TYPE OF REVIEW 
: GOOD OL’ REVIEW
No spoilers.
If you’re looking for an exciting, action-packed thrill ride then the SBS Korean drama Vagabond is just the adventure for you.
The 2019 thriller has Lee Seung-gi and Bae Suzy as stuntman Cha Dal-gun and intelligence agent Go Hae-ri uncovering a vast conspiracy after the downing of a Korean passenger jet in Morocco. Among the victims is Dal-gun’s 11 year old nephew and his search for the truth leads him down a sordid maze of corruption.
The uncovering of each layer of deceit from the highest reaches of the Korean government down to unsuspecting civilians is matched with legitimately thrilling, summer blockbuster-level action sequences that come together for a roller coaster of a ride.
The series’ plot has a strong emotional bet right at the beginning as you immediately feel for Dal-gun and understand his struggle to achieve justice, especially as he finds out the plane crash wasn’t just simple mechanical failure. That allows you to embrace the ride through the fast-paced 16 episodes.
This not being the first time they’ve led a series together, Lee Seung-gi and Suzy’s chemistry shines whether it be in fierce shootouts or quiet romantic moments. To be fair, this isn’t a romantic drama per se, but that romantic chemistry naturally flows in between the more frenzied and kinetic scenes. And that’s thanks to the charm and charisma both bring to the table. You can believe their rapport and the trust they have in each other is welcome when you aren’t really sure who actually can trust elsewhere.
That lightheartedness balances the frustration when our hero and heroine get their backs against the wall, numerous times. And the cheers that unwittingly erupt as you watch them overcome those hurdles.
What’s interesting is Vagabond was clearly planned as a multi-season series. And as of March 2020, there is no word on a season 2 yet.
But Vagabond doesn’t require a major investment. Yet it presents a
fun and enjoyable reward not just at the end, but throughout the series. And this bit of escapism is a welcome distraction these days.