“Private Lives,” starring Seohyun and Go Kyung-pyo, makes the bad look good, and we’re okay with that. Here’s what we think about the pilot episode.
The Plot
“Private Lives” tells the story of con artists who “uncover a sinister surveillance scheme headed by the government and a greedy corporation.” Episode 1 opens with the all important question of data privacy – how we value privacy yet feel compelled to share our lives online. Meanwhile, there are others who collect, analyze, and use other people’s private lives to further their interests.
The story starts with a young Cha Joo-eun (Seohyun) who learns the tricks of the trade from her con artist parents. Fast forward to present, Cha Joo-eun is released from jail. We then learn why she was imprisoned. Her father became involved in a scheme which embezzled money from a congregation. Cha Joo-eun’s family lost everything when his father’s accomplices Jung Yoon-kyung (Kim Hyo-jin) and Kim Jae-wook (Kim Young-min) took all the money abroad.
Years after, Cha Joo-eun becomes a master con artist who takes on different lives for a living. She plans to have her revenge against his father’s former accomplices who are now back in Korea. However, the scheming Jun Yoon-kyung uncovers her plan.
How to Make a Con Artist
Episode 1 is all about the character build up of Cha Joo-eun played by Seohyun. The Girls Generation singer-actress looks stunning as the first time I saw her in “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.” But aside from her visuals, her transformation from an innocent student to a hardened con-artist is the highlight of the episode.
Meanwhile, Go Kyung-pyo has yet to show up in the first episode. “Private Lives” is Go Kyung-pyo’s first project after his release from the military early this year so we’re excited to see this talented actor back on the small screen. The preview for the next episode shows sparks between his character and Cha Joo-eun.
Is ‘Private Lives’ Worth Watching?
“Private Lives,” just like other stories about con artists and money heist, depend much on clever writing. There isn’t enough excitement nor suspense in the first episode to keep me on my toes but the intriguing plot is enough to get me hooked for now.
New episodes of “Private Lives” starring Go Kyung-pyo and Seohyun are up every Wednesdays and Thursdays on Netflix.