A K-Drama Spin on ‘Life on Mars’

Korean dramas have been the hot thing for viewers over the last few years. And, most of them were the usual romance-based, comedy-induced dramas.

But if you have a craving for crime dramas from Korea with hints of sci-fi, adventure and action to add more flavour, don’t look any further than the Korean adaptation of the BBC’s ‘Life On Mars’.

The series sets you up for a suspenseful approach with the protagonist, Han Tae-joo, played by Jung Kyung-ho, who leads the crime fighting in modern day Korea.

Police are hunting a serial bad guy which ultimately leads to Tae-joo ending up in a coma that transports him back to the 1980s where he experiences crime fighting of that era.

As is the norm of the BBC classic, a difficult no-nonsense boss is also part of the party played by veteran actor Park Sung-woong. The female lead is held by actress Go Ah-sung as a resourceful admin-steady copper.

The start of the series begins with Tae-joo bungling about trying to come to grips with the period switch that was the result of his coma in modern day Korea that can obviously disorientate anybody. But, finally armed again with a crime fighting unit, he sets off with badge and gut in tow to prevent what had become his modern day nemesis from becoming a reality.

The other surprises that spring up help with constant twists to the plot. The series is 16 episodes strong with lots of smaller crimes and stories adding up to the major puzzle of the series.

The BBC version spanned over two seasons and the plot played on the same premise of having to adjust to the way policing was done in the 1970s in Britain. This is how the Koreans wanted to portray how South Korean policing took place in the 1980s at the height of Communist threats and what life looked like pre-cellphones and major pop culture.

An American version had also been done, but the series only lasted for one season due to low viewership ratings. This next offering of the famous original provides a new look to the US version.

A new spin-off is being teased for the next project which would see the plot being based in China, during the 1990s when China went through a period of economic reform and major social dynamic change. The BBC has been actively scouting for partnerships that would best rework some of their hit TV shows of the early 2000s.

Catch this Korean crime fighter on your favourite streaming service.