The acting, once again, is stellar, but from the two mains I never got the feeling of being creeped out or finding their weirdness natural - that "God, this character really is insane". It's very obviously performance and not bone-chilling. If anything, the one who really steals my attention is Na Je-hee, she was perfect. Santa and his mystery is LAYERED! It's perfect and leaving his history unexplored is a good choice in my opinion.
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Great start but fails to live up to early promise
Quirky. This show revels in being slightly off its face all the time. The sort of drunk where everything seems to be totally spot on and making perfect sense to you, but from the outside it really doesn’t hang together coherently in any way at all. So you need to join Koo in her permanent drunken stupor and follow it all from the inside, just accepting the strange leaps of logic and weird dream fantasies. Then it’s a lot of fun and after a couple of episodes things begin to coalesce.There’s a good villain well played by Kim Hye Joon, and the whole thing has a gorgeous surreal edge to it. Whilst it has obviously taken a heap of inspiration from “Killing Eve”, it has not just copied blindly but found it’s own path and its own cast of characters. Personally, I had a particularly soft spot for Santa. But all of them have something going for them and there’s some great team dynamics.
However, about half way through there were some plot twists and scenes which were somewhat clumsy and things began to seem like a bit of a tangled mess rather than deftly woven threads and the whole thing lost some credibility for me. The pacing was off with long parts that were too detailed and I lost interest and had to push through a bit. Then they rebooted and things came together again in a sort of meandering plot with too many characters to focus on and the necessity for lots of backstory explainy bits, so that it didn’t sustain its early promise.
Perhaps I was looking for some better character development and there were some missed opportunities for more sparks/interactions and relationship development between the female leads. Overall though, there were other good character interactions on all sides and this was definitely its strength but the writer /director couldn’t bring off the action side of it which was far too wordy and slow.
I enjoyed the cinematography and creative use of CGI, not to create breathtaking effects, but to bleed out the colour and smear the images and create an edgy rawness to the visuals. It went a long way to supporting the general craziness of the characters.
The soundtrack was good too; woven into the story so that there were not sudden endings or fadeouts and it all felt nicely tailored with some great songs.
Difficult to rate because although some parts were brilliant it wasn’t quite cohesive enough and the approach began to pall towards the end. In the end I feel 7.5 is about right, although I would score it higher for originality and performances.
What my rating means: 7+ A watchable drama, but nothing exceptional. Good enough to qualify for the race, but finished with the pack. The sort of thing that promises more than it delivers.
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Stupidly disappointing
Nope didn’t like it - was probably expecting too much because of the cast but was sadly disappointed. The main FL having had a break down after dropping out of life except for her online gaming comes back with a bang and an alcohol habit. Being able to get into the head of the perpetrator (we call it profiling) but being outsmarted at every post until the end. In the Insurance business????? This would have been a better storyline set in the police department as they were apparently able to do all the police could. I’m sorry it just didn’t do it for me.Was this review helpful to you?
I Want More!
I love love love the character of Lee Young Ae in this drama. It's rarely we see "crazy" female lead in dramas, but she definitely nailed it! Before engaging myself in this drama, I've been warned by my friends that this one seem to be different from the Kdrama norm. I didn't really understand what they meant until I watched the drama myself. The visual presentation of a lot of scenes (random pop up of characters on the side of the screen) actually reminded me of a lot of Japanese dramas I've watched in the past. I did appreciate those visuals because well they were very entertaining. Kim Hye Hoon also did so well in her role! She really made me scared of her to the point that when I see her, I actually feel like she can just kill right there and then. If I were to comment on what' s missing in this series, it'll probably be the lack of explanation about Santa's character (Perhaps they're gearing for season 2?). His character is such a mystery that in every episode, I'd find myself wishing they'll tell us more about him. Made me think if he's a traitor too hmm, but I guess we won't really find out unless we get another season. The cases resolved in this drama really gave me a sense of satisfaction. Every cases seem to give us that you think you knew but not really kind of feeling. All actors have done well in their roles, and honestly would love to see them all again!Was this review helpful to you?
I didn't expect to enjoy the show this much.
Honestly the whole reason I even put this show on my watch list was because of Lee Young Ae. I read an article where Kim Hye Joon (who plays K) was talking about the show and being able to work with so many talented actors/actresses and then realized that the lead character of the show was Lee Young Ae, who was in Jewel in the Palace. For those of you who don't know about this show, it aired back in 2003 and was probably the first kdrama that I ever watched. I have a childhood memory of being in Grade 3 or 4 and watching it with my parents at night. It was truly an iconic show that helped pave the way for kdramas becoming popular world wide and so when I saw that this show had the same lead actress I had to check this out.I came into it without any expectations really and the first two episodes where they're just introducing the characters and setting the scene were a bit boring for me but starting episode 3 I got hooked on the show. It's only 12 episodes and they really make use of every minute because this show moves fast. So much happens and it's not a traditional crime show where the detective is trying to figure out who the serial killer is and it ends with that.
Pretty much off the bat you know who K is and it's more of a cat and mouse show where they are trying to outsmart each other. Other than Lee Young Ae, this drama has so many notable actors and actresses including a few from Hospital Playlist, one of my favourite shows of all time. I really enjoyed the team dynamic and how every person brought their own unique charm. There were some actors I wasn't familiar with that I really liked, like Baek Sung Chul who plays Santa. He barely talks in the show, and has probably a total of less than 50 words spoken in the entire script but despite that his acting still managed to shine because of his mannerisms, facial expressions and gestures. Kim Hye Joon who played K the serial killer was entertaining, more than slightly unhinged, but also someone that I felt sympathy towards. And this is unrelated, but I was pleasantly surprised that this drama had a super heartwarming gay relationship.
This is a show with endless plot twists that are super unpredictable and it's definitely one of those wacky, off-beat shows with dark humour but I was surprised at how much I ended up enjoying it. I don't usually pay much attention to the music, but the soundtrack really fit with the vibe of the drama and each episode ends with a cute animation which I liked. It can be extremely dramatic - the drama references plays and sometimes the drama itself uses dramatic lighting and other techniques that make it seem like a theatrical production but it all fit in with the overall vibe.
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All the World's a Stage, and Inspector Koo Puts on a Heck of a Show
Good Things:* The Bechdel test pass. There's no romance, just four distinct and atypical FLs that have complicated and vacillating ties. From FFL's mentoring of her chosen colleagues, TFL's responsibilities to FL and as a single mother to her daughter, SFL's childish dependency on and fierce protection of her loving aunt, and FL's tangled connection to all of them women's relationships with women are front and center.
* The cat-and-mouse conflicts. All of the characters have different agendas and work with and against each other as the story progresses. While there are clear good guys and bad guys, there's also enough moral ambiguity to keep things interesting and a sympathetic, weirdly-endearing SFL antagonist.
* The cinematography. All the world's a stage and there are several plays within a play going on at any given time which is reflected in the cleverly framed theatrical interludes.
* The lack-thereof fashion. FL has an extensive wardrobe of tracksuits and trench coats (with a few variations for more formal occasions). It's partially due to the anxiety and depression, but FL also just refreshingly DGAF.
Bad Things:
* The loose ends. It's set up for a second season and while there aren't any major cliffhangers there are some lingering questions that might never get closure.
* The pacing. Things get mired a bit in the middle while the story arcs are sorted out.
* The LGBTQ romance. It's a surprisingly sweet side story and you'll root for the couple, but they don't exactly get a happy ending and it's a little too close to the bury-your-gays trope for comfort.
Interesting Things:
* It's screenwriter Sung Cho Yi's only Kdrama and was loosely inspired by the UK espionage thriller Killing Eve.
* Lee Young Ae took an extended break after her role as FL in Jewel in the Palace (2003). Samdaing (2017) and Inspector Koo (2021) are her only lead roles since.
A thriller with four FLs front and center is rare both in and outside of Kdrama, and IK pulls it off with aplomb. Recommended if you enjoyed other FL-centric thrillers like Killing Eve or Orphan Black, prefer a healthy dose of black comedy in a high-stakes story and don't mind a few question marks at the end.
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Amazing, exciting until the end
I can only recommend this show. I clicked on it on Netflix, not expecting anything, and it turned out as one of my favorite tv shows ever. The story, the acting, and the overall vibe really got me hooked and I could easily watch it until the end without feeling bored or underwhelmed. It doesn't matter if you watch it in one sit or just an episode per day or week, it really works well either way. Dark comedy is the right genre. It's smart, it's exciting, and it surprisingly made me feel good while watching it because it wasn't too gloomy or sad.SMALL SPOILER!
The protagonist and antagonist were both interesting to watch and you couldn't really decide who you want to root for. I love shows with a good antagonist and main characters that are not too innocent or good, to the point where you get annoyed by them. But that didn't happen at all.
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Female Sherlock Homes
The story and acting were terrific. It keeps you on your toes from the start till the end of each episode. However, there were many times I felt so frustrated that I wished to drop it. I lost count of how many times they lost K. But then again, wanting to see how the story would unfold kept me going. However, it's disappointing that they didn't show in detail Inspector Koo's husband's story. Even Santa-ssi background seemed rushed. Some parts were unrealistic, which I didn't expect from this drama. The Dark Comedy was another highlight of it.Both Lee Young Ae and Kim Hye Joon did an outstanding job. It was my first time watching Lee Young Ae's drama. And there is no doubt that she is an exceptional actress. I would love to see her more in the future.
I think the drama could have been better. The story seemed to be all over the place, but at the same time, all the puzzle pieces matched perfectly. Many may relate to K. However, if you think from another perspective, you would question, 'Does all evils deserve to die? Do they?'
I wish there was another season with a deeper and darker story. But a wish is a wish. I don't think we are gonna get another one. In short, anyone who enjoys investigation, dark comedy, and psychology must watch it.
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Best of investigative drama in 2021
Inspector Koo is surprisingly wierd, dark and one of the fine investigative dramas i have watched this year. MDL ratings did put me off from this drama for a while, but boy was i surprised when i started watching it. There is nothing much to complain about the drama as i honestly enjoyed whole way.Firstly, have to praise the actors. It was perfection. Kim Hye Jun as K caught my eye. She was brilliant and did her role as a quirky dark character excellently. Well, for some reason I wanted her to escape everytime coz i loved her acting in this. Not to mention the other actors, Lee Young Ae aced her role as inspector koo. The chemistry between K and Koo was something i absolutely enjoyed. Everytime they were in the frame, it was just a mix of fantastic acting.
The story was really well written and the fact that it was 12 episodes made it tight. It was fun, dark, quirky and a thriller at the same time. The OSTs blended well with the pace of the drama. The cinematography really catches your eye and the animations in between added a lot of dimensions and quirkiness to the drama.
Inspector Koo is surely a drama which i thought would be average when i started, but stand corrected. It is a really enjoyable watch and one of the top dramas in 2021.
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Fresh and interesting
Nice drama.. well scripted.. bit slow and dry in between but then catches speed in the ending episodes.Strong female lead. Evil female character is also done well. Thank you for the nice drama. 👍
The detective female and Santa along wid the female sidekick..not just them.but all characters have an actual role with an actual purpose... That is what I liked the most out of this drama.
The drama has a fresh take on production, story-telling, mindset and thought process on direction of the drama and also, has faired well as far as the resultant output is concerned.
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Good Enough
Korean Drama "Inspector Koo" has a truly dynamic duo. Though, to be fair, Miss Koo herself is a delightful mess. But K too was intriguing and a complex character that, alas, was not well explored and left half baked in the end.But, first thing first. The main story is pretty entertaining, filled with action, and with an interesting take when it came to explaining the events in a theatrical way. However, things got bleak quickly and overcomplicated towards the ending.
The two leading ladies, on the other hand, were incredible together. They had chemistry and their interactions were something to look forward in each episode, other than their individual arcs. The other side characters were interesting as well, not matching the main leads, but being fairly complex themselves.
Finally, the performances were all enjoyable and great by everyone.
So, overall, 7 out of 10.
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Inspector Koo is another Sherlockian wannabe, but is that a bad thing?
Story:Inspector Koo follows a middle-aged reclusive woman with the typical Sherlockian characteristics as she, and her subordinates, follow the trail of a serial killer. The serial killer is made obvious and introduced from the start, creating a cat-and-mouse game that antagonises the audience for 12 episodes. Although there are several issues with this story, including how erratic some aspects of the plot felt, it was still relatively enjoyable. This kdrama is possibly the best definition of a dark comedy/thriller-comedy that I have seen, coming near to The Killer's Shopping List (which I feel is a better show).
I found most scenes to be visually intense or enjoyable, but the actual plot itself got seriously complex in the later episodes, enough so that it started to create more questions that need answering. This is the issue when the screenwriters try to write a plot that includes everyone or adds depth to character.
Inspector Koo, the main character of the show, has spent the last 5 years as a recluse due to her husband's suicide. However, I felt like more scenes with the husband (and Koo) in the past should have been included to give more access for the audience. There was a constant incomplete picture, which of course, added mystery, but I was no longer left questioning things and instead was forced to let it play out.
I will admit however that I am incredible pleased with the varied characterisation of the characters. Koo is not a police officer (although was one formerly) and instead works for a life insurance company. Although, this detail becomes lax in the later episodes when they decided to focus on the serial killer.
By Episode 10, I felt that the drama was going in a direction away from how it started. The show is brilliant in the first few episodes. There was a constant need to create tension, dramatics, comedy and a bit of mystery, fed on by introducing more and more characters but giving them too much control of the scenes.
Additionally, the biggest issue is the deduction of the crimes and plausibility. In comparison to other crime shows, Inspector Koo has an atmosphere of "knows it all but has no proof" which is incredible but also increasingly frustrating, especially given the reckless route Koo seeks to catch the serial killer, K.
And finally, K's aunt and K's backstory weren't handled as strongly as they could have been. I felt that there was a shift from the seriousness of K's behaviour to it being bizarre and interpersonally comedic. This drama could have been written better but it came off strongly plotwise due to outside factors like direction, production and visual fxs.
Acting/Cast:
I seriously enjoyed the cast they had here. It was female-dominated, and it almost felt refreshing to watch a drama without the male narrative.
Lee Young Ae captured the sloppiness of Koo to a T. The slurps after drinking, messy hair and dry skin. There was a very depiction of a reckless woman who is unable to take care of herself.
Kim Hye Joon is going places with her excitingly psychopathic depiction of K. In fact, the first few episodes are a cinematic masterpiece in terms of highlighting her character. There is one scene in Episode 2 where K goes clubbing but she dances on the club floor alone while people stay far away from her.
Santa's character was homely and hugely expressive due to his lack of words in the drama. Although, he still remains a mystery.
Music:
Holy Shit. The music for this show... it deserves some serious praise. 10/10
There are so many songs that fit the theme of the show as well as the intense, comedic or sad scenes that it plays over for. No song is out of place and are so melodic and appropriately fitted into the background that it doesn't stand out or eclipse the actor's words.
Rewatch Value:
Unlike other shows where the killer is revealed in the last show, Inspector Koo sets it out from the beginning who the serial killer is and makes notable comparisons between K and Koo. Therefore, the rewatch value of this show hasn't plummeted too much.
It's a visual masterpiece that almost moved me to tears with some scenes, and I would genuinely consider rewatching it in a few months time when I've forgotten most of the scenes etc. The characters and their dynamics in the show, particularly the cute nature of Santa, make it appealing.
Overall:
Inspector Koo is one of those shows that might appear messy to the outside eye, which in hindsight, it can be given the complexity of the plot in the later episodes. It works well to embody comedy and thriller together and creating a protagonist that you will not necessarily like but learn to tolerate.
A few issues with the show come from spoiler-ish details that feel like a shock factor trying to make the final episode more intense. I'll list them down below. Apart from that, I genuinely enjoyed this show as a fresh breath of air because it alternates from psychopathy to comedy fluidly. That and the OST which really helped me sit down and watch peacefully.
From a logical perspective, nothing in this show makes sense. From the fact that life insurance inspectors can investigate a serial killer to the fact that the serial killer is a college student who we have never seen in college nor have we seen work and yet she has an abundance of technical knowledge and finances.
If you enjoy a good ol' crime show but with a hint of comedy then watch this.
***SPOILERS***
- Director Yong locking up K made no sense apart from a flat storyline to conveniently keep K locked up while Koo and the others work.
- Santa's background reveal in the final episode didn't feel needed.
- There was still no explanation about what the black bat dolls are.
- Several of the details in the show point to a Season 2.
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