[REVIEW] KBS’ series "PRESIDENT" - Final Episode

KBS drama "PRESIDENT" [KBS]

KBS2 PRESIDENT: Final Episode Tue 9:55 PM

The will to become president at all costs, even if one has to defy the boundaries of truth and false and switch the means and goals, was the only weapon that Jang Il-joon (played by Choi Soo-jong) held for competing in the race for presidency for he was neither the most righteous nor the most upright nor strong conviction for justice. Drama “PRESIDENT” did not go on the easy route of making the main lead loved by all. Unlike earlier drama “The President,” (SBS, 2010) which set forth the president as one who represents the 'good,' Jang was a two-faced man. He believed dirty means can be justified for bigger goods and allowed scheming and expedient to run wild in his election camp. In order to create a better world and a better future as president, he regarded the absurd reality at hand as something that is tolerable.

KBS drama "PRESIDENT" [KBS]

“PRESIDENT” tore down the fantasy of a political drama which believe that good intention bear good results in the end and instead gave birth to problematic figure Jang. In the drama, he wins the election after much conflict and complications. Though the ending seemed a bit rushed, the final episode of “PRESIDENT” was meaningful in the sense that it concluded with a question instead of an answer. Yoo Min-ki (Jay) never found out why Jang had to become president. Not that we can blame anyone, for the question to that can only be answered five years later, after Jang completes his term. Such is the reason is why “PRESIDENT,” above all other dramas, is in need of creating season 2. What kind of nation will Jang, who sacrificed and lost so much for the position, create? What are the things that the president of this country who continues to harbor political weakness, will be able to do? There are just so many things that “PRESIDENT” must answer. But it may be too much if we expect a single drama to answer all these difficult questions. In that case, even if it is a bit more bothersome, we need to find the answers from the reality we live in. What kind of person should a president be after all? Perhaps “PRESIDENT” has done enough by making viewers contemplate on that.

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Reporter: TV critic Yoon Yi-na
Editor : Heidi Kim heidikim@