Prison Playbook (슬기로운 감빵생활) (2017)

Prison Playbook (슬기로운 감빵생활) or Wise Prison Life or Smart Prison Living (whichever you call it) was a drama that I picked up because of two reasons. Firstly, I read it is going to be directed by Reply or Answer Me (again, whichever you call it) series' director, Shin Won Ho. I love Answer Me 1997 so much though I have yet to watch the other Answer Me series. Secondly, I decided to watch it because I read Shin Jae Ha (신재하) and Jung Hae In (정해인) are part of the cast. I'm such an easy girl, eh?

Snippet of the drama (From AsianWiki)
As usual, this is not the best synopsis of the drama but I'm just plain lazy to write my own.

Drama series depicts the story of prisoners and staff at a prison.

Je Hyeok (Park Hae Soo) is the best relief pitcher in Korea. He will go to the U.S. and sign a contract with a major league team. One night, he hears his sister screaming and sees a man running out of her apartment. Je Hyeok and the man get into a physical struggle with Je Hyeok striking the man with a rock. Later, Je Hyeok receives a 1 year prison sentence for using excessive force. Devastated, Je Hyeok must adapt to life in prison.

Meanwhile, Joon Ho (Jung Kyung Ho) is a friend of Je Hyeok and works in the prison as an officer. He waits for Je Hyeok's arrival.

Prison Playbook (슬기로운 감빵생활) (2017)
Credit: Here

My thoughts
Oh hello there, precious gem! Thank you for being the awesome you!

Prison Playbook is officially the second best Korean drama in my life! The only reason that made it the second best Korean drama in my life, after Misaeng: Incomplete Life (미생 - 아직 살아 있지 못한 자) (2014), instead of beating Misaeng is because the drama took place in a prison. And, maybe because this drama made me question my morals and values. Other than these 2 reasons, it pretty much won my heart the way Misaeng did!

Unlike Misaeng, I don't mind rewatching Prison Playbook all over again because it was so good, entertaining and full of life lessons! Misaeng was good, in fact, excellent but I don't see myself rewatching it in the near future because it was a hard watch simply because it hit a lil bit too close to home.

Prison Playbook was promoted as a black comedy drama. I am not used to this kind of genre so I was a lil bit confused with myself and my feelings for the first few episodes. I found myself thinking, "Nak ketawa ke tak ni? Macam kelakar tapi macam tak patut gelak?" or "Rasa macam nak nangis tapi macam tak patut nangis?" or "What a creative way to bring up sensitive issues!"  for few times. Once I get a hang of it, I truly enjoyed the drama to my heart content. What I meant by this is I laughed like crazy and I cried like there's no tomorrow. lol!


One of the main reasons why I love Prison Playbook (aside of the fact that I get to see Jung Hae In and my love for the bromance between the characters) is it highlighted few prevalent issues in various creative ways. You'll be reminded how sick and unjust the world and society are at times, but you'll also be reminded that there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel. Additionally, you'll be constantly reminded that life is a series of choices and consequences that follow after. You'll also get to see how big the impacts of love and care in someone's life.

However, like I mentioned above, I found myself questioning my morals and values when watching the drama. Basically, it summed up to this, "I don't like druggie tapi kenapa aku kesian sangat dengan Hanyang ni?" or  "X did a lot of bad stuff tapi kenapa aku kesian dekat dia ni?" or "I know same-sex relationship is forbidden in Islam tapi kalau Jiwon terus-terang dengan Hanyang, Hanyang will not end up like that T___T" Maybe I should start relearning and reminded myself to hate the sins but not the sinners?

Personally, this drama did hit too close to home once for me. It was when Kim Je Hyeok talked to Kim Min Seung (Shin Jae Ha) about opportunity. "You may do your best, you may work the hardest but what can you do if you don't have an opportunity?" It reminded me to my former supervisor's advice; an advice that I still hold dearly until today, "You're good as the opportunity that you got!"

All in all, I highly recommend Prison Playbook to everyone! You should watch this drama once because it was such a good drama. You'll be in a good treat and you may pick up few useful life lessons that may make you reflect about your life. I know I did.

Thank you, Prison Playbook for the good ride! Till next time :)

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36 Comments

  1. Waw interestingnya! Suka cerita yang macam boleh buat kita sendiri keliru apa yang patot kita rasa. Hahaa.

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  2. memang nak tengok kdrama nie, banyak review best. :D
    great review as always! <3

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    Replies
    1. You should watch it when you have time, BV! ^^

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  3. Your movies suggestion are always right and the best! hahah! ^^ I watched the Movie 'Our Time' before and it was sooo out cute! I laugh and I cry at the some part! *wich I can't help myself. And the ending made my heart calm hahah!! ^^

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    Replies
    1. Glad you loved Our Times. That was one of my favourite movies. Maybe you can give this drama a try, pula? Sebab serious memang best! :D

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  4. My friend keep suggesting to watch this drama..

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  5. My friend kept suggesting this drama..! I guess I would give this a try soon..!

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  6. aghhh too many kdramas on waiting list T^T sekarang tak ada masa dah nak layan kdrama sangat huhuhuu

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    Replies
    1. I have lots on my waiting list too. Takde masa juga nak tengok dramas lain T^T

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  7. ahhh how i wish i have free time to watch all those awesome dramas. it's been a while since i watch one

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    Replies
    1. It's okay. Life is more important than mere drama ^^

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  8. Ok kalau farah dah recommend baik punya kak ana dah masuk dlm list utk di tonton. Jln cerita pun menarik sgt nampaknya.

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    1. Yang ni memang berbaloi kalau tengok, kak Ana ^^

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  9. Hi Farah! Nani tak layan sangat Kdrama ni tapi sebab roomate sellau bercerita kadang kita tumpang jugaklah dengar. Heheh :)

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    1. Can I have your roommate? I need friends to talk about Korean dramas. Hahaha :D

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  10. saya baru tengok episode 3 cuma belum nampak lagi best dia setakat ni. mungkin kena tengok lagi rasanya xD

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    1. I think you need to wait until episode 4 or 5 to get the right feels :)

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  11. Haha berminat nak tgk watak Hanyang ni... is he a prisoner as well?

    hanisamanina.com

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    1. It was just screened end of last year but I wonder why I didn't realised this drama on the tv? T____T

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    2. Hanyang is an inmate as well :)

      I'm not sure if this show was on TV or not. Most people that I know watching this show, they all watched it on streaming websites ^^

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  12. tampak mcm menarik ni lain drpd kebiasaan k-drama...

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    Replies
    1. Memang menarik dan lain dari K-dramas yang lain ^^

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  13. oooon the waaaay nak download. baru habis download Two Cops hehe.. lawak gile =P

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    Replies
    1. Lepas download sila tengok please ^^

      Which one yang lawak gila? Two Cops ke? I stopped watching Two Cops in the middle. Tak tahu bila nak tengok the rest of the show.

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  14. skrg tgok cerita Laughter At Waikiki
    best gila

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    Replies
    1. I have watched the first two episodes and they were funny. Yet, I don't think the show is my cup of tea ^^''

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    2. hehehe
      tu lah
      masing2 ada citarasa tersendiri

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    3. Betul. Masing masing ada cita rasa sendiri :)

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  15. i dah download this drama tapi tak tengok lagiiiii!!! hehehe you kena tengok defendent jugakkkk tau!

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    Replies
    1. I have watched few episodes of Defendant. Nanti baru tengok betul-betul :D

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