In a world of “fake news,” the only reporting many viewers can trust is the newscast presented by Song Ki-baek, portrayed meekly by actor Go Kyung-po. News viewers in the drama Frankly Speaking assume he tells it like it is. Not quite. While he promises viewers he will never lie to them, Ki-baek does not actually always say what he’s thinking. If he wants to advance his career in news, there’s a lot he should keep to himself.
His career trajectory is due for some course correction when he meets entertainment show writer On Woo-ju, played by Kang Ha-na. Woo-ju will do whatever it takes to deliver an entertaining variety show and that often involves embarrassing people. As is often the case with k-drama leads, Ki-baek and Woo-ju get off to an embarrassing start, trapped together in an elevator when Ki-baek’s digestive system is acting up. If drama viewers can get past that embarrassing scene, Frankly Speaking delivers plenty of genuine laughs and some truths about the importance of being honest, if only with yourself.
After another embarrassing episode during his on-camera news gig, Ki-baek is demoted and pressured to appear in Woo-ju’s variety show Men on The Run, alongside other celebrities, including a spoiled idol, played by Jang Won-hyuk. Ki-baek’s enthusiastic participation gets him called aside by Woo-ju. It’s never a good idea to outshine the popular idol, she tells him. Then a freak accident rewires Ki-baek’s brain and prevents him from telling lies—or basically editing anything he thinks. He can only say it as it is—something he’s never had a chance to do before.
While it’s terrifying to Ki-baek, it’s cathartic for viewers to watch a meek character go ballistic on someone who abuses others. His inability to filter comments is also often hilarious. At a brand awards show that he’s hosting he says just what he—and everyone else—is thinking. Except that everyone else is not saying it out loud. Ironically, Ki-baek without a filter is finally able to deliver on his promise of telling the truth. His lack of discretion might also be useful to Woo-ju, who is thinking up ideas for a new show.
Go, wholeheartedly takes on his role, employing plenty of physical comedy, and his character’s woes can make viewers squirm in sympathy. Hopefully he will come to enjoy and even employ his new honesty. Go previously appeared in Love in Contract as a quiet man who hires Park Min-young to be his pretend wife. He can also be seen in D.P., Connect, Private Lives and Strongest Deliveryman. Kang, who delivers a cheerfully upbeat Woo-ju, previously played Princess Hwang-bo in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart, Suzy Bae’s sister in Start Up and an ex-gumiho in My Boyfriend is a Gumiho.
To create a love triangle, Joo Jong-yuk appears as Jeong-han, a popular trot singer and Woo-ju’s former love interest. He also happens to be Ki-baek’s former classmate. Frankly Speaking was directed by Jang Ji-yeon and written by Choi Kyung-sun. The JTBC drama airs on Netflix
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