"Wanted" could have easily relied on suspense over a stock kidnapping story, but it is refreshing to see how bold its creators are in touching delicate social subjects through it. This time around domestic violence and its treatment by the law and press become a topic. We also find out more about our characters, including Seung-in and his presumably painful past. With the second mission being handed and Hyeon-woo's status being unconfirmed, Hye-in has a lot to deal with.
The domestic violence case is tough to watch, but it is another reminder of how much and how little trial by media matters. Justice is blind, but its hands are often open to the highest bidder and media does not change this. What media does is provide us with an illusion of power. Masses follow trends. We fight for causes when something is turned into a spectacle. Then we leave the true fighters behind and move on to the next Twitter hashtag which makes us feel relevant.
This false sense of importance and causing change in the world is inflated by the media which benefit from it. Seeing Bo-yeon (Hyosung) crack a smile when she sees her precious work gaining popularity is a blood-chilling scene. Seeing the team discuss how they should use the trending name for the kidnapper shows just how much their work depends on getting the masses to feel included and in control.
Dong-wook (Eom Tae-woong) knows his greed for these reactions, giving us a little hint of self-awareness and therefore kindness, when he tells Yeon Woo-sin (Park Hyo-joo) that he needs someone nice to keep him in grounded. Seung-in (Ji Hyeon-woo) gives us his own moments of sincerity when he shows emotional connection to the domestic abuse case. Perhaps he and his mother suffered a similar fate. This will help him empathize, but it can potentially cloud his judgement.
The list of suspects is not getting smaller and the creators of "Wanted" are clearly determined to mess with viewers. Hye-in's (Kim Ah-joong) manager, Kwon Kyeong-hoon (Bae Yoo-ram) could be obsessed with her, but I do not see him as the culprit. Jeong-ho (Park Hae-joon) is a jerk, but he could be hiding affection and worry for Hyeon-woo (Park Min-soo). That would be the more interesting twist.
Few works would kill a child, but Hyeon-woo's fate worries me and I want to see everyone's reactions to the photograph. If his cries have been recordings, anything but a video indicating the current date and time could be a lie. The photograph could be manipulated or Hyeon-woo could be dead in it. I hope the series gives at least one character the same doubt, which is a reasonable one to have and which needs addressing if it is not the big twist.
"Wanted" is directed by Park Yong-soon, written by Han Ji-wan-I and features Kim Ah-joong, Ji Hyeon-woo, Eom Tae-woong and Park Hae-joon.
Source: HanCinema
