Conman Kang Ha-Ri (Song Seung-Heon), joins hands with hacker Byung-Min (Lee Si-Eon), fighter Jin-Woong (Tae Won-Sook), and driver Ah-Ryung (Krystal) to bring the powerful to justice. They find an unexpected ally in Prosecutor Jang In-Hyuk (Kim Won-Hae).
If a guy like you returns, a guy like me will show up for sure.
Player
The funny thing is: back when it first came out, I was an avid watcher of Player, eagerly watching every episode as soon as it came out. But I put it on hold when I reached episode 10 not because I disliked it, but because I didn’t want to have to endure the wait before the final episodes. Fast forward 2 years, and Lookout had me starved for good team feels, so I found myself going back to this little gem and enjoying it just as much this time around.
All the Team Feels
I really love the found family trope. It makes me very happy to see individuals who’ve been hurt and beaten by the world finally open themselves up to other people as they realize that no, they don’t in fact have to face everything by themselves, because there are people out there who appreciate them for who they are and will always support and back them up. It’s a gorgeous dynamic, and one I can’t ever get enough of. Mad Dog, which I rewatched just before this one, is one of the best dramas out there with a beautiful found family, and Player certainly doesn’t fall short.
From strangers, the four get closer and closer as episodes go by, their respective brand of craziness melding beautifully to form a weird, eccentric, but tightly-knit group. From friendly banter to emotional moments, their interactions were a real joy to watch.
Complementary, and Equal
Plus, they all had their specialty, which made them equal and indispensable in every way. Speaking of which, another thing I absolutely appreciated is that Ah-Ryung, the only female in the group, certainly was no damsel-in-distress or inferior to anybody. She had her very own unique set of skills which none of the others could replicate, and her first entrance was badass.
Fast, but Not Too Much
With only 14 episodes to its name, Player is fast-paced, but still remembers to leave some moments for the audience to breathe, enjoy the characters’ building up their relationships to each other, and have a good laugh, too. It manages to keep you hooked from the very start to the very end, leaving you with a huge smile on your face and a desperate craving for a second season.
All in All…
With plenty of team feels, strong character arcs, a ton of suspense and a catchy background music (I feel like rewatching the whole thing every single time I listen to it), Player is a great moment to have. If you like mystery, found family and lovable characters, this one is definitely for you.
Title: Player
Country: South Korea
Aired: 09/29/2018 to 11/11/2018
Starring: Song Seung-Heon, Krystal, Kim Won-Hae, Lee Si-Eon, Tae Won-Sook
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Friendship, Crime
My Rating: ★★★★★
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