Brain Works Explores the Question: Are All Psychopaths Murderers?
Brain Works is a Korean drama TV series released in 2023. The NIT, a “special investigative unit” solves crimes believed to be caused by brain diseases.
WHAT IS NEUROSCIENCE?
The dictionary definition of neuroscience is: “any or all of the sciences, such as neurochemistry and experimental psychology, which deal with the structure or function of the nervous system and brain”.
According to the US NIH (United States National Institute of Health):
“In addition to examining the normal development and activity of the nervous system, neuroscience studies diseases, disorders, and injuries that affect parts of the nervous system, how it develops, and how well it functions”. (Reference: Society for Neuroscience. (n.d.). About neuroscience. Retrieved June 13, 2017, from https://www.brainfacts.org/core-concepts)
You need to understand these basics, in order to enjoy watching “Brain Works”. This K-drama series is categorized as a comedy/crime drama. The Seobu Police Station has created the NIT (Neuroscientific Investigation Team). Its mission is to solve criminal cases caused by brain diseases.
MEET THE MEMBERS OF THE NIT
Shin Ha-Ru (played by Jung Yong Hwa) does not work in law enforcement. He is a neuroscientist who spearheads the Psycho Brain Rebuilding Project. The goal of his research is to show that there are ways to rebuild the brain of a psychopath. He serves as a consultant, assisting detectives on the NIT team: Geum Myung-Se (played by Cha Tae-hyun) and Seol So-Jung (played by Kwak Sun Young).
- Geum Myung-Se is an experienced detective who solves criminal cases using traditional investigative methods.
- Seol So-Jung has experience as a forensic hypnosis investigator.
They are both open-minded and willing to receive advice from the brain doctor, in order to learn better crime-solving techniques.
IS IT TRUE THAT ALL PSYCHOPATHS WILL BECOME MURDERERS?
If you want a crash course in neuroscience to learn the basics, then watch Brain Works. People might call this series a light comedy, but it addresses some very serious and sobering topics pertaining to the brain and mental illness. It has 16 episodes and I thought the episode about anterograde amnesia was fascinating. Evidently, a person can suffer memory loss where his or her brain does not form any new memories. They don’t even realize that they are growing older.
Although each episode deals with a different brain disease, overall the series aims at finding the answers to two (2) questions:
- Are heinous crimes committed because a person has a certain type of brain?
- If a person is born with a certain type of brain, will they grow up to become a murderer?
Of course, the starting point to find the answers is the premise that all psychopaths have a “certain type of brain” which makes them predisposed to commit murder; especially, the “high functioning” psychopaths.
So basically, if you have a psychopath’s brain you can’t help but become a cold-blooded killer. Frankly, I think that’s a lot of hooey! But it did make for an interesting storyline.
STREAM OR SKIP?
Soompi listed Brain Works as one of the “Top 5 K-Dramas on Viki in January”. To date, 400+ Viki viewers have given Brain Works a rating of 9.3. out of 10 stars.
You should stream this series. However, I disagree with the rating of 9.3. I deducted a star because the last scene in the final episode didn’t make any sense to me at all! (O.o) So I’m guessing there won’t be a Season 2.
KOCOWA TV. “Brain Works | Official Trailer | Crime K-Drama | Streaming Now on KOCOWA.” YouTube Video. YouTube, February 3, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97KTzir5lGw.
Thanks for reading.