Review of "Are You Human Too?", a Korean drama of well-controlled ambivalence

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Films or anticipation series, whatever their nationalities, often bring ideas of the world and our future of all kinds. Koreans are obviously no exception, and they also bring us their way of seeing things through several dramas. In 2018 the KBS channel released one of its productions with the theme of artificial intelligence and it deserves an article of discovery. It is not a science fiction drama, but a drama of anticipation, which also makes it one of its strong points: Today's world with tomorrow's advanced technology. His point of view on artificial intelligence is different from what one might expect, and for that he is interesting, with a well-conducted scenario. In addition, it does not have special effects that are impressive, but they are on the other hand very well done and embellish just the right production. So we take you to discover " Are you Human too?", from 2018, still available on Netflix or on the Rakuten Viki platform.

Synopsis

Are you human too? A renowned specialist in artificial intelligence sees her husband die mysteriously and her stepfather take away her son. She then goes to live hidden in the Czech Republic and makes in the greatest secrecy a robot that looks like her son, in order to fill the gap. Then she makes it evolve from year to year in order to arrive at the famous "Nam Shin III" which is the adult representation of her son. It was then that her son, seeking answers to his questions, was the victim of a serious accident and fell into a coma. In order to protect him and especially to protect his life and his place in the powerful company of his in-laws, she returns to Korea and places Nam Shin III in the place of him. From there, the Korean scenario takes us very quickly mixing thriller, intricate around a Chaebol, and love in all its forms: filial, friendly and in love.

The scenario

This scenario is not just what he might seem: it is really deeper, and that's what made it successful. Success that was not necessarily at the rendezvous at its release in Korea, but rather over the following years via Netflix. This drama is above all the story of a robot with advanced artificial intelligence that is not dangerous to humans, as it can often be in many movies or series. This is the story of a robot that tries to find its place while respecting humans, who most of the time do not respect it. There is also a whole section devoted to "love" that we could learn to feel towards "objects". Because many people end up sincerely loving this robot in different ways throughout the episodes. You might think it's disturbing, but it's so well done, that even we, on the other side of the screen, end up really loving this being of steel. And this is where the mastery of this scenario lies: It brings everything it takes to succeed in attaching itself to this robot, while knowing full well that it is one. Throughout the drama, it's subtle, but beautifully realized and successful: We spend our time putting ourselves in the place of each of the humans around him, and even in his place to try to understand his evolution, and the reaction of humans in the face. And that's the strength of this drama: Stay on the edge of this ambivalence all along: We may know, we still attach ourselves. Are you human too? Romance seems utopian, and improbable, it is true and some have decried it, because we can not love a robot especially that it has no feelings. And yet, when we let ourselves be carried away by the episodes, this romance takes us with it without question, and we could even say that we just want the world to work as simply today as their story. Very well orchestrated, the scenario is also well crafted because the plots are intertwined with each other with perfect fluidity. No downtime during all 18 episodes. From half of the drama, we even end the episodes with maximum frustration, wondering what else will happen. All these characters who love or hate this robot, do it beautifully. We inevitably end this drama with questions full of knowledge, what would WE, we would do if one day … ?

CAST AND CHARACTERS

And that's where we say bravo again…

The main roles:

Are you human too? Seo Kang Joon, who we started to know in 2016 thanks to the drama "Cheese in the trap", plays the double role of the son Nam Shin, and the robot Nam Shin III: In a word, he is just hallucinating. He was able to develop a character and a personality of his own and diametrically opposed to each one and he knew how to adapt his game each time. When we see him appear on the screen, we know immediately which character he embodies. We rarely see such mastery in acting. He won the Award for Excellence in an Actor at the 2018 Korea Drama Awards for this role. Are You Human Too? Gong Seung Yeon gives her the answer and plays an endearing character full of character who very quickly too, knew how to give depth to this bodyguard while at first, she seems superficial. Her character is honest with himself, with a strong character, but a real righteousness, and she knows that she is fighting a fair fight. In fact, one cannot help but follow it and be in agreement with it. That said, it is true that facing Seo Kang Joon, his acting can seem light at times, crushed by the aura of the main actor.

Secondary roles:

Are You Human Too? Of particular note is the performance of Lee Joon Hyuk who plays the role of the assistant/best friend. His character is impeccable from beginning to end, beautifully worn, and we must salute his performance. He too, in his way of apprehending the robot and its evolution throughout the drama, has something to mark the spirits. He plays a striking role and wears it very well. The other supporting roles bring what they have to bring and have stories that on the whole are pretty well developed. In short, if you like anticipatory dramas, let yourself be carried away by this one. Even if you do not necessarily adhere to robots, it will challenge you and touch you anyway, because its subject goes far beyond that. It's an emotional and questioning elevator all along. If the idea was to convey a positive image and especially to show us another facet and potential of artificial intelligence, well we can say that the challenge is successful. And it must be said: the final image of this drama, and especially all the message and emotion it conveys, sublimated on the last seconds the 18 episodes. So let it be said: No more hesitation and we go to discover this drama of anticipation! And if you like the robot genre, we have already told you about another drama "I am not a robot", also released in 2018 on Netflix, and to discover also.

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