MaryMeKpop

Once I saw the trailers for this drama, it quickly became one of my most anticipated and I knew I just had to tune in! Starring Kim Hye-soo, Jung Sung-il, and Joo Jong-hyuk, ‘Unmasked’ follows the chaotic, intense, and fun team behind the popular investigative reporting show “Trigger.” There’s some action involved, plenty of humor and comedy sprinkled throughout the episodes, and lots of chemistry between our cast members. There’s plenty of reasons to enjoy this one.

The first two episodes weren’t the greatest or strongest introduction to a drama that I’ve ever seen but I did like how fun and chaotic it was. It was chaotic in the sense that there was already quite a lot going on with our team. Our two main characters were dealing with their own situations and issues in life and then there was also everything else that was happening at work and all the politics around that. In all honesty, there were a few times where I was so engrossed in what was happening in front of me that I sort of forgot about that other sub-plot only to be reminded about it later on when it popped up again near the end of the episode. I’m hoping it won’t be too difficult or challenging to keep up with all that’s happening in the drama and that the drama itself doesn’t forget either.

Kim Hye-soo is an amazing actress and she’s so so good in all her roles and characters and she once again delivers in this drama. She plays Oh So-ryong, the leader of the crew behind the popular (and controversial) TV show and she’s just so good as the strong, tough, unafraid team leader who advocates for her staff members and protects them at all costs. Whether it was when she showed up to the police station to rescue Han Do (played by Jung Sung-il) or comforted Kang Gi-ho (played by Joo Jong-hyuk) and offered him words of encouragement when he was feeling down about himself – I really enjoyed So-ryong so far and I think a big reason for this was because of Kim Hye-soo. She just has such great energy and charisma and she really can do it all.

This is my second time watching Jung Sung-il (after his successful and popular drama ‘The Glory’) and I’m enjoying what I’m seeing from him as well. His character, Han Do, has a tragic backstory and there’s some of that good old childhood trauma that provides context as to why he feels the way that he does about certain things or why he acts the way that he does. But essentially it’s his love for animals that pushes him to better connect and collaborate with the team and I loved how consistent the drama was with his personality. Han Do initially thought he was going to be on one of the shows centered around animals only to discover that he was on a team that was on the verge of getting cancelled. His first day of work wasn’t all that great or safe either as his life was put at risk thanks to So-ryong and her risky antics. Han Do’s relationship with So-ryong and Gi-ho didn’t start out the greatest, but I love that the drama showed us his love for animals and how it’s that love and justice for animals that serves as the catalyst to get the trio to work together. I love how it all ties together in such a seamless and natural way. Though Gi-ho is the third character in the trio, we don’t get much on him just yet. I did feel for him when the general manager poked fun at his resume and spoke to him in a demeaning manner about his professional career. I loved that So-ryong stood up for Gi-ho and consoled him afterwards and my heart was broken for Gi-ho.

Though there were some moments in this drama where I didn’t think it made the most sense or where I had to sort of overlook it to keep up with the progression of the story, ‘Unmasked’ was still fun to watch. It can be a little too silly at times (So-ryong getting accidentally sucker punched at the end of episode 2 by Han Do in slow motion while there’s a guy outside their office window attacking them was definitely a sight to behold) but I’m excited to see the team bonding aspect with our crew. Gi-ho and Han Do will now be forced to work together to find the cat killer. Then there’s So-ryong who will battle to save her crew and TV program from getting cancelled (and also will eventually have to deal with the fallout of a cheating fiance. Ew!.. But that does make me curious if the drama will implement a love line between Han Do and So-ryong sometime in the future. I mean.. I’m not complaining if it does decide to go that route).

All in all, ‘Unmasked’ unveiled quite a few stories and sub-plots in its first two episodes. Whether it’ll be able to balance all of that will be revealed in due time but so far, things are looking good.