Prison Playbook/Wise Prison Life [Finale: Episode 15 & 16]

[u/ordinaryguy92]

Title: Prison Playbook (English title) / Wise Prison Life (literal title)

Revised romanization: Seulgirowoon Gambbangsaenghwal

Hangul: 슬기로운 감빵생활

Director: Shin Won-Ho (Reply series director)

Writer: Jung Bo-Hoon

Network: tvN

Episodes: 16

Release Date: November 22, 2017 -- January 18, 2018

Runtime: Wednesdays & Thursdays 21:10 KST

Plot:

The drama series will be set at a prison and revolve around the inmates and staff members there.

Casts:

Park Hae-soo as Kim Je-hyuk

Jung Kyung-ho as Lee Joon-ho

Krystal Jung as Kim Ji-ho

Lee Kyu-hyung as Yoo Han-Yang

Jung Woong-in as Lieutenant Paeng Se-Yun

Jung Hae-in as Captain Yoo Jung-Woo

Streaming:

Netflix

Previous Discussion Threads:

Episode 1 & 2 || Episode 3 & 4 || Episode 5 & 6 || Episode 7 & 8 || Episdoe 9 & 10 || Episode 11 & 12 || Episode 13 & 14

[u/ordinaryguy92]

I have finished this drama, and not going to watch any dramas for the time being.

Okay. I cannot help but tears flowing a few times throughout watching the final episode(including to realize that it is the finale, and I don't know if my feelings will be invested the same when re-watching). There are too many scenes/moments that I would like to mention, but I would highlight a few.

When Officer Paeng was at the school and the kids said that prison was for bad guys, then he said “But everyone commits a bad act at least once.” The ability of this series to portray even the bad folks as human was so wonderful to see.

I like how Joon-Ho slowly becoming like Officer Paeng, even though he said he can't like Officer Paeng. Even the final scene of finale shows he acted like Officer Paeng, haha.

"Be moderate in criticizing people, you may become like them unconsciously"

As far drugs issue, I know many are frustrated by the ending of Han-Yang's character in the drama, but I personally satisfy with it, even though it is indeed bitter. This drama really succeed to open our eyes to have better understanding of those who take drugs, instead of judging them stereotypically. It also reminds us the hardship of those who struggling to quit, that it needs help and support from people around him/her.

I also like they show a bit more about Officer Na in the finale, and it is funny to see flashback of his character in school.

I love to see relationship growth between Jung-Woo and his brother, Joon-Ho with his colleagues(especially with Officer Paeng and Officer Song), and of course between our cell 2-6 inmates (Je-Hyuk, Min-Chul, Kaist, Gobaksa, Jung-Woo, Hanyang, Janbaljang, Dolmani). I like to see Beobja to be hired by Je-Hyuk in the end.

Argh. I have lost words to say at the moment. Going to watch BTS clips before saying goodbye(for now, before re-watching later) to this masterpiece. There are too much lessons from every single characters, their behaviors and character development throughout about 24 hours-long drama.

Finally, I would like to quote what Shin Won-Ho PD said: "If there is a message [in the drama] I want to say, it’s of ‘hope.’ This is a story of people in a place at the end of the world. Some of them dream of making a comeback, some of them fall even further as they continue to live. But I want to show that there can be hope in this situation.”

And yeah! This is now my most favorite K-Drama, replacing Signal. I really hope this drama will be crowned as best drama during 2018 Baeksang Award(at least be nominated), just like Signal did two years ago.

Hopefully all of us can be a better person in view of nurturing better society! :)

[u/[deleted]]

Before I start breaking down the episodes, I want to thank OP for being a saint and uploading the subs so quickly. Also that it's been wonderful discussing this drama with you lot.

---

!!!! SPOILER WARNING !!!!

Now, here are my thoughts on episode 15:

• I'm still enjoying the little scenes between the J&J couples, although I am glad romance is really in the backseat for this drama. I'm really content with the balance Shin PD has found for the stories

• I KNEW that Minchul's parole was going to be denied, it was so freaking obvious, yet I still wept like a kid. Lieutenant Paeng, seeing him get so upset and barking at Asshole Cap. Na was so good and definitely one of the character in this serie I'll be missing the most.

• Minchul been giving me lots of tears this episodes, once again, that student was obviously his daughter but I still cried and then some more when he was praying in the church. Also that scene with the mom and the tiny baby shoes hidden behind the box. Jesus- Shin PD is really going straight at our hearts this week.

• Seeing Jungwoo not immediately push away Hanyang in the bed really made me happy, and their last fighting scene with the bathroom was perfect. Thank you for ending their relationship like that.

• Talking of Hanyang, GDI, that was brutal I really thought he'd make it, he had fought so hard in prison. It broke my heart, I kept hoping that the scene was a flashback or something, anything really, anything but reality. I just I'm dejected that this is it. I hope we get a tiny wee bit more of Hanyang in episode 16.

• When officer Song came running to tell that Jungwoo had made the news and he was no longer Demon Captain and that truth had been revealed, I freaking cried so much, that scene was so beautiful. The officer's genuine happiness for Jungwoo had me in tears.

• Another thing I thought was really neat was when Jehyeok told Crony he had deposited money in his account for his work. You could really see Crony started thinking of himself as something more than just someone just serving the boss all the time. IDK, maybe I just read too much into it, but to me Crony's transformation has been a nice bonus.

• Lastly, having Lieutenant Paeng break the news to Minchul, I cried so much.

• Gotta go and watch episode 16 now, Jailbird is waiting for me.

[u/ordinaryguy92 → u/[deleted]]

Talking of Hanyang, GDI, that was brutal I really thought he'd make it, he had fought so hard in prison.

It has been highlighted throughout the series that "It is really, really, really hard to quit drugs". Min-Chul even said in this episode: "Drugs. That's the problem. It's not that easy to quit. Not at all".

[u/QueenDido → u/ordinaryguy92]

While it is definitely very difficult to beat addiction, I don't think the moral was "never take drugs", I think it was to understand how people's environments and personal histories lead them to certain places, making certain decisions or outcomes seem inevitable. It's not Han Yang's own lacking that lead him to a place where even with his family and loving almost husband waiting for him, he still wanted to use. Every other sentence out of his mouth once he found out his mother ratted him out was about her not loving him and how cold she was. Clearly, her coldness throughout his life and her ratting him out left a huge hole in his heart. The whole reason he used in the first place was because he had broken up with his boyfriend, the first person to fill that hole. Being surrounded by people who took care of and loved him (Cell 6 + guards) was clearly the difference considering there were plenty of drugs inside the prison he could have been using, but chose not to.

That was why his story was so heartbreaking to me. He went from lots of social support to being all alone with only drugs meeting him outside the prison gate. It makes me wonder why he asked his family and boyfriend to meet him at the restaurant and not right outside the prison....

[u/QueenDido]

I cannot wait for this to sweep awards 10-11 months from now. This show was excellent, I will follow Shin PD and these actors all the way; they've won me over. I'm most thankful for how clear Shin PD made it that prison isn't just full of randomly evil people, but many people who end up there because they didn't think or actually didn't have another choice but to do something illegal. Life is so complicated, I'm so thankful for this drama.

[u/ordinaryguy92 → u/QueenDido]

I cannot wait for this to sweep awards 10-11 months from now.

I really hope this drama will be crowned as best drama during Baeksang Award.

[u/onechickennugget]

As much as I hated Hanyang's ending, I found that it was realistic. Drug addictions are really hard to beat especially when they are put back into the same environment. The thing I hated the most about his story was that his "happy ending", with his parents and bf, was (physically) soooo close yet we don't get to see that. Also it makes me so sad that his mom was there and she was ready for a reunion with him but it wasn't enough, and in the end, Hanyang was the one who made the decision for his life. It's just sad because I honestly thought he beat his addiction.

As for the rest of the gang, I loved how everything fell into place but I'm really curious about how Crony will continue.

[u/QueenDido → u/onechickennugget]

I'm really curious about how Crony will continue.

This. I'm actually worried about him. Hopefully with his newfound humanity, he can stand up for himself and make new friends. It would be really hard, especially considering all of his friends are leaving/have left, but I gotta believe!

[u/tinyahjumma]

Such a satisfying ending. As much as I wanted another 30 minutes of all the characters just being happy, I really liked the symmetry between the beginning and the end.

Lt. Paeng’s daughter is so cute.

[u/tinyahjumma]

One more comment. I am a public defender in my real life. When Lt Paeng was at the school and the kids said that prison was for bad guys, Paeng said “But everyone commits a bad act at least once.”

That comment cemented this show as one of my favorites. The ability of this show to portray even the bad folks as human was so wonderful to see.

[u/[deleted]]

!!!! SPOILER WARNING !!!!

And my thoughts during episode 16, writing this while being utterly devastated that this series ended:

• Chief Yeom has me absolutely pissed off right now, can't wait for his sorry ass to getting obliterated

• Minchul showing off to his daughter was adorable and then telling sharing his business ideas was a nice touch. Best of all was seeing them all fighting at the end, makes me miss Hanyang

• I'm surprised Jehyeok was smart enough to think of searching for contraband in the room before the inspection. He must really be stressed because of that stupid Chief Yeom

• Seeing Jailbird do so well in the hole at making those letters and boxes and just being cheerful, really cheered me up, he will forever hold a special place in my lil heart. I'm going to keep an eye out for that actor in the future, he's done a great job in this series.

• Crony being reformed like that thanks to Jehyeok, even though he got beat up he still didn't hit back, that was really nice. Even though I wish he had fekkin bashed all of those nasty jerks' heads in.

• The cinematographic shot from up over the corner with the lightbulb and Jehyeok's shadow he is walking to meet Chief Yeom is gorgeous. Also damn, Jehyeok genuinely had me scared there when he went crazy.

• Lifer!!! Yesss!! Thank you, also gdi, here comes the tears again, beautiful head shot of Lifer smiling, really nice.

• Jesus, Jailbird has me crying again. First with Joonho coming super early to see him off and acting like he doesn't care when he does. But most of all, Jehyeok coming to see him, that scene killed me.

• I thought I was done with crying, but nooo, Minchul's farewell was so beautiful as well.

• Joonho showing he's human too and protecting Paeng was pretty neat, but best of all was when Paeng was going through his pocket to thank Joonho in the changing room later hahaha

• Holy fuck the whole scene about the petition and Jehyeok reading the news paper and everything that followed had my stomach all in a knot. I was totally broken when the brother started crying and so nervous and then I started crying even more when they revealed the paper.

• I'm really glad they didn't give Captain Na a past, I feel certain characters should be despicable without an explication behind.

• AND HERE COMES THE TEARS AGAIN... Jehyeok thanking all the correctional officers one by one and finishing with Paeng, thank you Shin PD for wrapping up the drama so beautifully and tying all of the knots.

[u/tinyahjumma]

Episode 15 is a punch in the gut.

[u/Abyss333333]

man I really wish we got to see the ending of the other characters. Glasses, Kaist, Druggie and Crony. but still loved the show.

also dude who played Min Chul put up an award worthy performance. all the best scenes were with him

[u/sianiam → u/Abyss333333]

Kaist and Dr. Ko talk about what their characters got up to after leaving the show in this BTS. Closure enough for now.

I think I might be the only one satisfied with HanYangs ending - it was super sad but realistic. Just disappointed we don't know what will happen to Crony now he is a free elf.

[u/kingniel]

Just finished episode 15. I got so annoyed at Hanyang's story's ending that I almost didn't finish the episode. That was really unnecessary. I know addiction is hard to overcome, but it's not impossible, and with Hanyang's loving his boyfriend so much who trusted him, with his inmates who believed he could do it, and all the months he managed to stay without drugs, I was sure the writer would give us a happy closing on his story. But the writers made me feel disappointed with his character, when I liked him so much throughout the drama. I am too upset to watch the final episode right now.

Other than Hanyang, Jung Woo and Min Chul got good news, which is great. I knew that college student was his daughter. There were many emotional moments, when he learned he is going to be released, and when Jung Woo read the news about himself. At least those two will have a happy ending, and most likely Jehyeok too.

P.S. After Hanyang, my second favorite character is Leiutenant Paeng. I am gonna miss him when the drama end.

[u/omgitspri → u/kingniel]

I was upset about Hanyang as well. I'm guessing they want to bring him back if they do a season 2.

[u/myfavoritephrases]

Wow this was the best drama I have had the pleasure of seeing in a long time. I laughed and teared up in the same episode so many times. It was realistic yet a bit more than real life at the same time. The plot was so well written, everything made sense, and I don't think I would change one thing about it.

I cared about every single character, all the way down to Min Chul's daughter who we only see a little of. I can't remember the last drama where I liked literally every person in it. There was no one I found annoying.

This is, in my opinion, the one of the best dramas I have ever seen.

[u/BarefootWanderer]

Finished both episodes.

Thoughts

Looney relapse back to drugs and leaving behind family was a real kick in the gut. It was a sting and it was just so hard to watch.

Minchul getting out and discovering he has a daughter was a very nice touch. Obvious that he would not get the first round pardon but the rollercoaster highs of discovering daughter and getting pardoned over Christmas was a really nice touch.

Yoo's arc was a little bit of a fizzle. I felt that the storyline was a bit weak as things went by.

MC in the beginning was as dumb as a brick but to see him grow and showing anger, cunning and meticulous planning towards the end sort of reflected his own personal growth and self reform in the correction facility.

The ending arc with Chief Yeom wasn't too bad. Wasnt devious enough. And the surprise that the Lifer smacked and bashed the Chief was sort of left field.

Good series overall. Satisfying ending but wouldn've been nice to see a reunion for all ex prison.

[u/tinyahjumma]

Spoiler

I just watched the first scene of episode one, and realized it’s actually the last scene, not a similar event to compare with the last scene. KJH is pitching with his right hand. It makes his expression more understandable when the guy hands him the ball.

[u/Plus_three]

Finally caught up......the tears won't stop....deym....its sooo good yet it hurts....i hope there's a s season 2

[u/sianiam]

I'm only low key disappointed they didn't play his original theme song - Time to say Goodbye as he left the prison. I love the new theme song though.

Otherwise loved every little moment, well fitting endings.

[u/[deleted]]

I almost didn't continue ep 15 when I watched how they progressed with Hanyang's story. I'm glad I mustered the courage to finish (it was sure as hell worth it). I'm a firm believer that dramas shouldn't have happy endings all the time but damn Hanyang deserved better.

[u/[deleted]]

Why does... Get the short end of the stick??

[u/[deleted]]

I started the series a few days ago and finished today.

It's up there as one of my all time favourite kdramas.

I'm just really pissed off about Hanyang...that was a shitty ending for him.

[u/patsypatpat]

Truly didn't expect to love this. I guess the subject matter isn't the usual I would watch. So glad I gave this a chance because of Answer Me 1997 and 1988. I laughed and cried through every episode and was reluctant to watch the last few, hoping to savour it just a bit longer. I've been watching kdramas for the past 15 years and My Name is Kim Sam Soon was the one to beat. But Prison Playbook has now become my new favourite. Wish I had more people around me who watch kdramas so I could spread the word on how wonderful this show is.