Ok, I have just finished the episode.

First, I must say I have no idea or recollection of the original Criminal Minds. I watched some of the very first season long long time ago. So you can say I am watching the Korean remake with ‘fresh eyes’.

Secondly, I am not a fan of Lee Jun Ki’s acting. I’ve read people raving about his acting prowess and I feel quite differently. However, I am stubbornly weird or weirdly stubborn in that I like to find what is it about him that everyone is so amazed with. So, I’ve tried dramas like Moon Lovers which did not change my opinion. I am watching CM and hoping that this might just be the role which I like of LJK.

My verdict:
Story – nothing special. Not bad but not fantastic. After all these crime shows, I don’t find this exceptional. It could be an issue with the storytelling too. Let’s take FOS for an example. When all the secrets come out in the end, we might find that the whole web not as out of the ordinary as we think. I mean corruption is corruption, right? However, the difference is the way the story is told and unfolds before our very eyes.

Directing – I found the colors quite interesting and appreciate the change from the norm. However, I don’t like the way the camera zooms in onto the actors’ faces(namely the trio) and lingers for a while. It makes the actors look awkward and come off as unnatural.

I usually like Son Hyun Joo but he comes off as not very natural here. It’s like he’s trying very hard to be cool and deadpan. There were flickers of good acting here and there though. In comparison, I’d say the ahjussis at FOS like Yoo Jae Myung are better. Also, very still and cool but doesn’t come off as trying hard if you know what I mean.

I really like MCW in some shows. I don’t have a huge issue with her here except that again, there were a couple of times I felt she was trying too hard like Son Hyun Joo. Maybe because her character is boring and flat. Otherwise, I think she’s fine. It just makes me appreciate actress like Bae Doo Na. She’s at the level where you can’t tell she is acting.

I like Lee Jun Ki here better than in Moon Lovers. I think I have the most problem with him when he does emo roles. Not a fan of overacting and canned expressions.

There is a chance here since his character is hot headed and has a baggage. I already dislike his character the most, not LJK”s fault though. He seems to be the most dumb and reckless. I will find it very hard to root for him if this continues. I don’t care how passionate or how hurt he is.

Strangely, I miss Kim Young Kwang while I was watching this. Where are the layered characters?