Designated Survivor: 60 Days (2019)

An enthralling journey into the Blue House.

I had a major case of withdrawal syndrome after this show and the reason is pretty simple- I was not ready to let go of the actors or the characters or the story of the man who becomes the interim President of ROK. Right off the bat, we know that while Park Moo Jin may or may not be President material, he's certainly a capable Minister. This sows the seeds of intrigue in the viewers about what sort of a path awaits this calm and collected individual and the show doesn't disappoint. There's not a single scene that feels out of place. It has moments that are endearing, heartwarming and joyful and a number of tense times when all roads lead to a dead end. Park Moo Jin doesn't know the answer most of the times and often, he's given a limited number of options with unknown number of variables in a limited amount of time in which to make a decision. That is what makes this a compelling show.

There are two aspects to this drama- political and investigative- and surprisingly it's the former that draws us in and keeps us hooked. The investigation, while by no means a side-plot, definitely took the back seat more often than not. It also could have been handled better as it did tend to drag the drama at times. I cannot say much about this imbalance, however, as I haven't watched the original American version. The investigation is not a strong element but manages to blend in well. This was never about the villain, the culprit, who was pretty obvious and easy to guess in my opinion. The investigation just supplies us with evidence on that front. The show is about State politics and there, it's every bit exciting. Every political set back is overcome intelligently with the help of a strong team of advisors, and the small but noticeable moments of humour, family and relationships weave solidly into the main fabric of the story. Episode 9 will always be my favourite of the bunch.

The casting is excellent. Everyone does an admirable job of bringing their characters to life. In a drama with a strong story, it's easy for certain characters to become caricatures and it's the cast here that prevents it from happening. Ji Jin Hee and Son Soek Koo seem to be born for their roles. It's as impossible to say who did a better job as it is to take our eyes away from the screen when either of them is there. Lee Joon Hyuk nails the suave and silkily cunning Oh Young Seok. Nothing is perfect, however, and Kang Ha Na stands out as a sore misfit. She fails to convey the emotions of an officer struggling personally and professionally. In that sense, Kim Joo Heon feels wasted. I so wanted him to take over from Kang Ha Na and be that strong lead the investigation required.

The characterisation is a chef's kiss. Park Moo Jin, Cha Young Jin, Oh Young Seok, the Blue House staff, Yoon Chan Kyung and Moo Jin's family are all expertly crafted. Cinematography and music elevate the mood and are suitably good. A special mention for the many metaphors the director threw in like they were nothing- Moo Jin and Young Seok often coming from two different ends of a Y-pathway, being just an example.

This is the kind of story that remains with you long after it's over, haunts you for days to come and begs you to rewatch it whenever you can. I'll definitely be going back because, honestly, can we get enough of the warm, kind President and his group of eccentric advisors? NO!

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Well, call me the odd one out of the bunch who really didn't like this. I seriously took a nap after every episode! It was just that slow. The main character had only one facial expression and that was the 'confused' look. It grated my nerves!

I watched because I liked Lee Gi Young in Vegabond. I will watch anything he's in because he plays his characters really well. I even liked Jeon Sung Woo. His skills and gulliblenesss-yeah I know it's not a word-made him more likeable than any other character in this series.

I even liked the female cop. She was bad a** to the end.

Sadly no one in my opinion could save this series. To me it took too long to get to the plot and then in the end you find out the person who was behind everything wasn't the person you expected so I don't know why they took that issue in that direction.

Plus the ending was so freakin' cliche!!

I kinda got the gist of the ending due to Keifer Sutherland's show that has the same premise as this. I like Sutherland but he portrays the same character in anything he plays in. I can't tell if he's disinterested in the roles he play or he's portraying a laid back type of person either way I didn't see his version and wish I hadn't seen the Korean version.

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Drama político puro y duro.

Designated Survivor: 60 Days no es para todo público. Tiene una trama densa, asfixiante, cardíaca y pesada de digerir. Pero es una serie maravillosa. En occidente quizá la juzguemos con una mayor ferocidad, a las sombras del drama original estadounidense que Netflix aun exhibe con orgullo en su catálogo a pesar de su reciente cancelación.
Aun así, la diplomacia y los roces políticos internacionales a los pies del salvaje terrorismo siguen un mismo camino tanto a este lado del mundo como en la península coreana, sumida en una extraña tregua desde hace más de 60 años con su nación hermana.

El atentado al parlamento es solo el listón inaugural de una serie de acontecimientos que fluirán como un torrente sin posibilidad de freno durante los próximos 60 días (30, si nos ponemos muy estrictos). El drama en sí es un espiral de situaciones (cada una más grave que la otra) que parecen no tener fin. En este nivel de incertidumbre, bajo este panorama de histeria colectiva y misiles apuntando a un desastre nuclear, es donde un tímido Ministro del Medio Ambiente tiene que dejar de lado los microscopios, el laboratorio, los números y la ciencia misma, para ponerse al frente de una nación que no lo eligió jamás. El profesor Park Mu-jin es un experto en química, un genio de formulas y raciocinio, pero una completa mediocridad en cuanto a política se refiere. La honestidad, en un mundo de corrupción, está muy lejos de ser una virtud.

Quizá eso es lo que más peso tiene a lo largo de toda la serie: ver la evolución de un presidente forjado a la fuerza, por las circunstancias de un magnicidio, mientras intenta mantener a flote todos sus principios. En el proceso de hacer lo imposible le lloverán traiciones y consejos por igual. Pero la serie brilla por saber llevar todo de una manera astuta e inteligente, sin caer en las vueltas de guión inverosímiles y mal fundamentadas a favor de una subida de rating.

A la par del Presidente Park y su entrañable gabinete presidencial también está el pequeño grupo de la policía antiterrorista que lucha contra reloj para descubrir quién está detrás de aquel bosquejo tan mundano. La teniente Han y el misterio que envuelve todo lo relacionado con su prometido dan, por si mismo, para una serie aparte. Y sin embargo se agradece que hayan sabido hilvanar ambos escenarios sin parecer forzados.

¿Algo que pocos tolerarán, quizá? Es un drama 'largo'. Episodios que superan los 80 minutos (típico de tvN) no siempre se pueden ver en una sentada.

Recomendada totalmente para todo aquel que disfrute los dramas políticos e intensos. (Los dolores de cabeza están más que asegurados).

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on the edge of being great, but not quite

i expected that this drama would blew me away, and to be honest it didn't.

the main problems with this drama lies on the NIS investigation part. i can see that Kang Han Na works very hard to give justice to her role, but i still feel she's not the best fit for the character. either that, or the whole investigation part concerning this accident is just written so horribly that no good actress can actually save it. yeah, probably the latter.

the most well-done things about the story is Ji Jin Hee and Lee Joon Hyuk, i.e. the political side of things. the pace is rather slow and steady (which reminds me of how similarly this drama feels to Stranger) and the thrill of the drama mostly came about when Lee Joon Hyuk was introduced into the picture. he's a more collected, mysterious and intimidating shady character here than he played in Stranger which i preferred. Ji Jin Hee is undeniably the most perfect choice for the lead role, and he executed it briliantly. his gestures and mannerisms showing discomfort and awkwardness are so spot on, it's so lovely seeing him play a timid character and grow from it throughout the show, mainly because his genius brain recognises the importance of fearing huge responsibility that comes with ultimate power/authority.

SPOILER (read at your own risk)

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i just find the VIP to be Mr. Kim himself really weird because they just want us to believe that after years of doing spying activities in North Korea, he was able to amass enough wealth to have a good grip on the highest-ranking politicians and public officials. that seems lazy ass writing which i have a hard time believing. also the other main culprit in the Blue House turned out to be that person we suspected all along, so rather than the conclusion being anti-climactic, it actually felt like it disastrously tanked somehow.

i still have problems wrapping my head around how the writers decided on that, so at the end of it i am half grateful that i ticked off this drama if not for anything else, just for Ji Jin Hee like i did for Misty LOL!

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A Promising Premise Lost in Execution

As a fan of political dramas, I was intrigued by the concept of "Designated Survivor: 60 Days." However, after watching the Korean drama series, I couldn't help but feel disappointed by the missed opportunities and shortcomings that overshadowed its potential.

The story begins with an unexpected explosion during the State of the Union address, leaving only one politician, Minister Park Moo-jin (played by Ji Jin-hee), as the designated survivor. The series then takes us on a journey as Park finds himself thrust into the role of acting President, tasked with leading the country through a national crisis.

While the initial premise was captivating, the development of the story fell short of my expectations. The pacing often felt rushed, and certain plotlines were introduced and resolved hastily, leaving little room for depth or exploration. Additionally, the narrative lacked the intricate political maneuverings that are characteristic of this genre. It felt like a missed opportunity to delve into the complexities of governance and decision-making during a crisis.

The characters, though adequately portrayed, suffered from a lack of development. Minister Park's transition from a mild-mannered politician to a resolute leader was believable, but the supporting cast was mostly one-dimensional. Many characters lacked depth and failed to elicit an emotional connection, making it difficult to fully invest in their arcs.

Chemistry among the characters was another aspect that fell short. While there were some moments of camaraderie and teamwork, the relationships lacked the depth and nuance that could have made them truly engaging. The interpersonal dynamics felt forced and lacked the organic growth that would have made them more believable.

In terms of production, the series had a polished look, but the visual effects were underwhelming. Certain scenes that required CGI felt artificial and took away from the overall viewing experience. Additionally, the OST, while pleasant, failed to leave a lasting impression. The music didn't effectively elevate the emotional impact of key moments and remained forgettable.

As much as I wanted to enjoy "Designated Survivor: 60 Days," its shortcomings outweighed its strengths. Despite its promising premise, the rushed storytelling, lack of character development, weak chemistry, average production, and forgettable OST prevented it from reaching its full potential.

Taking all these factors into consideration, I would give the story a 6 out of 10. While it had an intriguing premise, the execution fell short. The actors and actresses receive a 7 out of 10 for their performances, with Ji Jin-hee's portrayal of Minister Park being the standout. The music, while not memorable, was still pleasant, earning a 6 out of 10. As for rewatch value, I would give it a 5 out of 10 due to the lack of depth and character investment. Overall, "Designated Survivor: 60 Days" earns a modest 6 out of 10, leaving viewers hoping for a more compelling execution of its promising concept.

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What's scarier than an opponent and an incompetent leader? It's 'sick' people.

It's been a while since I watch a piece that engaged me throughout the whole episodes. It's keeping me on the edge of my seat. The next thing I realized was that every time I wanted to click the next episode my heart was beating so fast like I was about to see my date.

The emotional rollercoaster watching it scene by scene was so priceless. It's full of a hooking point point and so thrilling. The build up was just so good. They really knew how to play with the perfect tempo.

It's not that it's flawless. They still left some questionable rooms but I don't want to say that it's a plot hole. If anything it's like some information delay in order to carry the plot they're trying to pursue.

My favorite part, the political quarrels between Ji Jinhee and Son Sukku was so breathtaking to see. It struck right through my heart as I was enchanted by their acting. It showed this solid synergy and phenomenal chemistry between them. What was that? Oh my God. I always acknowledge that they both were excellent actors. But the acting duet was just on another level. The kind of acting that made me speechless.

The drama was so well delivered that we are able to translate why a character did what they did. At first I really love the nerdy professor and mad scientist version more than when our male lead tried to do politics. Although I didn't quite share the ideology with the opposite party I began to understand the sentiment that giving the highest authority to a clueless leader was so dangerous. But more stories unfold and more interesting things served to build such epic every character development.

Overall it's not a light drama but it's not that hard to swallow even for me as someone who's not into politics. I'll say it's quite easy to follow the story but at the same time it's very intense. The well written script and a good direction playing a brilliant role in delivering the situation.

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kayaknya ini salah satu kdrama original netflix yang paling panjang yak? jujur gue udah masukin judul ini ke ptw sejak lama karna kata orang bagus, tapi ternyata engga sama sekali :( emang salah gue sih karena udah berekspektasi ketinggian, cuma ya gimana yak.

secara keseluruhan ini terlalu bertele-tele banget, terkesan diseret dan dipaksain (twistnya ketebak bgt). serius tp ga serius serius amat, ada kocaknya (memang kocak beneran btw) tp kayak ga tepat ajasi--jadi kaya setengah2 gtlooo. kalo mau serius ya serius, kalo mau kocak ya gimana ya...

tokoh-tokohnya terlalu banyak dan lemah, karakterisasinya kurang kuat gttt. gue aja sempet bingung ni pemeran utamanya siapa. dari kesemuanya juga actingnya ngga ada yg menonjol especially buat yang memainkan peran sebagai badan intelijen.

yang menarik di sini buat gue emang bagian kocaknya sih, interaksinya kim namwook sama cha youngjin sama untungnya park mujin masih kekeuh buat ngga tenggelam sama rasa haus kekuasaan.

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I Couldn't Stop Watching!

First of all i haven't watched the Original but even if i had i wouldn't care to compare.

For those who likes the genre,this is A MUST WATCH.Period.
If you are not that much into political dramas,still i guarantee at least it will catch your attention enough to give it a try.

Designated Survivor is one of those dramas which deserves all the high ratings and all the praises.I never go blindly based only on ratings but i always check them,read the reviews,watch and judge by myself.Because 3 years ago when my journey in Asian Dramas started i followed the hype(as a newbie)and many high rated series really disappointed me.So now as iam a bit more experienced,i have more faith in my personal judgement.

This is all about Politics.Most of the time,heavy politics.Not alot of action.Not alot-to none-Romance.Although it has few comedic splashes to light the mood.Not over the top.Always keeps its serious tone.Also,especially at the early episodes i had some trouble following with the terminology,but it gets really easier and it is essential for the viewer to understand the concept.

This Drama is well written,well structured and well executed.Touches Perfection.
I didn't find serious plot holes,lame time jumps or unnecessary drama.
What makes it interesting apart the story itself,is the characters.Amazing,intriguing characters full of depth.For me there are not main and support roles in this series.Everyone was an exceptional character,played his/her role and contributed to build the story.Everyone shines equally.Not one single boring character.Same goes to the acting.Everyone was well chosen for every role.

Another interesting fact is the lack of villains.In a Political Drama you expect the good guys fight and scheme and plot against the bad guys.Yes of course there are 2 opposite sides.We tend to categorize them in "good" and "evil"Well this was one of the few dramas the line between them was really thin.Even the allegedly villains deep inside are not evil.Everyone has his own motives,personal beliefs and ideals.And everyone stands strong for them.So in my eyes this doesn't make them evil.And i couldn't hate anyone.Not even those who stands on the other side against our protagonists.

As always i pick my favorite character.Here the one who stole my heart was Cha Young Jin(played by Son Suk Ku)He has the biggest character development,he is who he is and states shamelessly his goals,often goes against everyone's opinion.A very strong and charming persona,gradually becoming a nicer and kinder person.I loved him.

It is a drama full of thrilling moments.Full of suspense.A journey through the dirty world of politicians.As i recently watched the Japanese CHANGE i found many similarities.

I said touches perfection.One star off,because of all those moments this drama really stressed me.Made me debate and argue with myself!Made me disagree with our protagonists decisions,made me angry because of some paths the story took and everything seemed to crumble.For those moments the lack of trust and communication between all the agencies and the Blue House.It was really frustrating.There are few unreasonable and unrealistic details too,i couldn't ignore.By any mean all these prevented me from really enjoying it.

Mild Spoiler:







The gathering of the old team at the last episode was the most precious moment of the whole Drama.

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Will you give up on your morals to achieve your goals?

I had to write a review on this drama after completing it. Designated Survivor : 60 Days is a well written and delivered drama with a long list of wonderful actors. Usually one might think that a political drama is boring and stuff. But this drama is a lot different than one can imagine. A lot is happening in every episode which keeps you glued to your seats.The story doesn't give away in the middle and holds firmly till the last episode.
One can not also easily guess about the main antagonist in the story. All the actors did a wonderful job in portraying there roles. I loved the drama, We see a great character development in Acting President Park Moo Jin who was a bit of a pain in the ass at the starting of the story made me fall in love with his character.
The drama asks the question 'Will you give up on your morals to achieve your goals?' on many occasions. So everyone I ask you the same question. What would you do if you were in Acting President Park Moo Jin's shoes?

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Designated survivor is a brilliantly written political drama that keeps you guessing till the end. It is well thought out the way the episodes were laid out. I was hooked from the first scene to the last. I even finished the credits at the end to see if there was more!

The acting was great and believable. The sound or music evoked my emotion and suited each and every scenario.

The drama was a journey of self discovery, sacrifice, hope, ideals and dreams to build a better nation.

I liked it when the Sec Cha said about acting president Park Mun jin " he is different, he always win but no one loses". Imagine a world where our leaders do things in a win-win situation. There were so many one liners or one sentence statements in the drama that spoke to me.

I definitely enjoyed watching it. It gave me positive vibes. It made me hope for a better world if we have the right leaders.

Thank you cast and crew of Designated Survivor
Bravo!!!

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