The Brilliant Genre Stew of K-Drama Miss Night and Day

As a long-time fan of K-dramas and a connoisseur of genre blending narratives, I found “Miss Night and Day” to be a captivating and refreshing addition to the global streaming landscape. Having grown up in South Korea and being well-versed in their unique storytelling style, I can appreciate the idealized yet chaotic portrayal of modern life that this show masterfully encapsulates.

Warning: This post contains spoilers for the finale of Miss Night and Day.

In a unique twist typical of Korean dramas, as seen in Netflix’s “Miss Night and Day,” the show manages to create an intriguing blend by interweaving brutal murders with a comical romance, everyday life elements, and you have a K-drama on your hands. This isn’t entirely novel in South Korean TV, but the way it’s done in this series makes it feel fresh and captivating.

In this story, we immediately dive into the world of a specific genre blend as we follow Lee Mi-jin, a woman in her thirties with an exceptional knack for sweaters, who has spent eight years trying to find a stable job. Her struggles in today’s job market take an unexpected turn when a CGI cat magically ages her into a middle-aged woman (played by Lee Jung-eun). This transformation makes job hunting easier as she is quickly recruited for the pioneer senior intern program at the Seohan District Prosecutor’s Office. Instead of being one among many thirty-year-olds competing for limited positions, she now appears as a relatively youthful and intriguing candidate in her new form. She lands in the office of Gye Ji-ung (Choi Jin-hyuk) and becomes part of the investigation to uncover the murderer behind the deaths of his mother and aunt.

In this story by Park Ji-ha, a body swap serves as a clear transition point where the tone shifts dramatically from a somber thriller to a lighthearted romance. The character Mi-jin’s transformation creates a smooth boundary between these contrasting genres – one dark and serious, the other playful and carefree. This shift in identity generates tension due to the strict limit it imposes on her dual life. During the day, she works with Gye on an investigation as Lim Sun. At night, she goes out on dates with him, unbeknownst to him about her secret identity. The possibility of her true identity being exposed forms a significant part of the story’s tension, while the intriguing murder mystery unfolds simultaneously.

Praising Korean TV for its skillful blending of genres doesn’t imply that we don’t do it in the West. Instead, Western series often stick to familiar genre mixes that can seem quite similar from the start. In contrast, Korean series go all-in on one genre, diluting another to create something new and unique. For instance, over the past six months, we’ve seen shows like Mr. and Mrs. Smith follow the footsteps of numerous action-comedies, Sunny grappling with the integration of its dark and comedic aspects, and Fallout balancing a somber world-building with humor in an almost surreal way. South Korean series have consistently demonstrated a knack for blending seemingly incongruous concepts, creating combinations that feel unusual yet functional, often resulting in something fresher and more intriguing.

As a lifelong lover of diverse entertainment, I have found myself pleasantly surprised by the unexpected gems that emerge from different corners of the world. Take for instance “Moving,” a Korean series that uses superpowers to delve into the marginalized sectors of society, which I stumbled upon when I was growing tired of the usual superhero fare. Similarly, “Like Flowers in Sand” caught my attention with its unique blend of wrestling and a gripping police procedural, offering insightful commentary on struggling coastal towns. And if murder mysteries aren’t your thing, fear not! The critically acclaimed “Miss Night and Day,” which consistently ranked among Netflix’s top 10 non-English TV shows, cleverly balances its robust whodunnit plot with a generous serving of romance. These international offerings have enriched my viewing experience and expanded my understanding of various cultures, proving that the pursuit of algorithmic keywords need not limit our entertainment options.

In the final episode of “Miss Night and Day,” the romantic thread persists, intertwining with the dark thriller plotline. As the series reaches its climax, transitioning completely into a grim thriller, it is ultimately revealed that the murderer, who had been creating red herrings all along, is none other than the seemingly innocent intern Na Ok-hui (played by Bae Hae-sun), also known as Gong Eum-sim.

When Mi-jin and her father are abducted by Miss Night and Day (Jung Suk-young, aka cinnamon roll Hak-chan), the series takes an abrupt turn into a tense thriller for the next two hours. This unexpected shift is effective, shattering the comforting vibe that had been established in earlier episodes. By this stage, the show has carefully built up these characters, making the twist believable and impactful.

In this K-drama, naturally Hak-chan recovers, Mi-jin manages to evade Gong, subdue him, and eventually everyone finds themselves paired up (heterosexually, mind you, it’s not an overly progressive show). Gong is apprehended, tried, and sentenced to capital punishment – quite a shock. Gye and Mi-jin come to terms with their sorrow. Initially, Mi-jin believed this was the secret to regaining youth, but as the story wraps up neatly, we realize even ‘Miss Night and Day’ can’t always walk the tightrope of genre conventions perfectly.

Mi-jin’s change remains an exception to the rule. We understand its purpose. It serves as a unique element, a trick that K-romances employ to distinguish themselves from other love stories. However, the conclusion we receive falls short of expectations. In the final episode, which primarily wraps up events addressed in Episode 15, Mi-jin’s alternate persona is disclosed as the spirit of her aunt who temporarily inhabits Mi-jin’s body before abruptly departing.

Despite seeming less integrated within the overall storyline, the conclusion of her transformation still feels disconnected, even the CGI cat vanishes. Instead, it serves as a literary device that allows Mi-jin to exist in two places simultaneously. Regardless, one facet of this duality relies heavily on continuous humor about an older woman being unattractive to younger men – a notion challenged when Mi-jin’s friend Ga-yeong (Kim A-young) develops feelings for an older man. Change may occur, but fundamentally, things remain consistent.

Despite the seemingly incongruous blend of gruesome dismemberment scenes and recurring jokes about Mi-jin and Ga-yeong’s bathroom habits in “Miss Night and Day,” this juxtaposition never leaves me feeling disconnected from the story. Instead, “Miss Night and Day” appears less as a melding of various genres but rather as a reflection of our own intricacies, much like our lives, which, similar to genres, resist simple categorization.

If South Korean TV shows often present a heightened, almost unrealistic depiction of contemporary life, they also effectively portray the underlying turmoil. In fact, one aspect that makes these shows appealing is their ability to bring order to this turmoil, which is frequently resolved in the satisfyingly optimistic conclusions characteristic of K-dramas.

Amidst the trend of franchising various entities, even ironically Squid Game in the Western world, this eagerness to explore genres presents a vibrant beacon of artistic creativity. Particularly in a year marked by lackluster releases like The Acolyte and Masters of the Air, sandwiched between an array of sequels and remakes. Remarkably, the most engaging South Korean shows have managed to seem fresher and more innovative than their seemingly worn-out themes might imply.

Despite minor criticisms one might have about “Miss Night and Day,” they hardly undermine the excitement and novelty that the show offers by experimenting with different genres. In essence, “Miss Night and Day” serves as a captivating, albeit flawed, demonstration of how K-dramas can seamlessly blend various genres. It’s a reminder to appreciate this medium for its artistic value rather than focusing on its efficiency. There are instances where it stumbles, but “Miss Night and Day” manages to earn some of the highest compliments in today’s crowded streaming world: it’s highly engaging, effortlessly addictive, and well worth watching.

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2024-08-06 01:07