Unboxing the premiere episodes of MBC’s Chip In was surprisingly engrossing!
Admittedly, I didn’t delve much on the story sketch of Chip In. But the “who killed the famous painter” premise undeniably convinced me to add it on my list. Adding to its strong points for a drama centered in the story of dysfunctional family is the apparent thrill and less toned dramatics.
The mother-daughter characters of Oh Na Ra and Kim Hye Joon have made their presence felt. More so, the series message of not trusting the paraded characters is evident.
Right off the start, the seven-member main cast and supporting characters introduce their respective roles in an easy to remember way. Its conflict presentation hooks with the right blend of intrigue. The kind of cryptic notes that any viewer would want to peel off, to untangle its mystery.
First Look Rating: 
abbyinhallyuland watches Chip In on Viu
Chip In‘s Opening Week Story
The painter’s love child
Yoo Bit Na (Kim Hye Joon) drives with her mom Kim Ji Hye (Oh Na Ra) to his father’s house for his birthday celebration. Having an estranged relationship with her famous painter father, she is obviously forced by her mother who eyes the fortune her daughter is entitled to.
Yoo In Ho, Bit Na’s father, summoned his family members to gather together. That includes his step brother, best friend and nephew. Her niece is already living in his house. On his birthday, he tells them that since he’s terminally ill, he will make an announcement of his will the next day.
However, in the morning of In Ho’s birthday, the mother of his child receives a letter bearing her ex-lovers will but with some information withheld. Undoubtedly using her connection as Bit Na’s mother, she of course, won’t pass on the cryptic message she received. Hence, she opens In Ho’s safe and read through the original content of the will. Realizing it was a trap, she rushes to put it back on the safe place.
Eight Suspects One Murder
The day after In Ho’s birthday, Bit Na walks in to her father’s room to give his morning drink. But, she finds him lifeless with sign of being poisoned.
The police officers arrive to conduct an investigation. They question and assess the motives and alibis of the eight suspects to the murder of the celebrated painter. Learning In Ho set a trap for people who would illegally open his safe, the police check on the hands of the people in the house.
All but two show traces of paint visible through infrared light – Dokko Chul, the step-brother and Kim Ji Hye, Bit Na’s mother. Worried for her mom who believes she was framed, Bit Na looks for clues to help her.
Scouring on her father’s room, Bit Na struggles to find something that can help her. Until she spots something hidden on her father’s table. She retrieves an envelope from a hospital and gets shocked when she realized that all along her father has already recovered from his illness.
Chip In Premiere Week Peak Points + Musings
I love the story sketch of Chip In so far. It’s exciting me to join the “guess the killer game” it launched on its opening week. Also, the documentary-drama format, albeit wordy, piques interest to the motives of the presumed suspects of the murder.
Somehow, it also sheds light on the intricate connection shared by blood ties or long-running relationships. Specifically, which more matters.
From the looks of it, viewers would be like members of K-Drama jury, who will weigh the perspectives to be raised in the succeeding episodes. Right now, it is really hard to decipher who the culprit is and if there are connivance involved. What we can be sure of are added twists and turns that would make our suspicions either validate our hunches or get confused even more.
Chip In airs on MBC every Wednesday and Thursday.
Premiere Week Rating: 
K-Drama Premiere Schedule: August 2020 Korean Dramas – “SF8”, “Stranger 2”, “Alice” & More
Photos: MBC
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