Life on Mars (Korean Drama)

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Drama: Life on Mars
Revised romanization: Raipeu On Maseu
Hangul: 라이프 온 마스
Director: Lee Jung-Hyo
Writer: Lee Dae-II
Network: OCN
Episodes: 16
Release Date: June 9 - August 5, 2018
Runtime: Sat. & Sun. 22:20
Genre: Police / Time Travel
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Han Tae-Joo (Jung Kyoung-Ho) leads a crime investigation team. He has experienced a rapid rise in his career and he trusts data over people. While investigating a serial murder case, he has an accident. When Han Tae-Joo wakes up, he finds himself in 1988. He does not know why, but he is now a detective appointed to work at a police station in a small city. To get back to the present day, Han Tae-Joo tries to solve a serial murder case.

Notes

"Life on Mars" takes over OCN's Sat. & Sun. 22:20 time slot previously occupied by "Mistress" and followed by on "Voice 2" on August 11, 2018.
Drama series is a remake of the UK television series "Life on Mars" (aired on BBC One from 2006 to 2007).
Actor Jung Kyoung-Ho previously worked with director Lee Jung-Hyo in JTBC drama series "Heartless City."
First script reading took place March 12, 2018 at Studio Dragon in Sangam-dong, Seoul, South Korea.
Character posters for OCN drama series “Life on Mars.”
Ep.9 and 10 will not air on July 7 and July 8, 2018 as originally planned. To allow more time for filming, ep.9 and ep.10 will air on July 14 and July 15, 2018.

Cast



Jung Kyoung-Ho	Park Sung-Woong	Ko Ah-Sung	Oh Dae-Hwan	Ro Jong-Hyun
Han Tae-Joo	Kang Dong-Cheol	Yoon Na-Young	Lee Yong-Ki	Jo Nam-Sik



Jun Suk-Ho	Yoo Ji-Yeon	Kim Jae-Kyung	Kim Min-Ho	Kim Ki-Cheon
Han Choong-Ho	Kim Mi-Yeon	Han Mal-Sook	Han Tae-Joo	Manager Park



Kim Young-Pil	Choi Seung-Yoon	Jeon Hye-Bin	Lee Bong-Ryun	Oh Ah-Rin
Kim Kyung-Se	Kim Min-Suk	Jung Seo-Hyun	Yoo Soon-Hee	Young-Joo



Yoo Yeon	Yoon Seul	Kwon Soon-Joon	Park Seung-Tae	Kim Jun-Bae
Lee Sun-Ja	Lee Jum-Soon	Lee Jum-Soon's son	grandmother at police station	Oh Jong-Man



Kwak Jung-Wook	Hong Kyung	Choi Jin-Ho	Moon Sook	Kang Ro-Chae
Lee Soon-Ho	Oh Young-Soo	An Min-Seok	Han Tae-Joo's mother	Ko Young-Sook



Lee Hyoung-Hoon	Lee Se-Rang	Park Yoo-Mil	Jo Woo-Ri
Park Young-Geun (ep.5)	neighborhood woman (ep.5)	Kyung-Ho's mom (ep.6)	Jung-Hee (ep.16)

Additional Cast Members:

Keum Dong-Hyun - Lee Chang-Ki
Ko Kyu-Pil - Insung shop Mr. Yang
Jung Ji-Ahn - Lee Seung-Hee
Lee Ji-Ha - Han Mal-Sook
Kim Dae-Gon - Park Byung-Doo
Hong Hee-Won - male nurse in charge of Kim Min-Suk
Bae Ho-Geun - Jo Pal-Bong (DJ)
Choi Bul-Am - actor in TV drama series "Chief Inspector"
Son Su-Min - Kim Bok-Joo
Son Kyoung-Won - Detective No
Hong Suk-Bin - Pawn Shop Owner Mr. Lee
Oh Han-Kyul - Kim Min-Suk (child)
Jo Ki-Sung - police officer
Lee Hyun-Seo - madame
Moon Woo-Jin - Kyung-Ho (ep.6)
Joo Suk-Tae - Lee Kang-Hun (ep.7)
Jung Min-A - cafe employee (ep.8)
Yoon Jong-Won - An Min-Seok's subordinate (ep.13-14)
Han Sa-Myung
Choi Yoo-Song
Cha Rae-Hyoung
Seo Jin-Won
Min Jung-Sup
Choi Dong-Hwa
Lee Jin-Soo
Jwa Chae-Won
Park Yong
Kim Na-Mi
Jang Joon-Ho
Shin Seung-Yong

Trailers

Episode Ratings

Date	Episode	AGB	TNmS
2018-06-09	1	2.081%	2.2%
2018-06-10	2	3.122%	%
2018-06-16	3	3.268%	%
2018-06-17	4	3.762%	%
2018-06-23	5	3.098%	3.5%
2018-06-24	6	3.969%	4.9%
2018-06-30	7	3.817%	%
2018-07-01	8	4.681%	5.1%
2018-07-14	9	3.980%	4.2%
2018-07-15	10	4.170%	5.2%
2018-07-21	11	3.893%	4.9%
2018-07-22	12	4.834%	5.7%
2018-07-28	13	3.933%	%
2018-07-29	14	4.695%	%
2018-08-04	15	4.657%	4.7%
2018-08-05	16	5.851%	6.0%

Source: TNS Media Korea & AGB Nielson

Comments

sha Sep 21 2021 10:34 pm i love it so much! i cant move on...i spent time reading theories about the ending. after watching kyung ho in prison playbook n hospital playlist, im surprised with his performance in LoM. just brilliant...

Anne Aug 27 2021 11:19 pm Love it love it love it!!

Become jung kyung ho fans Aug 23 2021 12:05 pm Good job to all cast.. I watch this because of jung kyung ho.. but the story and all cast is the best

SueLing Aug 18 2021 11:01 am If you are an avid fan of time travel genres drama, then this one is a must watch!!! Superb casts! I love them all!

This is the kind of drama you could watch repeatedly.

(my feedback to the creators/directors of kdramas is, please refrain the characters from hitting the head of other cast member/s, eventhough it's just acting)

Bill Lee Aug 02 2021 10:21 pm Truly an iconic series. Han tae joo realizes that life in 1988 is what brings him happiness which is so relatable to our lives when we wanna achieve something that is only in our dreams. Can't stop thinking about this drama. Just incredible!

Kassandra Nica May 24 2021 12:54 am This masterpiece is so underated

Natsu22 May 20 2021 9:27 am One of the best series i've ever Seen in my lire ❤️ it's really underrated

So captivating ?

Rocky Apr 02 2021 4:42 am UK Version will now have LOM S3, so I'll be expecting it's S2 from OCN.

Maeys Feb 27 2021 9:05 pm I love this drama so much. Recently, it's hard to find a lot of dramas that will get you hooked from the beginning to the end but this drama did it for me. The actors and actresses did a fantastic job in portraying their roles making it a whole lot better. The plot was just a masterpiece. The writer/director clearly knew what he/she was doing. Some dramas like this one tend to mess up the ending but this drama was great to the end. I hope there will be a season 2!

potpot Feb 24 2021 6:15 am i'm getting into these genres now, time-slipping themes with murder murder and solving mysteries, thrillers, after watching mr. queen then tunnel now i found this, nice. i dont need romance anymore, fine if there is some but not looking nor rooting for it. subtle is better <3 ok will start now, kbye

gmc Feb 19 2021 11:34 am Almost three years has passed and I still can't move on from this drama. This is truly a gem. Finishing this drama will surely linger on you. The acting, the cast chemistry, the cinematography are so amazing. It was tightly done from the beginning until the end. Also the multi-genre here is so satisfying, the drama, comedy, thriller, action, mystery and subtle romance are perfectly put together.

Lilli Jan 31 2021 5:56 am Also just to add to my comment below, the girl cops voice is so annoying. Lmao I see a lot of people are calling this a masterpiece so I’m holding on to see what the fuss is about.

Lilli Jan 31 2021 5:48 am Im on ep 3 and it still hasn’t really got me hooked.

When I watched voice, signal, partners for justice and others that I liked, i was hooked from the first few minutes. Maybe this just takes some time?

Anyhow, in this ep, the main guy lets the pickpocket dude go then all of a sudden him and his gang attack that lady with the ring.. i just dont get how they’re making a big deal of him letting the pickpocket go.. like he was just one guy? If they got him locked up, his other pals would’ve still gone ahead with the attack. Theyre obviously gonna become close and all but man those cops from the past really grind my gears. So annoying.

Lei Jan 07 2021 9:41 pm What a masterpiece. Perfect mix of thriller, comedy, and a little tinge of romance that's just, perfect. Perfect cast too, I can't imagine other people playing these roles. I've become emotionally attached to this drama, this is seriously not just another "crime drama," it is way more than that. Also, I cried really hard at the end (maybe it's just me being emotionally attached), but I really love the message of this drama too. "The place where you are happy is your reality." Right now the quote has no context, but you will find out what it means.

Also, No it's not a time travel drama! As you can read from the synopsis, the main lead Taejoo wakes up... won't spoil anything, but you'll find this out yourself too. But please watch this, you won't regret it, this is seriously such an amazing drama!!

martian Dec 19 2020 6:04 pm ok first of all.. this is the drama that makes me finally comment on this site. lmao

what a good freaking drama.. i hope they will make season 2.. stranger (forest of secrets) took 3 years for season 2, so we can still hope) and for all of you who compared it to the original version, Thank You So Much!! i really love the storyline (and of course the actors/actresses performance) it actually makes me want to watch the original.. but you guys save my time.. that's it.. gotta watch the behind the scenes on youtube, what a busy life. lol

Ai way Dec 06 2020 6:16 pm Best adaptation drama that I've ever seen so far. It shows that a good drama doesn't always need a complicated love triangle-rectangle or one-sided love. A good drama just needs a good plot and good acting skills of all the actors/actresses in it.

shae Nov 21 2020 1:34 pm 10/10. I love it so much! I just finished watching it. Love all the casts and that cute little lovey dovey between Taejoo and Miss Yoon. I hope that there will be a season two. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

SKYLER Oct 24 2020 11:22 am One of my favorite kdramas.

Casual Oct 01 2020 9:07 am (SPOILER!!!!!) This one is like amazing. I really like this drama from the start till the end.

About the ending though, it is actually much deeper than you thought. Han Tae Joo basically try to go back to the past to save his teammates from the year 1988 by jumping down from a building. I think instead of commits suicide, he actually tried to go back into coma state where he can get into his subconscious and feel the same dream again and actually finds the happiness. Cause the doctor that taking care of him appear in his subconscious and tell him to find the real happiness, so I think he still in coma state cause if he died he won't be able to get into his subconscious anymore. Basically he didn't want to wake up from the coma cause that's where he can find his happiness.

As for the suicide attempt part. that's actually kind of messed up to me. It's like telling people that suffers from depression to commits suicide to actually be happy and free from all this suffering. But I just hope the director have a different meaning for that part right there.

Anyway, this is still an amazing drama to me. I would give it 10/10!!

Chocho Chiemerie Aug 23 2020 7:06 am I really love the drama. One of my favorite drama

Rety Aug 04 2020 5:30 am I really love the story the acting. I finish it in two days while lockdown.

Simglo Jul 20 2020 12:51 pm While I was waiting for this show to be filmed, I was wondering how close it would be to the original UK version. Although this is has the same beginning as both the UK and the later US remake, this version deviates quite a bit from those shows to become its own unique story.

When I watched the UK version it was not the story that I liked so much, even though I am a big fan of time travel; it was Philip Glenister whom I fell in love with. He actually pulled off becoming a middle aged heartthrob. In fact quite a few people fell in love with him in that role, so much so they ended up making a spinoff show (Ashes to Ashes) just for him. Even though the main actor was no longer in it; I enjoyed the 2nd show almost as much, maybe even more so, because I was watching it for Philip Glenister. When they made the US remake, unfortunately Harvey Keitel was unable to portray the same vibe which made it too dull in my opinion. In that regards, the Korean remake also failed. Park Sung Woong is a great actor, but he must have chosen (on purpose) not to make his character iconic in the same way as Philip Glenister. I think I understand why though.

Fortunately, the Korean version is much, much better than the original in regards to story. The US version isn't worth comparing as they just told the same story as the UK version without much change and not as interestingly.

The Korean version has a much more interesting story and stories plural. The ending is also way more satisfying, less ambiguous and makes more sense in the Korean version versus either one of the other two. The Korean version also has a much better cast overall. Especially the child actors since they are my favorites from other dramas as well.

So for me, Best version - Korean Drama 2nd - UK version/original US version isn't really worth watching at all.

Zkee Mar 01 2020 1:57 am Just watched i and I am in love with this drama. The writing, acting, cinematography and directing are top notch. The ending is dark though. With allusion to suicide and depression.

I haven't watch the original but I heard it ends similar with the korean remake. I don't know how they will expand the story if season 2 happen.

SPOILER and TRIGGER ALERT! My theory for what happened is that Tae Joo really did travel back to 2018 and perform suicide. However, he did actually time travel to 1988 and it's not illusion.

I believe Tae Joo's consciousness time travel and lives inside the actual 1988 chief's (Let's called him Mr. X) consciousness who he admires as a kid.

Up until the end of episode 14, Tae Joo is the passive part of Mr. X consciousness but then Mr. X got car crashed (exactly like Tae Joo in 2018). I believe both Tae Joo and Mr.X switch consciousness (like "Your Name" anime) during their respective car crashes.

Mr. X time travel to 2018 before Tae Joo got car crashed and Tae Joo time travel to 1988 before Mr. X got car crashed. That's why Tae Joo can't remember that he researched the old cases in 2018 because the one who researched them is actually Mr. X who wants update on his friends.

So after Tae Joo got car crash in 1988 (ep. 14), he returned to 2018 and Mr. X returned to 1988 but only Tae Joo survives because 2018 have the capabilities of performing the surgery while 1988 doesn't.

So when Tae Joo suicides, he is back in 1988 and living in Mr. X's body but this time he can change the past because he is the only consciousness in the body.

That's why when Tae Joo witnessed his dad get shot, his consciousness tried to saves his dad but failed because he is not the only consciousness in the body. That why Tae Joo sees his dad get shot 3 times and every time his dad get shot, Tae Joo get closer and closer.

There are 3 people who have counterparts in the present and the past. The doctor, the director Ahn and the chief (Tae Joo). The reason why Director Ahn and the doctor have counterparts in the past is because they are the the ones who affect Tae Joo's comatose state the most and the comatose state is essential in the time travel.

TLDR: So now Tae Joo is really in 1988 living in someone else's body.

choco milk Dec 31 2019 12:05 pm (spoilers!!!)

continuing from my previous comment (lol we really need a reply function on this website), i gave the whole an min sik part a thought and came up with this theory:

an min sik is actually han tae joo’s subconsciousness - which first and foremost, explains why he is not found in any records in 2018 after HTJ wakes up from the coma.

the 1st time HTJ encounters AMS in 1988 before he wakes up, at the warehouse, AMS tells him that HTJ’s team members are nothing but hallucinations to keep him in 1988. he tells him to ignore them and the ongoing fight in order to ‘return home’, which refers to going back to 2018. HTJ ignores his advice and runs toward his team members caught in the fight, because he wants to remain in this ‘dream’ where he feels happier. however, he somehow returns to 2018 - this is because there is some sort of surgery/operation going on, which inevitably pulls him back to reality.

the 2nd time HTJ encounters AMS in 1988 supposedly after he woke up then chose to go back to 1988 by jumping off the building, in the patrol car before being handed over to prosecution, AMS once again tells HTJ not to arrest him in order for him to be able to return back home, aka his reality. once again, HTJ ignores his words. this was the very last chance for HTJ to return back to 2018. i would think that by ignoring his subconscious, it represented 2018 HTJ eventually falling into deeper coma, or even death. yet, this time round, HTJ does not accidentally return back to 2018 again. why? because this time round, there is no surgery being done on him. in other words, HTJ has already died after jumping off the building in 2018, or went into such serious coma that no form of surgery or medication whatsoever can bring him back to normal. hence why by ignoring his subconscious, he has effectively remained forever in 1988, where his happiness lies.

Zzzz Dec 31 2019 10:20 am Spoiler alert!

Sad ending..all about depression..I hope all who are facing depression, do not choose suicide as a solution

Valerie Dec 31 2019 10:18 am Wht is the song at the last part of ep 16 (they singing in the car)?

choco milk Dec 31 2019 10:01 am really great drama!!! love how each case linked to one another, it really makes you want to keep watching to find out more.

(spoiler) still thinking about who exactly an min sik is tbh.... in ep 16 it was found that in 1988 that guy existed under another name so i’m confused about who exactly he is and how is it related to the neurosurgeon in 2018?? also that epilogue where han tae joo got a call from kim hyeon seok, what was it supposed to mean? honestly the simplest answer would be that it actually links to how they found kim hyeon seok alive under another identity in 2018, that shows that he didn’t die, but is it really that simple? idk hahah. with regards to han tae joo going back to 1988, i would think that when he jumped down the building in 2018, he either slipped into permanent coma/vegetative state, or maybe even died. logically speaking 2018 is his reality and 1988 is his ‘dream’, which is why he made the choice to jump in order to be able to live in his ‘dream’ forever. which links back to that doctor telling him that wherever he feels happy in is his reality - kinda ironic that 2018 is his actual reality, but since 1988 makes him happier, he chose to go back to make that his reality.

Nyanya Nov 26 2019 9:31 am I looovee the way ko ah sung talk in this drama, very calm and lowkey soothing ❤

AGC Nov 15 2019 7:27 pm Just seeing the lead actor, make me.want to wat h this film. He is one of my favorites. Great actor. Will watch this next after I finish the drama I'm watching now.

Sammy Nov 04 2019 6:50 am I loved Jung Kyung-ho facial expressions in this and loved his character development from a serious introvert to forming a good bond with his team mates and seeing things from a different perspective to his...please please pleas hope there is season 2...I will instantly watch it....I cant stop thinking about the drama and rewatched 3 times ❤❤❤❤ love the chemistry Tae joo and dong cheol....and tae joo and Yoon Na-Young, I loved how he gave her the chance to prove that eventhough she's a female she has just as much talent if not more talent than any of them...espically with her amazing profiling skills....this is such a nostalgic drama..espically how tae joo incorporates modern investigative methods into the cases during a time where tech wasn't at its peak...love this drama to the moon and back ???

Savee Nov 02 2019 2:12 am POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!!!!

This definitely deserve a season 2....the ending was a bit confusing, cuz I'm pretty sure that Tae Joo's future self is his original reality....maybe its cuz of the side effects of being brain damaged and in a coma from gun shot to head that he couldn't feel pain yet...but like he checked his heart beat too and he didnt feel anything like he did in his 1988 version...its weird....maybe this time he's decides to be in a permanent coma??!! The story isnt over yet...there has to be someone behind the killer in 1988 to survive the gun shot wound, and more unsolved cases for the 1988 team to solve....they definitely put an epilogue in there possible with homes for a season 2...I'll watch it instantly...cuz love the team they have such amazing chemistry with each other??❤❤??

I Love Kdrama Oct 08 2019 2:14 pm Hope for a season 2 to explain all the questions including whether he is dead or not, and also to continue on the epilogue.

I Love Kdrama Oct 08 2019 1:40 pm So when you are depressed you won't feel anything like pain etc. Is this show encouraging ppl to live in their fantasies and to escape from reality? Worse, encouraging drug usage or committing suicide to be "happy"?? I don't know anymore.

I Love Kdrama Oct 08 2019 1:28 pm One puzzle I still don't understand is why the villain Chief An Min Seok is in Tae Joo's "dream" in 1988 but when Tae Joo was checking on this guy when he woke up in 2018, he was not in the police records at all. Worse, he was the guy who performed the surgery on Tae Joo.

I Love Kdrama Oct 08 2019 1:21 pm Many ppl said that this drama is like Tunnel (another good time travel crime kdrama) but they are slightly different. In LOM, the male lead seems to be in a coma, he have to solve the serial killer main cases along with other minor cases plus get back his lost childhood memories and to know the truth behind his dad's death in 1988.

I Love Kdrama Oct 08 2019 12:45 pm It was a bittersweet open ending. I hope that it does not encourage suicide to escape reality and problems we meet in our life. My current situation was the same as Tae Joo , I'm not happy with my life and just live my life day to day waiting for death to claim me.

I Love Kdrama Oct 08 2019 12:43 pm I watched this drama thinking that it was just another "Tunnel" drama but the difference is that Tunnel was more straightforward (just catching the serial killer plus a closed happy ending). LOM has more plot plush such an open ending to what the male Tae Joo ended up to be.

Noora Sep 26 2019 2:00 am I rarely write reviews about dramas, but when I finished watching the last episode, I was sad… I hope that there will be a second season, the plot, the characters, everything will keep you drawn to it, there are scenes that will keep you thinking even when they are done, you will still think about them. It has been years since I watched such an amazing drama, I honestly thank everyone who worked on this masterpiece..

hi school love on Sep 06 2019 2:41 am What a drama!Just awesome.The actors and the plot.just wow.Everyone MUST watch it.

Eisya Harris Aug 28 2019 9:49 pm Hoping for season 2!!

Yourfan Aug 06 2019 10:14 pm I miss LOM ?? season 2 pleasee

arief Jul 23 2019 6:16 am Season 2 Pleeeeaaase!

choyimonmon Jul 14 2019 9:20 pm Season 2 Pleeeeaaase!

Nanadaime Jun 28 2019 6:20 am Season 2 Pleeeeaaase!

Minki May 27 2019 9:32 pm Superb, even tho I watched in 2019, every eps never disappoint me, hoping for season 2

SYL Apr 16 2019 3:52 am Just finished watching and this is one of the best dramas I've ever seen. I even watched this in a span of 3 days (during finals week, may I add (it was that good)). I love how open-ended the ending was, that us viewers can interpret it however we want. [Spoilers Ahead!] Personally, I think that Tae Joo did wake up from his coma. Since he couldn't save Captain Deong Cheol and the rest of them from the gang, he is continuously feeling tormented from guilt. Thus, he committed suicide, and that's the end of his life. The following scenes were how he thinks it would've been had he saved them, that his sense of peace would be restored and he would truly be happy because he was with the people that made him smile. Anyways, major props to all the actors in this drama! They have portrayed 1988 well and have brought me somewhat a feeling of nostalgia, even though I was literally born in 2000 and does not reside in Korea. Lol.

sara Mar 01 2019 3:23 pm i want to now the name of the song in the ep 10 when they were in the place of the crime the second time they were played it in the radio the first line is "can you accept my love "

thank you

irfan Feb 20 2019 10:45 am when you mix : inception + tunnel + signal become one = life on mars

Chief Han Feb 03 2019 9:34 am Wow. This drama is superb! Very well written and the actors did very well. I didn't felt bored watching every episode. The end is kind of heart breaking but in a good way. I really enjoyed every twist and turns! A must watch drama indeed.

Jkhfans Jan 11 2019 3:44 am Daebak!!! Really great show. I 'm not so into crime genre, but LoM hooked me. All the cast are amazing. Jung kyungho really something, he always got that chemistry with all his partner. Even there were not romance I can see the chemistry beteween Jkh and Gas. And of course with Psw, I love their bromance. Wish there will be season 2. Please please jebal..

Arisya Jan 09 2019 4:25 am Right!!I know OCN’s drama never dissapoint me..although the genre is same,their plot is not same at all and always have their own charm..I have to catch up a lot of drama since I left kdrama and kpop for almost a year for my important exam..ueah,if not I will always binge watching kdrama..I hope there are season 2 since (SPOILER) kim hyeon seok had called him..I like all of the cast too..it’s quite upsetting that this abused child was growing to be psycopath..if someone has reached their hand to protect them??rooting for season 2!!

Ppps Jan 02 2019 11:00 am This definitely is one of the best kdramas I’ve ever seen in a long time....the performances were terrific and each episode was very engaging....every character in this drama was essential to the story telling....the climax of the story adds to the icing on the cake....to learn that everything that had happened in the drama throughout the series had,in reality, only been played out in the mind of Jung Kyung Ho was both surprising and heart breaking....understanding the fact that Jung Kyung Ho has been rendered to a vegetative state and that only his confused mind can wander between two different time periods was truly sad....but the sadness lessens just a wee bit once Kyungho finds solace in 1988 among his newfound family of detective buddies.

Rrrrrrrrrr Dec 30 2018 6:48 am perfect drama! no plot hole, well written and the details was on point!

Bolabolu Nov 09 2018 5:45 am I had already watched for 14 episodes and now, I interest to the next eps. I think t is fun to find the solution of the caseand I know some solutioni because it feels like Voice 2 sometimes and feels like tunnel first eps, but it is diffrent. I love it.

Chloe Oct 25 2018 8:57 am Best korean drama I've ever watched so far. Half of the first episode where he was still in 2018 really bored me out and the blue-toned color didn't help, almost wanted to drop it but somehow decide to continue because of Jung Kyungho and the praises people have been giving to this drama, now I'm glad I did continue. Since the moment he put back to 1988 until the end, there was not a single episode I found boring, every moment, every episode was so interesting that I couldn't move my eyes away from the screen. It's seriously a must watch drama. Hopefully there is a season 2 *prays*

Jmshii Oct 21 2018 6:01 am One of the best kdrama although the first few episodes kinda bore me a liitle but stiilll it's suuuuuper! Rooting for season 2!

BeAlAn Oct 15 2018 10:44 am One of the best kdrama out there. It will keep you glued to the screen in order to see more. You never know what might happen next. I really love these types of dramas and Life on mars didn't disappoint me. The actors, script, directing everything was good. Thank you to everyone who worked on making this masterpiece.

rihei Oct 12 2018 11:58 am i can't handle to watch this drama until 4 a.m! Superb! Love it!

Gab Oct 10 2018 8:03 am Daebak! Didn't expect it to be this amazing. This is a must watch crime genre kdrama swear! I just finished it in one day!

xxxx Sep 29 2018 7:41 am how was kim hyung suk in the end of the epilogue

Mehmet Demir Sep 22 2018 5:49 am I like its great , 10/10 ... Expect season 2 :) from Turkiye

Rendiishere Sep 21 2018 10:23 am 87 for the score? Seeing bad dramas with higher scores only bcs of romcom and played by handsome idol/actor. At first, i thought it'd be more like tunnel, main character time travel to solve cases, and main antagonist is closer than he thinks. However, i must say, ocn is getting better and better in making action dramas, the complexity of one case to another is well developed and how tae joo is as confused as the viewers in seeing reality or dream. I enjoy this one, the cases are fun to solve, i got all correct except the last one which is real cobfusing, bit teased for season 2 but i must say the epilogue is bittersweet as it is, especially if it meant to be the end. 90 is deserved as score, the acting, vibe of 80s, intensity, bgm are on point.

Spoiler below I think tae joo is still in coma state, more like vegetative state, it is sad but I don't think he could be awake at all. At first i thought the writers were gonna wrap it up in ep 15 and he really awake but in ep 16 where he jump from a building and ended up in 80s again, i think he never got up at all. Brave move from the writers since most of dramas ended up in happy end, not this one. The justification of "which timeline that makes tae joo happy is his reality" is another way of saying his brain trying to cope with his helpless, unconscious state. Idk if i wanna see season 2 if the story got weird like "voice 2" or it's just a hype like "signal" which long rumored to have another one but i satisfied enough with the ending, well it could be happier but open end with interpretation leaves more impression for me.

Danniah Sep 13 2018 11:23 pm This drama is so brilliant, well made, and ironic. Someone who has everything in this world, but find the most important thing in other dimesion. He finds himself and joy. I always say this on all OCN dramas review, never watch OCN for romance. Who ships who and who marries who will not work on OCN thriller dramas.

So far, I didn't find any plot hole. The story itself is so consistent, making me want to jump to last ep but at the same time want to stop the time bcs I really enjoy the plot. One of OCN best drama.

Michaela Sep 13 2018 12:32 am Absolutely brilliant. I love a good crime drama and this I have to say has been my favorite of all. Still wishing there had been a bit more romance between Tae Joo and Na Young but in the end it leaves it open to the possibility of a relationship between them which is enough to satisfy me. Anyone questioning themselves on whether they should watch it or not definitely give it a shot. I was thoroughly entertained every episode.

KimJ29 Sep 10 2018 3:24 pm Anyone know the music composer for the score?

sky Aug 29 2018 1:01 pm Just done watching the entire episodes and only one thing I could say, amazing. This drama is amazing, OMG. The cast, script, plot, scenery, music everythingggg is just amazing. Definitely a must watch!!!!! There were no dull or boring episodes, every one of it is truly engaging!!!!!! Go watch it guys. One of the best show I ever watched!!

Rina Aug 28 2018 2:00 am Done watching :) This drama is so great! I loved it! :) Jung Kyung Ho oppa did an amazing job (as always) <3

feni Aug 26 2018 9:31 am Loving this kdrama. Great cast

Maria Aug 26 2018 8:24 am Still watching and enjoying the story. Thank you good drama and great cast.

a Aug 25 2018 12:25 am SPOILERS!

It's really up to one own's interpretation of the ending. Did he or did he not? Is it an alternate universe or is it all in his head? Where is he? We don't know for sure. But for me, I saw it as a bittersweet ending. However, despite how I view the ending, the rest of the drama makes up for the ending. There's not a single boring moment. You'll fry your brain from thinking and questioning. The cast is amazing. I can't think of any one better for these characters than Jung Kyoung Ho, Park Sung Woong, and Ko Ah Sung. They have amazing chemistry. Their characters have amazing chemistry.

Nivi Aug 24 2018 12:42 pm I loved this drama.... especially the ending...I didn't expect it the least bit... Awesome performance by the actors...Well written with a good and satisfying ending..?

Lhadysungit Aug 20 2018 1:40 pm I like this drama. The whole cast did the great job..?? . Hope they have season 2 just like other kdrama like mystery queen en voice.??

Na-Young Aug 17 2018 9:02 pm love love love this drama ... please make season 2 T_T

sunny Aug 17 2018 2:19 am The show is great, but reminded me bit of Tunnel. I also did not like the ending. To me, he seems like he is avoiding reality and rather be happy in somewhere else.

Anathasia Aug 16 2018 1:35 am I never thought the episode 7 is true events about the prisoners who escaped and they hostage. And it was really live on national tv way back 80's. And the leader stated “If you have money, non-guilty. If you don’t have money, guilty” I feel bad for them.

Mariya Aug 15 2018 6:47 pm I’m awed and amazed by this work of art. I cherished and enjoyed every episode. From acting to plot to cinemetography to direction was absolutely fabulous. I’m speechless and will follow the people involved in this drama their works!

Tik Aug 14 2018 9:50 am Not a single episode is boring. no part is bored too. Excellent. Must watch

Deechloe94 Aug 13 2018 1:54 am My best kdrma this year.I hope there will a season 2 with the same cast!Love the storyline and chemistry among the actor.Totally an awesome drma!

Tuhafe Aug 11 2018 9:30 am @GG it is 미지의 세계, by 조용필 ^^

Moon Aug 10 2018 9:59 am Falling in love with this drama

Eyra Aug 10 2018 1:45 am The best drama for summer 2018. . love it

ae pril Aug 09 2018 8:40 pm Did I see it right? The wife of Captain Kang Dong Cheol (Park Sung Woong) in this drama is his real life wife? Daebak.

diannyakakak Aug 08 2018 10:39 pm OMG, just cant move on. season 2 with the same cast plisss

Sintha Aug 08 2018 8:08 pm Please PD nim! Please writer nim! Please make season 2! I'm addicted so much with this drama. The story, cast, bromance, love line between tae joo and na young. Everything about this drama is superb.

Ritika Verma Aug 08 2018 12:05 pm Oh my lovely god! This is really the best mystery thriller drama I have ever seen in my whole life and undoubtedly, the best of 2018! Not a single episode is boring and I just wonder how Amy serious drama can be this funny! Damn I was biting my nails St first second and then on another one, I was literally laughing my heads out!

Loved the character of KangI dong choel and han tae Joo!

I really really am impressed with the way this drama was written. So Clever It Is!

And at penultimate episode,when the songs plays "somwhere over the rainbow", I was really so sad and my heart felt heavy. That song suited the scene best and I don't know when but in mere days, this drama reached my favourite list and I got emotionally attached with it!

Chaterine Aug 08 2018 1:46 am @GG the sont title is 어젯밤 이야기 or last night story

Ae Aug 07 2018 11:09 pm I need season 2 !!!

Linda Aug 07 2018 6:08 pm I love love this drama. Wow! I can't believe it has ended. I just wish there was a little bit of romance. but does it mean Han Tae Joon is in coma again? and he prefers that life to reality.

GG Aug 07 2018 11:15 am Pls advise the name of song at end of show when the team is singing along... Very upbeat!!

Greta Aug 07 2018 3:57 am Please writernim??Give us more of Miss Yoon's and Chief Han's romance in season 2??.(Im just being possitive?)This is such a great watch.It boggled my mind ,made me cry and gave me lots of love and a few butterflies because of Miss Yoon and Han Tae Joo.Wonderfully written and there was never a dull moment.Im just a bit sad with the ending I mean happy for the team in 1988 because he decided to stay but Im sad for his Eommoni and imo?

moymoy Aug 06 2018 11:59 pm hilarious for Kang Dong Cheol's family cameo appearance. hahahaha. the wife is his (Park Sung Woong) real wife XDD

NH Aug 06 2018 10:06 pm One of the best dramas I have ever watched. Writing and directing are excellent. This drama was thrilling and suspenseful, full of twists and turns, mixed with happiness, sadness, and humor. The cast was superb. Osts are great. I loved seeing the Seobu station team members together. This is an awesome drama! An unforgettable drama. Thank you to the cast and staff for all their hard work! :)

Xoxo Aug 06 2018 9:36 am Happy ending to 1988’s team and a sad ending for the people around Han Tae in 2018 ???? i hope there will be season 2 pleaseeeee PDnimmmm ????

Sid@india Aug 06 2018 9:28 am Just finished watching the drama..... Hilarious ending... I hope there will be season 2 Thank you OCN to giving us such wonderful drama Fighting!

orin Aug 06 2018 6:28 am great! this drama give the best from the start till the end. I'm so in love with the bromance, and even the 2% romance with miss yoon, uww so luv

Ryunami Aug 06 2018 6:04 am Another bromance drama for Kyoung Ho ?

LOM Fans Aug 05 2018 7:48 pm Really enjoy this drama from the start. But, bit dissapointed with the ending, it explained everything but at the same time it broke my heart with his choice. The epilog made me thought that there will be season 2, but in fact no, because the 2nd season of bbc series ended in that way too. But, i'm hoping, there will be extended story from original one.

xyz Aug 05 2018 2:39 pm am is wondering if they might also do ashes to ashes ... not only because i'd like to know how they resolve kang dong cheol

leny Aug 05 2018 11:12 am One of the best dramas of 2018!!!!!!!!!!!! Please let there be a second season....

Syifa Aug 05 2018 9:45 am Too sad this drama has ended a few hours ago :( I feel so happy when ep.9 and 10 has to postpone to be aired, now i have to move on TT Seobu Insung Investigation team are the best :')

DeviousKim Aug 01 2018 3:03 am I got goosebumps when I heard the song Life on Mars by David Bowie on the drama.

sanam Jul 31 2018 5:39 am BTS FAKE LOVE in ep9 wow it was good to see BANGTAN BOYS there

myxblush Jul 30 2018 10:21 am I love OCN dramas and this one totally does not disappoint! I love the bromance, the team, the ost’s, hilarious scenes, even the cute interactions with TJ and ms yoon.

zerah Jul 30 2018 12:49 am i am in love with this kdrama! :) simply WONDERFUL! Park Sung Woong, hats off, Sir!

Kim min soek Jul 29 2018 10:18 pm Best drama in 2018. always waiting every week

Inmyheart, dr Jul 26 2018 9:56 pm Wow....if you want to watch something interesting on going back in time & does not focus on romance....this is The story- highly interesting, captivating & engaging. It has both the thrills, sad moments as well the funny & down to earth humour. A riveting story that really captured my attention. A story that you can watch in a laid back situation but you’ll be waiting for the next episode as each episode ends.... jkh, psw & kas are really good & made the whole story great to watch. And episode 12 is amazing...i really love this..

Answer me Jul 25 2018 11:05 am Who is the guy with a yellow shirt on ep 10?!

Answer me Jul 25 2018 11:04 am Who is the guy from 2018 with a yellow shirt on ep 10 ?!

Ero Jul 25 2018 9:59 am Wow, this's amazing! Jung Kyung Hoo and Park Sung Woon should won the best couple. I'm also hoping more sweet romance between Ko Ah Sung and Jung Kyung Hoo. They are match perfectly. Ko Ah Sung is great. Jung Kyung Hoo always show his charm in a special way, love him. And Park Sung Woon is so funy, he's the best! I love Oh Dae Hwan and Noh Jong Hyun too, they should won the best couple too, haha.

Abbie Jul 23 2018 3:24 am I love this series. I'm so excited for the remaining four episodes. I want to know who's that guy that keeps calling Tae Joo from Seoul.

fried rice Jul 16 2018 5:57 am hi orin, yes 1988 seems important to korean because olympic. that was their first olympic held in korea. thats why they cant forget it.

you remember drama because this is my first life ? she mention why 1988 meaningful... beside olympic.. she mention another things which is i forgot... i only remember olympic...

le min suk Jul 16 2018 2:48 am it is getting better and better, love this drama :)

zed Jul 15 2018 2:56 am I loved this back in 2006 when it aired on BBC. It's great to see a Korean version of it!

Youngwonhi Jul 07 2018 2:55 pm This Is Really Great.!!!!! I love the chemistry between them.!!!

El Jul 03 2018 7:03 am No one appreciate Go Ahsung's talent? She's reaallyyy adorable. I came to this drama cause of her but then I found Jung Kyungho and Park Sungwoong, two of greatest actor out there. This drama has a perfect cast and storyline. I didnt watch UK version yet cause I don't want spoiling my self lol ><

xyz Jul 02 2018 10:16 am @ bogummie ... chun do hwan left presidency in february which also marked the end of the fifth republic ... in 1987-6 there was a kind of similiar uprising (also known as june democracy movement) as back then in gwangju but because of the olympics the reaction to it was not the same as in gwangju, leading among other things also to the end of the authorian rule and establishing more of the kind of freedoms that are here today ... yeh, olympics ... and roh's government announced the so called nordpolitik (a kind of unification plan) and also established diplomatic ties with soviet union, china and other countries

orin Jul 01 2018 10:40 pm great acting. thumbs up for jo kyung ho and park seung woong. among many ongoing drama, i think this is the best. so thrilling, exciting, with a perfect dose of humour. the only annoying part of this drama is when jo kyung ho kind of hear the sound of hospital. ugh, lol, sorry, i love this!

toycrane Jun 29 2018 5:20 am this is my favourite kind on drama.. friendship crime family and a little bit of love line BTW All the cast is way too goooooooooood

Prakash Jun 27 2018 6:07 am @bogummie yes that's the time period when serial murder case happened in korea like in gap dong drama it is actually real incident where serial murderer killed many women and was never caught. That's why gap dong, tunnel, signal go in that time when there was a mysterious murderer

bogummie Jun 26 2018 8:03 am is the year 1988 very important to koreans? i mean most of the go back in time kdramas are always set in the year 1988 like tunnel and signal and even reply 1988.

Tara Jun 24 2018 10:09 pm I have to say, in the first two episodes I thought this show was just okay, but now I actually find it interesting. It's a cool concept and overall I like the detective aspect of it. It's not lovey dovey but it's refreshing because of that. Overall, so far I enjoy this show!

Garnet Jun 24 2018 5:46 pm This drama is so deliciously good, I am enjoying every bit of it. JKH is on the very top list of my favorite K actors. Truly he is one of Korea’s finest.

Olivia Jun 24 2018 3:34 pm Why are OCN dramas so good ?? I’m really done with all the romantic dramas but thanks god OCN is here to bless us ?? this drama is funny, touching, the actors are all so amazing! I really love the bromance between tae joo and dong cheol plus the female cop is so amazing, cute and smart I really love her role.. I’m already sad, I’m thinking about the moment they will be separate

eszen vallente Jun 24 2018 9:33 am OCN is the best when it comes to a drama like this.Thank a lot.You all did a good job

eszen vallente Jun 24 2018 9:31 am . ..i really like Jung kyoung Ho.he is a good actor.i like his all drama like more in his drama "Cruel City"

honeywell Jun 23 2018 8:36 pm I love this show! Good story and at the same time hillarious, haha. Good acting. I don't really notice JKH before but he is good. Enjoying much.

Shaghayegh Jun 23 2018 4:43 pm Hi . . . ! Does anyone know the name of the soundtrack that played at the end of each episode ? PLZ let me know, Thanx.

badiya Jun 21 2018 11:35 am am just enjoooooying watching this drama, i love it really, the story is attractive, the actors fits well, and the cutesst yoona young in it! goood job, fightiiiiiiing

Marie Jun 18 2018 7:34 am One of those dramas that get you hooked from the first episode. Plus great actors Kyungho and Park Sungwoong. Enjoying this so much

Inmyheart, dr Jun 17 2018 9:03 pm This is one OCN drama that i really really like...there’s never a boring nor a dull moment to it....hillariously & at times quietly funny...with interesting plots & sub plots....just love it. The acting of all the actors are kind of laid-back but very well carried out...to the extent that you don’t feel like they’re acting but more like it is them in real-life. I haven’t seen the original version so i’m watching this unique story with full anticipation. Daebak

NH Jun 17 2018 8:38 pm It has been awhile since I found a good drama to watch. This drama is unique and interesting. I didn't see the original series, but this drama definitely keeps me watching. The cast is superb. I am looking forward to seeing how everything unfolds! :)

Thea Jun 17 2018 4:41 pm OMG people, you need to watch this drama, it is really good! I’ve never watched the original series so I can’t compare, but as a stand alone drama, right now, after 3 eps, the drama is doing so well in character developments and making you glue to your seat, OCN sure doesn’t disappoint when it comes to this genre. And above all, Jung Kyungho and Park Sungwoong are superb, I adore their chemistry. I thought it was similar to Tunnel, but I don’t know now, if anything, it’s so much better!

kay Jun 14 2018 1:27 am this is definitely worth watching drama. i dont know the original of this drama, but this is good. i already watched the 2 ep of this drama and that was satisfying me. i hope this drama will good till the end

Bambino Jun 11 2018 5:23 am Oh my this first episode is big hole when polices officer spoted the killer and gun fire they not search the sound of gun fire.. and they not back to the cars.... thats quite big hole..

Fijo Jun 11 2018 1:03 am I fully expected this to disappoint, but began to watch it for the lead actor. It is quite good.

someone Jun 10 2018 7:21 am Considering the first episode, I don't think they are changing the UK ending... it's probably the same

Shebecca Jun 09 2018 5:01 pm Good drama

Linda P Jun 07 2018 5:02 pm No, it isn't like Tunnel. If anything, Tunnel would be like Life on Mars. But if they follow the British version it will be really good.

Wulan Jun 06 2018 5:05 pm I ink this drama would be very great! Kyaaaaa Can not wait to watch it very soon!!!!!

Simglo May 29 2018 11:47 pm I just finished watching Man x Man with an eye to see what kind of an actor Park Sung Woong is (I haven't yet watched him in anything else). Based on what I saw (Dark Death) he has the potential to surpass Harvey Keitel, and even rival Philip Glenister for the role of Gene Hunt. Only difference I saw is that Park Sung Woong is way too smiley and good natured in Man x Man. I think we will be getting a completely different version of Gene Hunt here. I can't say that I am disappointed in that, because I really want this to stand on its own.

Sally May 24 2018 6:29 am Sounds exactly like Tunnel, except he goes to the past instead of future..... next

liri May 12 2018 12:19 am Korean dramas are at a point where they're no longer original. Someone needs to regulate these dramas, so they don't overdo time slip.

Llllll Apr 25 2018 5:42 pm The cast is incomplete ????

Reign Apr 23 2018 5:42 am OMG! I'm looking forward for this. I'm re-watching Signal since my soul is looking for a crime drama with time-slipping. since tunnel has ended for months now.

Dramatic Mar 26 2018 12:00 pm This sounds exactly like tunnel. Just the other way around.

Llctthsjdh Mar 25 2018 6:47 pm Oh Dae Hwan ?? Where is he ?

jess Mar 25 2018 10:22 am @Simglo. I haven't seen the US version but I'm a huge fan of the UK original and of Philip Glenister / Gene Hunt in particular. It looks like Park Sung Woong is going to be playing the Hunt character, which I think is quite reassuring. He hasn't played as many gangsters, bullies, ruffians, etc as Keitel (not that that helped Keitel much in the US LOM), but he is undoubtedly a skilled and versatile actor, comfortable with a variety of genres. Jung Kyung Ho, on the other hand, looks like he was born to play Sam Tyler.

I notice that the Korean LOM is going to be set in the 80s instead of the 70s, which also makes sense. Bong Joon Ho's Memories of Murder covers the second half of the 80s, I think, and the cops in that movie were very similar to Gene Hunt and co. So I totally agree with you about watching this show on its own terms rather than as a remake, cos it'll very probably deal with specifically Korean issues, and allude to Korean history and events. Can't wait!

Maninder Kaur Mar 24 2018 2:02 am Is it me only or did anyone notice or thought for a second that this photograph of Jung Kyoung ho resembles to BTS Rap Monster :D

Waiting for this drama eagerly!!

Fans Mar 22 2018 9:42 am Jung Kyoung-Ho + the director of "Heartless City.", a must watch drama!!!

Kalpana Mar 22 2018 3:29 am Wow. Reminds me my favorite drama Tunnel. My man Jung kyung ho is here...it ll be great. Cant wait to see OCN dramas always tge best.

Go Mar 21 2018 11:31 pm Park Sung Woong plus Jung Kyoung Ho plus serial murder case. This gotta be good.

Bouchra siroua Mar 21 2018 9:01 pm Looks like Tunnel all over again

Kang Ah Feb 25 2018 2:54 am Will be checking on this until release Hope his character is not all serious

rika Feb 23 2018 7:10 pm ahhaa, i see where this one goes, this one coud be a remake of british tv series with the same name which also second remake after u.s.

Paula Mafra Feb 23 2018 6:33 pm I'm so excited!!! One of my favorite actors on OCN!

Olivia Jan 30 2018 4:44 am OCN's dramas are just perfect ! ❤ I can't wait

Aisy Jan 29 2018 10:04 am emm another time travel concept. Gon watch it neverthelessly cuz it's jung kyung ho but i do hope this drama would turn out to be great . Not a disastrous drama like Missing Nine

love_kdrma Jan 27 2018 4:39 am hope the female lead they will cast kim so yeon or lee min jung..

Arihant Jan 26 2018 9:40 pm So,it's a Heartless city PD and lead actor reunion-hyped for this already!

Nibbasoverhere Jan 26 2018 1:22 am So this will be like Tunnel except he goes to the past instead of the future?

yoojin_song Jan 25 2018 4:57 pm yaaas so happy Jung Kyung Ho is getting more roles. The plot looks really interesting!

Karen Khoo Jan 25 2018 9:12 am Interesting! I love crime so I will definitely watch this for the actor and also the genre!

Simglo Jan 23 2018 10:10 pm @Christina. I also preferred the UK version to the US one. For me it was Philip Glenister who made it worth watching. I was seriously unimpressed by Harvey Keitel's version of Gene Hunt. As Jung Kyoung-Ho appears to be playing the role of "Sam Tyler"; I am sure he will do a great job. Here's hoping that he will make the Korean version of "Sam Tyler" more interesting to me than previous versions. However, I am more curious who will be playing the Korean version of "Gene Hunt". That said, I will try to forget the previous versions when I watch this and pretend it isn't a remake, like I did with the Korean Criminal Minds. Then again, Criminal Minds had an all star cast including Lee Joon Gi, so of course I was going to watch it and like it, no matter what.

Christina Jan 23 2018 12:45 pm As I am from Scotland I have watched the UK series and it was excellent the US remake was disappointing and I stopped watching plus it was cancelled after 1 season so, as a big fan of K Dramas I am looking forward to see how Korea portrays it, plus I love Jung Kyoung-Ho!

hanim_munny Jan 23 2018 7:27 am hope Kim So Yeon unni will be the female lead for this project.. she's also rest for a long time.. comeback to small screen plz unni..

Kalpana Jan 23 2018 7:02 am Question mark was by mistake. Love you kyung ho ????

Kalpana Jan 23 2018 6:59 am Want his drama more more..like him very much from heartless city.....he is good actor....one of my favorite actor. Saranghae jung kyung ho ??????

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Life on Mars (Korean Drama)

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