Early Access Extras: My Name E1 (Patreon)

E1. So the reason I was curious to check out this show, is because I've heard that this is quite the breakthrough role for Han So Hee.

I thought Han So Hee did a good job of playing "The Other Woman" types in World of the Married and Money Flower, but it did feel like Han So Hee was getting typecast; she kept getting cast as pretty young things with romantic fixations. That applies to both World of the Married and Money Flower - and it also applies to her role in Nevertheless. So, a gritty sort of role in a revenge story is sounds like a very promising way for Han So Hee to prove herself as a serious actress with range.

So far, I'd say she's doing a pretty good job of that, to be honest.

Ji Woo goes through a lot, in just this first episode (that's the upside of a smaller episode count; our story tends to move fast), and the range of events gives Han So Hee the chance to show us a range of expression as well.

I immediately feel sorry for Ji Woo when we meet her; she's just a teenager in high school, and yet, she has to deal with such awful things on a daily basis. Policemen tailing her and harassing her every day because they're after her father; schoolmates gossiping about her and ostracizing her; classmates' parents and teachers all wanting her out of the school; it adds up to a lot, and I'm not surprised that that decision, to have her transferred to another school, because she was making everyone "uncomfortable," would be the straw to break this camel's back.

Han So Hee plays Ji Woo with a mix of sullenness and fragility, interlaced with toughness, that I find an unusual and intriguing mix. She makes me curious to know more about Ji Woo, and that's before I even know more about Ji Woo's context. And, in Ji Woo's most difficult moments, I do feel like Han So Hee's digging deep, to portray Ji Woo's emotions; her fear, terror,  sorrow and hopelessness. I feel it's all very solid, so far.

It's awful, that Ji Woo lashing out at her dad, about how awful things are for her, would be the thing that brings Dad back to check on her - which is how he ends up getting killed. Dang. That's a terrible burden to carry; Ji Woo's basically wracked with guilt that Dad had died because of her.

No wonder she's so desperate to find Dad's killer. And how horrible, that no one seems to be interested in actually bringing Dad's killer to justice. It's understandable that Ji Woo would attempt to find the killer on her own, and it's horrible to watch those guys beat her up and abduct her, just because she's vulnerable.

Because of this, I'm relieved when drug lord Choi comes to her rescue. At least he saves Ji Woo from a fairly certain death?

I do think there's some suspension of disbelief needed, around Choi's set-up. I mean, since his drug activities are so illegal, isn't it a bit of a stretch that he's got this glossy huge office, where people can be seen systematically packing drugs..? I'd always imagined that that kind of thing would be done in secret, and not in a glossy office where the cops could bust in, at any time? Unless.. the cops are in cahoots with him..?

Also, I find it a bit of a stretch, that Ji Woo would even know where to find Choi, since she isn't presented as being very familiar with Dad's work. Also, she's only 17 years old. What would she know about where to find a drug lord?

Aside from that, I can see why Ji Woo would want to work with Choi. At least he was her father's friend and comrade, and therefore, she can believe that he'd want justice - or at least revenge - for Dad.

The "training grounds" where Choi drops Ji Woo, feels like some sort of wild safari, where you're left to fend for yourself against all manner of danger and wild animals. The conditions are pretty horrible, and the trainees here don't appear to have any kind of manner of decency, judging from the way they treat Ji Woo.

I suppose it's important, though, for Ji Woo to get used to these kinds of surroundings, and learn to fend for herself, if she's going to swim in these waters. Therefore, I guess it's relatively better for her to learn how to be tough, in these comparatively more regulated surroundings, than out on the streets, where she could literally get killed.

While I don't know how realistic it is that Ji Woo learns so well so quickly, I rationalize that we don't actually know how much time has passed from the time Choi comes to give her that lesson on attacking her opponents' vital points, to her competing in that all-in-one brawl. Perhaps more time has passed than I think. And also, there's the thing where Choi's said that Ji Woo has potential.

So far, I find the fight scenes violent enough to make a statement, but not so violent that I find it difficult to watch. Also, I think that so far, Ji Woo's fight moves and reflexes reflect her Beginner status quite well. Her movements have a flaily sort of quality to them, that I can believe would come with being a relative newbie. I'm curious to see how Ji Woo's moves evolve, as she becomes a more experienced and seasoned fighter.

All in all, I'd call this a very solid start, and I'm duly curious to see what Show serves up next, for Ji Woo and her personal quest.

Early Access Extras is a bonus look for the Ultimate Tier, at other shows that I'm watching outside of Patreon, so this is only an E1 first impression.

UPDATE! This show will be covered as a bonus show for the Ultimate Tier. Next episode notes will be out on Tuesday, 2 Nov 2021! (Announcement is here.)