Hang in there, death is not the answer.
Hands down to all production staff, actors and writers of this series. There is no plot hole, everything were answered at the end. I also can’t believe that this one is a tear jerker, I was crying too much when I watched the last two episodes. I personally think that this one and ‘The world between us’ are hidden gems of Taiwan dramas. I don’t understand why this has low rating here but for those who have plan to watch this, do it. I guarantee you this series won't disappoint. This series has only 8 episodes but the writers were able to create a high-quality drama with a satisfying ending, as opposed to other series I've seen that have many episodes and many plot holes.The actors did well in portraying their characters in the series and at first I don’t like the part where they showed the behind the scenes but at the end, I was thankful because it makes me appreciate the story more. Kudos to the staff, the prosthetic look so real.
The ending is great and the message they put at the end make me cry bucket of tears. The ost are also great, the message of the songs are align with the story. 10/10
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The most impactful drama that I have watched about life and death
I love mystery and thriller dramas so I was intrigued by the plot and the twist and turns in every episode, there is a lot happening but it doesn’t get confusing and is easy to grasp, usually most crime, mystery drama would have evil character, one bad guy, but this drama shed light on people having different opinion. Sometimes life just drives us there and giving up and death seems more meaningful. Honestly, I almost believed it, that their death served purpose and got their revenge, but the female lead’s opinion from the pov of person who was almost dragged to death by her own father, saying she would still try to live no matter how hard and giving the alternatives to how life would still have been ok or better if none of the victims choose death. I realized again how easy it is to die and living despite all the difficulties and struggles is the most hardest. I expected the ending to be sad. There was just so much pain, dead and moments that felt like all is coming to dead end a sad one. So it was completely unexpected to see a happy ending for this drama, it was very heartwarming, the message of this drama felt stronger that things can still get better, there is still hope in life if we try and maybe better days will come. In strange way after watching all that pain and suffering I felt comfort. I hope many would watch this show, this is such a impactful drama and behind every character has something we can relate and learn from.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Tough Topics Bound & Highlighted By Tight Storytelling
Often, when I finish a book, movie, or TV show, I go on and on in the review talking about why and how much I either loved or hated it. Other times, like I this case, I have no clue what to say or where to start. Because words fail me. I truly don't know if I have the words to explain why and how much I loved this show.I started this coz I was in a romance slump. I wanted something darker and above all, something that would make me think. And BOY did I get that. The production is high value as with many Netflix shows, the acting is incredible, and the plot is well-paced and engaging — the plot did lag a bit in the middle, and I thought that the characters were being a bit too reckless, but perhaps that's to make things more intense.
I think what made me fall in love with this story is the issues tackled and the characters themselves.
🔬Fang Yi Jen - I do not know much about autism, let alone asperger syndrome. However, what I know from other TV shows I've seen is that those with this illness are usually utter geniuses or used for comedic relief, or a combination of both. Compared to the regular person, Fang Yi Jen could be considered a genius.
However, instead of this story highlighting that, it chooses to highlight how this condition, unfortunately, makes him both a bad husband and father. Because of how hard it is for him to interact with pple and understand them as a 'normal person' would, he ends up lashing out, when the 'normal' thing would be to be patient — i.e., in the car with his wife and their crying baby.
When his negligence of his daughter in favour of his job ends up getting her hurt, he serves his wife with divorce papers and leaves, never looking back again. He thought he was saving them from himself, but that ended up hurting them even more. He neglected his daughter when she was young and till almost adulthood. If she had never gotten involved in those murders, would he have ever looked for her again? Likely not.
Eventually, he does try and does change for the better, but that does not mean that the poor girl and her mother never suffered. My heart broke so much for them. I loved that by the end, there seemed to be hope for him and his daughter. Fang Yi Jen is still Fang Yi Jen, but where he'd have ignored her before, he takes extra care and time to show up. He also says thank you. This is a personal opinion (observation?), but I feel like most pple only say thank you to strangers, never to those close to them. He now takes the time to say thank you, not just to Hai Yin, but also to the captain, and that one friend (?) he had in the lab section of the police force.
📰Hsu Hai Yin - Lord, did I HATE her in the beginning. She was all for the story. The real people and feelings behind the hard-hitting deadline be damned. However, once she learns the truth about the deaths, after her interaction with the twins' stories, she starts to change, thankfully for the better. This time, it's not just about the hard-hitting headline.
She starts to care about the people she's writing about and how her stories affect not just the subjects, but also others who might be going through the same thing. I do like that she was the one person who seemed to understand Fang Yi Jen the most. He still acts like himself, but instead of demanding that he be 'normal' he takes him for what he is. And eventually, her giving him the space to be who he is leads to a very beautiful friendship.
👧🏻Chiang Hsiao Meng - We feel the most impact in the last two episodes and I cried. Okay, I didn't fall to the ground sobbing, but balancing tears were wiped severally times. She was so, so sad. Her life after her dad was filled with considerable pain. Watching her in the hospital with the mum, then again when speaking to her dad was.... my heart was hurt.
The societal issues were also a huge part of why I liked this plot. Like Hsia Meng, most of the characters were also neglected. They felt like they no longer had a place or a voice in this world because those who were supposed to care for and love them abandoned them when they were no longer of use. Or no longer fit into the mold they wanted — aside from perhaps the story with the twins and Liu Kuang Yung. The twins were a story of jealousy and invisibility, and the latter was about guilt. I'll say that of all stories, I found Liu Kuang Yung's the hardest to empathise with
Rewatch value is an 8, as I feel that this could be a hard story for many to rewatch. Especially once you tie in all the victims' stories and why they chose this path over staying alive and fighting to see another day.
Not sure how to properly end this, so I'll finish with this quote from one of the directors
"In The Victims' Game, there's a group of people who want to let go, and there's a group who also suffers from pain and oppression, but still believes in the value of life. They're trying to bring back those who wish to give up. We hope that the series can make their voices heard when they're still alive."
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Blind man guide blind man
If I have to make conclusion about this drama in 1 word, Blind man guide blind man it is. Haha... Let me explained:This drama actually tell the story about depression & family. What happen if someone who is depressed meet another depressed man that have a sick mind. So instead a group of depressed man/woman find someone that can give light to their path, they met another person that can influence/convince them more than anything, that nothing better in this world so let make the dead something 'useful/meaningful'.
Their concept of is actually really interesting. They did the last think they want, and then did the next person last wishes. At first seems like a serial murderer, but unfortunately hide something more sad in the harsh reality...
But I really like the last talk Xu Hai Yin give to the person that behind all of it. I'll not gonna talk much in here, you should watch this to know more, because it's one of the beautiful concept that wrap the whole thing. In the end what the depressed one really need is only the support of their love one, someone who understand them & extra special if that comes from family, because in the end family always matter...
Was this review helpful to you?
DRAMA CONTUDENTE
Ultimamente sou fã das produções taiwanesas e todas que vi até agora gostei, desde da história, roteiro e condução de onde a história começa e como chegamos naquele final. Essa primeira temporada teve episódios excelentes, mas esse último episódio foi lento e um pouco entediante, mas entendi que foi necessário para nos mostrar de que maneira chegamos àquele clímax e como tudo será conduzido na segunda temporada. Pelo trailer, criei altas expectativas para a próxima temporada.Acho que a atuação do protagonista em algumas cenas foi um tanto caricata e fiquei constrangido, mas em outras ele dominou a cena e deu emoção e frieza ao seu personagem quando foi preciso.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Loved It!
The Victims' Game completely caught me off guard in the best way possible. The plot was super intriguing, and the whole thing was written and produced really well. I went into it a bit skeptical, not expecting much, but as I kept watching, I found myself totally hooked. Each episode pulled me in deeper, and I couldn’t wait to get to the next piece of the puzzle.Being a huge fan of detective dramas, I’ve seen a lot of different storylines, including ones with “suicide groups", which can sometimes feel overdone. But what I loved about The Victims' Game is that it didn’t feel like just another case. The way the show handled the investigation was fresh, and it really got into the emotional side of things for the characters. You could feel the weight of what they were going through, and that added a whole new layer to the mystery.
Joseph Chang’s performance as Fang Yi-Jen was amazing. He plays a forensic scientist with autism, and you could tell he put so much thought into making the character feel real. He brought this quiet intensity to the role, and I loved how he balanced his character’s personal struggles with the demands of his job. His acting really stood out to me and made the character so compelling.
I also really enjoyed Tiffany Hsu’s character, Hsu Hai-Yin. At first, I thought she’d be your typical pushy journalist—characters like hers can often be a bit annoying in detective dramas—but she surprised me. Yes, she’s flawed and makes some reckless choices, but that’s what made her fun to watch. She became one of the most interesting characters, and her scenes quickly became some of my favorites. Her chemistry with Fang Yi-Jen added a lot to the show as well. They really do have a great friendship.
What makes The Victims' Game special is how it mixes the mystery with real emotions. It’s not just about solving a case—it’s about how that case impacts the people involved. The drama touches on things like mental health and family issues, which gave the story a lot of depth and made it feel more than just your usual detective show. It made the stakes feel personal, which really drew me in.
Overall, The Victims' Game is more than just a crime drama. It’s an emotional ride with a gripping mystery, strong characters, and moments that really stick with you. I ended up loving the whole experience and would totally recommend it to anyone who’s into detective dramas but wants something with more heart.
*note: I used the term "suicide group" because I didn't know how else to refer to the victims in this case. I know that the perpetrator is called the angel of death but I'm not sure if there is a special term used for victims as well.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Compelling Crime Drama
VICTIMS'S GAME is a super compelling Taiwanese crime drama that spans only 8 episodes. I can only hope there will be future seasons coming, as hinted in the series, as this was certainly an exceptionally great drama series and one to remember. The characters were highly memorable and well acted. The plot engrossing and suspenseful. Great story and slow boiling plot that packs hard punches and deals with very painful subject matter, in a very tasteful way, all things considered. Dark and gritty, to be sure.The main male lead, brilliant Fan Yi-Jen, (remarkably played by Hsiao-chaun Chang) is a forensic detective with ASD (Autism/Aspergers) and is compelled to investigate a specific case of serial killings with a strange connection to someone linked to him. Meanwhile, ambitious journalist Hsu Hai-Yin (playered by the charming Wei-Ning Hsu) is also drawn into to investigated the strange string of murders, at first for her ambitions but then for more compelling motives. The two form an unlikely alliance and this unique relationship a very good boost to the series. They are very likeable characters and gradually grew on me.
Both characters are excellently acted, bringing the two characters to life and cementing them in my mind. I could easily empathize with them, quirky and unique as they were. The character development was very strong and well done in this series. I'd happily watch more of Victim's Game, and Taiwanese Drama in the future. Although this was a really dark series and highly graphic depictions of murder victims, it was also really great, mysterious and compelling. Although a bit slower paced it was definitely worth the watch.
[NOTE: Trigger Warning. Suicide. Abuse. Violence. Gore. Bullying. Cancer. Language. Dark Adult themes. etc.]
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Bon drama Taiwanais !
The Victims' Game est une série taïwanaise captivante disponible sur Netflix, qui mêle habilement enquête criminelle, drame psychologique et émotions profondes. Dès les premiers épisodes, elle se distingue par son atmosphère sombre et réaliste, ainsi que par son approche originale du genre policier.L'histoire suit Fang Yi-jen, un expert médico-légal atteint du syndrome d'Asperger, interprété brillamment par Joseph Chang. Lorsque sa fille, avec qui il est en froid, est liée à une série de meurtres mystérieux, il se lance dans une enquête personnelle pour découvrir la vérité et la protéger. Cette quête l'amène à collaborer avec Hsu Hai-yin, une journaliste ambitieuse et déterminée, incarnée par Tiffany Hsu.
Ce duo improbable fonctionne à merveille, apportant une dynamique intense et nuancée à l'intrigue. La série explore des thèmes profonds tels que la santé mentale, le suicide et les relations familiales brisées, tout en maintenant un suspense constant. Les scènes de crime sont particulièrement marquantes, avec des reconstitutions détaillées et parfois choquantes, qui renforcent le réalisme de l'enquête.
La réalisation est soignée, avec une cinématographie élégante et une bande-son immersive qui accentuent l'atmosphère tendue de la série. Chaque épisode est dense en contenu, invitant le spectateur à réfléchir et à s'impliquer émotionnellement dans l'histoire.
En somme, The Victims' Game est une série policière de haute qualité qui se démarque par son originalité, sa profondeur émotionnelle et ses performances d'acteurs remarquables. Elle offre une expérience de visionnage intense et mémorable, idéale pour les amateurs de thrillers psychologiques et de drames humains poignants.
Was this review helpful to you?
