“Room No. 9” has finally come to a conclusion, and what a ride it has been!
This compelling drama of legal corruption and personal greed is full of the standard K-drama plots, but it is still enjoyable all the way to the end! The main character, Jang Hwasa, is played by Kim Hae Sook (“Judge vs. Judge,” “My Father Is Strange”), one of Korea’s greatest veteran actors! Hwasa is the victim of the rich and upper class and has spent the last 34 years on death row for a crime she did not commit. However, her character departs from the norm by being a powerful victim who refuses to let her legacy be defeat at the hands of the villain, Ki-San— whom you will love to hate! Hwasa is battered by life, but surely not broken.
Meanwhile, beautiful Kim Hee Sun (“Faith,” “Angry Mom”), plays the power-hungry attorney Eul Hae Yi, who has sold her soul and conscience for fame. Seemingly beyond redemption, you cheer for her character as she slowly starts to see that she has, perhaps, spent her life striving for all the wrong things.
The main story of the plot comes in to play when the two female leads meet in the visitation room number nine. Fate intervenes and their souls switch bodies. The attorney’s soul now resides in the body of the prisoner, whereas Hwasa finds herself in the body of the attorney. Now on the outside and with freedom, she begins to work hard at finally clearing her name.
As with all great K-dramas, this one is filled with great second characters as well. Kim Young Kwang (“Lookout,” “Sweet Stranger and Me”) plays the long-suffering boyfriend of Hae Yi and never loses his hope in love. He seems to be the perfect gentleman, but there is another side that he is hiding as well. Always memorable, Kang Shin Il (“Sketch,” “Mr. Sunshine”) plays Hae Yi’s father, a famous prosecutor who lost his fame and fortune by refusing to sell out to the money-driven legal system.
One of the best characters in all of the numerous dramas I have watched is Kam Mi Ran, wonderfully played by actress Kim Jae Hwa (“Secret Mother”). Jae Hwa nearly steals the show in each of her scenes with the leads. She plays “Pal Pal” with humor, kindness, and sympathy as she devotes her time to caring for her beloved unnie, Hwasa.
Everyone will enjoy this drama— no matter the age of the viewers or their preferences when it comes to dramas. At 16 episodes, it was the perfect length and never bogged down in the middle of the story line as longer dramas often do. Overall, I give this drama four finger hearts and recommend you to give this series a shot as well!
Have you watched “Room No. 9”? Let us know what you thought of the series and its ending.
In the meantime, happy viewing!
DramaElf is a dedicated lover of K-dramas. Not a night goes by without finding her in front of her Kindle, eagerly watching the newest drama. She is a particular fan of Gong Hyo Jin and Shin Min Ah. Although dramas are her biggest fascination, she is also a fan of Kpop and particularly loves Super Junior and SISTAR. Despite being a mom of two and grams of three, she can still fangirl with the best of them when it comes to her ultimate bias Leeteuk.