Title : Life on Mars
Episodes : 16
Genre : Adaption, Crime, Drama, Time traveling, Mystery
Story : 7 out of 10
Characters : 8 out of 10
Cinematography : 8 out of 10
Life on Mars is the Korean adaption of the British television drama with the same title. And as a whole, they managed to pull it off nicely and give it the Korean flavor.
Story
Tae Joo is an investigator in Seoul, in 2018. He is called to prove that a serial killer is the murderer of a young girl, but he ends up proving him innocent. Later that night, while chasing him, he gets attacked and goes into a coma. When he wakes up, he finds himself in 1988. Without knowing how he is introduced in the local police station as the new edition to their team. Tae Joon now has to live in the past, solving cases, while trying to figure out what happened to him and how he could go back. Also, many secrets from his past resurface, as he meets his dad who wasn’t who he thought he was.
The first part of the story was actually really good. The plot focused on solving crimes, bonding the team, and also teasing us with hints of a mystery that happened when Tae Joo was young and he had been chased by a murderer then too. Adapting to that new lifestyle and old ways of solving crimes were entertaining to watch, as Tae Joo was always confused, but he didn’t give up. In addition, the mystery of his past, as well as his current condition, were intriguing.
The second part, however, was confusing. After the Tae Joo’s family secrets were out, the story started revealing more on the mystery of Tae Joo going back in time. The past and his present were somehow tangled together, but the final explanation never came. The ending was okay, but it left a lot open, which make me guess that there might be a second season on the works.
Characters
I didn’t find Tae Joo a likable character. He was arrogant and too full of himself. He focused only on himself and his family and he didn’t want to accept his team. He did grow as a character a bit, after bonding with the team and finding out about his past. Jung Kyung Ho was excellent, and his performance was just perfect for Tae Joo.
Dong Cheol is Tae Joo’s chief in 1988. He is a bully that gets what he wants. He, however, cares about his team and he gets results, even though his ways aren’t always the best. Maybe Dong Cheol was the most likable character of the drama, oddly enough. At first, he is appalling, but you grow to like him eventually. Park Sung Wook was really good as Dong Cheol and you couldn’t have anyone else portray him.
Na Yeong is a young police officer and the only woman in her department. She is treated as a maid rather than a member of the team and her co-workers never listen to what she has to say. However, she is clever and friendly, as well as good willing and the only one who tried to help Tae Joo. In return, he helps her find her voice and always consults her about the cases. Go Ah Sung was kind of too quiet as Na Young, but she grew better as the drama proceeded.
Cinematography
The drama managed to successfully pull off the flashbacks and going back and forth scenes, as well as the delusions and the blending of the past and present. The presentation of 1988, moreover, was really good as well. Finally, the action scenes were very realistic.
Overall
My rating for this drama has to be 8 out of 10. The story was nice, as well as the performances, however, the ending and the explanation for the time traveling weren’t satisfying.
K&J Reviews 
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