Crime, romance, fantasy and action combine to create an absorbing drama with appealing characters. So what if some of them are not quite alive?…

 

Storyline/Synopsis: My Rating 7/10

Detective Yang Shi-on awakens from a six-year coma to find her memory gone and the ability to see ghosts as an unusual replacement. Her coma was caused by an accident sustained in the line of duty but, upon awakening, Shi-on is unable to recall the events surrounding her injury. So she relegates herself to the Lost and Found Division – something of a no-man’s-land for career-oriented cops, but a welcome respite for haunted, memory-deprived young woman. Besides, the objects in the Lost and Found Division seem to draw her, and have interesting stories that her unique capabilities are able to unravel.

Her partner, Cha Gun-woo, recently demoted to the Lost and Found department, is less enthusiastic about being relegated to this dead-end job and is eager to find a way out. His new partner is an ‘odd bird’ who seems to have some secret source of information that helps solve crimes, but who would believe the truth?

He becomes intrigued with her unusual crime-solving sense and, eventually trusts her ability. Gun-woo begins to fall for her mystique and charms, but, unfortunately, his rival in love is none other than her dead lover.

 

Script/Acting: My Rating 7/10

The mini-story does, indeed, seem to be the flavor of the season, and Who Are You? is a drama particularly well suited to the popular approach. Short stories, based on objects brought to the Police Department’s Lost and Found Division, are told over the course of a few episodes – with ghostly interference! These stories serve as the vehicle for character development as the main plot-line slowly evolves.

So Yi-hyun (Cheongdadong Alice, You’ve Fallen for Me) was well cast as Detective Yang Shi-on. Her demeanor is suited to the somewhat melancholy and self-reflective characteristics needed for Shi-on’s character. Her portrayal of the confusion and pain surrounding her memory loss, the eventual regain, and the odd love triangle was surprisingly credible, given the incredible (and somewhat humorous) circumstances. If her chemistry with Taecyeon was less than perfect, it seemed more of a personality difference in the scripting than the acting. The authenticity of her love for Kim Jae-wook’s character (Detective Lee Hyung-joon 어빠), was heart-wrenching.

Ok Taecyeon (2PM band member), is no newcomer to the small screen, with hits like Dream High and Cinderella’s Sister under his belt. His role as Detective Cha Gun-woo was another serious role role for him, although it also afforded him opportunities to show off his silly side. The character was appealing, but he felt a bit too young for the part. His boyish looks make him more suited to younger roles. Perhaps his youthful appearance contributed to slightly off mix between the two main stars.

On the other hand, Kim Jae-wook (Mary Stayed Out All Night, Bad Guy), most definitely seems mature enough to be the love interest of Detective Yang Shi-on. Walking a precarious line between the living and the dead, Kim Jae-wook was required to play multiple personalities: the affable, loving, Detective Lee Hyung-joon of Shi-on’s memory, her 어빠 (oppa), and the stoic, sad ghost, guarding Shi-on, and leading the detectives to the criminals responsible for the crime ring that caused everyone so much pain.

Veteran Kim Chang-wan (Queen of Reversals, What’s Up) has been very active lately, with supporting roles in a couple of other current dramas as well: Good Doctor and The End of the World. As Detective Choi Moon-shik, he played the field, leaving the audience wondering if he was a good guy or a bad guy. Brilliantly scripted, the actor managed to straddle the fence quite convincingly.

No Young-hak (Shark, 7^th Grade Civil Servant) was the comic relief of the drama. Playing Im Seung-chan, a love-struck young detective, undoubtedly doomed to be a  permanent fixture in the Lost and Found Division, he nonetheless wielded his small authority with gusto. A scheming, but well-meaning, young man, Sung-chan’s character was the one that made you laugh and slap your head in frustration at the same time.

Kim Ye-Won (Innocent Man, I Need Romance) was Jang Hee-bin (yes, really), the object of Sung-chan’s affections and a woman of unusual talent: she, too, can see and communicate with ghosts. Putting her talent to materialistic use, she assists ghost and human alike, and ends up entangled with Hyung-joon and Shi-on.

 

Cinematography: My Rating 8/10

Special effects were nicely not overdone. The general lighting and cinematographic effects added to the character of the drama’s mysterious flavor without giving it an overtly fantasy or science fiction feel. The sets and lighting style is reminiscent of old 1940’s Bogart movies – and with Taecyeon’s sleeves rolled up in some scenes, all he was missing was a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. 😉

 

Overall Charisma: My Rating 7/10

A worthy watch, overall. If the pacing felt slow in a few places, it was for brief periods of necessary plot development that may not have been scripted as well as other scenes. Overall, the action was nicely interlaced with the drama, which was nicely mixed in with the romance, sprinkled here and there with a melodramatic moment.

My only question is, where is Ji-hoo*???

   

 Happy Drama Watching!

 

*Yoon Ji-hoo: A character from the drama series “Boys Before Flowers” that has come to represent a wonderfully sweet, attentive man who has an unrequited love for a girl and who becomes her friend and/or protector. He never gets the girl.

 

Written by: Moon Ji-young (I Love Lee Tae-ri) and Ban Ki-ri

Directed by: Jo Hyun-tak (Beloved)