Strictly Bromance

Psychopath Diary (K-Drama) Review

Not that I know much about K-Drama, but 2019 sure has been a fun one for a bromance lover like me.

Pyschopath Diary gives a slightly similar vibe to Strangers From Hell owing to its central topic of investigating a serial murder, however, this one is a comedy. The ‘bromance’ is hilariously portrayed too.

Presenting to you my review of a very recent show with a pretty unique premise and a highly refreshing plot. An outstanding blend of fun and thrill!

Genre: Comedy, Detective, Thriller, Drama

Year: 2019

Featuring: Yoon Shi-yoon, Jung In-sun, Park Sung-hoon

Synopsis (taken & modified from MyDramaList):

Yook Dong Sik is a 34-year-old office worker who is so weak and timid that he is used by everybody around him. After a corporate incident, he becomes the scapegoat of his company. Facing the prospect of losing the job and his family turning their back on him, he decides to commit suicide. While doing so, he unexpectedly stumbles across a murder scene, but gets into an accident while running from the murderer. He wakes up with amnesia with the psychopath’s diary in his possession. With no other clues to his true nature than the diary and his fragmented memory lining up with the diary entry, he begins to believe that he is in fact a psychopath serial killer.

Follow Yook Dong Sik on a hilarious, full-of-mishap journey to get back his memory while helping the police to track down the actual killer!

Length: Completed – 16 episodes, 70 minutes each

Personal review:

➕ The bromance.

A great thing about this show: You get two bromances in 1 package.

1. The CEO and Male Lead

A wise one once said, “A picture speaks a thousand words”. So, yeah, you get the idea (￣▽￣).

Also another precious scene:

Don’t you hear the wedding bell already ringing in the background?

2. The Gangster Sidekick and Male Lead

This one is super adorable. The sidekick is also a major element of humour in the show. He supports the Male Lead wholeheartedly and is always there for him. Truly the kind of friend that we all secretly wish for.

3. Bonus (subject to personal preference): Female Lead and Male Lead

Well, this isn’t bromance per se. Also, you could tell that this pairing is meant to be non-platonic (very subtle though). Not that I mind them developing a romantic relationship post-finale, but as far as the show progresses, I’d like to think of them as my BrOTP. Both of them are so cuteeeeee, and they work amazingly well together. Also, the fact that a full-blown romance between these two isn’t awkwardly shoehorned into the ending is great, because don’t we all have enough of under-developed, forceful relationship that pops out of nowhere? ¯\ _(ツ)_/¯

➕ The plot. As said above: Very unique, very refreshing. Our Male Lead witnesses a murder, happens to pick up the murderer’s diary, gets hit by a car and thus loses his memory, ends up thinking up that the diary was his, resulting in him getting convinced that he IS the murderer. Like, what again?

The first 4-5 episodes are real fun, with lots of ridiculous situations taking place ~~and the CEO trying desperately to win over Male Lead’s heart~~. Toward the second half, the tone shifts slightly as the show starts diving deeper into the actual drama/murder mystery. That being said, it maintains a light-hearted, comedic feel throughout. Even the final showdown between Male Lead & the Villain is hilarious AF.

➕ The acting. I think I’ve been abusing the word “cute”, but honestly most characters in this show are so cute, including the murderer (I know that sounds kinda wrong, but don’t forget that this is a comedy, so they make fun of everything). Also the Male Lead is impossibly likable. And full of nonsense.

Look at him eating A BLOCK OF TOFU. You can’t get cuter than this.

In general, once again, (I seem to say this for all the Korean shows I review) you can’t spot a single actor/actress that is doing a bad job. Granted, this is a comedy – but no character is annoyingly over-the-top, obviously trying-too-hard or downright cringy. I’m so thankful.

➖ Sure, the show isn’t perfect. Say, I’m not particularly impressed by Female Lead’s “deduction” ability – it’s too far-fetched to be believable. Certain elements are illogical considering the plot revolves around crime and solving crime. But then again, it’s a K-Drama, and a comedy at that. I think if you watch enough K-Drama (that isn’t a full blown thriller/investigation/mystery) you will soon learn that they sometimes brush off logic to move the plot forward.

Honestly, I’d like to believe that everyone (including the creators/actors of the show) has lots of fun with this. I read somewhere that “this show has one brain cell” – and I agree completely. Just sit back, grab a drink, laugh out loud a have a hella good time. After all, an evil serial murderer writes diary and a soft-&-pure dimwit deludes that he is a murderer – how serious do you think it will get? (｡-ᴗ-)✧

_______

With this, I’d also like to officially declare The Guest, Strangers From Hell and Psychopath Diary as my Holy Trinity of Korean ‘Bromantic’ Thriller Series (as if there exists such a genre, but oh well). Thank you for being such amazing dramas, for crossing my path, and for satisfying this thriller fanatic’s never-ending thirst for some good ol’ bromance.

Thank you for a great 2019. Here’s to the hope that more series of similar nature continue to be produced. ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶

◀Strangers From Hell (K-Drama) Review

Midnight Runners (K-Movie) Review▶

Michelle N.

Translator and reviewer at Strictly Bromance blog. In essence, she lives to indulge in plot-driven stories sprinkled with camaraderie and slow-burn drama-free romance, especially more so if they belong to adventure, mystery or supernatural genre. A trope that she always thirsts after: “Comrades who go through life and death together”.

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Tamaki Hunter says:

February 10, 2021 at 6:20 pm

You know what. U r my savior when im thirsty for bromance n can find none, u show me the BroShip pls love u so so much! Thanks a lot! I just finished ultimate note n my heart is crying so loud, i watched all of daomubiji drama n am yet to read the novel. I wish to stumble upon bromances such as that of the wuxie in the ultimate note n his xiao ge.😂