MBC ‘Fifty Percent’
He moved between levity and seriousness.
Lee Hak-joo is breathing life into ‘Fifty Percent’ as a hidden powerhouse.
The MBC Friday-Saturday drama ‘Fifty Percent’ tells the story of three men who may look ordinary but once had real clout, set in motion again by fate. It is a bittersweet action comedy about pros halfway through lifebattered by the world and a bit rusty, yet with loyalty and instinct still intact.
Ma Gong-bok, played by Lee Hak-joo, is the right-hand man and most reliable aide to Kang Beom-ryong (played by Heo Sung-tae), the No. 2 of the Hwasan faction. He now lives as a part-time convenience-store worker, but he possesses abilities that cannot be gauged from appearances alone. Having tracked Jeong Ho-myeong (Shin Ha-kyun) for ten years, he is making a vigorous impact among the characters with the information and tenacity he has amassed, along with exceptional powers of observation.
In particular, Ma Gong-bok capably plays the intermediary between Kang Beom-ryong and Jeong Ho-myeong, making a strong impression as the key contributor to their special teamwork chemistry. On the basis of deep trust with Kang Beom-ryong, he conveys the sincere wish to see his boss in his prime again, moving his heart; he also joins forces with former adversary Jeong Ho-myeong to chart a new relationship, drawing attention.
While he excels as a key link among people who seemed unlikely to team up, the chameleon-like chemistry he displays as he moves between the seniors also offers viewers a fresh point of interest.
Through ‘Fifty Percent,’ Lee Hak-joo delicately depicts action, comedy, and heartfelt emotional beats, making the character Ma Gong-bok even more three-dimensional. Expectations and interest are gathering around the performance of Lee Hak-joo, which appealingly showcases ‘Ma Gong-bok,’ who embodies everything from gravitas and fiery loyalty to an easygoing charm.
Meanwhile, the MBC Friday-Saturday drama ‘Fifty Percent,’ featuring Lee Hak-joo, airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m.
