Remember: War of the Son (2015)

De entrada, el argumento es buenísimo: un joven con memoria eidética ve con impotencia cómo su padre es condenado a muerte por la violación y posterior asesinato de una chica. El problema aquí es que el señor no recuerda haber cometido el crimen a pesar de que casi todas las evidencias apuntan a su dirección. El asunto se complica al saber que el acusado lleva meses desarrollando síntomas inequívocos de Alzheimer.

Entiendo totalmente lo de la dualidad de mentes: el padre olvida mientras el hijo recuerda. Es simbólico y simbiótico; y mientras la mente de uno se desvanece sin reparo, la del otro se adapta al entorno y trata de materializar aquello que fue olvidado. Hasta ahí todo bien. Pero el asunto se desinfla al ver los pocos matices de los personajes; no me digan que eso no daba para más porque no se los creería. Algo falla en una producción cuando sólo son capaces de mostrar protagonistas o muy buenos o muy malos. Polos opuestos que de ninguna manera pueden colisionar unos con otros, o bien, actuar de una manera más diversa. Quizá Park Dong Ho (el abogado con trajes extravagantes) es el que más se preste a mostrarnos una personalidad a la altura que involucra un pasado de dudosa legalidad y unos métodos de trabajo que ponen a sudar a la justicia coreana, pero su balanza se guía más a base de buenos actos que acaparan todo los pecados que le carga la conciencia.

Pero Seo Jin Woo y su padre (del que he olvidado su nombre tanto como él ha olvidado su vida) son panes de dios remojados con café. Y ahí es donde empieza mi principal conflicto. El problema no es que sean buenos, gentiles e inocentes, sino que la vida los ha tratado con la punta del pie y que Precious Jones sufra como ellos; así de fuerte. La familia original era de cuatro integrantes: papá, mamá, Jin Woo y su hermanito mayor. El hermano y su mamá fallecieron en un accidente de autos años atrás donde papá y Jin Woo salieron muy heridos pero lograron recuperarse y vivir humildemente a su manera. Su padre se desempeñaba como personal de limpieza y él iba a la preparatoria con su memoria fotográfica y un futuro prometedor a la vista... hasta que sucedió el femicidio.

La abogacía en sí entraría como salvavidas tantos años después para salvar al hombre sin memoria de una condena aberrante e injusta, y para limpiar, aunque sea un poquito, la reputación tanto del padre como de su hijo ante una sociedad que los estigmatizó hasta un grado discriminatorio. De hecho, lo que más me golpeó la moral fue ver cómo Jin Woo se la pasa llorando todos los episodios; en serio, creo que puedo contar aquellos escasos momentos en los que no lloró o no puso la cara haciendo un puchero. No es que el chico sea un debilucho, sino que la pasa fatal en todo momento. El padre por lo menos no es capaz de retener recuerdos por mucho tiempo, pero en el caso de él es distinto, y eso lo jode en cada escena.

Llegué a un punto en que todo me pareció tan absurdo y telenovelero que cada vez que le pasaba algo fatal al pobre chico en lugar de llorar con él me reía. Y mucho. Y comencé a sentirme muy mal al respecto, porque en el fondo empaticé con él, y también con Lee In Ah, la chica que estuvo a su lado desde el principio aunque en cuestión sentimental todo se quedó muy por encimita antes de que la mente del chico lo traicionara. Para ser sincera —y un poco amargada— el asunto mejora un poco conforme la trama se acerca al arco final y los recuerdos perdidos le impide soltarse a llorar a lágrima viva pasando la estafeta a los otros que atestiguan el avance de la enfermedad.

El final es abierto, y de verdad lo agradezco, porque es lo mejor que podían hacer. Si lo que Jin Woo tiene es Alzheimer de aparición temprana el progreso del mal es rápido y el pronóstico a largo plazo es la muerte, tal cual. Por ese motivo se alejó de sus compañeros y de In Ah, quizá para que esta no atestiguara, ya no su pérdida de memoria o la conciencia de sí mismo, sino el camino que lo conduciría al ocaso de su vida.

Ni siquiera sé si adentrarme a los demás personajes porque de sobra está que ellos dos fueron los que más me entristecieron. El abogado Park Dong Ho fue el mejor de todo, con su turbio pasado, el fantasma de su padre que carga en la conciencia y esa reputación intachable que se le resbala entre la mirada soberbia y la arrogancia de saberse inteligente. Y Nam Gyu Man, como el villano mirrey que sabe salirse con la suya al lado de sus matones también merece mención especial. Apenas apareció en pantalla por primera vez y lo odié.

En conclusión: vale la pena para verlo una vez y juzgarlo, es una buena historia a pesar de los defectos, y si les gusta el melodrama en su máxima expresión, con lagrimones asegurados desde el primer episodio ésta es una serie que les vendría bien. No es un drama que haya odiado, pues tuvo muchos momentos buenos, pero la manera en que los personajes que más sufrían rebosaban una bondad ridícula fue lo que anuló la credulidad en la trama.

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This series will give you goosebumps. A good drama to binge watch with your family or even during your alone time. This drama also speaks about social issues -- hierarchy and justice system. The ending is definitely a to watch, worth to wait but a very unfair and (*spoiler*). The actors did an amazing job in portraying the story's characters. You may also find yourself crying yourself out, but you won't regret watching and shedding a tear.

If you like law, thriller, mystery, this is for you.
If you are also looking for a visual characters, this is also for you.
This series will not disappoint you.

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I will give is drama an 8 rating because:

1. The story is not original but the writer gave a better take of what a revenge should be -- sweet revenge that is! Since this is a legal story, i am pleased that it did not follow the ugly route of killings at the end, that it still follow the course of taking the case in the court to get the two father and son antagonist and to eventually punish them legally and that at the end even there is a massive corruption and bribery, justice still prevails! The loveline is just enough for a fanservice since to me it is not the central focus of the drama!

2. The cast are excellent performers all of them. They provided a very well acted performance for each of their characters! I just wished the judge and the sister have given lengthy time since i find them real good actors! The 2 leads are short of chemistry i think! There are awkwardness between them and you can see them but it is negligible in the total scheme of the drama. They are more of a brother-sister to me than a lover!

3. The music is just ok but not memorable!
4. This is the kind of drama i would not like to re watch again for simple reason that it is so sad and melo.

Overall, the ending for me is a satisfying one, though it is an open-ended, you can still find the fulfilment of a good, thrilling, intense show! Give it a try if you want these in a drama.

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this drama.... simply the best drama I've ever watched and I'm not exaggerating it.

this drama has not focused on its love story, felt horrible for not using the charisma of Park Min young here, it was very sad to let In ah not being treated well as a lover by Jin woo. i expected more of love scene between them, but the kiss scene in Eps 18 slightly covered that. I found myself stressed also at the middle of this dark drama where the evil seems to win every episodes.

and back to the reason this drama is THE BEST EVER, the story is good, but THE MOST thing is about the ENDING. the ENDING is so perfect. I never cried so bad when it comes to watching film. I'm strong enough to not being influenced by film throughout my life, but this ending was so GOOD that I can't help myself. I'm really recommend this drama to you all. the ENDING is a PERFECT BITTERSWEET :)

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Story: the plot was incredible. To lots of other viewers, it was impractical, and i can't disagree. However, in the end, when we really think about it, it's unimaginably realistic. It showed us that such kinds of inhumane people really do exist. It just doesn't cross our minds. We got a glimpse of the world of those who are powerful and only think of climbing to the top, while trampling on the weak and disposing of anyone who is no longer useful to them, and those who are victimized by the ones with power.
What i really thoroughly enjoyed about this story, is that there weren't many scenes that had me spacing out, waiting for them to move on to the next scene. Almost each and every moment was interesting, i was delighted by the plot as a whole, rather than just waiting for certain events to pop up.

Acting: There wasn't one character that disappointed me. Although one definitely stood out. As many others agree, Nam Gung Min who portrayed the character of Nam Gyu Man deserves a standing ovation for his remarkable portrayal of such a character. He exhibited each and every emotion so well. Even i, who barely pays attention to acting dramatics, was astounded.

Overall: This drama is melodramatic, it is not a comedy. For people who love melodramas, i'd strongly recommend this. And, if you're not into melodramas, but would like something that will tug at your heartstrings, give this a watch. You won't regret it. And you may end up learning a thing or two from it.

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In one sentence I would say, that 'Remember - War of the Son' is a drama that is a nerve wrecking series in which you will feel drepresses but also angry. But the drama is it worth.

Story: A young Man with a perfect memory want to take revenge for his father, who was accused of a murder he didn't commit. The Son (Yoo Seungho) wants to take down the real culprit and fights against the injustice and against the people in Korea who have the money to change the law. But in this fight he shows symptoms of alzheimers, so that he can loose his perfect memory. I could write much more, but than there would be spoilers. The Revenge is the main point in the drama, the romantic stroy is not so important, but I like it how it is.

Actors: This was my first drama after Yoo Seungho was discharged from his military service. I was shocked when he enlistet in 2013 and didn't know what to do, because he is one of my favourite Actors. So I had high expectations of the drama and his acting. As always he didn't disappoint me. I think it is very hard to act as someone who looses his memory, but have to find evidences to provide the innocence of the own father. Yoo Seungho plays the role of a lawyer with a perfect memory excellent. His strong will to win over the villian is so natural that I am in love with his acting more and more. I think is matured more after he was in the military, although I know that he seemd to be older than he actually is even before his enlistment. I am very proud of him and I am excitet what his next project will be.
Park Minyoung is one of my favourite Actresses, too. At first I was sceptical because of the chemistry between Minyoung and Seungho. I think her chemistry with Ji Changwook in Healer was better, but with Seungho wasn't bad at all. Minyoung played a law student who becomes a very good friend of Jinwoo. When she becomes a prosecuter and when she realizes that she is on the 'wrong site' (I don't know if I can say that) she decides to help Jinwoo.
Park Sunwoong plays a lawyer who is a little bit...strange. Until the end I don't know what I should think of him. But his acting is excellent. Sometimes I wanted to hug him, but than I wanted to punch him...seriously v.v.
Nam Goongmin...I didn't watch him in the drama 'Girl who sees smells', but I heard very much good related to his acting skills. He plays the son of a rich family and he was one of the characters I wanted to punch nearly every episode v.v. He made me furious and that shows me how good his acting is. After this drama I want to see him in a romantic melodrama^^.
Jeong Hyesung played Goongmins younger sister but I didn't know why she was there o.o. Maybe it is only me, but was she really a main character? My feelings says me, she was a supporting character, but...okay. Her acting was good, but I liked her more in pride & Prejudice.
The supporting characters were all okay, but Kim Jinwoo was one of the best. I hope he gets more roles like the role of a judge. He would be my favourite ship with Minyoung (when there wasn't Seungho^^).

Music: The best OST is Jooyoungs 'Can you hear me'. In my opinion it sweets most of the scenes and is played in situations which need it. But I like the other songs as well.

Rewatch value:
Yes, of course. When my 'plan to watch'-list isn't so long anymore^^. Or when I miss Seungho like crazy :).
I don't know why so many people dropped this, but I recommend the drama.
But you should aware of the fact, that this drama isn't a romance drama. It is a revenge, law and crime drama. If you want more romance in a drama than you should be clear about that fact.

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Better off not remembering

The first 4 episodes were dedicated entirely for their backstory and they did an outstanding poor job in that regard. These first 4 episodes were painful to sit through, unbelievably boring, lacking any interesting or gripping elements and it failed to lay the groundwork for things to look forward to in the future episodes. If that wasn't enough, the main story was mostly shelved and the subsequent episodes turned into side cases with slight relation to the bad guy until it returned to the main case in the last few episodes. Although the male lead was labeled as a genius and has super powers but his character proved to be otherwise. Namkoong Min playing a pathetic low-life chaebol playboy villain was definitely a miscast. It would more suitable for him to play a smart cunning merciless villain but the director was blind. On the other hand, Jeon Kwang Ryul playing the main victim with Alzheimer and being a good loving father was weird, another miscast and oversight from the production. The trend continues Park Min Young playing a prosecutor, it's just not it.

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I picked up this drama because of Park Min Young

Park Min Young's Character "Lee In Ah" seems to serve no purpose in this show. She glues herself to the main Character "Seo Jin Woo" played by Yoo Seung Ho, from episode 1 and seems to sympathize with him and his father just because her father thought that they are innocent and might have been framed.

In the real world, there is 0% chance such a person would risk their well-being for someone they've just met, not to mention, side with someone who's parent has been accused of murder.

Her character has been rushed into the plot with no build up. They should have written a more believable way for her to understand Seo Jin Woo's side of the story, before risking herself for his sake.

I'm still a fan of Park Min Young, as when she is casted right like in City Hunter and Dr Jin, she is an amazing actress, her cuteness is the icing on the cake. This show is decent but not the best, if you turn off a portion of your brain, you might enjoy it. The pacing is alright.

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