Manual do Presidiário (2017)

Sometimes you need to have a 2nd look before you appreciate wonderful dramas. Though each episode is 1 and a half hour, I've never skip any scenes,I was going in the flow until I realized that it as already end. It was super fun, sad, sympathy is strong here, very memorable story indeed.

Story:10/10
The writer of this Prison Playbook was a genius..every scene was beautifully made.

Characters:20/10
Like the others, I cannot pick who will be my favorite coz everyone was freaking good. from the cellmates, correction officers and the villain gave a wonderful acting skills here... :) even the supporting actors like Joon Ho's brother, The warden(one of my favorite :)) and of course our favorite Lieutenant Paeng!!!!!

Music:10/10
One of the reason why the dark humor was so great in here is because of the background music.. :) Really love it!! :)


Overall it was a fun ride. I watched it after my surgery in my stomach part and it really gives me pain coz I laugh so hard in this one... Magnificent story. One of a kind... You need to watch this guys... :) You will love it... :)

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Almost a perfect show only to be ruined by two things.

this could have been easily of my top 3 favorite kdramas but it left me completely disappointed. i do think it has a probably one the best use of comedy I have seen in kdramas and that's why i was just so mad when i finish it because i cannot call it my favorite comedy kdrama.
one of the two things that took away my enjoyment was the main couple. at first it seemed like some sweet-simple-like-romance until we are told the way they met and that's when it stopped being romantic and become gross. the age gap and the dynamic relationship makes enough for not to like the main character, as he is after all the only guilty in the relationship. i simply tried to ignore him but he is THE main character, which is kinda hard not to notice him.
yet i was ready to be oblivious because my main focus was on looney. and here is where it comes the second thing that annoys me: looney's ending literally ruined everything for me. i mean everyone got if not a happy ending, at least a hopeful ending (captain yoo) but it has to be the gay character who simply couldn't be happy. not only this show had already depicted that the "best" way of dealing with an addicted person was apparently sending them to jail (which it does more harm that good) but at the end we couldn't see him having at least some hopeful ending with his partner. it was honestly just nasty. everything that i have loved of this show (minus the main couple) was simply thrown away by this decision.
and that's why i can't just give it a higher rating.
(sidenote: but they couldn't give us either a gay character to mend their mistakes in hospital playlist?)

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Honestly , I do not recommend this drama to anyone looking for something fun/new to watch. I personally watched it because it had high ratings so I had many expectations from it but I ended up highly disappointed. Prison Playbook was very hard to get into for me. The beginning was extremely stretched out and I was really close to dropping it many times but the characters  were so lovable that I couldn't drop it even though I wanted to.
This drama's strongest point is the relationship between the characters and how it evolved. Seeing the characters bonding was very touching. Unfortunately, that's about it. There are no interesting events happening , no surprises , nothing else to keep the person watching interested. I know for a fact that if I watched this drama while it was still ongoing , I would have dropped it as it's merely a narration of events. The ending was very disappointing for me as there was no closure, just a typical korean drama ending. I still gave it a 6/10 because the acting was just so brilliant and touching that by the end , I felt connected to characters of the show.

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THIS MADE ME WANNA GO TO PRISON!

I had delayed watching this show for a very long time, and I had high expectations. After completing the show, it is safe to say that all my expectations were exceeded. This show is really different compared to the regular shows, so I didn't binge it. I took my sweet time, and it is safe to say that this is one of the best shows I've ever watched. I felt a connection with each and every character, and the show really made me care and root for them. This is probably the best K-drama if you judge based on character depth. The emotional balance and the progression of the story is divine, and the ending is just perfect. Apart from the story and the immaculate casting and acting, one thing that stood out to me was the music. I usually don't like OSTs and Korean music in general, and I find myself cringing most of the times, but of all the K-dramas I've seen, this had the best music by far. I enjoyed almost every song, and the raps were also fire!! This show was really subtle with the romance which was not the main focus, and I really enjoyed that. This show is an absolute gem, and I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND IT TO EVERYONE!!

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Romance ruined it

You know this would be a decent watch BUT they just had to ruin the heck out of it by adding a filler creepy, awkward, meaningless romance. That nobody needed. Especially the main couple like bruh main lead looked like he was with his daughter he looks his age so why do they have to do this to my eyes, the director is one of my favs too i will just pretend that he didn't do this crap and give him redeeming points for reply and hospital series that are masterpieces, if you are considering to watch this just skip skip skip. Oh another thing is the FLs are just there for the romance they don't serve a purpose other than make me annoyed. I would give this a solid 8 minus the romance but I am sorry it ruined it for me so damn much that I had to drop several times, I was watching it while it was airing and I managed to finish it just now. I want to say I would recommend it but honestly no!

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I've picked up this drama because it was one of the popular ones and everyone had only praise to share about it. It did took me a while to finish it, mainly due to the episoded being more than one and a half hour long, when the standard length of a k drama episode is about forty minutes to an hour. The length, fortunately, didn't make it boring or tiring. Though the story was kind of odd at first, as I couldn't make sense of what was happening or why the lead character ended up in prison. Things got clearer after the first episode. The story itself is okay, without too many twists and just enough drama to keep it interesting. It doesn't surprise in containted but, if you love slice of life stories with the comedy element to lighten up the drama, this is a drama for you. Finally, the performances were really good by everyone and the soundtrack just perfect for this drama.

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My standards went high again...

This is the first time I would write a review in here... I've been recommending this to others and even posted a good scenes in YouTube...
I've watched more or less 500 dramas and movies so everything for me became less interesting and exciting. I would fast forward most of the boring scenes just to reach the climax or the end of it, until someone recommended this to me.
I thought it would be a typical crime, thriller drama because of the title and I wonder how this would end up to a comedy tag.
I never regretted that I took time to watch it, I didn't skip any scene nor do fast forward.
Every episodes are worth to watch.
It won't fail to give you a good laugh.
And at the end, your standard on choosing what to watch next would went higher than before. every kdramas would feel a little boring to watch, and it will took you a weeks to move on from this, unless you'll find better than this like GOBLIN...
Believe me, it's worth to spent your precious time...
Less romance, a little thrilling, with a lots of funny and idiotic scenes, that's PRISON PLAYBOOK (The Craziest Squad I've Ever Watched)...

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Prison Playbook is a PERFECT DRAMA! Everything about it is perfect and I can't stress this enough! Let's start with the minor things; the OSTs perfectly suit every moment of this drama, and I guarantee you that you'll add all songs to your playlists. This was probably the funniest drama I've ever watched. There were so many funny scenes in this drama; the writers would squeeze a funny scene every now and then to ease the tension coming from very serious ones. But don't get me wrong, this drama isn't one of the best just because it's funny; this drama is actually perfect because of the seriousness of the whole plot and how it was told and directed. There were no mistakes and I have no complaints regarding how the story was told and how the story was overwhelmingly rich. I'm telling you, EVERY IMPORTANT CHARACTER HAD A BACKSTORY. Everything was just so touching and warm. How can a drama be so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time??

Honestly, I had my doubts going into this drama, as I didn't find the synopsis interesting. But I decided to give it a shot, and right after watching the first episode I immediately knew that I'll add a new drama to my "favorite dramas list". Seriously, give a shot, for sure you won't regret it. Like I haven't said it enough, THIS DRAMA IS PERFECT! If I were to be overly critical and change one thing.......... just watch it yourself, I'm sure everyone would want to change "that" one thing in this drama.

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Emotion. Emotions. Emotional.

Prison Playbook makes you think leaps and bounds about the society of the world which has been structured into the modern day. Okay, well, maybe it's not that deep, but it could be on the perspective. An all-star cast and the chemistry that goes along with it create a spectacular story which will open your hearts and at least open your mind into having a conversation to yourself about the real world. Maybe not ALL prisoners are bad people.

The OST was perfect, it included songs from all different genres and was placed in perfect appropriateness when in-line with scene selection. The rewatch value may be a little high, but thanks to lockdown it has an advantage. Plus, although the episodes are roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes long, it really doesn't feel that way.

I suggest everyone to watch Prison Playbook - that is, of course, if they like amazing dramas.

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BRILLIANT PRISON DRAMEDY!

One of the reasons why I watched this dramedy ahead of the others in my must-watch list is because it’s directed by the same director of REPLY 1988 and HOSPITAL PLAYLIST (1 and 2), both highly rated series.

If we compare REPLY 1988 (2015) with PRISON PLAYBOOK (2017), you’d notice that there’s a big improvement, style-wise. The photography and camera work in this series is superb.

The flashback visual clues are consistent: The screen goes black & white if the scene that follows happened before the current time (whether just minutes ago or years ago). It will turn black & white again to denote the end of a flashback. Yeah, like bookends.

And since it’s from the people who made REPLY 1988, many actors from that 2015 series are also here.

Bear in mind though that this one is a slow burn. Though there are funny and endearing scenes in the initial episodes, I got really hooked starting with EP 4. No turning back from then on. The series actually gets better and better as it nears the finale.

Are prison cells in South Korea really that clean and neat? Well, this is consistent with the theme of the series that a prison is “a place where humans stay” and that it is possible to even thrive there. And that not all folks who are in jail are really bad people; some were framed or were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

This is not for everyone one though. Like REPLY 1988, many found PRISON PLAYBOOK a great series, but some people did not. To each his own taste.

Also, if you’re looking for romantic titillating moments, these are few and far between here. But there’s bromance, if you like that.

In the finale, I missed Looney. Didn’t expect that the penultimate episode was his last. I was kinda hoping that it was just a bad dream – because THAT scene looked kinda dreamy, right? And also, he was so determined to clean up his act. Oh well. I felt sad and disappointed for his ending. Felt sad for his lover and parents, too.

I’m really glad I stayed on and finished this great series. I rate it 10 / 10.

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A Captivating Journey of Redemption: "Prison Playbook"

Rating: ★★★★★ (10/10)

This is my first review, and I couldn't wait to share my thoughts on this drama.

Set in the confines of a correctional facility, "Prison Playbook" takes a refreshingly different approach to the prison genre. Rather than focusing solely on the brutality of incarceration, it delves deep into the lives, struggles, and growth of the inmates, creating a rich tapestry of multifaceted characters that are brought to life by a talented ensemble cast.

The series centers around Kim Je-hyuk, a baseball player who finds himself imprisoned after a regrettable incident. As we follow Je-hyuk's journey, we witness the transformative power of the correctional system on both the inmates and the prison staff. The narrative is expertly crafted, balancing moments of heartwarming camaraderie, intense drama, and even lighthearted humor, creating a seamless blend that keeps viewers engaged throughout.

One of the greatest strengths of "Prison Playbook" lies in its character development. Each inmate and staff member is carefully fleshed out, making it easy to empathize with their struggles and cheer for their growth. The series explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the importance of human connection, all while challenging societal stereotypes surrounding prisoners. The characters' interactions and evolving relationships provide a compelling emotional core that will leave you invested in their fates.

The performances in "Prison Playbook" are nothing short of exceptional. The ensemble cast delivers nuanced portrayals, immersing themselves in their roles with authenticity and depth. Park Hae-soo shines as Kim Je-hyuk, skillfully portraying a wide range of emotions, from despair to resilience. The chemistry between the cast members is palpable, creating a believable camaraderie that adds layers of realism to the narrative.

Additionally, the series benefits from its meticulous attention to detail and its ability to explore the complexities of prison life. It presents a realistic portrayal of the prison system, shedding light on the challenges faced by inmates and the complex dynamics between prisoners and staff. The writing is consistently strong, striking a delicate balance between entertainment and social commentary.



In conclusion, "Prison Playbook" is an outstanding drama that deserves high praise. It weaves a captivating narrative with strong performances, relatable characters, and thought-provoking themes. Whether you're a fan of the prison genre or simply appreciate compelling storytelling, this series is a must-watch. Prepare to be emotionally invested, moved, and enlightened by the power of human resilience and redemption.

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I am SO SO stupid for not having watched it earlier, I thought the story would be boring..... BUT man was I WRONG!!!!! This is easily one of the best (if not the best) Kdrama... no .. actually the best Series I have ever watched till now.

The story:

Very well written! Each and every character had its own backstory, and I am usually the one who skips those scenes because they just feel useless and not contributing to the story at all. But not here. Never have I ever loved the supporting cast that much (Looney I love you!). My only little critic point would be the huge age gap between the ML and FL, but seriously it didnt bother me that much by the end.

The acting:

There is seriously no flaw. Everyone gave their best.



Music: I dont really give that much importance to the OST, so its a neutral rating

Rewatch value: I never rewatch, but I might rewatch this one haha

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