The Duo (Jjak-pae) 2011

This is a tale of a bandit hero who fights for the people. Chun Doong is born into a noble family, but he's switched at birth with the son of peasants. Growing up poor and downtrodden, he gradually grows angry as he watches the oppression around him, and becomes a heroic outlaw. Meanwhile, Gwi Dong, the child he was switched with, grows up as a privileged nobleman, and becomes a head of the police. The two men, unconsciously living each other's lives, are total opposites—one stands for justice through the law, and the other seeks justice through crime. Fate has plans to reunite them, however, when they both fall for the same beautiful woman. A fusion sageuk—or historical drama—that combines action and romance.

Directors: Kim Geun-hong, Lim Tae-woo

Stars: Cheon Jeong-myeong, Lee Sang Yoon, Han Ji Hye

JDramaMama's Rating: B

This was probably one of the saddest Korean dramas I've watched thus far. The performances were excellent, the OST brilliant and as in most KDramas, the costumes were great. Cheon Jeong-myeong gave an excellent performance as the switched nobleman's son. The theme of the drama was heartbreaking and unfortunately, there is no happy ending or justice for the real nobleman's son. I really wanted to give this drama an A rating but I couldn't because of the unrealistic part about the peasant mother who switched her baby with a nobleman's. She was never punished and we all know that would have been a death sentence, not only for her, but her entire family during that time period. It really spoiled the show for me. She switched her baby to live as a noble while the real noble was relegated to a beggar living in extreme poverty - and there were no repercussions? Nope, not gonna happen.

Yes, I know it's only a drama but I don't like when writers insult the viewer's intelligence.

#KDrama #historical #mystery #action #sageuk