Beautiful Mind: Episodes 13-14

All good things come to an end, and for Beautiful Mind, it’s been an incredible journey of self-discovery and healing. To be honest, I’ve sat here for days wondering how to write this post, knowing that I’m still not ready to let go but ultimately must. It’s been a fantastic ride, along with many memorable firsts, making this my favourite k-drama to date. When a drama shows this much integrity in all aspects of its production, you know you’ve got a real gem on your hands. One that lasts the test of time, to savour for years to come.

Beautiful Mind: Episodes 11-12

We move into Angstville and a number of familiar tropes, which have been simmering throughout the drama, are in full play this week (and possibly the next). It’s difficult to ignore the fact that Beautiful Mind does have enough story to last the full 16 episodes, but I’m trying to make peace with the episode cut by deluding myself that this would be like a slightly longer J-drama – how awesome would it be, though, if Japan remade this and invited Jang Hyuk to reprise his role? So many dramas have faltered in the second half of their run, but the cast and crew have responded admirably so far and I hope this continues as we head into the final stretch. Also, episode 11 is a big fuck you to KBS, cleverly couched in the downsizing plot with several choice barbs of love thrown in. Good one, drama.

Beautiful Mind: Episodes 1-10

Lately, I’ve lost my marbles again, but this time it’s for a good cause. When you sink your teeth into a drama on a whim (more or less), and find yourself richly rewarded, the feels… they are damn good.

Lee Young-oh (Jang Hyuk) is a genius neurosurgeon with impeccable observational, deductive and logical skills, but is unable to feel empathy. A series of patient deaths at Hyunsung Medical Centre, where Young-oh works, force him and traffic cop Gye Jin-sung (Park So-dam) to work together to uncover the mystery behind it all…