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This review may contain spoilers
Everyone has their own evil inside
Watching this drama after BLACKPINK Jennie mentioned it, and got even more curious after this drama won in three categories at Baeksang Award. Using the usual crime thriller plot where the characters had to find a serial killer, Beyond Evil is like any other dramas. But, there is one thing that made this drama very memorable to me. Shin Ha Kyun's smile in the first episode and how it influenced my view on his character. My first impression was "Lee Dong Shik is a creep", because we have yet to know the depth of his character so I was suspicious of him too, and then through every episode it was shown that Lee Dong Shik is just 'crazy' not cruel, making me understand his character. This drama made me judge the characters by their gesture, appearance, and a glimpse of their questionable words, it felt like I was analyzing people. Episode 6 is definitely the reason why this drama was named 귀물 (Monster) and Beyond Evil in english, Kang Jin Mook as the serial killer is such an interesting point of the drama. He appeared as the weak-looking guy who stutter when speaking, manipulated the viewers to believe that he was not the type to do such thing until the story unfolds from his perspective. I agree with one of the reviews where it said that every dialogue of this drama carries weight. The last episode showing Lee Dong Shik smiling to Han Joo Won just like in the first episode, but it gave you the impression of warming, completely different from our impression to the first episode, that is also my most favorite part about this drama. If there is one thing that I find regrettable, it's the fact that Han Joo Won didn't respond Lee Dong Shik's banmal by calling him "hyung" haha love them bromanceWas this review helpful to you?
A Dark Psychological Crime Thriller
BEYOND EVIL was an insanely good drama. Going into it, I really had no expectations set and so I was very pleased to realize this was going to be a stellar drama. I realized that right off the bat. It wasn’t hard to guess it would turn out to be great, given the super great acting, intriguing storyline and mystery, and awesome music. The first episode was very compelling. There was so much to love about this show. It was very addictive and masterfully executed. This isn’t your run of the mill crime kdrama by far.Being a psychological thriller, and featuring a lot of crime, involving some gruesome murders and some graphic and highly emotional scenes, this series is rather dark and certainly not for everyone. It has a way of getting in your head and under your skin, without being classified horror. However, the complexity of this drama is pretty mind blowing. Definitely a series to try if you enjoy dark, gritty, psychological crime thrillers.
While there certainly is crime, murder, mystery, intrigue and heavy psychological elements, this drama is wholly original in flavor and it’s hard to peg down why. Certainly the two male leads (Shin Ha-kyun as the jaded and misunderstood Lee Dong Shik, and Yeo Jin-gu as the determined and incorruptible Han Ju Won) are fantastic actors with definite on-screen chemistry. Though the story is non-romantic, and not sexual in nature, the two partners gradually form a deep bond hard to describe. They grow from enemies to partners to true friends, of course, but the platonic bond they later share is something truly powerful. Possibly result of a shared trauma, or a trauma bond. Either way it’s incredibly moving. A Bromance unlike any other, especially in this genre.
The story itself was excellent and kept me on the edge of my seat. The entire drama is a rollercoaster ride, from one thrilling point to the next. The characterizations were great and memorable. There were so many likable characters besides the main leads, and all were so well written and existing in various shades of grey. I really loved the connections and friendships between the people of the small town. Great casting and great acting. On top of all that, the visuals, cinematography, script, music, it was all top notch. This show makes you feel so much. Just prepare for a wild ride. I really hope there will be another season/series soon.
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Good thriller in a small town: amazing acting that transcended the material given
Solid thriller with an interesting murder inquiry around a cold case, as well as little town dark vibes. There are some good twists to the story, even though I guessed a lot of them...Some still managed to pick my interest up. The drama might have benefited from a tighter edit, especially in the beginning to make it better-paced but the series gets stronger and more captivating in its second half once the characters are more established. The strength of the story is really the evolution of the protagonists' relationships within the police force as well as with the citizens of the city where the crime took place.Regarding the acting, I expected range and good performances...and I was indeed not disappointed. All the ensemble cast is great (with maybe one or two minor exceptions). I particularly enjoyed the 2 main leads, they were really bouncing back effectively from each other and truly made the show compelling to watch. I remembered Yeo Jin Goo as a child actor who had truly great abilities, and I was really impressed by his evolution in this adult role. I will be looking more into his filmography for sure. Similarly, after watching this, I want to see more of Shin Ha Kyun. I understand his superstar status and I need to see him also in other roles after his robust performance here.
The production value was nice and relatively standard for the genre. There was quite a bit of impactful scenes but it was still 'cop / law" show coded. I wish they took an even darker / more frightening road to make it more oppressing...But it was still suitable for the investigation atmosphere. The OST was good with some BBC's Sherlock Holmes / theatre vibes. It lacked maybe of variety but brought up the feeling each time it was played.
I would recommend this to people looking for a dark police thriller carried by really good actors performances. If you enjoyed series such as Mare Of Easttown or police novels, you will enjoy this.
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A surprise gem.
I stumbled on this drama one day and I'm so grateful I did.The story was engaging and never got stale. A nice mystery murder story with twists, turns, emotions, and backstory galore.
The acting was superb by both of the male leads. The cast as a whole was really fabulous to be honest.
Lee Dong-sik was such a captivating character. His expressions alone had the ability to squeeze my heart throughout the series.
Yeo Jin-goo was kind of the king of character development in my opinion.
The chemistry between the characters was captivating and really brought the series up to the top spot for me.
I could really go on about this series forever, but I would hate to spoil it for anyone.
Rewatch value: I've rewatched it three times so far. 💜💜💜
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The only drama that doesn't have plot holes. I like the way the writer told each story in detail. There is no question left unanswered, everything is neatly written.
This drama will make you feel every emotion you may not have felt before. For example: respect, plot, suspense, relief, regret, nostalgia, fear, suspense, blood; You can feel it. They also highlight the importance of friendship, partnership, work ethic, family relationship (even bad guys love their kids), the importance of letting go and moving forward, the importance of making a rational judgment, and so much more that I can't list.
I totally recommend this drama.
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From episode 1 to 16, this series had me captivated from the beginning to the end.
From episode 1 to 16, this series had me captivated from the beginning to the end.It kept my mind busy and active, throwing unexpected twists and revelations that constantly surprised me. The story was gripping, exceeding my expectations for a thriller-mystery.
The cast delivered outstanding performances, portraying their characters perfectly.
One accident brook hell loose, unfolded with numerous misunderstandings and secrets surfacing after 21 years. An accident that wrecked families with no way back, some died and some kept carrying the burden.
From where to start??
Shin Ha Kyun as “Dong Shik”, my first time seeing his work and it was worth it, he delivered a performance that left me speechless, a broken, mad man, with nothing left to lose, with sole purpose, solving his sister’s case.
Han Ju Won a righteous inspector with a sense of duty, and justice. His transformation from a rigid Seoul inspector to a more grounded and realistic one was a fascinating evolution. He changed completely, knowing there was more to the case than what he thought.
The bromance between the two main leads added a compelling dynamic, shifting from initial animosity to a partnership that proved highly effective. The rest of the cast, both the "good" and "evil" characters, contributed excellently to the narrative.
The series evoked strong emotions, and while the ending left me teary-eyed, I wished for more. Having been on my PTW list for a long time, it was truly worth the wait and time invested.
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the best of the best
I mean... what a plot!The main actors had such good chemistry, the scenes were so thrilling and exciting, the characters are enjoyable and the antagonists were very well developed. Some scenes were breathtaking and some were kinda flat, but I was never bored.
This show was a watershed for me. I am still trying to find a better one. I've watched more than three times already and it never gets old, because everytime I rewatch it I can see all the subtle details of the acting and the nuances of the characters.
one of the best suspense drama of all I've watched and will continue to be for a long long time. surpassing in the most literal way possible
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"Who does not prevent the crime supports it."
With Beyond Evil, I finally realized that I enjoy psychological crime thrillers more than romances. Though it was one of those dramas that received a momentary hype while on air, I decided to check it out as the reviews seemed promising.Well, well. Akiyama Shinichi would be pretty proud.
Set in Manyang, a small, rural town where all its inhabitants are more like a real family, Lee Dong Shik, a police officer, has a few strange eyes on him. He was the suspect of a case from 20 years ago, a double event that included the murder of a girl and the disappearance of his own sister Lee Yu Yeon. The almost forgotten cold case is brought back to life with the transfer of Han Ju Won, the perfect, elite son of the ambitious Chief Superintendent of the Korean Police Force. Han Ju Won, unfortunately, has a plan. He is hell bent on getting Dong Shik proven guilty for his supposed crimes… while harboring a secret of his own.
I kid you not, this drama is not "who is the culprit?" kind as in Flower of Evil. It's a game of 'tag, you are it!' between two police officers who are forcibly paired up and have no choice but to work together, setting aside their differences. The first two episodes were a whirl of confusion as I desperately tried to make sense of what exactly was going on.
If you are a constant viewer of dramas, then the plot is definitely not much of a suspense -- it's quite predictable. It's the very web of intrigue and questions that tempt viewers to keep watching episode after episode.
It was also a didactic experience for me as it shed light on some of the 'stupid' laws that lets criminals get away. This is a strong shadow over the "entire" drama --- characters take actions while attempting to circumvent these laws.
Lee Dong Shik is without a doubt, the soul and star of this drama. The story is nothing without him. He knew his game well. The first few episodes of tag between him and Han Ju Won were absolutely riveting. His mind games and rhetoric questions made everyone doubt themselves and drove me mad. His dubious actions even more so. I loved how confident he was in his craft and how easily he managed to rile up the very egoistic Han Ju Won. It's my first time seeing this actor and I'm in complete awe of his performance. How can a human being portray so many emotions? That too, wild, intense and absolutely mind numbing once with such clarity and depth? All in the same episode? I could figure out his thoughts and actions within the first two episodes, but without Shin Ha Kyun, I highly doubt if Dong Shik would be receiving my approval.
Han Ju Won… ah, yes. I remember seeing a post about why nobody had killed him yet. His stickler for rules and his holier-than-thou attitude made me want to smack him at times. But, he wasn't a hypocrite and I'm glad that the writers didn't make him one. Rather, he was a victim of circumstances.
It's strange, but I loved how Dong Shik finally managed to rub off on him. Yeo Jin Goo has proved himself a versatile actor from his previous works. He did not disappoint.
Park Jeong Je, Dong Shik's best friend, is another worthy mention. And everyone from the Manyang Butcher shop.
The bromance is really slow burn. But, absolutely worth every second of your time. I loved seeing Dong Shik and Ju Won together. Their 'I refuse to tell you that I like you' attitude was highly endearing and fun to watch. Both of them had a terrible habit of blackmailing each other, and watching them attempt to untangle their own net traps shouldn't have been this enjoyable under normal conditions.
I was surprised by how much I liked Lee Chang Jin. A very, very, gray/bad/confused character, I mirrored his reaction multiple times. He had several valid points, but he was also too dumb to exist.
Every single character reached a point where they were pushed to the inevitable moment of making crucial decisions, and watching it unfold on screen was absolutely thrilling. The story veers towards a game of deception during the latter half and had several nail biting scenes that had be binging three episodes a day.
However, there are a few answers that were told just in passing, making it seem almost as if the writer had conveniently written them in to avoid leaving out any plot holes. This is starkly visible as we near the finale. And judging by the fixed episode duration and number, I am willing to forgive everything.
The Soundtrack is to die for. Music is the second most important aspect of a drama and even an average one can become a masterpiece if it has an excellent audio team.
I have 'Timeless by BIBI' and several background scores on repeat since the time I first heard them.
This is definitely one of the best dramas I've watched.
It is an absolute feast for people who love looking like the Pepe Silvia meme and enjoy racking their brains to make connections and assumptions. Its thrilling, emotional, engaging and absolutely riveting.
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This review may contain spoilers
captivating
this drama was incredibly captivating. unfortunately, i accidentally stumbled upon a spoiler that kind of ruined my first viewing experience, at least for the first half of the show, so that was a bummer, but i was still heavily impressed by the intrigue that the drama was able to arouse in the viewer. is it him? oh. no, it's her right? i knew what happened but i was convinced by the show's narrative of pointing the finger at different individuals so much so that i questioned if the spoilers i read were true or if they were just theorising.i do have to say, sometimes i found myself reading the subtitles but not really following, and found that i'd have to go back. it could be just me, and maybe i'm not used to dramas that have such an intricate storyline, but i think this is something that is avoidable if you pay attention well. it might not have helped that i typically watched this show before i would sleep.
i did enjoy dong shik and jun won's dynamic. not your typical chummy bromance, but their push and pull relationship only made those moments that they found comfort in one another feel more tender.
the ending did feel very slightly anti-climactic. i suppose it felt too neatly wrapped up, or maybe i felt sad that after all that occurred, dong shik and jun won appeared to not be so close. it makes sense that they wouldn't be, seeing age difference and distance, but it still makes me a little sad.
i'd highly recommend a rewatch. in fact, i think the show would be better as a rewatch. it should provide clarity and you may even notice some foreshadowing.
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Decent
The 1st half was decently interesting, with great production, acting, and atmosphere - and I do love a good serial killer case. However the 2nd half was boring as hell. Honestly the 1st half and 2nd half are almost different seasons of the same drama that just so happened to air all together.However what WAS good throughout was the acting of the 2 leads - they were amazing, and even without a lot of insight into them as people their scenes always felt so intense/charged. The other actors did a good job, but were ultimately forgettable characters because, again, the drama gave us the barest of insights into their who they were as people and their emotions. I won't say that was an acting flaw, because honestly for things like that that's a writing flaw, and ultimately they did well with what they were working with. Even for the leads, there are some things that they did that just were never really explained - like why Joo Won latched onto this 20 year old case in the first place (I think it's so he can solve it and coast back to Seoul victoriously, but still even then... why this case? why the obsession? why is he SO convinced it was Dong Sik??). I think the drama would've delivered a more emotional punch if they just took a moment to look at their characters more closely.
Overall as a drama, this wasn't as mindblowing as I thought it'd be based on what I read here, and I never really experienced a shocking twist, but this was still a decent crime drama with great atmosphere (mostly in the 1st half), production, and acting that's worth a watch for the dynamic between Dong Sik and Joo Won alone. Han Joo Won especially was my favourite, and honestly was a major player in keeping me watching this drama.
Focusing on the drama as a whole, I think it deserves a 7.5 for being in the end somewhat average but not horrible with good production and acting. Besides the inexplicably electric dynamic between Joo Won and Dong Sik, I think this drama is somewhat forgettable, especially the 2nd half which honestly made my feelings towards this drama cool a lot. However like I've said before I did enjoy the acting from the leads and the 1st half was interesting so I'll give it an 8.
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The perfect crime drama
Beyond Evil is one of my favorite TV series. The problem that Korean dramas often face is the head of an elephant and at the tail of a squirrel, but Beyond Evil is fascinating through each episode. From episode 1 to episode 6, the fanciful, ghostly atmosphere with hidden secrets made me frustrated. I have to say my mentality at that time was the same as Han Ju Won, annoyed because Dong Sik kept pretending to be crazy. However, after that, the film is like a sweet gift for those who persevere. The details are pushed to the climax in an extremely skillful way that makes my heart pound. I always wonder in my head, how can they make such a great movie. The soundtrack and color of the film are also very suitable for each scene.What counts is the acting and chemistry of Shin Ha Kyun and Yeo Jin Goo. They're really good, they've subtly portrayed the characters' psychological changes. Even the characters Yoo Jae Yi, Kang Jin Mok, Nam Sang Bae and Park Young Je and Do Hae Won are also very special. Especially, even though Do Hae Won is a bit scary and crazy, I still can't take my eyes off her beauty.
A great movie, leaving a lot of feelings even after it ended
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