Live is a perfect depiction of an imperfect country. It addresses heavy, sensitive issues (often taboo subjects in Asian cultures) with authenticity and compassion. For eighteen episodes, an overwhelming snippet of what it is like, and what it means, to be a police officer is shown through the perspectives of veterans and rookies who must tackle anything from everyday crimes to harrowing cases that shake them to the core. An important question arises. Why do they continue to run and risk their lives? Surrounding them are higher-ups who are willing to sacrifice them in a heartbeat and a society that never praises them for the hard, dangerous work they do out in the field but curses them as a whole for individual errors which mass media spreads like wildfire along with misconstrued information. It seems defeating. So, why?

There is so much material to unpack. I never felt like the plot dragged, and there definitely was not a dull moment. Rather on the cases and criminals, there is more of a focus on the ripple effect of a crime. How does it affect the victims and their families? How does society respond and view these victims? How do police officers, whether veteran or rookie, feel as they see these crimes happen day in and day out? I’d put a trigger warning after episode two. A majority of the cases involve sexual assault, rape, and abuse of all types. It is rather graphic, so it may be distressing to see. Its realistic approach shows heinous violence can happen to anyone and anywhere. Oddly enough, I found this drama educational because it touches on conversations, for example, consent, that should be held, especially with parents and their children. I really enjoyed the writing that gives food for thought.

I applaud the cast for their outstanding acting and intense on-screen presence, especially Bae Sungwoo. Their portrayals of ordinary police officers who are simply doing their best to survive and do their job is relatable and realistic. Live continuously reminds us police officers are human beings like you and me. They are daughters and sons to someone, mothers and fathers to others. They are not superheroes who are unperturbed by violence and death. They have weaknesses, too. Not even academy training or decades of experience can completely encase their hearts in stone. I loved how the screenwriter shattered the rookies’ expectations of being a police officer. There is no glory. To wish for a big case to crack in order to achieve merits, it requires a victim, for someone to die or someone to be traumatized. I enjoyed the journey the mentees went through with the help of their mentors who shaped them up to become wiser police officers. I also liked the mini arcs most received because character development is always more than welcomed. I adored the interpersonal relationships among all those in the division. Witnessing the camaraderie slowly built over the duration of the drama warmed my heart. Seeing the officers struggle through the downs of life yet being lifted back up with the help of their fellow colleagues tugged on my heartstrings.

I definitely am someone who watches with my heart rather than brain. Live made me laugh and cry, as I intently followed everyone’s growth. Some parts I simply let pass by with not much thought since I knew they were needed to move the plot and development along. I felt like the police procedures were quite accurate, so there wasn’t anything major to nitpick. The product placements fit well, actually, and I am used to them. With any Korean drama based on crime, I expected the name-calling, boisterous voices, and slapping. These are, I guess, normal when it comes to portraying the police, so they are stuff to keep in mind, if you’ve ever been annoyed with them.

Overall, Live is one of the better ones, of its genre, out there. It shows you the no-frills lives of police officers without mastermind criminals and cat-and-mouse games. I liked how it shined a light on the patrol division, the one that gets to the crime scene first and interacts with the community the most. The officers respond to every single call with the same passion and sense of duty, the very things that may waver when up against the flawed system but remain resilient in the face of protecting their fellow citizens’ lives.