Designated Survivor: 60 Days | KDrama | Only on Netflix

Designated Survivor: 60 Days is the KDrama version of an American TV series titled Designated Survivor. The American version starred Keifer Sutherland (“24”)and the Korean version stars Ji Jin-hee (“Jewel in the Palace”).

Designated Survivor: 60 Days is the Korean take on the American series Designated Survivor, featuring Ji Jin-hee. Both versions follow a similar premise: a devastating explosion kills all in the line of succession, leaving an unlikely candidate to lead. The Kdrama version, exclusive to Netflix, is a gripping political thriller that has garnered high praise, despite complications preventing a second season. Fans still hold out hope for renewal.

Contrast and Compare

There is a line of succession for persons designated to lead the country in democratic countries when the president is unable to serve.

• For the USA, the line includes Secretaries of “this” or “that”, etc.
• In South Korea, there are Ministers that are equivalent to US Secretaries.
  

Whoever ends up serving as president is called the “designated survivor”.

• Keifer Sutherland plays Tom Kirkman, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, who was someplace else when the US Capitol Building exploded!
• Ji Jin-hee plays Park Mu-jin, the South Korean Minister of Environment, who was not in attendance at the National Assembly, so he was not there when the building exploded!

I honestly don’t know of any historic event in any democracy where all of the people who were on the list in the line of succession have ever all been in the same room, at the same time, and were all killed because of the same catastrophe. But that’s what happens in these two series!

In the American version, the action takes place in the White House. In the Korean version, the action takes place in the Blue House. Whereas the American version has 3 seasons (50 episodes), released 2016-2019: the Korean drama version only has one season (16 episodes), released 2019. Nevertheless, both series are intense political thrillers that are binge-worthy.

• The American version was exclusively on Netflix but is now available on other streaming services (Where to Watch). By contrast, Designated Survivor: 60 Days is Only on Netflix.

Where Does It Begin for Park Mu-jin

In episode 1 of this political thriller, the president and ALL of the people in the line of succession, are killed in a massive explosion. Park Mu-jin, the Minister of Environment, had done something embarrassing earlier during the day which resulted in his being terminated. Because he had lost his job, he was not required to attend the National Assembly and had left to go home when the explosion occurred.

Even though the president had fired him, his termination papers had not been processed by the government personnel office. That meant that … “technically” … he was still employed and … “technically” … that made him the “designated survivor”, i.e. the person who had to step into the shoes of the president and take charge of the country. He is officially sworn in as Acting President for 60 days and starts performing his official duties as commander-in-chief, which include finding out who was responsible for the bombing of the National Assembly.

Ratings and Expectations

Most viewers gave this series a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. I agree.

However, plans for Season 2 were canceled because of complications with the contracts of various actors and actresses. It’s disappointing but not unexpected. The cast was comprised of actors and actresses who all gave stellar performances. It’s no surprise that they would be presented with more and more acting opportunities.

AFTER Kdrama Designated Survivor: 60 Days, Ji Jin-hee accepted roles in:

• D.P. Season 2 (2023)
• The Road: The Tragedy of One (2021)
• Move To Heaven (2021)
• Undercover (2021)

Just because it has been 3 years since Season 1, that does not mean that Season 2 will never happen. Supposedly since the series has not been canceled, renewal announcements could be made. But, in my humble opinion, if Season 2 does not have Ji Jin-hee in the leading role of Park Mu-jin, it probably won’t be added to MY watch list. What can I say? I am a ferociously loyal fan.

♦ LINKS OF INTEREST:

• Best Movies and TV shows Like Designated Survivor: 60 Days | BestSimilar
• How Kdrama Designated Survivor: 60 Days changed an aspiring politician’s life, and left him ‘a lot of philosophical questions’ | South China Morning Post