Drama Review: Bad Papa

"Its good to be bad" is how the saying goes. A father who struggles to financially provide to his family and faces family problems discovers a mysterious drug that enhances his physical abilities and gains a career in the fighting/martial arts industry. It's cheating, it's winning him money but the father needs to play the bad guy to become a good father.

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Starring Jang Hyuk as Yoo Ji Cheol aka the Bad Papa, this drama sees the struggles of a family due to the father's wrong choices in life. Although he's made wrong choices, he is a genuine guy who wants whats best for his family. He was introduced by a man to visit a lab where they will be 'donating' blood for cash. At this lab, he wanders off and discovers the lab filled with jars of blue pills aka the drugs. He posses a bottle of this drug in secret. It's this drug he became reliant to as he found that it gave him strength and enhanced his other physical abilities.

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He started fighting illegally in hidden fighting rings before being scouted by an agency who promised to pay him a huge amount of money if he wins. The amount of money was too attractive as he knew this would solve his family issues. Signing up to become a MMA fighter as he once was before, he was thrown negative comments on wanting a comeback after losing his last match years ago to his rival, also known as his wife's friend. He however changed the odds as round after round he won with the help of the drugs which no one knew about.

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He was able to earn the money and made his family proud however, his daughter suddenly became ill and had to be hospitalised. She is still young and has a dream to live. The Bad Papa who has always been doing everything for his family makes his final decision...

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Not going to spoil the ending as it was a tear-jerker and filled with so many emotions. It was a really well played drama. No romance, just a lot of fighting, a lot of family moments and huge lessons on taking drugs. Drugs of course as a sensitive thing around the world and this drama touches on the use of it and shows how it will affect the person, their family and friends, the people around you and even other people's friends and family.

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The bond and relationship between the father and daughter in this drama was especially touching. It started off very sour between the two with his teen daughter hating on her father however she grew to open up to him and showed him more love and support. Absolutely loved how the two of them had their own dreams and rooted for each other until the end.

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This drama was unique and not the usual theme or topics that would be covered by a Korean drama. It's one I'd recommend if you're into sports or wanting to watch something about a father's greatest love.

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• Movie URL: https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/82464?language=en-US
• Critic: AAA

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