Watch Prison Playbook

Prison Playbook is a South Korean television series that aired on tvN from November 2017 to January 2018. The show was written and directed by Shin Won-ho and produced by the same team responsible for the popular Reply Series. The show stars Park Hae-soo, Jung Kyung-ho, and Krystal Jung in lead roles.

The show is a black comedy-drama that tells the story of a former baseball player named Kim Je-hyuk (Park Hae-soo) who ends up in prison after being framed for a crime he didn't commit. While in prison, he meets a diverse group of inmates, including an ex-gangster who always has a smile on his face, a famous chef who is known for his culinary skills, a timid young man who is in awe of Kim Je-hyuk, and a former special forces soldier who is mistakenly arrested.

The show is set in a male prison and with a running time of 16 episodes and each episodic run time averaged around one hour. The story follows each inmate's stories through the daily life of serving time in prison, and how each of them experiences different struggles while living behind bars.

One of the great things about this show is that it balances out humor and drama effortlessly. The humor of the series is distinct and unique and sometimes is derived from the incongruous idea of how these prisoners act, interact and communicate amongst each other. The drama is equally potent as it explores the inmates' struggles, such as maintaining their relationships with family and friends outside, and adjusting to life after imprisonment.

Another standout aspect of the show is the characterization. The characters are all fleshed out, and every single one of them is unique and memorable. There is also a lot of depth to each character, and as the show progresses, the audience learns about the backstory behind each of the prisoners.

The show also touches upon a lot of social issues such as the difficulties faced by people who have been incarcerated, the flaws of the prison system, the bias of the authorities, and the struggles of societal divisions in Korea. The show attempts to explore justice issues and human relationships within a rigid prison structure, and it manages to do so effectively.

The acting in the show is top-notch, and the cast of Prison Playbook deliver excellent performances. Park Hae-soo is particularly great as Kim Je-hyuk, the central character of the show, and he brings a lot of depth and nuance to his role. Jung Kyoung-ho's portrayal of the former gangster and fan-favorite character, “Captain Yoo,” is also thoroughly entertaining.

Overall, Prison Playbook is a great watch if you're a fan of black comedy-dramas. The show has a unique premise, interesting characters, and touches upon some critically relevant social and human issues. The show does a great job of exploring the day-to-day challenges that inmates encounter in prison with a healthy amount of humor thrown in. It is also a great example of how likeable characters can make a show a joy to watch. It is an excellent addition to the repertoire of Shin Won-ho’s projects.

Prison Playbook is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (16 episodes). The series first aired on January 25, 2017.