[REVIEW] MBC TV series "The Duo" - 1st episode

Slave woman Mak-soon (Yoon Yoo-sun) from MBC series "The Duo" [MBC]

MBC TV series "The Duo" Mon-Tue 9:55 p.m.
The first episode of “The Duo,” which began with the two main characters being born on the same day, same time and ended with Mak-soon (Yoon Yoo-sun) switching the babies, chose to focus on giving a vivid description of its characters rather than trying to present a speedy and absorbing plot or unconventional storyline. The story which is centered on describing the lives of common people of Korea a long time ago, made its direction quite clear by putting much effort into introducing the characters and the setting by showing official Kim’s house (played by Choi Jong-hwan), seen colorless and lifeless after going through a funeral, in contrast with a beggar’s quarters smoldering with the burning desire for survival each day.

The depiction of diverse characters including Sweo-dol (Jung In-ki) who recalls on a prophecy that a child born in Yongmak (literally meaning “swift horse”) Village the night a horse neighed loud will become a great figure one day and places a hope in his child who is born in the beggars’ quarters, Keun-nyeon (Seo I-sook) who willingly begs around to breast-feed a baby even if the child is not hers and Jang Kkok-ji (Lee Moon-sik) the king of beggars who would go as far as to protest naked in front of a funeral house just to earn a day’s meal, succeeded in helping viewers understand the time, space and hierarchical background of the drama without need for further explanation.

Beggars' quarters from MBC series "The Duo" [MBC]

Slave woman Mak-soon in particular, who played a key role in the first episode of the show, was described as someone quite bold in pursuing her desires despite her lowly status. Even after Sweo-dol caught her sleeping with the master of the house, she shot back to him outright, saying that she slept with the master on her own will under the promise of becoming a free woman. It was she who also urged Sweo-dol to not hesitate in killing Choon-bo (Yoon Yong-hyun) who chased her down, making the wide spectrum of her acting alone enough to fill the entire episode. The powerful writing by scenarist Kim Woon-kyung noted for her previous series “Moon of Seoul” (MBC, 1994) and “There Is A Blue Bird” (KBS, 1997) has proven to hold valid in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

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Reporter: Lee Seung-Han fourteen@
Editor : Heidi Kim heidikim@