Netflix has recently released a six-episode series that tackles some of society’s taboo problems through the art of writing. Notes From The Back Row may not be for everyone, but it is a series that sparks debate and encourages media literacy.
Adapted from the Spanish musical, El Chico de la última Fila, the plot emphasizes the frustrations of a literature professor named Heo Moon Oh (played by Choi Min Sik) whose failed writing career and greed sparks a dangerously obsessive relationship with the brilliant writing of a new mysterious student named Lee Gang (Choi Hyun Wook).
However, the student-teacher relationship isn’t the problem, but rather Lee Gang’s uncanny, realistic stories. As the professor becomes more entranced by his student’s writing, the storyline thickens and becomes dark at times. In episode one, the series’ dark potential arises after Lee Gang confesses that he has a sexual interest in his friend’s mom, whose room he entered and began going through her personal belongings. Smelling her clothes, taking her things, eavesdropping on conversations– all of these cases contribute to the stories he writes about his friends, family, and neighbors.
Choi Hyun Wook portrays his character as brilliant but naive. He has a talent, but seems to be developing as a person sexually and mentally, and battles with his psyche over this. It brings up the age-old question of “do you only feel sorry because you were caught” as his character often gives in to temptation and lies his way out of trouble. Lee Gang’s desire for voyeurism starts to evolve and he begins spying on many people and writing them into his daily stories. No one is safe from Lee’s pen.
Professor Heo may be just as bad as Lee Gang, as his personal interest in Lee lacks boundaries. His desire to live vicariously through Lee Gang’s foreseeable fame is clear from the beginning. Lee’s realistic writing comes from a morally bad place, but the professor’s need to impress his friends and become a big hit continues to push Lee to write more for his own gains. Although the beginning of Choi Min Sik’s character is rather dull, he does a great job of showing the professor’s avarice and overall narcissistic behavior. He even abuses his power and mischievously schemes around campus in rather entertaining ways.
The dark spiral of manipulation clouded by the ambitious pursuit for fame makes for a deep story that provokes thought-provoking commentary with its meta-theatrical storyline. Lust, class disparity, ethics, and self-righteousness all become blurred lines that are crossed throughout the series. Despite steering away from the usual K-Drama formula, Notes From The Back Row is a thought-provoking thriller as viewers question the actions of the characters alongside themselves.
The story doesn’t contain much physical action but rather slow mental suspense, such as fear of exposure and being riddled with anxiety. This slow-boiling feeling enhances crucial scenes and becomes more thrilling past episode 3, which sets up an impactful moment for the plot. The story is heightened with neatly placed scoring and plain but good cinematography. The characters become more emotional as the story progresses, and seeing their more performative growth emphasizes their changes throughout the plot.
Despite this, the story still has room for improvement. The first episode particularly lacks anything engaging, especially if compared with American dramas that hook viewers with more outrageous plots. If anything, characters could have more realistic reactions when they are caught red-handed doing something they shouldn’t. The professor also seems out of line at times, which would warrant a more emotional response from Lee Gang. However, the story reflects Korean society, which still maintains taboos and strict rules regarding age, professions, and hierarchy. Viewers can still praise the attempt at pushing the envelope and crossing the line.
>> Netflix Unveils ‘Notes from the Last Row’ Teaser With Choi Min Sik and Choi Hyun Wook
Overall, Notes From The Back Row is a psychological thriller that puts morality on the back burner and lets characters explore the darker realms of themselves. If you want a show where you can sit and debate on the heavy storyline and wrongdoings of others, it will muster up such deep conversations. However, the story sometimes lulls with heavy dialogue that will leave lovers of rom-coms and action series feeling unsatisfied. 6.5/10
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