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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "You're Surrounded" Episode 17

"You're Surrounded" was all about the truth in episode 17. The key players are fully informed and yet their hands are tied by the system, by corruption, and by the dastardly deeds of the powerful and greedy. While the pace of this episode was decidedly slow, the amount of wonderful introspection made up for it.

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The episode focused on revealing the pasts of Dae-goo and Tae-il, addressing painful issues and making a few statements. The biggest statement was that Tae-il's brother was gay. It is a hot topic in every culture and makes a particularly powerful statement on South Korean television and to South Korean audiences. "You're Surrounded" is brave for including homosexual issues on a primetime slot on a major station. Having such a sensitive issue in his past makes Tae-il a lot more rounded as a character because he's had to fight his own biases as well as dealing with his intolerant father.

When Tae-il opened up, it primed Dae-goo to do the same. Throughout the episode he learns the sad truth about his family and the shocking reason his mother was murdered. There may have been a few too many scenes with Dae-goo reflecting upon the truth of his past, but each scene cultivated vivid emotional moments. That is what "You're Surrounded" does best, stir emotions and remind us of what is truly beautiful about relationships. The warm, makeshift detective family is contrasted with the selfish, cold-blooded Yoo family. One bonds over adversity, the other bickers and crumbles. It's a beautiful, yet sad, juxtaposition.

Yoo Ae-yoon, Assemblyman Yoo's extremely self-centered daughter, has come to the fore as the primary villain of the drama. She is scary because she has no empathy and expects her powerful father and his money to protect her based on blood ties alone. She killed Dae-goo's mother because of her uncontrollable jealousy and does not see the wrongs she commits as wrongs. Her son always asks, "Did you make another mistake?" Those around know she's a bad seed and they still cater to her. That's terrifying.

It's the horror of Yoo Ae-yoon pitted against the sweet moments between Dae-goo and Soo-seon, or Dae-goo and his team, that make the tensions in "You're Surrounded" so entertaining. The murder mystery itself could be more complex, and, on occasion, the pace could use a little kick in the pants, but overall, the show is solid and effective.


Written by: Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

"You're Surrounded"is directed by Yoo In-sik, written by Lee Jeong-seon and features Lee Seung-gi, Cha Seung-won, Go Ara, Oh Yoon-ah, Ahn Jae-hyun, Sung Ji-ru.

 

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