City Hunter is a Korean drama series based on a popular Japanese manga by Tsukasa Hojo. Released in 2011, the series stars Lee Min Ho and Park Min Young in lead roles. The story follows Lee Min Ho, who seeks revenge against his father’s killer but falls in love with Park Min Young along the way. Here is the complete synopsis and review of the classic Korean drama, City Hunter.
Synopsis
Lee Yoon Sung, also known as Poochai (Lee Min Ho), lost his biological father at birth. His father’s friend, Lee Jin Pyo (Kim Sang Joong), snatched him away from his mother and brought him to the golden triangle in Thailand to raise him as his own son. Jin Pyo trained Yoon Sung to avenge his father’s death and that of his comrades, including Park Moo Yeol (Park Sang Min), who is actually Yoon Sung’s biological father. Jin Pyo, Park Moo Yeol, and their team had embarked on a secret mission for five powerful men in South Korea, but all but Jin Pyo were killed.
Jin Pyo orchestrated a plan to send Yoon Sung, who is all grown up now, to work at the Blue House, his father’s workplace, to seek revenge on the five powerful men who killed his father and his father’s comrades. However, Yoon Sung’s mission is complicated when he falls in love with Kim Na Na (Park Min Young), one of the Blue House security guards. Na Na’s presence softens Yoon Sung’s resolve to complete his mission.
Yoon Sung and Jin Pyo have different motives behind their mission. Yoon Sung wants to bring the five powerful men to court, uncover the truth, and clear his father’s name and that of his father’s comrades. On the other hand, Jin Pyo wants the death of the five powerful men.
Yoon Sung discovers his mother, Lee Kyung Hee (Kim Mi Sook), who had not left him as his “father” had claimed. Yoon Sung donates his bone marrow to his mother, who is suffering from leukemia.
In his mission, Yoon Sung is accompanied by a veterinarian named Jin Sae Hee (Hwang Sun Hee). Jin Sae Hee is the ex-wife of Kim Young Joo (Lee Joon Hyuk), a smart prosecutor who values justice. Unfortunately, Jin Sae Hee is the daughter of Kim Jong Shik (Choi Il Hwa), one of the five powerful men, and dies fighting with Yoon Sung.
The series concludes with Yoon Sung revealing the truth about the accident that threw Na Na into a coma and killed her father. He also reveals that the cook, Bae Man Duk, aka Bae Shik Joong (Kim Sang Ho), witnessed the accident. Yoon Sung successfully takes down four of the five powerful men, and he surrenders them anonymously to the authorities, earning the nickname “City Hunter.” The remaining powerful man is revealed to be the President of South Korea, who is, in fact, Yoon Sung’s biological father.
Review
City Hunter is a combination of action, romance, and thriller genres that keep you engaged throughout. The series has an excellent plot, and the cast has delivered great performances. Lee Min Ho portrayed the character of Lee Yoon Sung/Poochai with ease, and Park Min Young’s performance as Kim Na Na was exceptional. Kim Sang Joong as Lee Jin Pyo gave an impressive performance, and his character’s transition from a kind father-figure to a mastermind villain was remarkable.
The action sequences in the series are well-choreographed, and the fight scenes are intense. The series also explores themes of justice, loyalty, and family. The chemistry between Lee Min Ho and Park Min Young is heartwarming and adds an extra layer to the series.
The only negative aspect of the series is that it has some predictable plot twists, but the storytelling is so impressive that it keeps you on the edge of your seat.
In conclusion, City Hunter is a must-watch Korean drama for fans of action, romance, and thriller genres. The series has a compelling plot, excellent performances, and impressive action sequences that keep you engaged throughout. Lee Min Ho’s performance as Lee Yoon Sung/Poochai is a standout, and the chemistry between him and Park Min Young has made the series even more delightful.
