Again My Life (2022)

May 7, 2023

Our Take: A legal drama that focuses on second chances.

The Premise

As a high schooler, Kim Hee Woo (Lee Joon Gi) ranked at the bottom of his school. However, through hard work and perseverance, he works his way up to university, passes the bar exam, and becomes a public prosecutor. Unfortunately, when he gets entangled in an investigation on corruption charges related to politician Cho Tae Seob (Kee Kyung Young), he gets brutally murdered by a mysterious hitman. 

Somehow, grim reaper Han Ji Hyun (Cha Joo Young), who happens to be Tae Seob's secretary, miraculously resurrects him. In return, she tells him to take down Cho Tae Seob and make his life hell. He gets sent back to when he was 18 years old, where he gets a second chance to finish what he started and discover the truth about his death. But, this time Hee Woo is less arrogant and reckless. Instead of acting carelessly, he takes a calm and composed approach to dealing with his opponent. 

On his journey, he aligns himself with loyal allies, including the youngest daughter of Cheonha Group Kim Hee Ah (Kim Ji Eun), reporter Kim Han Mi (Kim Jae Kyung), prosecutor Kim Gyu Ri (Hong Bi Ra), strongman Park Sang Man (Ji Chan), and more. Together with his comrades-in-arms, they work together on Hee Woo's decades-long crusade for revenge and justice against the most powerful man in the country.

A Game of Cat and Mouse

At the heart of the show are Kim Hee Woo and Cho Tae Seob. Kim Hee Woo (Lee Joon Gi) is a righteous, confident lawyer with a strong sense of justice. With a second chance at life, he works hard to accumulate power and set up the chessboard to eventually bring down Tae Seob. 

However, the fight is long and grueling, as Tae Seob is a political kingpin who deals with everything from scandals to corruption, bribery, murder, etc. While he's ruthless and corrupt, he is also careful and strategic, always thinking a few steps ahead before making his next move. Fighting from opposing ends, the power-obsessed, scheming Cho Tae Seob puts up a fierce fight against Kim Hee Woo.  

Power Corrupts All

Despite the initial time travel elements, Again My Life is not a sci-fi fantasy but a legal drama centered on revenge and justice. At its core, the premise focuses on political power plays, the role of prosecutors, and fighting corruption from the top down. Similar to other 2022 Korean legal dramas like Juvenile Justice and Why Her, the writers attempt to call out the structural problems in the legal system and broader society.  

While there are laws, as we all know too well, they don't apply to everyone equally. As a result, people are calling for justice, effective punishment, and an end to corruption. This message echoes a shared sentiment many people around the world feel today. There is pent-up frustration about rising economic inequality and concentration of power, leading many to seek change and a better future. 

In some ways, Hee Woo's story is a pessimistic take on the state of the legal system. In his first life, he is forced to live within the limitations of the existing system and ends up losing his life in the pursuit of justice. It's only when he's given another opportunity through superhuman circumstances that he gets a fair chance at fighting against injustice. 

As he takes on Tae Seob by acquiring more power and becoming just as ruthless, you can't help but wonder about the state of society. Is it okay to become a monster to take down a devil? Is there such a thing as democracy, or is it all an illusion of choice? Are we choosing righteous leaders to govern our countries? Are they going to bring the country towards prosperity and peace, or are they corrupting everything they touch? If we were in their shoes, would we choose peace or chaos? Do we have a responsibility to fight against greed and injustice?

A One-Man Show

While Hee Woo is backed by a strong support system of his friends and family, he's always at the center of everything, which makes the drama feel like a one-man show rather than a tight-knit group of people. With so many characters backing Hee Woo and Tae Seob, there just isn't enough time to get to know everyone deeply. 

As the daughter of Cheongha, Kim Hee Ah had a lot of potential, but she doesn't get much screen time. As Hee Woo's love interest and the lead actress, I expected her to have a bigger presence and more opportunities to explore her character. Likewise, Kim Han Mi, Kim Gyu Ri, and Han Ji Hyun are all talented and capable women who aren't fleshed out as deeply as they could have been. 

The Ending

The ending, as with real life, felt imperfect. On one hand, Hee Woo successfully takes down Tae Seob and solidifies his friendships and partnerships over time. Unlike his first life, this time, he gains more power than before and is better equipped to handle any future obstacles beyond Cho Tae Seob.

However, the resolution with Tae Seob felt lackluster, with justice getting served in a way that leaves a lot to be desired. Even with him gone, other politicians are quick to fill his place. This is likely a commentary on the cyclical nature of corruption and the fact that the fight against evil never ends. Still, there is a glimmer of hope as Kim Hee Woo is better prepared to take on those in power. 

Final Thoughts

Again My Life doesn't offer anything groundbreaking for those who have seen other similar Korean dramas such as Reborn Rich or Juvenile Justice. Despite being labeled as a political-legal thriller and the use of a time travel plot device, the story ultimately lacks the depth and complexity necessary to make it truly memorable. But, despite its flaws, you can expect to immerse yourself in a long game of cat and mouse with plenty of legal action.