“Dr. Brain” (Dr. 브레인)

By Jae-Ha Kim
jaehakim.com
November 8, 2021

Lee Se-Won (played by Lee Sun-Kyun)
Lee Kang-Mu (played by Park Hee-Soon)
↑Note: Korean names denote the surname followed by the given name.

If you could tap into the brain of a dead person (or a cat, yes, a cat) in order to save a life, would you? That’s the premise behind “Dr. Brain,” the first original Korean series to make its debut on Apple TV+. Based on Hongjacga’s webtoon of the same name, “Dr. Brain” has an intriguing concept that’s full of suspense. But, all too often, it meanders aimlessly, which prevents “Dr. Brain” from reaching its potential.

Se-Won is a brilliant, autistic neuroscientist whose work is unparalleled. Though standoffish and all business, he loves his wife and adores his young son. When the child is killed in a freak accident, Se-Won’s wife appears to lose her mind, insisting that the boy is still alive — even though she watched as his casket was lowered for burial at his funeral.

Enter Kang-Mu (Park Hee-Soon, from “My Name“), a private eye looking into a murder that may be tied to the death of Se-Won’s son. Distrustful of each other, but also needing each other’s resources, they work together to try to figure out what happened.

Se-Won has invented a brain transferring device that captures the memories of the deceased into the living. Because it hasn’t been tested on human beings yet, he becomes his own guinea pig. His first transfer is wild, with him becoming physically ill afterwards. But with each successive turn on the brain wave contraption, he becomes more adept at focusing and utilizing the memories.

He even absorbs some of the donors’ social etiquette. When he asks his colleagues if they’d like to have lunch with him — something he had never done before — they don’t answer, because they can’t believe what they just heard.

Remember that cat I mentioned in the opening paragraph? That was his son’s pet. When he syncs with the cat’s brain, he not only sees what the kitty saw, but also acquires its feline agility and night vision. I mean, honestly, I could’ve watched an entire series from just this perspective alone.

Beautifully directed by Kim Do-Hoon and written by Lee Jin-Mae, “Dr. Brain” offers a different kind of K-drama that moves along quickly. While convoluted, its plot includes an intriguing I see dead people aspect as well as a few genuine surprises. But the big draw is Lee Sun-Kyun (“Parasite,” “My Ahjussi“), who fully embodies this implausible role with conviction.

Because this series doesn’t end until December 9, 2021 — the press had access to early screeners — I won’t reveal anymore other than to say: nothing is as it seems, as you’ll find out in the finale.

Airdates: Six 60-minute episodes aired from November 4 to December 9, 2021 on Apple TV+.

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