It is said that information is power, but what of its sources, the informants? In a rapidly progressing world of communication, information is key to keeping up with the times and knowing one’s standing. One misinformed move can cause huge loss, whether through capital, bereavement, or psychological damage. In a domino effect caused by misinformation, what if the source, the informants themselves are polluted? Blinded by power and intoxicated by the allure of success, what if it is the modern day informants, the reporters, broadcasters, and journalists who are falsifying information?
‘Pinocchio’ is one such drama that illustrates the adverse effects of lies, white truths, exaggeration, false speculation, and omission, and how these impact the lives of those connected to the information being shared.
Series: Pinocchio
Where to watch: Rakuten Viki, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, SBS World, Kocowa, Apple TV
Cast: Lee Jong Suk, Park Shin Hye, Kim Young Kwang, Lee Yu Bi, Jin Kyung
Written by: Park Hye Ryun
Directed by: Jo Soo Won
The Plot
When Ki Ha Myung (played by Lee Jong Suk)’s father, a firefighter, is falsely accused of causing the deaths of nine other firemen during a rescue operation, his world is thrown upside down. As his reality changes and all that he has ever known is snatched away—his family, his father’s honor, and his own life as Ha Myung. The cause? Relentless media exposure and careless reporting.
As one of the key figures involved in the false accusations against his missing father, Song Cha Ok (played by Jin Kyung) becomes the bane of his existence, fueling his deep resentment toward TV broadcasters and reporters.
Now living as Choi Dal Po, the adopted ‘eldest son’ of Choi Gong Pil (played by Byun Hee Bong), he meets Choi In Ha (played by Park Shin Hye), a city girl who moves back to her father’s hometown on a remote island after her parents’ divorce. Afflicted with ‘Pinocchio Syndrome’, she is unable to lie in any situation without hiccuping. As a ‘Pinocchio’, she faces many problems in her life, including challenges in her profession. For a girl who grew up idolizing her mother, the broadcast reporter Song Cha Ok, she is oblivious to the morally dubious tactics her mother employed to achieve success. When she finally comes face to face with the mother she had longed for, she is confronted with the harsh reality of her mother’s indifference and cold nature.
Unable to face the brutal rejection by her mother and other agencies, she decides to give up on her dream of becoming a reporter, until Choi Dal Po promises to become a reporter alongside her. The duo apply for an open recruitment, and after getting selected as trainees, they embark on a journey to uncover the fake facade of the broadcasting industry, which is driven by greed and power. Teaming up with other trainee reporters, Seo Beom Jo (played by Kim Young Kwang), a rich chaebol heir, and Yoon Yoo Rae (played by Lee Yu Bi), a former sasaeng, they vow to bring justice and serve the truth.
The Characters
Choi Dal Po / Ki Ha-myung (played by Lee Jong Suk)
A bright and talented young man with a complicated past and an even more complicated present. He is the son of a firefighter who was falsely accused of being responsible for the deaths of his fellow firemen during a rescue mission. After losing his family, he is adopted by Choi Gong Pil, Choi In Ha’s grandfather, who mistakes him for his long dead eldest son. Living under the name Choi Dal Po, he decides to become a reporter alongside In-ha to help her pursue her dream. As he’s faced with demons of his past in the form of Song Cha Ok, he has to figure out his complicated feelings for his ‘niece’ In Ha.
Choi In Ha (played by Park Shin Hye)
A jubilant and righteous young woman who is a ‘Pinocchio.’ Suffering from Pinocchio Syndrome, which makes her unable to lie without breaking into hiccups, she’s faced with constant rejections while pursuing her dream of becoming a reporter. Her inability to lie makes her ‘unfit’ for reporting, as she is often told that lying is a necessary skill and tool for a reporter, contrary to her own beliefs.
Seo Beom Jo (played by Kim Young Kwang)
A rich young chaebol who has been on the receiving end of In Ha’s messages to her ‘mother.’ He is portrayed as a kind and upstanding young man who has feelings for In Ha. He joins the open recruitment process in an attempt to catch In Ha’s attention and get to know her, and then gradually develops a passion for reporting himself.
Yoon Yoo Rae (played by Lee Yu Bi)
Formerly a sasaeng, Yoo Rae sees In Ha as a ‘threat,’ though one with weaknesses. Due to her past as a sasaeng, she is often shown to be quick-witted and thorough, using the skills she developed as a sasaeng to gather and verify information as a reporter. Her nearly obsessive and over-the-top approach towards gathering information provides her with a competitive edge during her time as a reporter.
Reasons to watch ‘Pinocchio’
- Social Commentary: The series is a wake-up call. It showcases the poignant need for complete media reform. Though it dates back over a decade, the social issues raised within the series regarding media’s power, reach, and accountability, still hold as much, if not more, importance in maintaining social order.
- Romance: The drama falls heavily on the nostalgic romantic charm unique to K-dramas. The chemistry between the leads feels natural, and the gradual buildup of tension and love leaves viewers fulfilled with a happy ending.
- Plot: The plot of the drama follows a serialized approach with many layers in between. The direct, systematic, and gradual storytelling leaves nothing unwrapped and adds depth and mystery to the narrative.
- Cast: The series boasts an impressive star-studded cast, bringing life to the characters. Their acting and portrayal leave viewers unable to discern the actor from the character, creating a lasting impression.
- Coming of Age: The series revolves around the theme of twenty-something young adults finding their calling while standing on and building upon their principles. It showcases the ever-present phenomenon of younger generations taking the mantle from older ones while bringing with them a new era and fresh ideas.
‘Pinocchio’ is not just another Korean TV drama, it is an account of how media, especially broadcast reporting, impacts society and its proceedings. While society has come a long way since the series first aired, the issues still persist. The media landscape has evolved majorly in recent years with the rapid rise of digital media and easier access to the internet and social media, yet accountability still remains a major issue.
However, even now, more than a decade later, ‘Pinocchio’ still makes viewers stop and wonder if a Pinocchio like In Ha is really a threat in the media industry, or if it is just the industry’s contentment with disseminating information and news not as facts but as stories with added flare for viewer ratings. It also forces one to question how much of the fiction is truth in reality and whether all that is being shown to the world is the truth or pre-packaged content filled with lies.
Written By: N.V.S. Akanksha
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