MBC’s prequel to its popular Fri-Sat drama “Chief Inspector”, titled “Chief Detective 1958”, is set in the year 1958 and follows the story of Chief Park in his 20s, played by Choi Bul-am in “Chief Inspector”. Unlike its predecessor, “Chief Detective 1958″has a different genre and is more lighthearted and enjoyable. This is made possible by the retro setting of 1958 and Lee Je-hoon’s energetic portrayal of the character.
The events of 1958, after the war, focus on the struggles of the impoverished people and the notorious figures of that time. These include political thugs who add to the commoners’ hardships and corrupt police officers. The drama incorporates real historical events, such as the reign of the Freedom Party under Lee Seung-man’s regime, and real-life political thugs like Lee Jung-jae, while also introducing fantasy characters into the narrative. The story follows Park Young-han as he leads an investigative team at Jongnam Police Station, with the help of his supporters Kim Sang-soon (played by Lee Dong-hwi), Jo Kyung-hwan (played by Choi Woo-sung), and Seo Ho-jung (played by Yoon
The characters in “Chief Detective 1958″were based on a drama story rather than real-life figures, giving them a touch of fantasy and unrealistic qualities. This stands in stark contrast to the serious and realistic setting and characters in “Chief Inspector”. However, “Chief Detective 1958″still portrays intense narratives of fighting corruption and eliminating criminals, but with a more lighthearted tone and comical action scenes.
Despite being considered a B-grade action series in today’s standards, the drama “Chief Detective 1958″manages to bridge the gap between fiction and reality with its retro 1958 setting. This allows viewers to watch the drama with a sense of nostalgia and enjoyment. And while it may not be completely realistic, the impressive action scenes such as the car chase and the melodramatic love story between Park Young-han and Lee Hye-ju (Seo Eun-soo) continue to captivate and immerse the viewers in the drama.
It is undeniable that Lee Je-hoon’s exceptional acting has breathed life into “Chief Detective 1958”. With his flawless portrayal of action scenes in “Taxi Driver”, his depiction of a revolutionary figure in “Anarchist from Colony”, and his portrayal of youthful love in “Architecture 101”, Lee Je-hoon has proven himself as a versatile actor. It is no surprise that he is the perfect fit for “Chief Detective 1958”, where he seamlessly combines action, melodrama, and comedy to immerse viewers in the show. As the drama has just premiered, there is great anticipation for how the detective will solve more cases in the upcoming episodes.
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