#prison playbook*

[kdramaspace]

POTW #100: All-Time Favorite Korean Actor/Actress (as voted by our members and followers)

#4 Jung Hae In 정해인 - One Spring Night (2019) | D.P. (2021-2023) | Prison Playbook (2017) | Love Next Door (2024) | Something in the Rain (2018)

[thaempo]

Jung Hae In + roles through the years @asiandramanet august bingo: colour

[pinkvelvetletter]

you really need to give “be melodramatic” more views it’s such a refreshing drama that i cannot stress enough we need more of these, its currently on netflix go watch it and come yap about it on social media

[ikjun]

You transferred here because of me, didn't you? I did not. It was an official assignment.

PRISON PLAYBOOK /  슬기로운 감빵생활 (2017) dir. Shin Won-Ho

[fr3akshow-d4rlin]

A BASEBALL MISHAP

Kim Je-Hyuk x reader

Warnings: reader cries, bruises?, wacked in the face with a baseball 😭😭

Word count:around 2k ish

A/n: the more i thought of this plot it reminded me of a time when i was playing softball and instead of swinging the bat when the ball got thrown it hit me in the eye, and broke my glasses 😐🫡i cried a lot

It was a warm, sunny afternoon—the kind where the sky stretched endlessly above, a brilliant blue with not a cloud in sight. The baseball field was quiet, almost deserted, except for you and Jehyuk. He had begged you to come out here with him after school, claiming he needed someone to "practice his throwing arm" with. But you had a feeling it wasn’t just about baseball. Jehyuk had this energy about him, always looking for new ways to spend time with you, no matter how random or silly it seemed.

"Come on, just one throw," he grinned, tossing you a baseball. His eyes were sparkling with that familiar mischief, the one that made you feel both annoyed and charmed at the same time.

You raised an eyebrow, eyeing the ball warily. "You know I’m terrible at this, right?"

Jehyuk smirked, stretching his arm. "Doesn't matter. I'll teach you. You'll be a pro by the end of this."

You sighed dramatically but couldn't hide your smile. "Fine. But if I throw it like a total disaster, you're not allowed to laugh."

"No promises," he teased, readying himself. "Now, aim and throw it back. And remember, don't aim for my head." He grinned, making a dramatic gesture toward his own head, pretending to shield it like he was about to face a dangerous fastball.

You snorted, shaking your head. "I'll try not to, but no promises on my aim."

You hesitated for a moment, then tossed the ball. To your surprise, it went pretty straight, not a perfect throw, but it was definitely not terrible. Jehyuk caught it easily with one hand, flashing you a smug grin.

"See? Told you," he said with a wink. "Not bad at all."

You rolled your eyes, crossing your arms. "Okay, okay, you were right. But you know, I think I deserve a break after that."

Jehyuk's expression immediately shifted to one of exaggerated seriousness. "A break? Oh no, we can't let your skills slip now," he said, launching the ball back toward you. This time, he added a little extra force to it, not really thinking about the power he was putting into the throw.

You barely had time to react. The ball came speeding toward you with an almost unfair amount of force, and before you could even raise your arms to catch it, WHAM—the ball hit you square in the face.

The impact wasn’t just sudden; it was shocking. You stumbled backwards, your hands flying to your face as pain radiated through your nose and cheek. You didn’t even have time to process it before your vision blurred with tears. It hurt, but there was something else in the mix—a strange mix of embarrassment, shock, and a bit of frustration.

"Ow!" you cried out, unable to stop yourself from rubbing the spot where the ball had hit. Your eyes watered, and you bit down on your lip, trying not to make a scene.

But Jehyuk—of course—was already rushing over to you, his face falling into an expression of pure horror.

"Oh my God, Y/N!" His voice was frantic, high-pitched with panic. "I didn’t mean to, I swear. Are you okay?"

You blinked a few times, trying to keep the tears from spilling over. "I’m fine," you muttered, even though the sting from the ball was sharp, and your face was already starting to feel a little swollen.

"No, you’re not!" Jehyuk said, his eyes wide with guilt. "You’re bleeding. We need to get you to the nurse." His voice cracked slightly as he spoke, and that only made you feel worse. He sounded so genuinely concerned.

"I’m okay," you insisted, trying to laugh it off, but your voice wavered. "I swear, it’s not that bad."

But Jehyuk was already pulling you by the hand, guiding you toward the school building with surprising urgency.

---

When you arrived at the nurse’s office, you felt a little self-conscious. You hated feeling so vulnerable, especially when it was over something so ridiculous. You never thought something as simple as a baseball throw could leave you feeling so shaken.

The nurse, who was always kind, took one look at you and immediately started fussing. She gently probed at your nose, checked your face, and then insisted you sit on one of the beds to rest while she got some ice for your swelling.

Jehyuk sat beside you, practically hovering. His gaze never left you, and he kept glancing at the nurse like he was ready to rush into action if she even slightly overestimated your injuries.

"I’m really sorry," he repeated, for the hundredth time, his voice low. "I didn’t mean to hurt you. I swear, I thought I was just tossing it lightly, but I must’ve put too much force into it—"

"Jehyuk," you interrupted softly, still feeling the slight burn of tears at the back of your eyes. You weren’t sure why, but the situation was getting to you more than it should have. "It’s really okay. It was an accident."

But Jehyuk wasn’t listening. He was still blaming himself, and the more he did, the worse you felt. You hated seeing him like this, so frustrated and upset over something that wasn’t his fault. The last thing you wanted was for him to feel like he’d broken something.

As the nurse walked away for a moment to get more supplies, Jehyuk took your hand in his, squeezing it gently. You looked up at him, but he wouldn’t meet your gaze. His brow was furrowed, and his lips were pressed into a tight line.

"You’re really upset," you said quietly. "It was an accident, Jehyuk. You didn’t mean it."

He exhaled sharply, rubbing his face with his free hand. "I still hurt you. And that’s not okay. I promised I’d protect you." His voice was softer now, vulnerable in a way you rarely heard. "I don’t want to be the reason you’re in pain."

You blinked back the tears, trying to hold it together, but you couldn’t stop the sob that caught in your throat. You hadn’t realized how much you needed to hear that from him—how much you wanted him to care that much. The tears started to slip, but they were quiet, only just enough to betray your emotions. It wasn’t loud or dramatic, but it was real.

"Oh, Y/N..." Jehyuk’s voice cracked as he pulled you closer, wrapping his arms around you in an embrace. His body was warm, and despite everything, you could feel his heartbeat thundering against yours. "I didn’t mean to make you cry. Please, don’t cry. I’m so sorry. I just... I just care about you so much."

You leaned into him, letting him hold you as you fought to calm down. The tears came in little bursts, just enough for the tension to leave your chest, but Jehyuk didn’t let go of you. Instead, he gently cupped your face.

" it’s my fault," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, as if trying to convince himself. "I should’ve thrown it softer, should’ve been more careful. You shouldn't be sitting here because of me."

You could see the weight of his guilt, the way it was eating at him, and it made your heart ache a little. But before you could reassure him again, Jehyuk leaned forward, and you felt his lips brush against your cheek—just a soft, lingering kiss.

“I’m really sorry,” he whispered against your skin, his lips warm and gentle. It was as if the apology wasn’t enough just with words anymore.

You froze, not expecting him to be so close, but before you could react, he kissed you again—this time on the other cheek, his lips light and soft, pressing in an almost rhythmic pattern. He was kissing you like he was trying to erase the moment, trying to make everything better, to show you just how much he cared.

One kiss after another, he peppered your face with the sweetest apologies, each kiss accompanied by soft murmurs of “Sorry,” “I didn’t mean it,” “I’ll make it right.” His kisses were gentle, almost like he was afraid to hurt you further, his lips brushing tenderly against your skin, following the curve of your jaw, and then back to your forehead.

With each kiss, the tension in your chest seemed to melt a little more, the pain in your face not as sharp anymore. You couldn't help but smile softly, even as the tears from earlier had barely started to dry. Jehyuk was always like this—trying so hard, giving everything, even in the smallest ways.

“I forgive you,” you whispered, your voice a little shaky, but sincere. "You didn’t mean to, and it’s okay."

Jehyuk didn’t stop kissing you. His lips hovered over your cheek again, this time brushing softly over the spot where the baseball had hit you. He kissed it gently, almost reverently, as though he could take the pain away by sheer will.

"I’m sorry," he murmured again, his lips lingering just a moment longer on your cheek, before he pressed another soft kiss to your forehead.

You let out a small laugh through your sniffles, wiping your eyes with the back of your hand, even as Jehyuk's kisses continued, tender and never-ending.

“Are you trying to kiss the pain away or something?” you teased, trying to break the quiet tension.

Jehyuk pulled back just enough to look into your eyes, his expression a mix of playfulness and sincerity. "Maybe both," he said with a smile that was soft and full of warmth. “I’ll keep doing it until you feel better.”

You shook your head, your heart fluttering in your chest at how sweet he was. “You’re ridiculous.”

But despite your teasing, you couldn't hide the smile that tugged at your lips. "I really do feel better now," you whispered, looking up at him, your heart warm with affection.

Jehyuk beamed at you, his eyes soft, as he leaned in one more time, pressing a gentle kiss to the tip of your nose.

"I’m glad," he whispered, before pulling you into a tight hug, your forehead resting against his chest. "I’m sorry again, Y/N. I’ll always make it up to you."

You closed your eyes, letting his warmth surround you. "Just don't throw any more baseballs at my face," you muttered with a grin.

He laughed softly, pressing a final kiss to your forehead. "Deal."

"I’m still really, really sorry," he murmured again, and it was starting to feel less like an apology and more like a promise. A promise that he would always do his best for you.

After a few minutes, the nurse returned, placing the ice pack on your face with a gentle smile. "You’re going to be okay. It’s just a bruise. Nothing too serious."

But Jehyuk wasn’t finished. He reached into his bag and pulled out your favorite snacks: a chocolate bar, a packet of chips, and that iced tea you loved. He set them down in front of you with a soft, hopeful look.

"I got you all your favorites," he said, his voice shy but sincere. "I know it doesn’t fix anything, but maybe it’ll make you feel a little better."

You chuckled through your sniffles, wiping your eyes with the back of your hand. "You’re unbelievable," you said, shaking your head. "But thank you."

Jehyuk flashed that guilty but endearing grin, and for the first time since the accident, you could see him starting to relax.

"You’re welcome," he said, leaning back against the wall. "And after you’re better, I swear we’ll get ice cream or something. Whatever you want."

You smiled, finally feeling a sense of calm settle over you. "Deal."

As you ate the snacks he’d gotten for you and sat together in the nurse’s office, you realized that even when things went wrong, Jehyuk always knew how to make you feel safe, loved, and cherished. It was just one of the many reasons why you were so glad he was by your side.

A/n: i feel like i made reader too emotional but this is defo how i would react cause im emotional asf 😭😭

[ambitionsgreaterthan]

I truly cannot believe that we've completely lost the 50,20,16 (not entirely but soon enough). So from now on kdramas are just going to be 6-12 episode races to the finish line when by far the best thing about them has always been the way they dig so deeply into their characters and their lives and tell epic complete stories. Not everything needs 24 or even 16 episodes but so many stories do and it is such a shame that we're not going to see them anymore. I can't imagine how many great stories will be made less than by being forced to be much shorter or just not be told at all. Stories like Six flying dragons? Like Healer? Like Hospital playlist? Like Live? Like Chief Kim? Like Prison Playbook? Like Relply 1988? It's such a loss not just to the people who enjoy good stories but to the artists, writers and directors making the art. They deserve better than to be forced to churn out 8 episode soulless drivel because Netflix decided it wasn't enough to ruin the US tv industry it had to stick its greedy mediocrity laced fingers into kdramas.

[suuho]

Are you leaving? Yes. What about Kim? Kim Jehyeok decided to play baseball again. What are you doing? Run over.

Prison Playbook | 슬기로운 감빵생활 (2017-2018) dir. Shin Wonho

[seodongjae]

KIM SUNG CHEOL & KIM JUN HAN

Prison Playbook (2017-2018) Hospital Playlist (2020) Troll Factory (2024)

[gasprices0]

Does this fandom even exist anymore😞💔

[xiaobaosnoona]

Dramas I would like to force people to watch with me

(but can't since kidnapping is illegal)

a post of links

Since I managed to lure one of my best friends into watching the masterpiece that is The Untamed with satisfying results, my urge to force people to watch other asian dramas has spiralled out of control. The fact that there's a treasure trove of great stories out there that most people will miss makes me want to ugly cry. So here's a couple of posts with shows I love in no particular order as a feeble attempt to reel some more people in. Come, we have queers, psychopaths and magic.

part one - the untamed

part two - flower of evil

part three - arthdal chronicles

part four - prison playbook

part five - mysterious lotus casebook

[mizldrizl]

Jung Hae In looks particularly handsome in military uniform.

[whumpetywhump]

Whumptober Day 3 - Solitary Confinement

Big Mouth - Ep. 3

Insider - Ep. 2

Oasis - Ep. 1

One Ordinary Day - Ep. 4

Prison Playbook - Ep. 6

[thaempo]

I want to find a place to live with you. That's why I've been so busy. Dad, don't you worry about a thing. I'll come pick you up with a jacket when you're released. And I'll jack up the heat so your room is warm. Dad... I never once forgot about you.

Prison Playbook 슬기로운 감빵생활, dir. Shin Won Ho @asiandramanet september bingo: found family

[ikjun]

I'll pick you up with a jacket when you get released. And I'll jack up the heat to make sure your room is warm. God. Dad. I never once forgot you, dad. You're going to live with me, right?

PRISON PLAYBOOK /  슬기로운 감빵생활 (2017) | EP. 10 dir. Shin Won-Ho

[fr3akshow-d4rlin]

Kim Je-Hyuk x reader

Warnings:none

A/n: i marked this with sangwoo because Je hyuk isnt that popular so not as many people wouldve seen it :)

Word count: im too lazy to check sorry lol 😭

You find him sitting alone on the bleachers, his shoulders stiff, his eyes focused on the empty field, lost in his thoughts. The game’s over, the crowd has thinned out, and the weight of the loss hangs heavily on him. Jehyuk is a pitcher, and when his team loses, it’s like a part of him loses too. He’s always been hard on himself, holding himself to impossible standards, especially when he feels like he’s let down his team.

You sit down next to him, but don’t say anything at first. He doesn’t look at you, doesn’t acknowledge your presence. He doesn’t need to—this is how he processes everything. Quietly, slowly, alone.

“I messed up,” he says after a long pause, his voice low, barely audible. He doesn’t look at you when he speaks, but you can feel the weight in his words. “That last pitch... I should’ve done better.”

You can hear the frustration in his voice, that familiar self-doubt. It’s not just about the game for Jehyuk. He takes everything personally. The loss, the mistakes, the feeling that he let down everyone who’s ever believed in him—it’s all tangled up inside him.

“Hey,” you say softly, reaching out to touch his arm, the contact gentle but grounding. “It wasn't your fault you lost the game.”

He shakes his head, still not meeting your eyes. “But it was my pitch. I should’ve thrown it differently. I should’ve made the play.” he mumbles, his voice is monotonous and his lips are pressed together in a thin line

You know him too well. He’s always trying to control every little thing, and when something goes wrong, he carries it on his back, blaming himself. That’s just who he is—he’ll never be content unless he feels like he’s given everything, even if it’s not always in his control.

“You don’t have to be perfect,” you say, your voice steady, calm. “You give your all, and that’s more than enough. One bad pitch doesn’t change everything. You’re more than that.”

He’s quiet, his eyes still on the field, and you know he’s wrestling with it. He wants to believe you, but it’s hard for him to accept that a mistake doesn’t define him.

“You know,” you continue, nudging him slightly, “even the best pitchers mess up sometimes. That doesn’t make you any less of who you are.”

He lets out a heavy sigh, his body relaxing just a little, the tension in his shoulders slowly easing. It’s not much, but it’s something. You’re getting through to him.

“I hate this feeling,” he admits, his voice quieter now. “Like I’m not good enough, no matter how hard I try.”

You sit a little closer, letting the silence settle between you two. This isn’t the first time he’s felt like this, and you know it won’t be the last. But you’ll always be here for him, even when he doesn’t know how to let go of that weight.

“You are good enough, Jehyuk,” you say softly, your words firm and honest. “And you’re not defined by a single game or a single pitch. I’m proud of you. I always will be, no matter what.”

He finally looks at you, his eyes softening just a little, the faintest hint of a smile pulling at the corner of his lips. It’s small, almost imperceptible, but you see it.

“Thanks,” he murmurs, his voice thick with something you can’t quite place. But it’s enough. In this moment, it’s enough.

You sit with him for a while longer, the silence stretching between you two, but it’s not uncomfortable. It’s the kind of quiet that allows both of you to just exist in the moment. His posture has softened a little, the tension in his shoulders starting to melt away, though the loss still hangs in the air like a shadow.

You see him glance at you, just for a moment, and then his gaze drops back down, his hands still gripping the edges of the bleacher like he’s afraid to let go.

You’re not sure if it’s the silence or the weight of the night catching up with him, but suddenly, he shifts, moving just a little closer to you. You don’t say anything, not at first, but then you feel it—the smallest nudge, his head brushing lightly against your shoulder. He doesn’t pull away, and it’s enough for you to know that maybe he needs this. Needs something, or someone, to remind him that he doesn’t always have to be so tough, so alone in his thoughts.

You don’t hesitate. You slip your arm around him, not wanting to push but wanting to offer whatever comfort you can. He stiffens at first, just for a second, but then relaxes into the embrace, his head resting more firmly against your shoulder.

Neither of you says a word. Words feel too heavy right now, too much. Instead, you let the warmth between you fill the space, offering him the kind of comfort that doesn’t need explaining. His body slowly melts into yours, the tension in his chest loosening, as though the simple act of being close to someone is enough to help him breathe a little easier.

You can feel his heart beating against yours, a steady rhythm that calms you both. In that moment, you realize that this is what he needed—not words, not advice, but just the closeness, the reassurance that even when things don’t go right, he doesn’t have to face it alone.

He sighs softly, and for the first time since the game ended, there’s a sense of peace in his breath, like the weight of the loss doesn’t feel quite as heavy when you’re there beside him. He doesn’t pull away, doesn’t say anything, but his hand finds yours, fingers loosely intertwining as he pulls you just a little closer.

“Thanks,” he murmurs against your shoulder, his voice low, almost a whisper. And for the first time in a while, you can hear the sincerity in his tone.

You hold him a little tighter, and without a word, you both sit there, letting the moment stretch into a quiet understanding. The game’s over. The loss is still there, but so is the feeling that no matter what happens, you’ll be right here with him. And that’s all he needs right now.

A/n: i feel like this was a bit shit, im sorry, i dont know if i portrayed his character accurately.

[ambitionsgreaterthan]

After watching and rewatching multiple times Prison playbook, Reply 1988 and Hospital playlist. I came to a realization as to why I love this director/writers dramas so much that 3 of their dramas are in my top 20 of all time. They have a style of writing so unique and deft it's very difficult to attempt let alone replicate and it's mostly due to 3 things:

The first thing is they base all their stories on genuinely competent people, people who are extremely good at what they do, whether it's baseball, medicine, being a prison guard, playing baduk etc and there is something so satisfying about watching competent individuals excel.

The second thing is that the core of their stories is truly kind and selfless people forming the most beautiful and deepest bonds and that it comes in all forms; there's romance but it's a part of the story. We get SO many meaningful friendships and familial relationships too, fathers and daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers and sons and everything in between. And these relationships are so well built and have such a richness to them that you see these characters sacrifice and love and protect their friends and family in ways that are primarily reserved for romantic affection in other dramas and it all rings so true without feeling saccarine or over the top.

The third is how they weave comedy into their storytelling. Their shows can get incredibly emotional but there's always such a lovely balance of comedy and not just any comedy, truly hilarious stuff that's rooted in these characters personalities and their bonds.

Another thing is they always take their time to tell their stories, Prison playbook is 16 episodes and every one is 1h25 minutes at least, Reply 1988 is 20 episodes of 1h30 and hospital playlist is 24 episodes of 1h20 as well. It gives them the time to explore all the different dynamics and duos and trios and everything else and leaves you feeling like you knew these characters and loved them.