[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Mad Dog" Episode 8

Desperate times call for desperate measures and like a puppy behind his "Mad Dog" mentor, Min-joon has his own ideas about what he can do to top Kang-woo's undercover adventures. The team close in on the secrets behind Tae-yang Insurance's policy and they paint a very well-organized and deliberate picture. Our two heroes finally form a bond and the timing is perfect, as old friendships are about to be torn apart.

Advertisement

Our hero's friendships continue to shift and Hong-joo's (Hong Soo-hyun) own suspicions aside, she looks oblivious about the flight. This shows loyalty towards her beau, at least as long as she does not know that the revelation of her father's past deeds will ruin her perceived chances for good. On the other hand, Han-woo (Lee Joon-hyuk-I) is about to experience said ruin, but I expect the series to play a tiny violin for him.

The reason I expect this is because the writing has been doing the same with Min-joon (Woo Do-hwan). Here we have a young man who is the one in the difficult position of having to prove his brother's innocence, yet he has been perpetually cruel to people who clearly lacked his information. We should not find him obnoxious, repetitive and tiring, however. He dropped his ice cream after being abandoned once. He is also very handsome and wants a girlfriend.

As poor as I find Min-joon's development and characterization, I think the ice cream scene between him and Kang-woo (Yoo Ji-tae) is a nice idea delivered well. We have a quiet chat between two men who have lost and worked hard to find a reason for it. It is understated and personal and, pity party for a poorly written character aside, it is a nice touch of closeness for this slowly budding bromance. The skilled actors are largely to thank for this, however.

I also like the revelation that Hyeon-gi (Choi Won-young) is essentially nothing more than a blackmailing small fry, because I can honestly not take his cartoonish role seriously as a top villain. Not that Chairman Cha (Jung Bo-suk) is any less of a caricature, but at least his role is more refined in his evil deeds and in his behavior. He is standardized, but he is not written as a villainous comedic relief.

I was hoping for juicier conflicts upon Kang-woo's entry into Tae-yang Insurance, but we are still quite early into his meddling and the fact that Chairman Cha has already known his every move puts our villain at a dangerously advantageous position. I also expect Min-joon's publicity to backfire. Making visible enemies among the hidden ones only provides the latter with a better cover up when they need to dispose of him.

"Mad Dog" is directed by Hwang Ee-kyeong, written by Kim Soo-jin-V and features Yoo Ji-tae, Woo Do-hwan, Ryu Hwa-young, Kim Hye-sung and Jo Jae-yun.

Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

Watch on Viki

Note: Due to licensing, videos may not be available in your country