Munju deception
The characters and setting are introduced through both the present as well as 20 years ago and some parallels are drawn from that,every person in this drama behaves shady which makes the suspense go through the roof and combined with the great OST makes the show very captivating to say the least.The two 2 mains leads are great especially Shin Ha Kyun which is my first time seeing him,he gives of that Joker,Hannibal vibe which is very hard to pull of without seaming fake,the supporting actors also do an awesome job with a few of them being shockingly good at hiding their true motives,easily the best drama in the first half of 2021 in my opinion.Was this review helpful to you?
Beyond Evil There's Justice
I really enjoyed watching this drama. It was a rollecoaster of emotions and it kept me on the edge of my seat because of the plot twists. The acting is stellar, everyone did an amazing job with their roles.I also kind of liked it that no romantic lovelines were forced but I was lowkey rooting for Ju Won and Jae Yi. I think they would look good together in a romcom. I find the actress who played her beautiful.
Even though this is a dark drama, I'd recommend this to others and it is worth a second watch for me. The ending is satisfying, with a hint of sadness, which I think is also the best way to end it.
Overall, I give Beyond Evil a 9/10. It was a good watch.
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a total mess
I totally recommend to watch the first half or so of this drama, it's got some interesting things to it. Good actors, pretty faces, gripping plot... But it soon becomes totally crazy - and not the good way. Everybody is lying - including the camera!! - , everybody has secrets, everybody has a sort of mental challenge: trauma, retard, anxiety, dellusion etc. The policemen - all of them - are suspects, the rich/ influential people are too, and they are all interconnected one way or another.The action goes around in circles, again and again, the leads try hard to keep it going by using all facial expressions by the first 4 episodes: they cry, they laugh hysterically, they smirk etc, till there is nothing left. I think one of the biggest mistakes of drama makers is GREED, in the form of ambition: they wanna cover everything in one shot. Keep some balance, will you?
Dropped, too long and too nonsensical.
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Worth a watch
LIKEWhen Han Ki Hwan got what he wanted and what happened next
DISLIKE
The most disgusting part about society is those who know the truth but choose to remain silent
Some did it for their family while others were just plain greedy
MUSIC
Not to my liking
REWATCH VALUE
It doesn't matter if I re-watch or not
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This review may contain spoilers
Shin Ha Kyun is Excellent is all you need to know!
This is my 1st Korean crime drama, and it did not disappoint. Excellent cast, especially Shin Ha Kyun, playing Lee Dong Sik. really good plot It has me by the seat of my pants most episodes. It reminded me of all the British crime dramas I love. The tension I felt watching was palpable. Each episode my adrenaline was high, well up to the point when they catch the serial killer.The reason I'm giving the series an 8 even though I thoroughly enjoyed it is because once the serial killer is caught; the series lost some of the energy it had reeling me in and impressing me with the plot machinations and all the potential suspects.
I mean it's a really good whodunit however, in the end it was more the good guys trying to bring to justice the actual murderer of one of the serial killer's 1st victims. Not that it was bad, and we wouldn't get the excellent acting from Shin Ha Kyun without this secondary plot, I just think it was a lot of deaths and cover up that seemed unimportant. Obviously, Dong Sik needed to find out who killed his sister, but I don't know if I cared enough about that part.
I can't wait to see more show with Shin Ha Kyun and watch another crime drama.
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Favolous
This is definitely one of the best kdrama ever. Sounds like bragging but the acting, the storytelling, the direction, the visuals everything is top notch. This is a type of drama that will keep you hook up for 2-3 days straight. I dropped everything just to finish the drama. It's also doesn't lack in thrilling. Still considering whether to watch or not? Just give it a try until 4 episode.Was this review helpful to you?
A must watch for Thrill - Mystery Lovers
Beyond Evil is an absolutely brilliant psychological thriller that left me speechless and hooked from start to finish. It’s one of those rare dramas where every episode outdoes the last & just when you think it can’t get any crazier, it does.The writing, direction, and acting are all top-tier. Dong Sik is phenomenal.. his performance alone makes this drama unforgettable. His expressions, his unpredictability, and the layers to his character kept me glued to the screen. I went through so many emotions ( frustration, shock, admiration) sometimes all within the same episode. Han Joo-won also had an incredible character arc; I found him frustrating at first but by episode 7, I was completely invested in his journey and began to love his character as the show went on.
What makes Beyond Evil stand out is that it’s not just about finding the killer. The mystery doesn’t end with the reveal... it keeps unraveling even after, exploring corruption, guilt, and human morality in such a deep, gripping way. The twists were mind-blowing; every time I thought I had it figured out, the show proved me wrong.
I loved the emotional depth too. The bond between Dong Sik and Joo-won, the grief, and the redemption... everything hit hard. The final episodes were both heartbreaking and satisfying.
If you love intelligent thrillers that play with your mind and emotions, Beyond Evil is a must-watch. It’s intense, unpredictable, and deeply human... one of the best K-dramas I’ve seen in this genre.
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Normally not a fan of crime dramas. Finally watched due to positive hype online and was pleasently surprised.
Great storyline with interestingly complex characters,
Liked bromance between two male leads and ost adds to drama throghout
kept me guessing with each episode. Loved it.
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Deeply Thrilling Subversion of Expecations: A Must Watch Drama
In the Midst of Corruption and Death, a small town suffers from the unsolved cold case of missing women. Two policemen, one the brother of an unsolved murder victim and the other a rookie cop with rooted morals. Throughout the drama, Lee Dong‑sik and Han Joo‑won, the main protagonist police officers, have a juxtaposed methods of handling crime: one stuck in a logically strict mindset (where everything must follow a code) and the other a more open-minded emotional standpoint. One of the beauties of the show is the way they handle these two differing policing mindsets, they are not framing either protagonist as wrong or right, instead we the audience get a deeper understanding of the different methodologies and come to our own understanding of solving the mysteries.PLOT
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This is a show that needs to be watched at least twice. In the first watch, we are taken from a perspective that audiences are able to relate to, that of Han Joo-won, who just like the viewer has entered a new town and is unaware of its rooted history and the characters within it. In this perspective, we're left just as confused, if not more confused, than Joo-won. We are made to question everyone, including the protagonist Lee Dong-sik. One of my favourite experiences in watching this drama was going through the process of literally suspecting everyone, it made me question who I could trust and who I couldn't. Everyone could be guilty and everyone could be innocent, which amped up the suspense in trying to solve the case. Both the audience and Joo-won get parts of the puzzle unfolded to them at the same time, therefore the audience is like Joo-won themselves.
Not only is this a captivating storytelling method, of making the audience question every character including the protagonists, but it creates a plot that never disappoints and continually increases its suspense. I remember a point in the drama where I was sure that Joo-Won was right about Dong-sik, being the murderer, only to find out later on that, what the audience had thought was Dong-sik being suspicious, was actually an understandable emotional reaction to the situation (such as the scene when Joo-won interviews Kang Jin-Mook, and Dong-sik has to leave his house). The drama wanted the audience to feel confused so that they could understand that one can never be 100% certain about anything--without evidence. This drama really put into perspective how, when a murder occurs in Korea, it really does not matter if everyone is certain who the murderer is, if there is no body found. Just as Joo-Won was certain of his hypotheses, many times they were from hunches and logical deductions that lacked physical evidence. This realistic portal of crime, and the need for physical evidence, made the plot even more captivating to watch.
ACTING
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It would be an understatement to say that the acting in Beyond Evil was truly astonishing. This was by far one of the best, if not the best, acting I have seen in a drama. One of the main reasons why, we as the viewers, question Dong-sik initially is due to Shin Ha-Kyun's phenomenal acting. He gets everything perfect--the crazy sadness of an induvial who has been through more pain than many of us will ever see. He embodies his character so well that it really feels that Dong-sik is a real human being. Shin Ha-Kyun is able to captivate both Dong-Sik's desperation and his mental instability, especially in the way he smiles. Dong-Sik has a very crimal-esc smile that is both creepy and captivating. It is the smile where his eyes crinkle, but instead of happy emotion, he displays sadness and emptiness.
Alongside Shin Ha-kyun is Yeo Jin-goo, who is especially skilled in portraying an individual slowly breaking down their outer shell. Initially, Joo-Won is a closed-off individual who does not let his emotions seep through, however as he gets more invested in the cold case, he begins to also display mental instability and craziness (rubbing off from Dong-sik because let's be honest anyone would go crazy in that town), he also has a crazy smile that perfectly captivates Joo-Won's confusion and impatience in solving the cases. Shin Ha-Kyun and Yeo Jin-goo performances go hand-in-hand to create a powerful performance of grief, confusion, and desperation.
One last thing I wanted to point out in terms of the relationship, and acting, of the protagonists, is the ability to switch from serious to playful moments. What makes a good show different from a great show, is its ability to switch from serious to comedic smoothly. There were many interactions between Dong-sik and Joo-won that had me audibly laughing. The writers knew that the major personality differences between the characters would create room for situational irony, so they used that to their advantage and has many funny-awkward moments. Using their differing personalities added comedic relief to a show that could go from 0-100 in a few seconds.
FINAL THOUGHTS
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One of my favourite elements to see in dark thrillers is when the audience is made to believe that the plot is solely a local one, but ends up being linked to a more national-wide issue. This is something that Beyond Evil uses very well, one of my gripes with mystery shows, that I have, is that many times the audience does not find out who the killer is until the last episodes. Having a reveal in episode sixteen tends to drag out the plot. However, this is not the case with Beyond Evil, the audience finds out who the main killer is about halfway through the show. The second half of the show is when the case, which we thought was only local-wide, becomes nationwide. When dramas skillfully write this local-nation shift it creates newfound suspense and more areas to enhance and upgrade the plot--this is exactly what Beyond Evil does, it amps up the suspense and grows the case so that the plot reaches even greater heights.
This is a drama that I will continue to go back to for years to come. Beyond Evil is one of those shows where the more you watch the more you unravel.
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Even with 20 years of darkness, there can still be light in the end
Crime/mystery/thriller. Complex story rich in suspense, not much fight scenes though. The backstory for each characters were also beautifully written. That's why the show demands a lot of attention. If not, you'll get lost easily.Actors did good with theirs characters too.. I often wonder who's the villain or who's the victim. The overall tone of a small community was also done realistically. How small town gossip works and even how they've got each other's back when needed..
I may not watch this again but I don't regret watching it either. It's entertaining. And even with its darkness, there's still light at the end.
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Amazing Thriller That Will Have You on the Edge of Your Seat!
This is one of the most intelligent and gripping thrillers that I’ve seen in recent years. The only one that I still like a little bit better was “Stranger,” especially the first season. However, that shouldn’t throw anyone off, as it only goes to show how few great thrillers are actually out there.20 years ago, a young woman if found in a reed field with her fingertips cut off. Lee Dong Shik is the suspect. He’s a young man who has a twin sister, although it’s clear that his sister can do no wrong, and he can never do anything right by anyone. Because his guitar pick was found near the body, he’s arrested.
Cut to present time, and Inspector Han Ju Won is assigned the post of the small, rural town. He also happens to be the son of the Deputy Police Commissioner, the 2nd most important man in the Korean police force. Right from the start, we can see that Han Ju Won’s father doesn’t think much of him, and perhaps, never has.
Inspector Han is partnered with the now Assistant Inspector Lee Dong Shik. It’s a tenuous partnership at best. Inspector Han doesn’t like to be touched or share anything with people (utensils, bowls, cups, etc.). He’s also a bit of a clean freak. It’s a bit of a mystery as to why Inspector Han has chosen such a remote area, given that he could have picked anything anywhere. They find a body in the same reed field. Lee Dong Shik’s sister went missing 20 years ago, and Lee Dong Shik wonders if it might be her. Thus, these two inspectors are suddenly thrust into cold cases, a serial killer, corporate and political corruption that is somehow all tied together.
Lee Dong Shik knows people and how to play them. That is his greatest strength. Han Ju Won’s specialty is as a strategist, and using that prowess to catch people. These two men bicker and fight like two old ladies, and it’s clear that neither likes or even trusts the other, especially when Han Ju Won suspects Lee Dong Shik of being the serial killer. What makes this dynamic work so well is that Lee Dong Shik knows that Han Ju Won suspects him, but he’s never rattled or even upset at the insinuation. Instead, he practically dares him to prove it. And believe me, don’t be surprised if you find yourself suspecting Lee Dong Shik and half a dozen other people before the pieces slowly begin to fall into place. That is how tautly written this series is.
The second half of the series focuses on how these two men are able to trap and catch the people responsible for all this, as well as finding out how Lee Dong Shik’s sister was killed and who did it. There are enough twists and turns in this series to keep even the most savvy person guessing. And once you do figure something out, you realize that it’s only one layer of the onion with many more to peel back.
Shin Ha Kyun (Lee Dong Shik) and Yeo Jin Goo (Han Ju Won) are brilliant together. They play off each other perfectly. It’s like watching two professional tennis players going back and forth.
The series also does a great job of demonstrating how low people will sink and the deplorable things people do to each other. There are some scenes that may be difficult to watch. It’s always hard to watch people suffer.
If you’re looking for a great mystery thriller, you really can’t do much better than this series!
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The characterisation is one of the best aspects and ultimately, the one that sold the series for me. I became attached to many people of Manyang (Jaeyi, Namsabae, Jiwa and Park Jeongje own my heart) but the ones whom I loved the most were Dongsik and Joowon. What more can I say about them? Their dynamic was one of the main reasons why (if not THE reason why) I loved this series. They didn't start in the best terms and yet as the story went on, they started to respect each other more and care about the other. Joowon's development was so well-written and I loved seeing him bickering with Dongsik. AND THEIR CHEMISTRY WAS SO STRONG, OH MY GOD, THEY REALLY MADE ME GIGGLE LIKE A TEENAGER (I mean, I am 18 years old BUT STILL).
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