In the heart of Mujin village, where quirkiness is a way of life, the latest K-drama, “Behind Your Touch”, unfolds. This story stars Han Ji-min, known for “Our Blues”, as Bong Ye-bun, a spirited veterinary doctor, and Lee Min-ki of “My Liberation Notes” fame, as Moon Jang-yeol, a no-nonsense city detective.
Ye-bun’s life is fairly routine, attending to various animals in her veterinary clinic. While she holds a special place for dogs and cats in her heart, she finds herself occupied with the livestock that frequent her clinic. But her life is transformed on a peculiar night. Engaged in examining a pregnant cow during a meteor shower, an unexpected meteor grazes past her, leading to an unforeseen after-effect: the ability to access an animal’s memories by touching their rears.
This comical fantasy element becomes the focal point of the series. The chosen body part for her magical ability adds a touch of lowbrow humor, making it evident that “Behind Your Touch” seeks to entertain with light-hearted comedy. And entertain it does, especially given the eccentric characters that populate Mujin. From a self-proclaimed shaman channeling the spirit of US General Douglas MacArthur to a police chief whose idea of a ‘murder case’ might just be related to onion crops, the village is nothing short of entertaining.
As Ye-bun grapples with her newfound powers, she inadvertently lands in awkward situations, further adding to the show’s comedic quotient. This includes a hilarious incident on a bus where she tests her abilities on a human, only to be caught by the stern detective Jang-yeol. Recently demoted from Seoul to Mujin, Jang-yeol dreams of capturing a rumored local drug dealer to earn his way back to the bustling city. Their paths continue to collide through a series of comical misunderstandings.
While Ye-bun starts to harness her powers for good, assisting a penniless old man and his guilt-ridden dog, her popularity grows exponentially, with an increasing clientele seeking her magical touch. Yet, a curious twist surfaces. Her power appears to work on humans too, particularly on Jang-yeol, setting the stage for a unique detective-civilian partnership.
A sprinkle of clichéd K-drama elements, such as the duo being neighbors and likely romantic interests, adds familiarity to the narrative. Yet, what remains to be seen is Ye-bun’s personal journey and the secrets from her past, particularly concerning her parents.
“Behind Your Touch” might occasionally borrow from other popular K-dramas, like a comedic flashback reminiscent of the romance in “Twenty-Five Twenty-One”, but it is undeniably captivating. Anticipate a generous mix of humor, romance, and a tinge of drama, especially with the budding romance between Ye-bun and the local store clerk, Kim Sun-woo, played by Suho of Exo.
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