Introduction and review of Korean drama ‘Life on Mars’ 라이프온마스

"Life on Mars" is a drama that aired on OCN in 2018, about modern investigator Han Tae-joo (Jeong Kyung-ho) going back to 1988 to solve the case. It depicts encounters with people from the past, present, and two eras.

“Life on Mars” – A retro investigative drama of a detective who traveled through time in the past: A drama in which Han Tae-joo, who served as a scientific investigator in 2018, wakes up in Inseong City in 1988 due to a mysterious accident and solves crimes with six-sensitizer detectives and searching for his memory

Basic drama information

  • Genre: Drama
  • Broadcasting country: South Korea
  • Broadcast channel: OCN
  • Air period: June 9, 2018 to August 5, 2018
  • Number of episodes: 16 episodes
  • Original: British drama “Life on Mars”
Life on Mars

Character Introduction

  • Han Tae-joo (Jeong Kyung-ho): A team leader of the scientific investigation unit, he wakes up as the class leader of the Seobu Police Station in Inseong in 1988 after being shot and unconscious while chasing a serial killer. He tries to regain his identity and memory and solves the case with six-sense detectives.
  • Kang Dong-cheol (Park Sung-woong): He is the chief of the violent squad at the Seobu Police Station in Inseong-si, and is a blunt and tough detective who is familiar with the past investigation methods. At first, he has a conflict with Taeju, but gradually builds trust and friendship.
  • Yoon Na-young (Ko Ah-sung): Constable of Seobu Police Station in Inseong City, and is the only female detective investigating the case with Taeju. He helps Taeju by expressing his affection.
  • Lee Yong-ki (Oh Dae-hwan): He is a subordinate and friend of Taeju, a violent class ramp at Seobu Police Station in Inseong-si. He respects and follows Taeju with a pure and sincere personality.
  • Cho Nam-sik (Roh Jong-hyun): He is a police officer of Seobu Police Station in Inseong, and is an experienced veteran detective. It aligns Taeju and Kang Dong-cheol well.

Plot Summary

A Time Travelling Detective’s retro investigative drama: In 2018, scientific investigator Han Tae-joo (Jeong Kyung-ho) is shot and unconscious in a confrontation with serial killer Kim Min-seok (Kim Young-hoon). However, when he opened his eyes, he became the class leader of the Seobu Police Station in Inseong in 1988. Tae-ju finds a way to return to 2018 while solving cases similar to Kim Min-seok’s crimes he was chasing. In the process, it is a story of confronting crime and justice with six-sense detectives and regaining their past and family123.
Remake of British dramas: This drama is a remake of a drama of the same name that aired on the BBC in 2006. The original story was about a detective who traveled in time to 1973 to find out whether he was dreaming or dead. The Korean version was changed to 1988 when a detective who traveled in time tried to find his memory. In addition, more comical and emotional elements were added than the original, which received favorable responses from Korean viewers.

Major Themes & Message

The boundary between dream and reality: the drama depicts a detective’s search for his memory and identity as he travels time to 1988. In a situation where it is not known whether it is a dream or reality, the protagonist reflects on the meaning and value of his life. The drama blurs the line between dreams and reality, providing viewers with a variety of spaces of interpretation and imagination.
Time Travel and connection: the drama creates a retro and pleasant atmosphere through the investigations and chemistry of detectives in 1988 and 2018. The relationships we meet through time travel make new family and friends to the main character. The drama emphasizes the importance and warmth of relationships that transcend time and space.
Crime and Justice: The drama is an investigative drama that pursues serial killers and also tells the story of crime and justice. The main character prefers a scientific and logical investigation, but in 1988 detectives use a method that relies on intuition and emotion. The drama shows the pros and cons of the two investigative methods and deals with sympathy for criminals and conflicts of revenge.

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