(A spoiler free review of Notes from the last row)
Notes from the Last Row is the type of drama that will constantly make you question what you are seeing. It is an incredible drama filled with endless plot twists, not a single episode will miss the chance to leave your jaw wide open. Although I watched this drama fully aware of this fact, I did not predict a single plot twist that unfolded before my eyes, I was met with shock after shock which completely changed the way I interpreted everything that came before.
A Different Side of Choi Hyunwook
One charm of the show that kept me watching so eagerly was Choi Hyunwook’s impeccable acting. I was met with pleasant surprise by his performance, as I did not expect him to play such a character. His role in Notes from the Last Row certainly differs from his characters in other dramas, such as Weak Hero Class and Twenty Five Twenty One, where he plays the cheerful, extroverted and loveable character in the shows. However, this drama presents a totally different side of Choi Hyunwook to the viewers, through the manipulative and reserved character ‘Lee Kang’, who maintains an aura of mystery and secrets. Watching Hyunwook’s performance in this role made me come to the realisation of how talented he is, given that he has the ability to play various characters that are so different to one another.
The Enigma of Lee Kang
This drama as a whole is unique in Hyunwook’s filmography, as it is a psychological thriller (although his character does manage to entertain the viewers with his natural wit throughout the show). It consists heavily of themes such as mystery, murder, crime and family secrets, of which the character of Lee Kang perfectly embodies. Throughout the drama, Lee Kang maintains an ambiguous identity, with his true opinions and thoughts remaining vague, emphasising the mystery that surrounds him. This keeps the viewers curious throughout the drama, however we are not only curious about Lee Kang, but we also hold curiosity about the seemingly ‘perfect’ family who, according to Lee Kang, are not perfect at all. One quotation that really stayed with me was “When the line between kindness and cruelty gets blurred, everything becomes a question mark. Like that smile that harbours some unknown malice.” The uncertainty that is highlighted in this quotation becomes the heart of the series, as it makes you question every character’s intentions.
The Power of the Unreliable Narrator
This is where the trope of the ‘unreliable narrator’ comes in, as the viewers are never really sure who to believe and whether to believe what they are shown on the screen. There are several moments where we are watching scenes imagined by the professor, Heo Mun-Oh (played by Choi Min-sik) while other moments are later revealed to have happened differently once more information comes to light. Even with all the twists and changes to what the viewers are shown, this only adds more mystery rather than feeling confusing, and presents the question: ‘How much can we really trust the stories that we are told, or even the ones we tell ourselves?’
The View from the Last Row
Another one of my favourite aspects is how this series explores the idea of observation. Early on, Lee Kang is asked why he always sits in the last row, to which he responds with “You can see everything from there (…) a seat where I can observe everything without being seen myself.” This line ultimately ends up reflecting the entire story. The idea of being both the observer and the participant, and the responsibility that follows turning what you witness into a story, runs throughout the entire drama.
Final Thoughts
Inspired by Juan Mayorga’s play El chico de la última fila, Notes from the Last Row is not simply a mystery kdrama. It is a psychological drama about perspective, imagination and the line between observing experiences and rewriting it. If you enjoy unpredictable stories that will reward you for paying attention to every detail, this is one that I would highly recommend.
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