There's an absolute gem of an idea in the middle of this soap-operaesque Korean series about the deadly corporate machinations involving a robot duplicate of the heir to a high tech company. Can artificial intelligence experience human emotion? The writers of the series have created a very believable robot in Nam Shin III who has the ability to learn from the world around him, evaluate his own actions and then wonder about them. (He can also change traffic lights which comes in handy a few times). As Shin's behavior becomes more complex, it becomes less predictable...to himself as well as those around him and this very unpredictability seems to be the basis of emotion (see tagline). While highly speculative, it's a fascinating idea to contemplate.
Inevitably, these interesting speculations are surrounded by the melodramatic maneuverings to control PK Group. Of course, nobody ever seems to actually WORK at these kinds of places. The grandfather/chairman primarily sits in his palatial office chuckling evilly. The executive whose attempts to take over the corporation become increasingly murderous primarily sits in his office drinking, throwing tantrums (and bottles) and spitting threats into his mobile phone. The real Shin's fiancée is supposed to be the director of marketing but we don't even SEE her in her office. She spends most of the time standing around looking pouty. And NOBODY is actually happy...least of all poor Jin, human Shin's assistant, who rarely cracks a smile and basically remains repressedly tormented due to conflicting loyalties between the two Shins (his character is so positive though, I wanted to shout at him "Get a different job! You know, one with benefits, a good salary and fewer requirements to lie, cheat and connive!") Working for PK Group's human resource department must be a nightmare. And don't get me started on the Shins' mother....
When the series focuses on Robot Shin and his female bodyguard, So Bong, it's a welcome respite from these unpleasant and unsatisfied people. Their relationship is conveyed through a series of charming, funny and increasingly romantic scenes. In fact, the series' success hinges upon the performances of the actors playing these roles. Luckily, Seo Kang-Joon as Nam Shin is excellent at creating two involving characters: the brooding, unpleasant human Shin and the quirky, cheerful, not-quite-right robot Shin. And Gong Seung-Yeon is convincing as the brusque, hard-bitten young woman who comes to care for Robot Shin (though the full implications of their relationship are not really explored. I appreciate that the series is not explicit about this but didn't we all wonder what their sex life is going to be like?)
It goes on way too long and loses focus on the interesting philosophical questions about the "humanness" of artificial life (though the very last scene does give an interesting wrap-up to that question) and doesn't have enough action sequences (though the ones that are there are pretty cool). Enjoyable!
Inevitably, these interesting speculations are surrounded by the melodramatic maneuverings to control PK Group. Of course, nobody ever seems to actually WORK at these kinds of places. The grandfather/chairman primarily sits in his palatial office chuckling evilly. The executive whose attempts to take over the corporation become increasingly murderous primarily sits in his office drinking, throwing tantrums (and bottles) and spitting threats into his mobile phone. The real Shin's fiancée is supposed to be the director of marketing but we don't even SEE her in her office. She spends most of the time standing around looking pouty. And NOBODY is actually happy...least of all poor Jin, human Shin's assistant, who rarely cracks a smile and basically remains repressedly tormented due to conflicting loyalties between the two Shins (his character is so positive though, I wanted to shout at him "Get a different job! You know, one with benefits, a good salary and fewer requirements to lie, cheat and connive!") Working for PK Group's human resource department must be a nightmare. And don't get me started on the Shins' mother....
When the series focuses on Robot Shin and his female bodyguard, So Bong, it's a welcome respite from these unpleasant and unsatisfied people. Their relationship is conveyed through a series of charming, funny and increasingly romantic scenes. In fact, the series' success hinges upon the performances of the actors playing these roles. Luckily, Seo Kang-Joon as Nam Shin is excellent at creating two involving characters: the brooding, unpleasant human Shin and the quirky, cheerful, not-quite-right robot Shin. And Gong Seung-Yeon is convincing as the brusque, hard-bitten young woman who comes to care for Robot Shin (though the full implications of their relationship are not really explored. I appreciate that the series is not explicit about this but didn't we all wonder what their sex life is going to be like?)
It goes on way too long and loses focus on the interesting philosophical questions about the "humanness" of artificial life (though the very last scene does give an interesting wrap-up to that question) and doesn't have enough action sequences (though the ones that are there are pretty cool). Enjoyable!