Gangnam B-side review: Is the Ji Chang-wook starrer Disney+ show worth watching?

Gangnam B-Side, the latest K-drama on Disney+, offers a gritty exploration of the darker realities behind Seoul’s upscale Gangnam district. The eight-episode series is directed by Park Noo-ri (Money) and written by Jo Won-gyu (Argon).

Consisting of a stellar cast of big names like Ji Chang-wook, Jo Woo-jin, BIBI, and Ha Yoon-kyung, the series takes viewers into a world of corruption, crime, and desperate alliances.

The limited series aired its first two episodes on November 6, 2024, and its finale episodes on November 27, 2024. The story centered on Kang Dong-woo, played by Jo Woo-jin, a principled ex-police investigator drawn back to the city when the daughter of a friend goes missing in Gangnam.

Joining him in Gangnam B-Side is Ji Chang-wook as Yoon Gil-ho, a morally ambiguous pimp and fixer, and Ha Yoon-kyung as prosecutor Min Seo-jin. Together, they unraveled the deep-seated criminal underworld of the city’s elite while confronting their personal conflicts.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this series review belong solely to the author.

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Jo Woo-jin and Ji Chang-wook's stellar performances drive Gangnam B-Side's gritty narrative

Gangnam B-Side's story followed Jae-hee (BIBI), a s*x worker who became the target of multiple factions after obtaining a mysterious video with potentially incriminating evidence. Her former pimp, Yun Gil-ho (Ji Chang-wook), launched a relentless quest to protect her while dealing with his moral dilemmas.

Meanwhile, Detective Kang Dong-woo (Jo Woo-jin) was drawn into this tangled web, battling systemic corruption and navigating the moral ambiguities of law enforcement.

Gangnam B-Side’s premise unfolds in the bustling streets of Gangnam, juxtaposing its glitzy exterior with a grim underworld rife with drugs, violence, and moral decay. Themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption permeate the narrative, painting a vivid picture of lives entangled in the pursuit of power and survival.

Ji Chang-wook shined in his role as Gil-ho, portraying a nuanced character who oscillates between ruthless pragmatism and unexpected protectiveness. Yoon Gil-ho is a morally complex antihero whose protective instincts for the women he manages add depth to his character.

Jo Woo-jin brought a stoic intensity to his performance as a morally right police detective. He delivered a compelling performance as the principled yet isolated Detective Kang Dong-woo. His nuanced portrayal of a man torn between his ideals and the realities of a corrupt system anchored the series emotionally.

Meanwhile, Ha Yoon-kyung’s quiet determination to serve justice as Prosecutor Min Seo-jin hinted at her character’s growing significance. BIBI, following her success in The Worst of Evil, delivered a solid performance as the escort Jae-hee. She is a vulnerable yet resilient character navigating perilous circumstances, elevating her beyond the typical victim archetype often seen in crime dramas.

Director Park Noo-ri’s skillful storytelling was evident in the show’s atmospheric visuals. The cinematography captured Gangnam’s duality, with neon-lit streets masking the shadows of crime and corruption to maintain its noir genre. The narrative’s tension was heightened by gritty fight sequences and moments of quiet introspection, offering a balanced mix of action and emotional depth.

Screenwriter Jo Won-gyu crafted a gripping tale that avoided sensationalism despite its intense themes. While unlikely allies taking on a corrupt system is a common trope, but the strong performances and focused direction helped elevate the material.

Gangnam B-Side excelled in its character-driven storytelling, with well-developed arcs that maintained audience investment. Ji Chang-wook and Jo Woo-jin’s chemistry added complexity to the central dynamic, while BIBI’s portrayal of Jae-hee brings a fresh perspective to the genre.

On the downside, Gangnam B-Side struggled with pacing issues in certain episodes, as prolonged sequences of violence and exposition detract from the narrative flow. Additionally, some secondary characters like Jung Ga-ram the drug addict and r*pist K-pop idol Noh Joon-seo, lacked sufficient development.

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Gangnam B-Side is a bold addition to Disney+’s growing catalog of Korean content. While its graphic nature and occasional pacing issues may not appeal to all viewers, fans of intense crime dramas will find much to appreciate in this intricately woven tale.

For those seeking a darker, character-driven drama with a strong cast, Gangnam B-Side is worth the watch. The series is now streaming on Disney+.