Consider bringing ample patience when you invite yourself as a viewer of One Ordinary Day.
Maneuvering to a set trajectory, the eight-episode run of the series explored the emotions of a defendant accused of a crime he did not commit. Relaying the perspectives of the prosecution pushing the crime on him and the lawyer proving otherwise; convincing arguments were raised in a story that highlights the sad realities of the justice system.
- Main Cast: Kim Soo Hyun | Cha Seung Won | Kim Sung Kyu | Kim Shin Rok | Kim Hong Fa | Lee Sol |
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- Similar Dramas: Innocent Defendant
abbyinhallyuland watched One Ordinary Day on Viu
One Ordinary Day Quick Plot Recap
Living his life as an ordinary student, Kim Hyun-soo (Kim Soo Hyun) wakes up to the sight of a woman he slept with brutally murdered. With all evidence pointing to him as the murderer, his life changed drastically.
Braving prison life while his case is on trial, he meets a few people that give him hope that justice can still protect him. At the same time, his life also delineates people that can disregard the power and responsibility they have in serving the rightful integrity they should be accountable for.
Hyun-soo’s trial has all evidence attesting he committed the crime. Thus, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. However, his motive can’t be established. With the help of Lawyer Shin Jung-han (Cha Seung Won), the culprit was belatedly determined.
But the people responsible for tainting an innocent person to suffer a life because of investigation lapses owned to the error. disregarding their very own previous actions caused an unchangeable pain for Hyun-soo.
One Ordinary Day Peak Points
Thought-Provoking Criticisms on Criminal Justice System
One Ordinary Day traverses the story of a young man who suffered humiliation and pains because of advertently disregarding thorough investigations. His plight can’t get any better because the sliver of hope that he can grab on is controlled by people bent on improving their position by withholding pertinent details to his case.
The series posits the harrowing realness of how some accused lawbreakers ended up serving court sentences they don’t deserve. This is true in the past and even now. Accordingly, this was highlighted by the parallel stories of Ji-tae and Hyun-soo who both confronted airtight crime cases against them at an age when they have yet to experience life.
Stunning Character Portrayals
Spinning “me and my 3rd-rate lawyer against conniving police and prosecutor” story, the primary and relevant characters in the story impeccably kept the core driving point. When you savor its full picture after watching the series, there were moments that are truthfully bland.
Thankfully, the committed portrayals neutralize the nondescript underdog story. Kim Soo Hyun captured the annoying irresolute demeanor of Hyun-soo who represented people victimized by existing laws and people cross-checking the truth.
Likewise, Cha Seung Won gave a winning rendition to his role. Providing emotional support to his emotionally unstable and wavering client, he is a reminder of how we can be an accidental person that would spur life to a hopeless one.
Both remarkable in their portrayals Kim Sung Kyu and Kim Shin Rok stimulated the character development of Hyun-soo in the story. Despite appearing muted, their piercing portrayals correspond to unexpected faces of people who can extend genuine compassion or heartless blaming. Sometimes the person you least expect to have heartfelt warmth actually has it.
One Ordinary Day Series Musings
Nothing grand nor memorable, One Ordinary Day greatly benefited from its series-long bait of figuring out how Hyun-soo can be absolved of the crime he strongly denied doing.
Surely, the first half of the series really raises any viewer’s protective instinct. Along the way, unfortunately, the character’s weak, indecisive and poor choices made us feel sorry for Lawyer Shin’s herculean task.
Thankfully, the series opted for the right amount of episodes since lengthening the run might force the narrative to circle.
For a hero-centric story, we shared the sigh of relief knowing Hyun-soo was set free. However, the ending was evidently flat.
I struggled to contemplate the message of this series, to be honest. Was it giving a reminder that crime perpetrators who are considered weakling won’t survive the trial process?
Was it castigating the police probe processes that can administer unfair actions towards the powerless? Or was it encouraging significant law amendments that would protect framed law offenders since evidence can be manipulated?
Ultimately, all these questions encompass the shortcomings, unavoidable or intentional, prevalently transpiring in the justice system.
If you want a quick empathizing crime-legal story, you can book this series on Viu. Expect absorbing characterizations in a prosaic narrative.
Photos: Coupang Play
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