The "Queen of Rom-coms" and "guarantee of success," Park Min-young, has begun to greet viewers on the new platforms of TV Chosun and Coupang Play. Her latest work, 'Confidence Man KR,' garnered intense interest even before its broadcast, thanks to the sensational popularity of her previous drama, 'Marry My Husband.' The trust evoked by the name Park Min-young alone holds a powerful allure, compelling viewers to tune in. All eyes are on whether this project will be another successful addition to her brilliant filmography. The unconventional programming strategy—an exclusive release on the general programming channel TV Chosun and the OTT platform Coupang Play—is interpreted as a bold move by the production team to capture a new demographic, breaking away from traditional broadcasting norms.
Since her meteoric debut in the legendary 2006 sitcom 'High Kick,' Park Min-young has solidified her unique position as an actress through consistent work over the past two decades. She has proven her wide acting spectrum across various genres in numerous hits like 'Sungkyunkwan Scandal,' 'City Hunter,' 'Healer,' and 'What's Wrong with Secretary Kim.' While she has faced difficult times due to personal controversies, she has always overcome them head-on with excellent project choices and immersive acting, thereby restoring public trust. The fact that her most recent work, 'Marry My Husband,' became a massive hit both domestically and internationally, even securing a Japanese remake, once again proved her exceptional eye for compelling projects.
'Confidence Man KR' can be seen as a project already halfway to success, as it is based on a solid original work. The Japanese drama 'Confidence Man JP,' which aired on Fuji TV in 2018, gained explosive popularity locally with its fresh concept and delightful story. It has since established itself as a major franchise, spawning several series, special dramas, and feature films. The success of the original clearly demonstrates how effectively the caper genre, with its thrilling pleasure, charming characters, and unpredictable twists, can appeal to the public. Therefore, when the news of a Korean remake was announced, many drama fans held high expectations about which charms of the original would be inherited and how Korean sentiments would be woven into the narrative.
However, the high reputation of the original can also be a double-edged sword. Specifically, the exaggerated direction and theatrical expressions characteristic of Japanese dramas may feel somewhat unfamiliar or awkward to Korean viewers. Indeed, some who watched the first episode of 'Confidence Man KR' commented that they felt a strong "Japanese flavor" in the overall atmosphere and certain scenes. This sense of disparity might arise from bringing a setup and structure more commonly seen in Korean caper films like 'The Thieves' or 'The Big Swindle' into a drama format. To satisfy both fans of the original and new viewers, a sophisticated adaptation that fits the Korean context and sentiment will be paramount.
The core of the drama revolves around the exploits of the "Confidence Man" team, which pulls off exhilarating scams targeting only villains who have amassed vast fortunes through illicit means. Park Min-young plays Yoon Yi-rang, the team's leader and the brain who designs the operations, holding a mysterious background as the hidden daughter of a large corporation. Veteran actor Park Hee-soon provides a solid anchor for the drama as James, the team's eldest member and an enforcer who commands the field with his rich experience and savvy. Joining them is Joo Jong-hyuk, known for his role in 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo,' who is expected to inject vitality into the show as the pure and justice-driven character, Myeong Gu-ho, offering a charm distinct from the other two.
'Confidence Man KR' is heightening audience anticipation by teasing a lineup of glamorous special appearances with each new episode. The opening act of the first episode was delivered by actress Song Ji-hyo. She made a surprise appearance as a villainous shaman who extorts money by exploiting the desperation of ordinary people, leaving a powerful impression despite her short screen time. Her radical transformation, contrary to her typically kind image, reaffirmed her wide acting range and effectively sparked curiosity about which guest actors will appear next.
Following Song Ji-hyo, the "master of villain roles," Jung Woong-in, appeared as the new target in the latter half of the first episode, signaling the true start of the story. It appears 'Confidence Man KR' will adopt an omnibus format, unfolding a new scam operation each week. This is an effective strategy that offers viewers immediate fun and catharsis through self-contained stories while also providing the pleasure of watching a variety of Korea's top actors in diverse roles. A key viewing point for this drama will be watching to see which actor will appear next as what kind of imaginative villain to engage in a thrilling battle of wits with the "Confidence Man" team.
A scene in the first episode, where Park Min-young, beautifully dressed in a hanbok, competes in a high-stakes dice game, symbolically represents the drama's identity. While such theatrical and large-scale depictions of a con might feel somewhat unrealistic, this is precisely the unique charm of the 'Confidence Man' series. When 'Squid Game' achieved global success, the reaction in Japan was somewhat lukewarm, with many viewing it as a familiar "death game" genre. However, 'Squid Game' earned worldwide empathy by brilliantly blending a familiar genre with the realities of Korean society and public desires. Similarly, the success of 'Confidence Man KR' will likely hinge on how well it infuses Korean social satire into the caper genre.
An interesting aspect is that the "Confidence Man" team does not simply stop at stealing money. They exhibit a righteous side by returning a portion of the stolen funds to the original victims who were harmed by the villains. This bestows upon their activities the justification of being "modern-day Robin Hoods" or "righteous thieves," serving as a crucial device that allows viewers to feel not just amusement but also a sense of catharsis and vicarious satisfaction from their scams. The sight of them realizing justice in their own way, outside the bounds of the law, is poised to offer a thrilling release to viewers weary of a harsh reality.
'Confidence Man KR' was originally slated to air as a Wednesday-Thursday drama on tvN. However, due to the broadcaster's internal decision to eliminate that time slot, it eventually found its home as a weekend drama on TV Chosun after some twists and turns. Perhaps due to the gap between the channel's primary viewership and the drama's genre, the first episode started with a somewhat disappointing rating in the 1% range. The initial content was also reviewed by some as being a bit scattered, focusing more on introducing characters and situations rather than delivering explosive entertainment. However, this can be seen as laying the groundwork for the main story. Expectations remain high, buoyed by the presence of the "believe-and-watch" actress Park Min-young and the promise of a story that will grow more exciting with each episode. All attention is now on whether she can once again turn a challenge into an opportunity and lead a rebound in viewership ratings.
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