Seoul Busters: Episodes 15-16
by lovepark
An opportunity encounter leads our detectives to their subsequent case, and to be able to clear up it, they go undercover as MZ gangsters. Alas, their captain has a penchant for the dramatics which causes an entire slew of complicated moments for our crew, however because the saying goes, in case you can’t beat them, be part of them.
EPISODES 15-16
What number of detectives does it take to bust a gang? That’s the reigning query this week as our crew of 5 commerce of their police badges for faux tattoos and on-line clout. What began off as a misunderstanding at their native restaurant turns right into a case about MZ gangs (MZ as in Millennial and Era Z) and on-line playing. Whereas the final half is technically out of their jurisdiction, Yoo-bin guidelines {that a} report was made to them straight so they need to resolve it.
The overall scheme of those gangs is straightforward: get folks hooked on their sport, supply them predatory loans, then harass them for cash — rinse and repeat. Our detectives be taught firsthand how straightforward it’s to fall into their lure as they play a few rounds on-line for “analysis functions” which results in Yoo-bin’s encyclopedia of information. “The one method to win at playing,” Yoo-bin claims, “is to not play.”
In an effort to catch the cash mule, the detectives go on a stakeout, however this time, Yoo-bin joins them. Cue 4 very uncomfortable one-on-ones as every detective sits for hours inside a automobile with their stoic boss. It goes in addition to you’d think about, and as their distress will increase, so does my glee. Kiss-up Jung-hwan can barely breath due to the awkwardness, clueless Tan-shik affords Yoo-bin each amenity beneath the solar whereas they wait, and large bro Joong-ryuk will get outranked for lavatory breaks.
Within the fourth interplay, although, Yoo-bin is the one within the sizzling seat as he faces his mini-me who copies his actions and facial expressions. (Dong-goo is even carrying the identical jacket; so cute!) Out of the crew, solely Min-seo appears comfy alone with their captain since she falls asleep whereas on obligation, however fortunately for the remainder of the crew, they not need to do stakeouts since they catch a glimpse of their goal and observe him to his workplace.
Utilizing his huge mind, Yoo-bin figures out the tremendous easy passcode to their door (which can also be the title of a preferred consuming sport), and the others swoop in to arrest the gang members. Although one escapes, Tan-shik cuts him off, and through their scuffle, our youngest acknowledges his highschool classmate. They trade greetings, and at one level, the gang member even helps Tan-shik arrest him as if enjoying cops and robbers on the playground. It’s absolute buffoonery, and I find it irresistible.
By means of Tan-shik’s buddy — and a little bit manipulation — our detectives uncover the placement of the hidden cash, however not the precise spot. For as soon as, Yoo-bin’s powers of deduction hit a snag as he and Joong-ryuk dig a number of holes within the floor with no luck. (Effectively, Joong-ryuk does 90% of the digging since Yoo-bin is principally a toddler with a shovel). Ultimately, Joong-ryuk’s hunch in regards to the hiding spot was appropriate, they usually come across the key stash barely lined in grime.
With the cash secured, the crew simply must catch the mastermind behind this MZ gang, so Yoo-bin decides their subsequent plan of action: get their goal to method them first. Thus, the Dongbang Group is born, and our overeager captain research film quotes to organize for his position (a few of these final strains are undoubtedly not from gangster motion pictures). He seems loopy in his workplace doing impressions, and Joong-ryuk watches him from the door questioning if their chief has lastly misplaced it.
In an effort to efficiently trick their goal, Min-seo calls in her sister for a gaggle makeover, and whereas she may not be good at making Min-seo fairly (even the beautiful Park Se-wan can’t pull off clown make-up), she does handle to show this bunch of leather-based jacket, sweater vest carrying detectives right into a gaggle of scumbags. With their new look, the Dongbang Group swaggers throughout city to their new workplace, they usually half the streets as onlookers gawk and shake in worry.
Our Shakesperean technique actor will get a little bit too into his position, which worries his crew, however gangster Yoo-bin is extra about posturing than the rest. They open a brand new Instagram account to make their presence recognized and fill it with pictures of the group posing in entrance of different folks’s sportscars and knock-offs. It’s hilarious how misplaced they give the impression of being of their staged environments as passersby touch upon their ridiculous shows of bravado.
Whereas their footage do garner some consideration, it’s principally from highschool recruits and playing girls. At this fee, our detectives will begin to lose themselves of their roles earlier than even getting to fulfill their goal, in order that they change gears and attend a celebration for an MZ gang union to assemble extra intel. The occasion is rowdier than they anticipated, however they handle to maintain up their ruse with a sleight of hand trick and unbridled gusto (plus, including hyung-nim to the tip of each sentence helps seal the deal).
The crew learns a little bit about “Lawyer Yoon,” the second in charge of this hierarchy, and reconfirm that the one method to get to “Mastar” is thru him. Fortunately, their elevated efforts lastly lure within the faux lawyer, however earlier than Dongbang Group is allowed a chunk of the pie, they should show their loyalty first. Lawyer Yoon asks them to assemble an unpaid debt, and ignoring his crew’s silent protests, Yoo-bin accepts.
They arrive at an workplace teeming with gangsters, and regardless of their preliminary grumblings, our detectives deal with the state of affairs likes professionals. The digital camera follows every of our heroes as they battle off these tatted goons, and the whip pans and physique crossings make for a enjoyable and intense lengthy take that highlights every of their distinctive combating kinds. This good scene then ends with the native police arriving, and Yoo-bin flashes his badge, asking for his or her cooperation to maintain their cowl a secret.
After dealing with Lawyer Yoon’s request, Yoo-bin asks to fulfill in particular person at their headquarters, and although it breaks the norm, the gangster agrees. In celebration, Yoo-bin begins busting out some unusual strikes, and after observing him for a second, the remainder of the crew joins in on the enjoyable, matching his power. This is the reason I really like them.
Regardless of our detectives doing all of the legwork and discovering the MZ gang’s workplace, the Cyber Bureau gained’t supply backup since they assume the intel is unreliable. This implies Dongbang Group must face no matter waits for them inside by themselves, however their aggressive entrance fizzles into confused loitering as they query their location. Did they unintentionally raid a library?
They’re greeted by a room of checkered-shirt programmers, and Lawyer Yoon arrives shortly after to introduce them to the “brains” of the operation. As soon as Yoo-bin will get maintain of the playing program, his crew drops the act, they usually barely raise a finger as they order the scrawny nerds to go outdoors in a single file line. Now all that’s left for our detectives is catching the elusive “Mastar” however their solely clue is the textual content historical past between him and Lawyer Yoon.
Whereas the remainder of the crew consider “Mastar” stowed away to China, solely Yoo-bin realizes the reality behind the sample of communication. The explanation he might solely textual content at sure instances and by no means confirmed his face was as a result of he couldn’t. The mastermind is within the navy, and Yoo-bin collaborates with the navy police to deal with the state of affairs. As for the remainder of the MZ gang union, the others are on standby and instantly make arrests as soon as their captain offers the order.
Due to “the center of a beast” Joong-ryuk, “the cold-blooded sharpshooter” Jung-hwan, “the sumptuous terror” Min-seo, “the savage crown prince” Tan-shik, and “the king of the underworld, the darkish soul” Yoo-bin, Dongbang Group has saved the day from MZ low-lives terrorizing society. In fact, the specter of jail time solely riles up these gangsters who nonetheless assume they’re on high, however the present ends with one thing all Korean children worry: parental disappointment. As one of many chief’s mom visits and leaves with tears in her eyes, a silence falls over the room as these younger males lastly replicate on their actions. It’s sappy for positive, however hey, not less than it was quick.
I really like these lovable fools and their antics. It’s stunning how a lot I like all of them individually in addition to in pairings (the stakeouts had been enjoyable), however my favourite scenes are undoubtedly when your entire crew is working collectively. There’s a sure synergy within the room that solely comes from all of them sharing the identical area, and it’s hilarious to see their distinctive personalities mix right into a single mind cell at instances. Although they’re all completely different and typically contrasting, they all the time find yourself on the identical web page, and it’s this unstated belief and camaraderie amongst the detectives that makes them such a enjoyable bunch to look at. Even Yoo-bin, who appears devoid of any similarities with this last-place rating unit, has actually built-in himself with the crew, and his quirks shine of their presence as a result of they double moderately than dim his mild. Who else would costume up as wannabe gangsters with their captain after which have a celebratory dance break?
Whereas I count on to snicker at my sitcoms, I used to be pleasantly shocked by the motion sequence this week. It was a powerful faked lengthy take with clear cuts and enjoyable particulars that was high-energy and splendidly choreographed. The execution was nice with an excellent eye for using the actors’ strengths to make the timing really feel easy, and I beloved how there was each motion and comedy of their battle. It’s a stark distinction to the present’s first “battle” within the park between Joong-ryuk and the assassin — that one emphasised comedy greater than motion — and whereas I nonetheless discovered the primary one humorous, I used to be amazed with this week’s scene and loved watching everybody showcase their abilities, together with the behind-the-scenes workers.
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