The Guest

How am I going to start writing review of this drama? I seriously do not know. It took me more than half an hour to come up with some ideas.

Firstly, the story does not at all fall into the category of typical horror genre. I was bit aversive at the beginning about whether to start it or not; however, I do not regret at all because it is ravishingly well made. This is the first time I am watching any drama genre which has given a completely different message using horror-thriller concept. Maintaining an aberrant concept with spirits/ghosts/any supernatural being to portray an underlying perfidiousness of mankind expresses perfect erudition of the writers.

One harbinger, one priest and a detective - are the three unfortunate people- relatively of same age are the three main characters of this drama. Through thick and thin and utter turmoil they fought with the unknown iniquitous power which has the ultimate target to make the entire human race its sycophant. During the time of atrocity, corruption or belligerence or in general during the weakest time of a human, when their morality dwindles, integrity shaken and corruption becomes rampant that’s when this invisible being becomes supremely powerful. Thus it possesses people claiming it would chew his/her heart, making them torpid and would take full control of their soul. The portrayal is rather a complex one enough to give the viewers harrowing feeling yet the charm of the story is simply ineluctable. Although many macabre scenes may produce nausea but it is a kind of masterpiece that has one prime message to deliver.

Upon hearing quite a number of dialogues regarding pinpointing at the facinorous characteristics of human, I became quite doubtful about what they want to depict. It is not at all an usual one. Never have I seen any dramas of this genre possessing deep edification. Everything became clear when the writers' thoughts have been expressed as an epilogue at the end of the finale episode. Following is what they said, “The guest tried to look at the problems in our society through another perspective. All bad things eventually start from the heart of people, and this is what we wanted to depict. They say humans are the most frightening beings. Just like the viewers called Yun Hwa Pyung “Yun Peace”, we hope all viewers find peace of mind”.

Apparently, though all the episodes are petrifying but if can be concentrated past the horror scenes, viewer can find the vehemence the writers depicted on the dark psychology of humans. As they have said it is simple, a person’s unscrupulous acts submerge them into intense evil. Thus the weakest heart full of malevolence would subject to debacle.

From the beginning till end the story, acting of the ensembles, cinematography, cliff hangers, OSTs and most importantly the pace are extremely intriguing. Chill would run down one’s spine still one would be glued to his/her sit. Guaranteed. All credit and a huge round of applause should go to the ensembles for doing marvelous job of frightening us even in the broad day light. Moreover, I cannot eulogize the directors enough for their meticulous and well thought out direction and the writers for presenting us a discerning story through the lens of supernatural action/thriller. In one word the drama is enigmatic yet the message it holds is explicable.

OCN always present us the darkest, most sombrous dramas with captivating plot twists. I cannot say much due to the fear of giving out spoilers. So, if you do not want to live in quandary and quench your utter dismay you should go and watch it.

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A must watch

This is such an intense roller coaster of emotions! Our three main characters realise their past connection early on in the series. And i liked that cuz that gave them much more to focus on except to chase the ghosts of their pasts (literally). It baffles me how different their beliefs and ideologies are. The detective is a non believer. Choi yoon is catholic priest while hwa pyang is from a shaman family. And despite their different beliefs they come together and trust and care for each other. The only downside to this was lack of scary scenes cuz only the first 2-3 episodes were genuinely scary and the rest just didnt ring much. But i still watched it mostly cuz the characters and the plot story was so good.

“I am trying to save my friend today. But this foe is too powerful for me to beat. I will fight him with my life. Please spare my friend.” ~ Choi yoon

It was so heart breaking to see choi yoon and detective kang desperately trying to save him. The fact that choi yoon did succeeded in exorcising hwa pyang and living yo tell the tale!. Hwa pyang, the detective, and priest getting a well deserved happy ending has my heart! Wow what a ride it was.

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This drama is really not a joke. It was very well made and everything was pretty much on point. The acting was good, the scenes brought out strong emotions and the story had a very nice way of unraveling, one episode at a time. It's the kind of drama that lingers on you for a long time even after the final credits have rolled.

You will encounter a lot of gore and unpleasant scenes. If you are sensitive to people stabbing themselves, eating their own limbs, hanging themselves or other goreful activities, DON'T watch this.

There is no romance. The main characters will slowly get closer but it's all in a nightmare like fight to avenge their families and each other.

This is not a light watch. It is bingable but it's not something you'd watch to feel happy. The story is very dark, sad and deep and plays a lot on the negative elements and emotions of people.

The acting was great and the story was interesting. Although one or two episodes felt a bit draggy, every single episode was an important part of the unraveling of the mystery. I love how they never once left the main road, instead we watched things happen on the road side and each happening was a sign, telling us where to turn next.

BUT NO DRAMA IS PERFECT.

The ending was not to my liking. To be honest, I had worked out, what I thought was a great theory, but in the end I was wrong and I'm okay with that as long as you give me something better. Instead, I felt like the writers randomly added an extra plot twist, just because, and then filmed a few extra scenes to back up their new change of course. I would have forgiven them for that if they had not ruined the potential of a brilliant ending in the next set of scenes! This is the only part of the story where the writers broke their own rules and the laws of nature just to have a happy ending which is why this drama is not a 10.

ENJOY!!!

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Only at episode 6 and I’m already writing a review simply because I am completely blown away by this series to date. Fresh storyline with good chemistry across the cast except maybe 1 or 2 minor roles.

The poignant scene where the 3 protagonists come together at the scene of the crime is well staged and played out. Also, The scene where the female cop cried when she related the cause of her mum’s death to her colleague really caught me...a sort of a bittersweet closure.

Onwards to the rest of the series!

P.s does anyone know where this show is filmed? I love the psychic’s grandpa’s house

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One of the best dramas

In my opinion this is one of the best crime and paranormal dramas.
The drama is quite scary, especial the first episode, when they show what happened in the past.
As it progresses the drama also becomes quite emotional, and here the OST plays a big role. Somewhere is a very emotional song and it is played during the most important scenes.
The actors did their job very well. The most I liked Choi Yoon aka Father Mateo. I think Jae Wook did a great job in his character portrayal. Father Mateo impressed me the most because he was deeply hurt by what happened to his family, yet he was calm and considerate. It was touching how he protected Mi Jin's son from seeing his dead mother in episode 7, also how he took care of Seo Yoon. How he tried to protect her when the door opened and she got possessed, also how she treated her after, during her exorcism and after she was exorcised. Was impressive how she was sleeping on him when they were taking her home and how he was holding her hand. Felt like he took a special care of her. I think they have potential as a duo for a second season in which she chases spirits and he exorcises them. Also in last episode he was ready to die to save Hwa Pyeong when they were both in water. I think he also softened Gil-Young, by helping her understand that Hwa Pyeong also has his wounds. Hwa Pyeong was more reckless, but he was also ready to sacrifice himself to save Mateo. This was also impressive. However I think Father Mateo is one of the best characters i saw in a drama.

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Weirdest show out of the bunch of kdramas I've watched, but not in a very bad way. Story progresses quick, but I think I've dropped this for now in the middle of the 'slow point' of the show. I think what made me not that interested was the female lead being kind of annoying, me wanting the priest to be the main character, and the mc being kind of bland. Some people say that being able to predict the ending of something means the author has written their story well, but for this specific show, I'd say that it's not the good kind of prediction. The one thing that I can be overly positive about is that all the actors in the show are amazing at their job; especially the people playing the possessed.

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