Acting: 8
Storyline: 8
Overall: 8
Grade: B-
Starring:
Seo Kang Joon 徐康俊 as Namshin 南信/ Namshin III 南信III
Gong Seung Yeon 孔昇延 as Kang So Bong 姜素奉
Lee Joon Hyuk 李浚赫 as Ji Young Hoon池英勋
Park Hwan Hee 朴焕熙 as Son Ye Na 徐艺娜
Kim Syung Rung 金成铃 as Laura Oh 吴露拉
Yu Oh Seong 刘五性 as Seo Jong Gil 徐钟吉
Park Yeong Gyu 朴英奎 as Nam Gun Ho 南建浩
I was hesitant before I started watching this drama. While I like Seo Kang Joon, I wasn’t intending to embark on another version of “Absolute Boyfriend” or something along that line. I must say, the drama is pretty well paced (fast paced when it should and gradually showing the twists and turns, character development and love line), exhilarating, packed with futuristic elements and endearing in a way. It gives us many life lessons about handling interpersonal relationships, holding close what’s dear to us. You see how destructive human greed and wants can be and how we have always been neglecting who and what we have around us.
This drama’s theme is very much about love and acceptance. We always talk about loving and accepting people for who they really are, even when they are so diversely different. Would it have been any different to show our love and acceptance towards Artificial Intelligent (A.I) Robots?
While many people may be driven by greed and ambition, which leads them to a destructive mode or even irredeemable state, some are driven by love and acceptance to be who they really are and to do good.
The drama started off with a pace fast enough to keep you entertained while anticipating the subsequent episodes. You would wonder how Namshin could avoid being tracked down or hurt by the killer, how could the Robot Namshin III act like the real McCoy without having his cover blown and all the conspiracies that were brewing within.
We love the “interpersonal” relationships that Namshin III has forged or helped Namshin to amend, and also how the 2 Namshins had to go through much ordeal when one wants to co-exist but the other wants to be the 1 and only Namshin.
We watch the growth and development of Namshin III, however, it feels more like we also learn more about ourselves as we watch him evolve. There are many life lessons that this A.I. robot has taught us.
It’s ironic that while people can have more intense and real feeling towards robots, but do not feel so receptive towards human beings.
It is because we do not know when a human being is being true or fake but the robot is consistent and sincere in his own ways.
Why do we FEEL so much for Namshin III?
He was created as a “replacement” for his mother, Laura Oh’s human son, Namshin.
他只是为了精神寄托，而制造和设定出来的。He was not created to be himself or supposed to have any streak of personality that differs from the Human Namshin. He exists because he had to be a “perfect son” that the real Namshin couldn’t be.
It was for mere companion sake but we did not expect his Professor Oh to have hidden a “kill switch” in Namshin III’s body. Namshin III is tonnes better than the Human Namshin in many ways, but blood is always thicker than water.
It feels sad whenever he has this yearning look when his mum shows favouritism, especially when he asked his mum if he is not her son anymore, just because he doesn’t behave like the human Namshin? How angry I was with Namshin’s childish actions to spite Namshin III by making him ask their mum to choose if the human Namshin was the only son that she wanted.
Well, that’s food for thought.
As human beings, we all have our favourite people, be it co-workers, friends or among family members. It is normal to show favouritism but perhaps if the “family” member is not a human being to begin with, does it mean that you do not need to exercise caution on how you may make the other party feel?
Whatever Namshin III’s mum asked him to do, he would never say no, even if he knew that he would be abandoned at the end of the day. He just wanted to be “useful” and “helpful”, otherwise it defeats the purpose of his existence. It’s likely because he wasn’t programmed with emotions, thus he never knew what’s jealousy or hatred. I guess we could be wrong when he seemed to show some tinge of jealousy as the show went on.
He’s actually more thoughtful than the human Namshin, since he’s observant and would buy medication for his mum when she has a migraine. He could even tell that she was lying without his lie detector on anymore. That’s how he evolves by studying and observing the environment and people around him, he could tell from their minor expressions and body language.
Over time, he would only listen to So Bong as she is the only one who accepts him for who he really is and sees him as an unique individual, not someone else’s clone.
Don’t we all wish for this too?
His mum has forsaken him for the real Namshin and only So Bong truly cares about him.
It is no wonder why he would only listen to So Bong, but it does make your heart hurt a little to see him facing the wall when people asked him to or obediently standing in the middle of the road, disregarding his own safety.
He often said that he may understand what people say, but he would not be able to experience those feelings himself. The saddest was when, he wanted to cry like a human being, but he just couldn’t. Awww…
H e shouldn’t feel any emotions and he supposedly couldn’t but many a times, he proves to have his own persona with moods and own traits. It’s not just about putting the safety of everyone else before him that was programmed or to hug people whenever they cry.
He’s able to DIFFERENTIATE on his own, what the things he should or should not do are and IF he wanted to do it.
He was not just your mere robot who listens to instructions. For the initial half of the drama, he was an obedient robot, but there came this powerful force called “Love” that overwrites his programming.
A robot starts to learn about his feelings through his way of responding to So Bong, and who knows how far he would advance?
As So Bong puts it, it is similar to how human beings learn about their feelings too.
He is self-aware and seeks affirmation that he’s being liked and needed. You can also sense his compassion, love, jealousy and sadness many a times too.
That’s already being human.
Seo Kang Joon’s Rendition as Namshin III and Human Namshin
I like the intricate details that Seo Kang Joon puts in to distinguish the 2 Namshins. I also like how effortless it seems for him to do the switch instantaneously (though of course it would mean doing several takes in reality). Some may say his expressions are pretty stoned, but I beg to differ. It’s not an easy job to act with “less expressions” since he is a robot, yet his actions need to prove otherwise that he genuinely cared.
He not just has to act as a robot and a human, but also a robot who’s acting like the human Namshin. That’s something on a deeper level. It must have been tough for him to do the segregation at times but he did it really slick. To cut the slack, he’s only 25 years old but he could deliver such level of impressionable acting. We definitely can expect more of Seo Kang Joon’s acting chops in time to come.
How the look in his eyes went a little blurry, 善良, innocent or what we call the “Puppy-eyed” looks, would show that he is Namshin III and how when he has this sharp glare or anguish look in his eyes, with that smirk on his face or snarky look, would mean that he is human Namshin.
Oh, he has very pretty, hazel brown eyes.
The human Namshin is full of himself, has a terrible attitude towards everyone, filled with hatred and so lack of love (motherly love especially). It has to come to such rude awakening that his mother, who has left him for 20 years, is happily living with his “sidekick”. Well, he doesn’t realise that she’s thinking about him all the time while staring at the robot.
I’m sure all of us would dislike the human Namshin, especially after what he has done to hurt his mum and Namshin III. However, there are times you could see beyond his pain and anger and you sorta rationalise his “irrational” and “bratty” behaviours.
He told So Bong and Namshin III that it does irk him to see someone who looks exactly like him and is so well liked by everyone else, and was actually created with the intention to “replace” him.
Who would not have felt that way? We all want to be “irreplaceable”.
His world was topsy turvy once again after waking from the coma.
He lost not just his mother, but his best friend, family and co-workers’s affection to Namshin III.
Namshin has the absolute right to be angry, for everyone else is investing so much feeling in this robot who looks 100% like him, but not in their personality. It is tough for him to see what was exactly wrong at that point in time and it is understandable that he may go through extreme measures to “secure” his position.
It is an act of self doubt, self-defence and lack of confidence.
If only he did not continue to wallow in self-pity, some things might have changed for the better. He became so uncontrollable and many had to suffer because of his actions. He’s become such a dangerous manchild who goes around testing people’s loyalty and love for him, but at the same time also testing their patience. He’s like a time bomb which could activate anytime, destroying not just everyone around him but also himself.
I liked this scene whereby David knocked some “realisation” to Namshin that Namshin III was built with a lie detector, disaster proof, waterproof and ability to hug someone when they cry, is because Namshin hated liars and always hugged his mum when she cried. He also loved swimming with her. Namshin III is given the ability to do the things that Namshin loved, because of Laura’s love for him.
She loved Namshin III because of her love for Namshin.
We can feel the pain in both Namshins. It would be easier for the robot to accept the human Namshin but from a human’s point of view, we can empathise with the human Namshin.
The human Namshin is jealous and feel threatened by Namshin III for being with his mum for 20 years and is so much more outstanding than he really is, while Namshin III is jealous whenever Namshin tried to get near So Bong to tease her or when he had his mum’s full attention.
They are just little boys who yearn for their mum’s love.
There were times when I wonder, if Namshin does have some feelings for So Bong, thus he acted wilfully, or he was just feeling plain speechless that someone would like his “clone” better than him. There was no love triangle, which we should be thankful for in a way. I always thought that Namshin might ultimately accept Ye Na since she was always there for him unconditionally.
The Growth & Development of Namshin III
What can Namshin III not do when he could overwrite his programming, put his own thoughts into action and finally not having to hide behind a façade that he’s a robot?
The only thing is he will not grow old and die,but that’s not something to fret about. With the money and technology that they posses, they can always remake a new Namshin IV with the same memory but another physical body and face.
It felt like a relief when Namshin III could announce to the world that he is a robot and what impressive things and good deeds he has done, while assuming the role of Namshin.
He wanted to co-exist with human beings, like he has always done so with his mum and David, but not knowing how receptive the human world would be towards him.
He doesn’t have to go into fear that people will discover that he is different. While most people would still shun him and look at him differently, So Bong and her family still treat him like they always do.
We have always wanted to just be who we really are and hope that others can accept us for being ourselves too. You can relate to that feeling.
The 16 hours of watching Namshin III being created, growing up from Namshin I, II and then III and also developing his own personality and feelings, is just like how you watch your little cousins grow up.
The Robot-Human Romance
We may say this is crap, but yeah, it is TOTALLY viable in this drama.
Unlike “Absolute Boyfriend” or likes, whereby the female lead is not 100% loving the robot, it is not so the case for So Bong.
She started out as a spy on Namshin III, but slowly learnt that he is a robot who is totally different from the real persona of the Human Namshin, went all out to protect and love him.
He’s pragmatic about the fact that it’s a natural reaction that people would see him as an object and felt repulsive instead and he wasn’t dejected. He tried to learn how people would be more receptive to him.
Since he has saved So Bong’s life twice, he hoped that she would help him to understand the world better and teach him to be more human. No one else can be a better teacher since So Bong has been through this emotional ride.
Her initial repulsiveness was comprehensible but it cringes sometimes to see how she was treating him “badly”. Once such instance was when Namshin III asked if she was interested in him thus she was turning red like a turnip. That was when she planted on kiss on Namshin III and said that he is just metal and plastic, an object to her, which she has no affection for.
How hurt he must have been, though he’s not likely to understand what it truly means. But does he?
The romance was probably in the brew since the moment when So Bong tried to “save” Namshin III from drowning and Namshin III had the lights all up near the pool to help So Bong search for the necklace from her mum who has passed away.
He understood what it was like not to have a mother beside him. They began to get closer but when she realised his real identity as a robot, the few episodes of avoiding Namshin III because she’s afraid were well done. Anyone would have been in a state of shock and she needed time to sort her own feelings.
Namshin III feels totally like a Nobody’s Child, there was nowhere he could go and belong to, unlike the humans who could go to their family and friends, but we are glad that So Bong decided to pick up the pieces and stand by him.
She is his first friend and also love.
I like how they started off as “loggerheads” but slowly developed into friendship, romance and possibly family. It’s all in the heart. Who is to say that Namshin III has no heart?
Obviously So Bong would be confused after being with him 24/7, even Young Hoon, who’s closest to Namshin also waivered. Namshin III also treated Namshin’s little cousin Hee Dong with much care and affection that the little kid could TELL he is not his real cousin.
He may be a robot, but he put in “real” feelings, is earnest and sincere that you can’t not like him as time passes.
How elated he was to know that So Bong had metal rod in her leg, which makes him feel that she is also a “robot” like he is. We may laugh at how can such intelligent robots be so naïve sometimes, but isn’t it so true that we would all try to find a connecting point of similarity with people that we love?
It’s indeed distressing for So Bong to teach robot human emotions, loving him and with no guarantee that she would be loved in return. Nonetheless, he was willing to go through it for her, which does accelerate how much he could absorb.
It’s already tough enough for a chaebol and commoner to fall in love, not to mention a robot and a human relationship.
Does it even make sense?
Can there even be any sweet ending to it?
As Namshin III gets closer to So Bong, he starts to feel “jealous” towards any guys who tries to hit on her or gets close to her, including the human Namshin. Their love for each other is so pure and unconditional that it makes you wonder if this would even happen.
But hey, this is a fantasy drama, so anything that doesn’t make logical sense in the real world, should essentially make sense here.
He’s like your Superhero boyfriend – Iron Man to be exact.
He could stop traffic light, piggyback you without ever feeling tired, stop cars with his bare hands, save you from a burning building, manipulate anything that’s to do with technology and protect you from harm. The way he looks at So Bong affectionately, fusses over her, rushes to her rescue and gets jealous, is just so “humane”.
It also evokes laughter when he kept having “imaginary hallucinations” when she has supposedly left him. Isn’t it just so much like any other person who misses their loved ones too much?
It’s cute when he only responds to her; learn to give her hugs when he felt that she needed consolation or just purely when he felt like it. He no longer offers free hugs to anyone who tears. He was becoming her exclusive robot.
He could be dense, like any other guy, but he learns how to make his loved ones happy. He also knew how to manage interpersonal relationships with people around him, be it co-workers or Young Hoon. In a way, he does a lot of “damage repair” for the human Namshin.
When people think that a robot is more harmful than a human being, we see how a human being can become so filled with vengeful thoughts that it leads to destruction.
There were many exciting action scenes, car chase, saving damsel in distress, and how the Human Namshin tried to control Namshin III with bad intentions via manual mode.
The ever so kind and pure Namshin III went “bersek” and stared inflicting harm on people who love him, including So Bong and CEO Nam.
I really enjoyed those scenes where Seo Kang Joon could flaunt his acting skills.
When he was able to take control, he was so afraid that he would harm human beings that he told So Bong to stay as far away as she could.
Namshin III would rather choose to destroy himself than to harm others. That’s when you realise how much scarier are the human beings who tried to build robots or control them.
Human beings are selfish, unlike robots which have no desires.
The Kickass So Bong
She’s the tough, kickass lady and a bodyguard of Namshin. For how badly he had treated her initially with that slap and how it caused her rice bowl, their roles switched when Namshin III’s cover was blown. He became her 小跟班 instead and would take instructions from her. It’s like “retribution” just that Namshin III had to “suffer” on behalf of Namshin.
Love only began to blossom gradually with their close interactions. It took time for the both of them to understand what they really felt about each other. Over time, she learnt to rely on him and became “softer” in a sense, because he had the ability to protect her, she doesn’t have to act tough all the time. She can safely rely on him.
The times when So Bong told Namshin III that she hoped he is human and when Namshin III asked if things would be better if he were a real human, were heartbreaking.
We wish he’s like Namshin’s twin brother instead of a robot too.
If I were her, it’s also tough not to fall in love with Namshin III.
She became the one who he opened his “heart” to. They remained steadfast to each other, not just because of loyalty or repaying each other’s kindness, but because they could love and accept each other for whom they are. She wasn’t intending to leave even when Namshin III turned violent towards her due to the manual mode controlled by Namshin.
They were protective of each other and would go the extra mile to ensure that each other is okay. They would comfort and console each other when one is sick or upset. It’s just like what any ordinary couple would do.
I like the fact that she could almost always tell both Namshins apart, except a couple of times when Namshin “pranked” her by acting like the robot.
The rude shock she had when she went into the auditorium to tell Namshin III that she likes him (not realising he is Namshin) for who he is and wanted to take him away from all the humans who are trying to harm him, was impactful.
Who would have thought that the real Namshin would be sitting there when he’s supposedly in a coma?
We can’t blame her here since he was merely sitting there and there were no interactions.
2 persons may look alike, but it is how they are at heart, that sets them apart.
The Confused Mum Torn between 2 Sons
It’s like a prelude since the beginning that she would be torn between her 2 sons ultimately. We know that the human Namshin is a very rebellious and spoil brat (though partly caused by circumstances). He would not be forgiving towards a mum who has abandoned him for 20 years and living happily with his “clone”.
In order to make it up to him, she has this intention to activate the “kill switch” button on the robot Namshin when the Human Namshin wakes from his coma, for she feels they cannot co-exist. I was a little shocked that she had all these planned out right from the beginning. How hurting it would be to know the truth, if Namshin III could really feel.
It only goes to show that human beings are all selfish, and that’s human nature.
But I think Namshin III does have his own “feelings” as we have seen him shed tears a couple of times.
She was guilty to the human Namshin for not being able to care for him all these years and it was understandable why he was so hostile and cold towards her. She did not have time to think for her robot son, whom she always felt that he will not even feel anything with such treatment.
However, towards the middle half, she realised that it was a mistake and there she was feeling guilty for wanting to “kill” her other son.
While she may have thought that she didn’t feel for Namshin III, which mother could ever sacrifice her children, be it by birth or by creation?
Ji Young Joon – The Overly Loyal Friend
While I can understand where Young Joon is coming from by embracing ALL bad things that Namshin has done and also helping to “clean his ass” all the time, since they are both abandoned kids, it seems quite incredible at times to how he can have such high tolerance level and is oblivious to all the temptations.
What temptations are we talking about here?
To take over Namshin as the future chairman of PK Group.
This is especially so when the sly and cunning old man, CEO Nam, Namshin’s grandfather, kept throwing baits to Young Joon. How could someone even want an outsider or a robot to replace his grandson?
I was wondering, if it is because he knew that Namshin had no intentions to take over the company, thus he rather have someone capable to do it or he just doesn’t feel for his family?
Looking from Young Hoon’s perspective, it is not wrong for him to just want to lead a comfortable life by assisting Namshin. He knows what it is like to be practical but does not want to lose it all and feel more alone like CEO Nam is.
What we do know is, he truly cares for Namshin like a little brother.
I thought there would be some episodes when Young Joon felt that he finally had enough and would collaborate with the villain of the entire drama, Seo Jong Gil.
Lee Joon Hyuk is good looking and has the charisma. Let’s hope he gets to take on more 1st male lead roles in future. He has the potential in acting as well.
Seo Ye Na – Delusional & Unrequited Love
I pity Ye Na many a times, despite some of the wilful and awful things she has done to Namshin III and So Bong especially. How she kept scolding him or telling him to face the wall since it irks her to see him looking exactly like her oppa, would have you fume.
From the beginning, I was already thinking, is this even Love?
Being possessive and trying all ways and means to win the heart of Namshin for 20 years but failed to do so, would not do her any good.
She was just being delusional, but she has always been on Namshin’s side and this over-indulgence, made things worse at times. She would just allow him to do anything he wanted to, be it right or wrong. It’s only towards the end when she felt that she needed to do what’s right and also so that she could save Namshin and hoping that he would wake up to his sense.
But well, that’s normal of a girl who’s so in love. We do all get irrational when it comes to love.
The Villains – CEO Nam & Seo Yong Gil
To me, both CEO Nam and Ye Na’s dad, Seo Yong Gil are the biggest villains in the show.
Both are driven by immense greed and ambitions and trying to outdo each other, in a world where victory belongs to “survival of the fittest”.
It may be karma that CEO Nam eventually got played by his own prank that he really had dementia, but I wasn’t going to empathise or even try to understand how he could do such things to his son and grandson. He’s just a business man, not a real dad or grandpa.
As for Yong Gil, his quest to protect his position and to wanting something more, which means owning the entire PK Group, eventually leads to a road of no return.
His sinister laughter and evil acts would have you disliking him to the core and he didn’t even seem to really repent at the very end. The only salvation that he was trying to do, was not to let Ye Na interfere or see how he’s gonna deal with her Namshin Oppa and the rest of the world out there who opposed him.
Ending Thoughts
I’m glad I didn’t have to cry at the ending this time, but it does put some questions into my head if they can really last long together.
There was this scene when So Bong’s dad disagreed when Namshin III said that he would never have a change of heart. From her dad’s point of view, since he is learning to become human, he may also have a change of heart some day.
Well, I concur. As the saying goes, “人都是善变的”。Namshin III is constantly evolving and we have no idea if So Bong would be tired of him some day too. It’s common to have breakups if it doesn’t work well or ultimately work towards marriage, which is definitely not that viable for the 2 of them.
With technology advancement, Namshin III can also “grow old” on the outlook but it is probably towards the ending that we realise So Bong’s love for him would not likely change, that have us feeling more relieved.
That again, why think so deep into the future when we should live in the moment?
It’s just like what So Bong’s dad said, “Love and hate to your heart’s content, so that you won’t regret later”.
Come what may, I’m sure that’s what our lead couple would say.
We should just cherish the present.
This drama is definitely worth your time to watch.
There are sweet and endearing moments, exciting moments, some surprising twists and turns that would set you thinking, as well as some heartbreaking moments and cold-hard truths that we all have to experience as part of life’s journey.
I am very happy that Seo Kang Joon has finally found his own break. Have always hoped that he could get into the 1st Male lead position since “Cunning Single Lady” and “Cheese in the Trap”. “Entourage” was a flop, but “Are You Human Too?” is a redemption that does the 25-year old actor justice. Am looking forward to “The Third Charm” as well.
