Greetings to all! How’s everything on your end? Today, I’m diving into a review of the captivating drama Alice. It made its debut on August 28, 2020, and quickly positioned itself as a standout Korean science fiction series, skillfully intertwining time travel themes with profound narratives surrounding loss, love, and destiny.
Alice aired on SBS from August 28 to October 24, 2020, with episodes released every Friday and Saturday at 22:00 KST. The show spans 16 episodes, each lasting around 70 minutes. The series is characterized as a “human sci-fi drama about a woman resembling a deceased individual and a man devoid of emotions who embark on magical time travels.” Featuring Kim Hee-sun and Joo Won, it’s accessible on Viki and various other streaming services for global viewers.
Set in 2050, the agency known as Alice offers clients a chance to revisit deceased loved ones to find solace and closure. They also monitor time violations. This intricate narrative creates a fascinating fusion of police procedural, science fiction, and emotional drama, probing how time travel influences personal lives and the very fabric of reality.
An Emotionless Detective and a Journey Through Time
Enter Park Jin-Gyeom, a detective characterized by his lack of emotions. His investigation into a perplexing case leads him to uncover the existence of time travelers who arrive from the future through a portal named Alice. His emotional detachment traces back to childhood trauma, crafting a narrative where his quest involves not only solving crimes but also reawakening his ability to connect with others.
Alice presents Joo Won as Park Jin Gyeom, a detective piecing together the mystery of time travelers amidst a string of bizarre murders. This premise invites viewers to contemplate fate, free will, and the healing potential of altering past events.
The Quest of Park Jin Gyeom: Seeking Truth and Healing
Joo Won’s portrayal of Park Jin Gyeom is both compelling and moving; his emotional barriers enable him to excel at his profession but isolate him from genuine human interactions. His transformative journey begins with the discovery of time travel evidence during a murder case, prompting him to reassess everything he knows about reality.
Throughout the series, Jin Gyeom gradually reconnects with his emotions, becoming embroiled in the enigmas surrounding Alice and his encounters with Yoon Tae Yi. His pursuit becomes personal, revolving around unraveling the mysteries of his mother’s death and the unusual details of his own past.
Yoon Tae Yi: The Key to Time Travel
In this journey, he encounters Yoon Tae-Yi once more, a figure from his past who has already passed away. Park Jin-Gyeom believes their meeting is destiny. Yoon Tae-Yi, a brilliant physicist, holds significant insights into time travel. Kim Hee-sun adeptly portrays both the historical Yoon Tae Yi and her modern counterpart, enriching the narrative with layers of identity and fate.
The dynamic between Jin Gyeom and Tae Yi forms the emotional backbone of the series, as their bond spans various timelines. As they delve deeper into the mysteries of time travel, she becomes aware of her pivotal role in either creating or averting the temporal chaos threatening reality.
When Timelines Clash: The Time Paradox
The series escalates as the repercussions of time travel generate paradoxes that could potentially dismantle reality. Alice revolves around Park Jin Gyeom, an emotionless detective on a quest for his mother’s murderer, who finds himself tangled with time-traveling assassins wielding a mysterious device known as Alice. These pivotal episodes delve into whether love can truly defy time and if some destinies are immutable.
Tension peaks when characters face choices between personal aspirations and the collective good, fully aware that their actions may yield catastrophic effects across alternate timelines. The series excels in illustrating how individual decisions resonate through time, influencing countless lives and realities.
A Strong Start Despite Narrative Complexity
Joo Won and Kim Hee-sun’s Alice debuted to top ratings on SBS, affirming the audience’s desire for inventive science fiction within the K-drama sphere. The ambitious narrative received acclaim for its bold concept and outstanding performances, although some viewers found the intricate time travel elements challenging to grasp.
Alice marks a significant milestone in Korean television’s venture into science fiction, merging high-concept storytelling with rich emotional layers. It resonated particularly well with international viewers who valued its sophisticated approach to time travel and the palpable chemistry between its protagonists.
A Sci-Fi Experience Filled with Heart
For fans of intricate science fiction narratives intertwined with strong emotional elements, Alice is a must-watch on Viki and other streaming platforms. This isn’t merely another time travel tale; it serves as a profound exploration of love, loss, and the timeless question of whether we can ever truly escape our fates.
Why You Can’t Miss This Series: Love Across Timelines
Alice reminds us that while altering the past might be impossible, we possess the ability to determine our future paths. This series harmonizes mind-bending concepts with deeply human emotions, resulting in an unforgettable viewing journey.
Details of the Series
Episodes: 16 episodes
Available On: Viki, SBS, various streaming platforms
Year Released: 2020
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Genres: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Drama, Fantasy
Status: Completed
Main Cast: Joo Won (Park Jin Gyeom), Kim Hee-sun (Yoon Tae Yi)
Supporting Cast: Kwak Si-yang (Yoo Min-hyuk), Lee Da-in (Kim Do-yeon)