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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Missing 9" Episode 11

Joon-oh is back, but the road to justice in "Missing 9" is long and treacherous. Before getting to work on it, our newfound hero needs to get back home through "less than legal" means. Hilarity ensues and true to the nature of this drama's comedy, some of it is appropriate and some of it is not. Meanwhile new evidence against our second villain pop up and the chase for it begins.

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I have been reviewing dramas for years, but even I come across things which manage to baffle me once in a while. The comedy of "Missing 9" has its moments, it has to be said. Joon-oh's (Jung Kyung-ho) stowaway adventures are just light enough to function as a break from all the killings, but on point enough to function as black comedy. Despite being about dark subjects, the comedy works, as it does not belittle situations previously presented as dire.

Gi-joon and Joon-oh playing videogamesDo-pal speaking with So-hee

On the other hand, the chase scene with Gi-joon (Oh Jung-se) can only be described as a mental breakdown in televised fiction form. I cannot fathom how one can consider it appropriate to make this reunion between traitor and betrayed one big joke. While doable in a different context, this betrayal and the reasons for it have been previously portrayed in a somber way. The creators treat it seriously, then they have these two take a break from this serious business to play Bubble Bobble and eat rice cakes before a bromantic sauna date.

At least these scenes also succeed, however haphazardly, in being a short break from Tae-ho's (Choi Tae-joon) villainy. Too long a break is not a good thing, however, which brings us to Jang Do-pal (Kim Bub-lae). This new narrative of Tae-ho as his manipulated victim can become problematic. Tae-ho has been the main villain and a main focus for too long. This new side of things and Tae-ho's near non-existence in this episode distance the plot too far from the familiarity of our island adventures.

Hee-kyeong having moved onJoon-oh and Bong-hee arranging his travels

Regardless, this provides material for the rest of the episodes. Getting the survivors to cooperate will not be an easy task, because apparently no one understands the concept of safety in numbers, and Jo Hee-kyeong (Song Ok-sook) is clearly not out of the game yet. Tae-yeong (Yang Dong-geun) is no longer a powerful figure, so it will be interesting to see his authority up against Do-pal's connections.

The saving grace for now is Bong-hee (Baek Jin-hee) and Joon-oh's double hero team full of great chemistry. He is still a man-baby in many ways, but he is also honorable and determined. She is a certified badass, but she is also someone who has fought hard by herself for too long. I hope their upcoming victory is worth every bit of the drama's recent problems.

"Missing 9" is directed by Choi Byeong-gil, written by Son Hwang-won and features Jung Kyung-ho, Baek Jin-hee, Oh Jung-se and Choi Tae-joon.

Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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