POPCORNX Review: AWAKEN (Ep1-6) *Minor Spoilers Ahead!
UPDATED: I complete my review of AWAKEN HERE for Ep7-16 *SPOILERS AHEAD
I struggled to provide a definitive description for this series, with the "official synopsis" given being a practical description of the show yes, while AsianWiki labelled this as "Romance / Thriller" ... but it has grown to encompass a bit more than the usual cops-n-serial-murders fare.
As of Episode 6, there is an element of "super powers" involved, the words "mutants" aptly evoked (without the need for super-hero spandex), and what I feel to be a general misdirection overcast, blinding the viewers (aka "myself") deliberately (as it is also oft mentioned in the show itself), which attempts (I feel) to cross over the 4th wall, in terms of story telling ... or am I over-thinking it all?
Here is the synopsis (stated on VIU.com, for which I am currently watching the series, having the month of December opened for FREE VIEWING :p):
The main protagonist played by Namgung Min (@min_namkoong / I came here because of "Hot Stove League") is somewhat charismatic in the portrayal of "Do Jung-Woo" = whom is a mixed-bag of "genius" and "dangerous", and sometimes even "smarmy" = all of which leads me to think HE is the one with "Dissociative Identity Disorder" - having the need to evoke certain aspects of his "personality", an example being him donning glasses to be able to draw something/someone in the earlier episodes, and drawn exceedingly well too. If fact, I think he has multiple personalities within him, which manifests in his expressions and reactions to different people.
IF he has "powers" - be it telepathically, or telekinetic, or even being able to absorb the personalities of other folks (whom I suspect to be either the dead 7 survivors, or the multiple children who died at White Night Village labs), then this show will take a sinister turn that needs another one(s) with powers to counter his, IMHO.
The other two primary protagonists are "Jamie Leighton" (played by Lee Chung-Ah @leechungah - loved her in "VIP", but not the show itself), and "Gong/Kong Hye-Won" (played by Seol Hyun, from AOA / "Ace of Angels" girl group).
And while Gong Hye-Won is resistant to acknowledging her liking Do Jung-Woo, her father has shown to be apart of the shenanigans from Jung-Woo's past, and up to no specific good in the present. Was Hye-Won included in the force to be a "mole"?
The existence of "Moon Jae-Woong" (played by Yoon Sun-Woo), while seemingly not immediately connected to the White Night Village (thus far in the story), and what is subsequently done to her, is a very intriguing plot line that needs more explaining, than the misdirection continuingly thrown to us.
Her affection and affliction to the the fourth protagonist, no doubt opens to further exploration, and without a doubt is the OTHER person Jung-Woo has been tracking down.
Put it down to the eternal K-Drama schtick of folks tossing paths but unknown to each others intentions... LOL
All other players - both within the police force, or media - play support roles that help push the story forward, with the exception of characters within the "White Night Foundation" (which includes Hye-Won's father?)
Truth be told, I had grown impatient by Episode Two, but as always if I can get past one episode (I have given up on shows, and still do), I'll stay for Four Episodes, until it either get bored and give up, or be intrigued and invested enough to stay on.
As of this "review", I have since devoured 6 episodes, and have invested interest in finding out how the various threads are tied together, and how the past has and will continue to affect the future.
AWAKEN (낮과 밤) lasts 16 episodes, and airs Monday & Tuesday 21:00 on tvN (4 hour later on Viu), and is scheduled to end "January 19, 2021" (which means I'll have to end up paying fo VIU services if I intend to complete my watch hhhmmm).
Director: Kim Jung-Hyun
Writer: Shin Yoo-Dam
Episode 1: The Forewarned Murders
Jung Woo and his team have been investigating a serial bank robbery case for months, but they’re told to dig into the so-called forewarned murder case. Unwillingly, they go to a club where the forewarned victim is supposed to be. There, they witness a strange suicide case.
Episode 2: The Smiles
Jung Woo decodes the messages that the murderer sent and finds a lead. Jamie joins the team to solve the forewarned murder case, but the team members are hostile towards her. She figures out one common factor among the victims- they were all smiling the moment they died.
Episode 3: The Survivors
Jamie finds Jung Woo suspicious as he seems to be hiding a secret. Despite the events that make Jung Woo suspicious, Hye Won puts her full trust in Jung Woo. Another forewarning arrives, and the victim is said to be Son Min Ho, the former leader of White Night Village.
Episode 4: The Fire
Jung Woo and Jamie find out that they’re both from White Night Village. Jung Woo acts like White Night Village has nothing to do with the forewarned murder cases, but Jamie thinks differently. Meanwhile, a fire breaks out in the villa where Son Min Ho is residing.
Episode 5: The Safe
Jung Woo saves the people who were trapped in the fire and instantly becomes a national hero. Jamie wakes up in the hospital and she’s about to receive treatment by force. Meanwhile, Ji Wook provides an important piece of evidence that proves the culprit is one of the members of the Special Team.
Episode 6: The Mutant
Ji Wook realizes that Son Min Ho is in danger, so he tries to escape from the safehouse with him. However, Jung Woo stops them and attacks Son Min Ho. Jung Woo gets arrested, and he pleads guilty. Meanwhile, Jamie finds out Jung Woo was the one who helped her to get surgery, but she can’t figure out why.
UPDATED: I complete my review of AWAKEN HERE for Ep7-16 *SPOILERS AHEAD
I struggled to provide a definitive description for this series, with the "official synopsis" given being a practical description of the show yes, while AsianWiki labelled this as "Romance / Thriller" ... but it has grown to encompass a bit more than the usual cops-n-serial-murders fare.
As of Episode 6, there is an element of "super powers" involved, the words "mutants" aptly evoked (without the need for super-hero spandex), and what I feel to be a general misdirection overcast, blinding the viewers (aka "myself") deliberately (as it is also oft mentioned in the show itself), which attempts (I feel) to cross over the 4th wall, in terms of story telling ... or am I over-thinking it all?
Here is the synopsis (stated on VIU.com, for which I am currently watching the series, having the month of December opened for FREE VIEWING :p):
""Awaken" is a murder mystery about digging through the secrets of mysterious events that occurred in a village 28 years ago, which are strangely connected to the events happening in the present. Do Jung Woo is a competent team leader of a special task force at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency who seems to be hiding a secret. Gong Hye Won is a passionate police officer who doesn’t let anything get in her way. Jamie is an FBI agent who returns to Korea to solve the serial killer case that occurred 28 years ago."
The main protagonist played by Namgung Min (@min_namkoong / I came here because of "Hot Stove League") is somewhat charismatic in the portrayal of "Do Jung-Woo" = whom is a mixed-bag of "genius" and "dangerous", and sometimes even "smarmy" = all of which leads me to think HE is the one with "Dissociative Identity Disorder" - having the need to evoke certain aspects of his "personality", an example being him donning glasses to be able to draw something/someone in the earlier episodes, and drawn exceedingly well too. If fact, I think he has multiple personalities within him, which manifests in his expressions and reactions to different people.
"Dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder (MPD), is a mental disorder characterized by the maintenance of at least two distinct and relatively enduring personality states. The disorder is accompanied by memory gaps beyond what would be explained by ordinary forgetfulness." (Wiki)
IF he has "powers" - be it telepathically, or telekinetic, or even being able to absorb the personalities of other folks (whom I suspect to be either the dead 7 survivors, or the multiple children who died at White Night Village labs), then this show will take a sinister turn that needs another one(s) with powers to counter his, IMHO.
The other two primary protagonists are "Jamie Leighton" (played by Lee Chung-Ah @leechungah - loved her in "VIP", but not the show itself), and "Gong/Kong Hye-Won" (played by Seol Hyun, from AOA / "Ace of Angels" girl group).
And while Gong Hye-Won is resistant to acknowledging her liking Do Jung-Woo, her father has shown to be apart of the shenanigans from Jung-Woo's past, and up to no specific good in the present. Was Hye-Won included in the force to be a "mole"?
The existence of "Moon Jae-Woong" (played by Yoon Sun-Woo), while seemingly not immediately connected to the White Night Village (thus far in the story), and what is subsequently done to her, is a very intriguing plot line that needs more explaining, than the misdirection continuingly thrown to us.
Her affection and affliction to the the fourth protagonist, no doubt opens to further exploration, and without a doubt is the OTHER person Jung-Woo has been tracking down.
Put it down to the eternal K-Drama schtick of folks tossing paths but unknown to each others intentions... LOL
All other players - both within the police force, or media - play support roles that help push the story forward, with the exception of characters within the "White Night Foundation" (which includes Hye-Won's father?)
Truth be told, I had grown impatient by Episode Two, but as always if I can get past one episode (I have given up on shows, and still do), I'll stay for Four Episodes, until it either get bored and give up, or be intrigued and invested enough to stay on.
As of this "review", I have since devoured 6 episodes, and have invested interest in finding out how the various threads are tied together, and how the past has and will continue to affect the future.
AWAKEN (낮과 밤) lasts 16 episodes, and airs Monday & Tuesday 21:00 on tvN (4 hour later on Viu), and is scheduled to end "January 19, 2021" (which means I'll have to end up paying fo VIU services if I intend to complete my watch hhhmmm).
Director: Kim Jung-Hyun
Writer: Shin Yoo-Dam
Episode 1: The Forewarned Murders
Jung Woo and his team have been investigating a serial bank robbery case for months, but they’re told to dig into the so-called forewarned murder case. Unwillingly, they go to a club where the forewarned victim is supposed to be. There, they witness a strange suicide case.
Episode 2: The Smiles
Jung Woo decodes the messages that the murderer sent and finds a lead. Jamie joins the team to solve the forewarned murder case, but the team members are hostile towards her. She figures out one common factor among the victims- they were all smiling the moment they died.
Episode 3: The Survivors
Jamie finds Jung Woo suspicious as he seems to be hiding a secret. Despite the events that make Jung Woo suspicious, Hye Won puts her full trust in Jung Woo. Another forewarning arrives, and the victim is said to be Son Min Ho, the former leader of White Night Village.
Episode 4: The Fire
Jung Woo and Jamie find out that they’re both from White Night Village. Jung Woo acts like White Night Village has nothing to do with the forewarned murder cases, but Jamie thinks differently. Meanwhile, a fire breaks out in the villa where Son Min Ho is residing.
Episode 5: The Safe
Jung Woo saves the people who were trapped in the fire and instantly becomes a national hero. Jamie wakes up in the hospital and she’s about to receive treatment by force. Meanwhile, Ji Wook provides an important piece of evidence that proves the culprit is one of the members of the Special Team.
Episode 6: The Mutant
Ji Wook realizes that Son Min Ho is in danger, so he tries to escape from the safehouse with him. However, Jung Woo stops them and attacks Son Min Ho. Jung Woo gets arrested, and he pleads guilty. Meanwhile, Jamie finds out Jung Woo was the one who helped her to get surgery, but she can’t figure out why.
UPDATED: I complete my review of AWAKEN HERE for Ep7-16 *SPOILERS AHEAD
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