Investigation dramas are the trend on cable television screens. But instead of the ordinary cat-and-mouse plots, various headways are under way.
Korean fans have been loyal to these programs ― from "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation", and "Cold Case" to "Without a Trace". MBC Dramanet's "Byeolsoongeom" also caught the eye of local and overseas fans with its distinctive investigation plots carried out in the Joseon era (1392-1910) last year. The program was recently nominated in the television drama section of the 48th Monte-Carlo Television Festival.
Now, more local productions are joining in. OCN's "Don't Ask of my Past" (working title), tvN's "My Cop" and Super Action's "KPSI (Korea Police Scientific Investigation): Season 2", are gearing up for a season of sexy, funny and serious investigation programs.
"Don't Ask of my Past" is a comical and sexy investigation drama, starring Kim Won-hee ("Marrying the Mafia 2", 2005). Kim will play Kwak Sun-young, who after a car accident can tell a man's past from his body odors. She divorces her husband when she finds out about his long history of girlfriends. Kwak then sets up a family institute and starts to help women, and even the police, track down suspicious men and husbands.
"The program is about the stories of women clients. It is different, fun and entertaining", Kim said at the press conference for the program last week.
"There are various characters, plots and storylines. Everybody will have something to relate to", added the director Jeong Yong-ki. "Past" airs every Saturday and Sunday at noon on OCN.
Meanwhile, tvN's "My Cop" is also a comedy sitcom about the lives of police officers.
Because the program is not focused on a particular crime, the crew had to come up with various ideas that would entertain the viewers. To add reality, the crew interviewed police officers and conducted extensive research.
"It was difficult to come up with a concrete concept because there was a limit to the subject (of police officers). But their lives can actually be a great source of ideas, for instance social satire", said Jeong Gyoo-heon, the sitcom's producer, at a recent interview. With an interesting cast including former singer Yoo Chae-young and even comedians like Kim Kyeong-sik and Kwon Seong-ho, "My Cop" is expected to bring fresh air to the investigation program scene. "My Cop" airs every Saturday at 1 p.m. on tvN.
Super Action's "KPSI: Season 2" aims to be the Korean version of top investigation series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation". Like the popular U.S. series, "KPSI" will trail the investigations of Korean forensic officers as they uncover the circumstances behind mysterious deaths and crimes.
"`KPSI: Season 1' was about `faction', or fact and fiction merged together. This season will still have those elements of reality, but put more life into the characters and the overall storyline", An Mi-hyun, the public relations manager of the program told The Korea Times.
Although the focus may be slightly turned to the characters this season, including interviews from real police officers and KPSI agents, the program will still bring its originality to the screens. "KPSI" will start airing May 31, every Sunday at midnight on Super Action.
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