[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Duel" Episode 16 Final

"Duel" lets go of its love for twists and what we get instead is a predictable, but frankly appropriate ending to a long and arduous journey for our characters. With Deuk-cheon down, Seong-joon takes the lead. He and Seong-hoon have an honest talk for the first time since their childhood and our broken antihero finds some solace in his game-ending choices regarding the miracle cure and Sanyeong's involvement.

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The series had gone for some outrageous twists lately and I am not sure if those were planned or a product of changes along the way, but "Duel" chooses to wrap things up in a more expected manner. Unexpected deaths would have been fine, but at the end of the day viewers want their happy ending and what was promised. What was promised was Soo-yeon's safety and therefore Deuk-cheon's success as well as the truth behind the cloning; all things which were delivered.

Seong-hoon's survival was always improbable. He was a tortured antagonist from the get go and so this is a pretty standard ending for his story. The series could have gone more tragic with him slipping into insanity before taking the villains down with him, but clarity and redemption for a work they chose to end on a happy note works better. His character could have had better development, but this is still an action and suspense series.

I would not be doing the cast justice if I did not stress their importance here. Despite the series being fragmented and at times simply messy, despite erratic character development or even lack of development at times, the actors sold the emotions and connections in "Duel" above and beyond what the script provided. Ultimately, this is what I personally connected with and what kept me caring despite the drama's problems.

Jung Jae-young is a trusted veteran who proves that Korean drama really needs to place talent and skill over youth and popularity if they want their usually simplistic stories elevated. Lee Na-yoon is a great addition full of spirit and sweetness and of course I have to congratulate Yang Se-jong for taking on three roles and clearly putting in a lot of effort and hard work into this. For a rookie drama actor, his performance here is impressive.

I do regret how badly Jo-hye, her shared past with Deuk-cheon and Kim Jung-eun's great portrayal of her were utilized. I also feel as if the writer was just improvising at times, because things became increasingly nonsensical and more full of plot holes. That being said, this was an okay series and it at least focused on its unique topic throughout. I leave "Duel" with mostly positive feelings.

"Duel" is directed by Lee Jong-jae, written by Kim Yoon-joo and features Jung Jae-young, Kim Jung-eun, Yang Se-jong and Seo Eun-soo.

Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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