Best Combinations in Kdramaland
Oh, so you haven’t started watching 38 Task Force yet? You are missing out, my dear.
I have always been keeping my eyes on currently airing dramas and yet this drama did not appeal to me at first glance. But when I stumbled upon this gem there were only two episodes left -- I came for Seo In Guk, stayed because of the plot. This drama has changed my opinion on OCN dramas and it was just… surprisingly good.
Looking at the poster, it gave me the impression that our Seo In Guk was the Tax Collection Officer and Ma Dong Seok was the con artist due to his tough look. However, this is misleading and to my intrigue, it was the other way around. The drama started out with the introduction of Baek Sung Il’s (Ma Dong Seok) story and his daily routine as tax collector. It was hilarious and saddening at the same time. In addition, it opened my mind on how difficult a public servant’s job can be and how everyone is just struggling hard for their lives.
Our main lead used to be a gangster during his school days, but years of being a tax collector has tamed his fiery personality. Even though I disliked his meek character at first, he gradually attracts me throughout each episode with his tenacity and cuteness. Yep, you did not read it wrong, his awkwardness is just adorable.
Yang Jeung Do (Seo In Guk) appears quite late in the first episode with the usual cool hero entrance – he easily cons several guys while doing other stuff. Despite his cool appearance, he has his own hidden pain to deal with. Moreover, there are some scenes that will make us realize that he has a warm, affectionate side as well.
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While I almost gave in to the urge to drop this drama, since I felt like some scenes were pointless and rather upsetting, the writer threw in a curve ball that completely took me by surprise. My piece of advice: please put away any thoughts of this drama being the cliché bad-guys-conned-rich-people, and justice will prevail easily. The plot is deeper than you expect it to be, with some plot twists that will keep you hooked till the very end. Aside from that, I would like to nitpick a little. This drama lacks side character development and I wish it would have shown more of their stories.
During my watch, I found myself in a dilemma as I could not stand on either side. It’s true that those rich people should have paid taxes properly, but is it appropriate to con them and make them pay? On top of that, when you succeed in to bring one of the rich guys down, there will be someone even higher behind him waiting for you. And at some point, you will realize that the rich guy that was just brought down was relatively powerless, and they had to succumb to some other guy's power.
Well, setting all those thoughts aside, 38 Task Force is be a great suspense drama that will satisfy your need for thrills, and also give you a chance to reflect on some of the issues in our society. Also, enjoy the handsomeness of Seo In Guk ;>
Already watching 38 Task Force? What are your thoughts?
