Connection (2025)
Starring: Ji Sung, Jeon Mi-do
Platform: SBS / Netflix
Douban Rating: 8.4
Plot Summary:
Jang Jae-kyung (Ji Sung) is a respected narcotics detective known for his integrity and discipline. But after being unknowingly drugged during an investigation, he develops a physical dependency on the very substance he’s sworn to eliminate. Forced into secrecy while trying to wean himself off, he begins to uncover a sinister network involving former classmates, pharmaceutical companies, and political cover-ups.
Meanwhile, Oh Yoon-jin (Jeon Mi-do), a tenacious journalist with a personal connection to the case, teams up with Jae-kyung to dig into a mysterious death in their high school alumni circle. As the two get closer to the truth—and to each other—they realize the conspiracy runs deeper than they imagined, and trust becomes the rarest currency of all.
Highlights:
- Ji Sung delivers a gripping performance, portraying the fragility and fury of a man losing control while fighting for justice.
- Jeon Mi-do shines as a bold yet emotionally layered reporter driven by both curiosity and conscience.
- Smart direction and editing build nail-biting suspense, particularly during withdrawal scenes and morally tense interrogations.
- The drama touches on real-world issues like pharmaceutical abuse, political collusion, and the trauma of unresolved youth.
What Could Be Better:
- The dark tone and emotionally intense pacing may feel heavy for viewers looking for lighter crime dramas.
- Some early flashbacks require close attention to avoid confusion between timelines.
Verdict:
Connection is a gritty, cerebral thriller that doesn’t just ask “who did it?”—it asks what it costs to find out. With strong writing, dynamic performances, and timely themes, it’s one of the most riveting and socially relevant Korean dramas of 2025.
A must-watch for fans of Stranger, Signal, or Through the Darkness—this drama will keep you questioning every character’s motives until the very last frame.