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.

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 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 soon 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 got a hang of it, I truly enjoyed the drama to my heart's 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 from the fact that I get to see Jung Hae In and my love for the bromance between the characters) is it highlights a 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, as 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 the 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 of 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 a 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 :)