Prison Playbook (Korean: 슬기로운 감빵생활) is a 2017 South Korean television series directed by Shin Won-ho and starring Park Hae-soo and Jung Kyung-ho. The series marks Park's first-ever lead role. It aired on tvN from November 22, 2017 to January 18, 2018, every Wednesday and Thursday at 21:10 (KST) for 16 episodes.
The series was a commercial hit and became one of the highest-rated series in Korean cable television history.
Contents
Plot
Kim Je-Hyuk is an ace baseball pitcher, who is slated to join Boston Red Sox and play the major league. His life changes overnight when he assaults a man who tries to sexually assault his sister Kim Je-Hee. He is sentenced to one year in prison due to excessive violence that resulted in the assailant's brain death.
In the detention center, he is disliked by a gangster and is stabbed in his left shoulder by his henchman Dong-ho. Since Je-Hyuk is a left-handed pitcher, his baseball career is seemingly ruined. However, with his relentless hard-work, he switches to right hand and trains diligently once he's transferred to Seobu Penitentiary. His childhood friend Lee Joon-ho stays by his side and helps him navigate prison life.
The show also tells the tales of Kim Je-Hyuk's cellmates and other people he befriends in Seobu Penitentiary:
Kim Min-chul was sentenced to life two decades ago for gang violence and murder of a person. Min-chul is a model prisoner who admits to and regrets his crime. He is released after serving 22 years in prison on a Christmas Special Pardon. A few weeks before his release, a young college student visits him for her thesis. Min-chul later recognizes her necklace and learns that she is his daughter. His wife has kept his imprisonment a secret, though she appreciates him for his character. Once released, he reunites with his daughter and Jean Veljean, his former cellmate whom he treats as his son.
Kang Chul-doo is a con-man. He is skilled, good with hands and nicknamed KAIST. He has been married six times and has a son Geon-U from whom he is estranged with since he hates him for being in jail and abandoning his mother and him for a rich woman. Chul-doo donates his liver to Geon-U when he suffers liver failure. He is abruptly transferred to another penitentiary for better medical facilities after the surgery.
Captain Yoo/ Yoo Jung-woo is imprisoned for brutally assaulting and killing his subordinate Private Park Jun-young. It is later revealed that he was unfairly framed by the politically connected Sergeant Oh. Jung-woo was actually a compassionate leader whom the soldiers liked, especially Jun-young who idolized him. Jung-woo is initially angry and aloof and later warms up to the cellmates. His brother, a professor, relentlessly prepares for his retrial at the cost of his own job. Jung-woo's retrial is approved and awaits his acquittal.
Yoo Han-Yang, a pharmacist from a rich family is sentenced for the use of illegal drugs. He is constantly drowsy and weak due to withdrawal. Han-yang was neglected as a child by his mother, who was busy running their restaurant. He grew up to be aloof until a boy from his class, Seong Ji-won befriends him. He later confesses his feelings to Ji-won and they start dating. He refrains from using any medicine or drugs during his imprisonment. He tragically relapses immediately after his release and is arrested again for drug abuse.
Dong-ho is a threat again to Je-Hyeok since he is transferred to Seobu Penitentiary and he attempts to murder Je-Hyeok. Je-Hyeok decides to keep him close and eventually becomes his "boss". Dong-ho helps him with his training as a catcher and remains fiercely loyal and protective of Je-Hyeok since he treats him with respect and dignity, unlike his other bosses.
Prison Guards:
Lieutenant Paeng is a compassionate corrections officer who wishes well for the prisoners, though he speaks in a disrespectful tone. He was once in a fire accident in a different jail and successfully saved all but one prisoner from his wing.
Lee Joon-Ho is Je-Hyeok's childhood friend. When Je-Hyeok and he were in an accident that also killed their coach, he gives up baseball despite his minor injuries, while Je-Hyeok rehabs from his major injuries. He also was a confounder to a major company, but quit before they became big. He admits that he constantly feels the need to move jobs. He is in a relationship with Kim Je-Hee, Je-Hyeok's sister.
Officer Song also works in the wing that holds Je-Hyeok's cell. He is fond of Captain Yoo since he saved his life when he choked on his food.
Cast
Main
Park Hae-soo as Kim Je-hyuk
Lee Tae-sun as young Kim Je-hyuk
Jung Kyung-ho as Lee Joon-ho
Lee Do-hyun as young Lee Joon-ho
Supporting
Krystal Jung as Kim Ji-ho
Shin Rin-ah as child Kim Ji-ho
Lee Chae-yoon as teenage Kim Ji-ho
Je-hyuk's girlfriend who is a traditional Korean medicine student.
Lim Hwa-young as Kim Je-hee, Je-Hyeok's younger sister
Ye Soo-jung as Je-hyuk's mother
Kim Kyung-nam as Lee Joon-dol
Joon-ho's younger brother who is a reporter and an avid fan of Je-hyuk.
Sung Dong-il as Chief Jo Ji-ho
A veteran chief prison guard who is quick and flexible when it comes to resolving incidents that take place inside the prison, but is known for being corrupt and easily swayed by money or other material goods that inmates can provide him.
Jung Jae-sung as Professor Myung
Lee Ho-chul as Gal Dae-bong (a.k.a. "Seagull")
Choi Moo-sung as Kim Min-chul (a.k.a. "Long-term Prisoner")
Park Ho-san as Kang Chul-doo (a.k.a. "KAIST")
Lee Kyu-hyung as Yoo Han-yang (a.k.a. "Second-generation Chaebol" or "Looney")
Jung Hae-in as Yoo Jeong-woo (a.k.a. "Captain Yoo")
Jung Min-sung as Go Park-sa (a.k.a. "Doctor Go")
Special appearance
Yoo Jae-myung as Je-hyuk's lawyer
Kim Sun-young as Kang Chul-doo's ex-wife
Production
Prison Playbook is directed by Shin Won-ho, the award-winning director of Reply anthology series, and written by one of the series' junior writers, Jung Bo-hoon.
The first script reading of the cast was held on July 17, 2017, at CJ E&M Center in Sangam-dong, Seoul.
The filming wrapped up on January 16, 2018.
