First Impression: Are You Human Too?

Disclaimer: If you haven’t seen the first two episodes of the show, there will be spoilers for those in this review. Also, understand that my opinions can change of characters and plots as the show progresses forward. This is just a first impression, not the end all be all of if I like the show or not and my overall opinion of it once the show ends.

Release Date: Started June 4 2018
Episode #: 18 (released every Mon and Wed)
Platform: DramaFever
Director: Cha Young Hoon
Writer: Jo Jung Joo
Starring: Seo Kang Joon, Kong Seung Yeon
Genre: Romance/Sci Fi/Android

I haven’t been watching dramas that much this past week, I tend to do that sometimes especially after doing a major marathon of a specific show, which for me was Something in the Rain. I don’t normally watch that much melodrama, and bingeing it made me just want to spend some days catching up on variety shows that I have missed, and watching other things not Korean (sometimes it’s nice not to have to read everything!).  So today I decided to catch up on some of my currently watching list, specifically those shows that I knew had higher potential for me to be spoiled once they were aired, and landed on Are You Human Too as it had just premiered last night. I wasn’t going to pick up the series, but I was intrigued and after seeing the thousandth ad for it I decided to watch it.

And I’m hooked.

I’ve never really been drawn to the android/robot theme. The only other show that I’ve watched that falls into that (excluding anime where I’m 100% into the meccas) was I’m Not a Robot. Which is in the category only slightly, so I’m going to say that this is probably my first true drama with an android theme.

I was pleasantly surprised by the first two episodes, and how the premise is set up. I’m always for a woman in a high position and super smart, especially one who also embodies compassion and empathy and Oh Ro Ra - Shin’s mother - is perfect. The little snippet we see in the very beginning with her and Shin during her presentation is adorable and I fell instantly in love with the character. The little things she specifically programmed into the robot version of her son are so sweet and great and naturally set up a really nice plot device that can help the character going forward with the series. Shin was great, both human and robot version of himself. Going to the Czech Republic to find his mother after all those years, the robot version noticing that he’s being followed and in danger and immediately responding to it was great.

I also like the set up of the grandfather that we’ve already gotten. Although there is not much known to him - powerful rich guy who (maybe?) killed his son and stole his grandson from his mother is pretty cliched and kind of expected, but their was a nice added element to his character as you find out he is showing signs of developing Alzheimer's. I’m really excited to see how this is going to be played moving forward and where it will take that character. It’s a different angle and I love when dramas throw you off from the normal plot devices.

Of course there is other corruption not just with the family (because what show with a powerful and rich family doesn’t have that?), but also the staff around him with Jong Gil being the one to set up the hit on Shin. I’m interested to see how it plays out with his relationship with his daughter, Ye Na, as she is set to marry Shin and seems to actually like him as opposed to just doing it for the money. I’m not normally one to like the second female lead or really care much for them, but compared to what we have for the first lead (So Bong) I actually like her. I kind of hope there is more to her leading up.

Speaking of the female lead…I just. I want to like her, but I don’t. At all. I want to say that it’s just the first two episodes so she’s acting this way because of that, but I just don’t know. I’m holding my breath that she will get better. I mean, it’s going to be really hard for me to watch this series without wanting to skip through any part that she is speaking if she stays this way, but she is stereotypically the female lead we always get: supposed to be outgoing and strong but is just annoying and there for the male lead to save. I know, this is a drama with romance so that needs to be there. I just want better.

There are a few other characters that are minor at this point that I don’t want to talk much about but am interested in what they will be as the episodes move on. David, the boyfriend of Ro Ra and I guess a scientist as well, is interesting because there really isn’t much known and seems to be someone that may or may not have a greater impact moving on. I also am really interested in Young Hoon, the secretary of human Shin and how he’ll play out.

I’m sure I’m missing more on things that I want to talk about, and probably could add a lot more (will the human Shin ever wake from the coma? Will we see snake tattoo hit man again?), but I’ll leave it at that and maybe add to it in a longer review of the series once it’s finished. I am looking forward to the next episodes and to see how the show will progress.