hell and heaven: soul exchange review (or rather spoiler)

 

Ost Song: Tadaima

So I encounter this drama. Not having big expectation at first. Maybe it is a typical investigation drama like Ouroborus, Border, which to be honest even starred by my favorite Shon Oguri. But I only watch them half because of the high level of seriousness. My favorite japan detective drama would be Bitter Blood, Mr Brain and Gallileo because they are much relaxing and fun to watch.

Yes, Tengoku To Jigoku (the drama name in japanese) begin with a serious tone. There is one female detective with a strong sense of justice that always being underestimate by her colleague. Her name is Ayako Mochizuki. She hope for a big case to come and yeah be careful what you wish for because later there is a horrific murder case happen. 

I remember the actress from Mr Brain so that fact make me hook into the drama. And duhh she is so pretty and famous for her great act. 

Then, seemingly, we encounter the antagonist of the drama, Haruto Hidaka, CEO of a cleaning product company. The two main character meet accidently in a train and later Ayako chase him for becoming the suspect of the murder case. And maybe a serial of murder case. 

Hidaka really give me a creepy feeling as I think his face is strange, like the evil japan commander you see in Mr Sunshine (Korean drama). His deep stare and smiling face, the actor really did it very well. I almost give up to watch the drama because of his unattractiveness but thank god I hold on to it. These two contra character's life turn misery when their soul exchange after an incident.

Can you imagine, a detective exchange soul with a psychopath criminal? It means Ayako would have all the evidence of him as a murderer but lets not forget Hidaka had become the police who can sent his old self to jail. Ayako would be the one who suffer and Hidaka can live freely or maybe do another crime. 

That situation is kind of bizarre. We see Secret Garden and the only things that bother them is the gender physical difference. But here, you have to quickly adapt to the new body and at the same time watch your action so that the other won't betray you.

But that is when things start to get interesting. The creepy Hidaka had change into a cute clumsy and the over serious Ayako had become the beautiful evil person. 

I love this scene because when we thought Hidaka become confuse and misery like Ayako, he is action is contrary. He is very compose and heartless.

Ayako as Hidaka being excited to her new living place

Hidaka as Ayako quickly adapt to his new pretty body by wearing make up

Both of them have to react in their opposite character. Ayako which is previously so strict with criminal have to cover Hidaka's evidence as a murderer. Hidaka who previously always seem like a psychopath has to loose his character as he don't want anyone to discover his secret. 

Entering the wrong toilet

The always calm Hidaka

Yes, a psychopath is known for their heartless. And many believe their evil character came from a bizarre childhood or a trauma. And thats what Ayako want to dig in. Why Hidaka become psychopath and the truth about his murder motive. 

I just realised, when she is nearly disclosed something about his character or past, he will get angry and be violence. He  send video of a second murder event just to scare the shit out of her. When she try to do something out of his knowledge, she can go to the extend of killing her himself. 

Ayako (as Hiraki) dont know that he is allergic to nuts

He can easily kill her at this moment

But as the story goes, they learn how to cooperate and tolerate with each other. Ayako investigate his past and get to know that he actually having a normal life without any bizarre experience. She learns that he actually have a fraternal twin brother who having a hard life and different life from the wealthy Hidaka. 

We learn that Hidaka is actually a warm person as he can having a good chat with the cleaner in his company (at first he did not realise Azume is his long lost brother)

He never had a chance to spend time with his brother as there is always a restriction 

The truth is Azume is the real murder. Due to his never ending ill-fated life, he decide to kill those people who destroy his life. He trying to live a good life but it never turn well. As he is having a stage four cancer, he decide just to 'clean' the world from the evil people. Hidaka, once know his brother crime try to hide the murder evidence which in the police term is a murderer accompliance. 

Most of all, I reallllllly like the hate care relationship between Hidaka and Ayako. There are like Ying and Yang but both are actually having the same perception of kindness and justice. 

Ayako (after getting in their own body) reenact the scene that he once do to her 
 

Kyaa his reaction.

Ayako try to reunites him with his brother before capturing Azume

the way he look at her. yeah calm down people if you think this is a love then just keep it by yourself

A detective and a psychopath (which actually not so psycho)? Hmm. I dont think the marriage will going well. Here is why

This is Riku, Ayako's roomate who love Ayako

At first when Hidaka exchange body with Ayako, he even have sex with Riku for unknown reason. That's the disturbing thing that I found in Hidaka. Plus, he also said that he once go to a hideout hotel room with his male employee. So Ayako just deduce that he is gay. 

*sigh

Back to the ship scene, Azume is actually on the same ship to Amami and he happen to be with Riku (they are actually senior and junior in work). Azume and Hidaka reunite but not so long after that Azume die due to his sickness. Hidaka convince the police that Ayako is actually chase after him and Azume, not accomply him with the murder. But senior detective Kawahara said that he has a prove that Ayako is also an accomplice in the serial murder. 

Ayako defending herself

Hidaka being Hidaka try to take all the blame. He make confession that he did all the murder and just using Ayako to mislead the investigation. He did all that as a gift to Azume because he (Azume) is having a hard life. 

Ayako feel frustrated with his confession as he did not want to reveal the truth. So she try to find much strong evidence to make Azume the prime suspect. 

Riku who happen have the evidence, an SD camera card which stolen in the first Azume's murder case

But he reluctant to give it to Ayako because he kinda jealous of how much attention Ayako give to Hidaka.

After that he still give it to the police and save Hidaka from the accusation. Again, Hidaka being Hidaka still confess that he did it and did not want to change his statement. But words from Detective Kawahara and Ayako strikes him.

Detective Kawahara said that the murder is Azume's voice.

Okay, ada orang lain bagi jawapan untuk soalan Ayako.

Hahahah. This drama is playing with our heart. When we expecting of their love, it kills our hope with fact that Hidaka is gay. But his action speak louder at the end. Maybe he intentionally make Ayako thinks he is gay just to hide his love or just to show the typical character of a psychopath. Like the American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.

And you thought Ayako start a love life with Riku?

Nope. Riku left after this scene although she promise to buy him a food when they get home.

At first I kind of disappointed. Because a strong character like Ayako need a simple man like Riku. Two strong character would make the marriage a hell place. But maybe Riku realized all these while only he love her. Ayako is good to him and care about him (despite her tough character) but not to the extend of loving him. I dont blame him if he feel tired. 

Ayako resign from the police department but start to teach at the police academy with Yamaki (her assistant). She don't hear anything from Hidaka even after he been released from prison. 

After years (2025. Wow, the earth still exist in 2025 without world war 3 or apocalypse), he contact her and ask to meet her.

He show her the stone that been used for first murder. It is actually belong to his mother and he deduce that all these (switching soul) happen because her mother want Ayako to help her sons fix the things that they did (murder & murder accomplice).  

Things get awkward because they dont know what to talk anymore. As they say goodbye and part ways, they suddenly stop and turn to each other. 

Hahahah can I assume that this is a hint of their love relationship? They still love to connect with each other because their personality fit. 

Well this is okay than the ending of Scarlet Heart Ryeo which breaks my heart to know that the director intentionally did not release the clip of Hae Soo reunites with Wang Soo. 

Overall I am satisfy with this drama. The core reason is the characters and storyline. There are tons switching soul event in drama but this give a different meaning. Other stories only highlight the physical struggle of characters but this one do it lightly and not overdo. Hidaka as a strong and calm person adapt well in Ayako body. And of course all woman will have fright if they are stuck in a man body. 

So yeah, thats all folks. Waiting for another not famous but good drama to watch.

Oh, before I am watching this drama, I actually watch Akane No Hana. It is about an arranged marriage between a school girl and a wealthy heir.

*sigh

I can only stand one episode. I dont mind the cliche but it just why a heir speaks like a retard person in an arrogant way and why he is so free to date a high school girl? 

It is Japan, okay. If you are wealthy then you are WEALTHY. That wealthy should come with a giga workaholics attitude. Even Hidaka,as a CEO ride train to go to work and his parents only live in a simple house. 

* the font is haywire dan aku dah penat nk edit