in the US. No matter how much your family brings you up to know the language that you originally came from, when you grew up in a foreign land, your thoughts and the way you speak will be like where you actually grew up in. It is simply innate and even if the person is a genius, he/she can probably pretend to be a native in his/her homeland but when you think or utter words in your thoughts, you will do it in the language where you actually grew up. I just wish K-Dramas would stop using this characterization when their actor obviously can’t pull off speaking the English language. If the intention is to provide believable credentials to the character, then, have the actor be trained first to speak the English language to make it believable for heaven’s sake or just not use this credential at all. My second gripe is that if this won’t get a second season just like Vampire Prosecutor Season 2, I’m really stoked with why OCN keeps on ending their great productions this way. In the end, I can forgive the former mistake but if OCN will do the latter, then I am totally disappointed for the OCN’s stupidity of not appreciating probably one of the best K-Drama ever.

Would I recommend this K-Drama? A Definite 100% Yes. If I can rate more than 5 I will.

My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 5/5 Stars

OST:
01. Lucid Dream – Kim Yoon Ah (김윤아) feat. Olltii (올티)
Play Me:

02. Was Justice Delivered – No Hyung Woo
03. The Beginning – Ma Sang Woo
04. Puzzle – No Hyung Woo
05. The Box of Pandora – Ma Sang Woo
06. Detective Oh – No Hyung Woo
07. The Kidnap – Ma Sang Woo
08. Anybody There – Ma Sang Woo
09. He Did It Again – No Hyung Woo
10. Gil Soo Hyun:Finding Way – No Hyung Woo
11. Time Limit – Ma Sang Woo
12. Gil Soo Hyun:Gazing in the Dark– No Hyung Woo
13. Tell Me Why – Lee Tae Hyun
14. The Sound of Silence – Lee Tae Hyun
15. Labyrinth – No Hyung Woo
16. Dead End – No Hyung Woo
17. Brainstorming – Ma Sang Woo
18. Law and Justice – Joo In Ro
19. Classified Information – Ma Sang Woo
20. Memory of Murder – No Hyung Woo
21. Gil Soo Hyun:Insomnia– No Hyung Woo
22. Intended Disappearance – Joo In Ro
23. Detective Oh:Struggle – No Hyung Woo
24. Good Detective – Ma Sang Woo
25. Message From The Suspect – Ma Sang Woo
26. Time to Choose – No Hyung Woo
27. Need Help – Ma Sang Woo
28. Something to Talk About – No Hyung Woo
29. Sacrifice – Ma Sang Woo
30. This is Personal – No Hyung Woo
31. Duel – No Hyung Woo
32. Memories – Joo In Ro
33. Story of the Victim – No Hyung Woo
34. Way Back – Ma Sang Woo
35. Was Justice Delivered – No Hyung Woo

For Lyrics in English, Romanization and Hangul, CLICK HERE