The King of Pigs (2022)

When the victim becomes the perpetrator.

Can trauma and growing up in a toxic environment excuse someone’s awful actions? If yes, then no one is guilty in this show. From my perspective, this show quite well presents how a person can be both the victim and the perpetrator and society should make sure not to ignore their tragic past while also acknowledging their horrific actions in the present and punishing them for them.

This is not a story about righteous characters - there are no heroes. With how dramatic and excessive everyone’s actions were, it’s hard to even call them gray. It’s a journey into madness. It presents an interesting dilemma - up till which point a person is a victim that needs help, and when exactly can we see them as perpetrators that need to be stopped and punished? Can you still be called a victim if you yourself create more victims?

Not gonna lie, what started as a “fun revenge story”, ended on a bitter note, and I’m not mad about it. I thought it’s going to be a “put morality on the shelf, turn off your brain and enjoy some bullies getting their punishment” type of a deal, but the further into the story I went, the more it made me think about it and how complex of an issue bullying is. Bullies themselves are often victims of either bullying by upper classmates or abuse at home. So here’s the question - if their actions were not excused in the drama based on their circumstances, why would we excuse what the main character did?

One thing to keep in mind - the ending might leave a bad taste in your mouth, but I think it’s fitting the story, even though it fills me with rage. And the literally last sequence of scenes broke my heart.

It’s a story of the friends trio - Kyungmin, Jong Suk and Cheol. All complex, all raw and interesting. And then there is Jin Ah. Why she exists in the show is beyond me. Clearly the story could have been told without adding her, as she is not a character in the original animation. Her being the good cop, moral one just does not fit the mood of the drama. Not to mention, the whole investigation plot line was simply ridiculous and boring. I found her to be rather obnoxious, flip flopping between following the rules and playing the proper cop, to ignoring the rules when the show needed that, but still acting like a voice of reason.

All the supporting characters were rather one dimensional, but they played their roles well and created the cohesive picture of the world presented. That said, one of the issues I had with the show was how extreme it went. It’s not exactly a realistic portrayal of school bullies as adults - everyone was either awful or went on a guilt trip that dominated their whole life. I guess the closest to a more typical story was the first victim/bully, which for me was the most questionable.

The acting was great. The two performances that stood out for me the most were Kim Sung Gyu and Choi Hyun Jin. Hyun Jin, this child - he has a bright future ahead of him. His performance also led to Cheol being my favorite character. The actor is only 14, but I could feel the pain, desperation, sadness, glimpses of hope and happiness in him. It was all so well delivered, I will for sure check any of his future projects.

Production wise, I appreciate how they did not shy away from creating truly gory scenes (yes, they were blurred, but with all the horrors I have seen, my imagination kicks in fast). Some of the pictures created were just hitting hard emotionally. The pig and wolf masks were truly detailed and creepy. Honestly speaking, I have zero complaints about the production. Maybe sometimes the scenes were a little bit too dark, so it was hard to see what was actually happening.

Overall, it’s a great drama that could have been amazing if they did not decide to add Kang Jin Ah and her whole investigation side of the plot. Still, I was interested till the end and in a strange way, I was satisfied with the ending, even though it felt a little bit half assed.

Trigger warnings: school bullying, abuse, sexual harassment, blood, gore, psychological abuse, animal abuse, and probably many more. I would not call it a safe drama for the majority of people, so be warned.

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One of the Best Thriller Kdramas Ever

Literal perfection omg. The child cast did such an amazing job v talented and the main leads were perfect. Loved everything hated that jong suk got to die a hero after what he did. I get that he went thru alot but so did cheol. He never saw cheol as a kid just like him but as a savior but cheol was only a kid who had to go through sm at a young age but was still willing to live just so he could be with his mom. I will never forgive jong suk for killing him. Cheol might have been hyunmin's hero but Hyun min was a loyal friends and I'm glad he got revenge for his friend.

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The epitome of K-dramas

The absolute best, it was such an overwhelming acting, and all characters had so much depth, everything is amazing! It's heavy — the constant "rated 18" on the left top corner ain't there for decoration —, but not meaninglessly, it is not only used in the right amount to avoid being a gore-fest, but it is actually necessary for the story, all the violence is also very satisfying as it gives you time to dislike the characters. It 's greatness, true greatness, what a show.
The emotional weight it puts on you is heavy on its own as well, it's not a simple story, the story never stops deepening itself, on the present AND on the past . Also, the child actors? Insane job. Not insane for a kid, for any age, they did such an amazing job. The show is, there aren't enough adjectives to explain this. Perfect, no flaws.
Extremely coherent as well, there are no plot holes, you might think "this would never happen" but it's justified by the characters personalities, they build everything in a way that although it might seem unthinkable, it fits perfectly with what we already know about each individual and the whole of the story, so really, not one single thing I could complain about on this one.

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This drama was very unsatisfying for me. It started out great but became more and more disappointing with each episode.
It is definitely not an entertaining drama or even an investigative or psychological drama. This drama tackles the difficult subject of school violence and the theory that violence begets violence. While the idea of the series is commendable, the execution is too heavy-handed. I felt like someone was non-stop hitting me over the head with a hammer saying that violence is bad. I think it would have made a bigger impression and had a bigger effect on me if I had been able to like one of the characters and started to notice how much the violence had left its mark on his personality and character. If someone actually, preferably a psychologist, had explained to the policeman and the viewers about the far-reaching effects of being subjected to violence, about trauma, about PTSD, etc., I would have liked to have seen the effect. Meanwhile, this drama may even encourage retaliation, as the last episode actually suggests. To me, The King of Pigs is a brutal tale of brutality with little room for real reflection.
I appreciated the music, which was quite original for a drama. Heavy rock is not something you often see in the credits. The acting? Ok, but for a k-drama it wasn't anything extraordinary. Rather standard.
Worth watching again? I'm not going to torture myself with violence, and there wasn't a nuance that left me uncomfortable, not a single scene that I'd want to see again

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No Dark Deed Goes Unpunished

Trigger warning: This series contains scenes of heavy violence, bullying, and abuse.

The story revolves around two men: Kyung Min, who, due to certain circumstances, begins to remember the trauma of being a victim of school bullying. This recollection sparks a deep thirst for revenge and retribution, leading to a series of mysterious serial killings. Meanwhile, Detective Jong Suk, Kyung Min’s childhood friend and also a victim of school violence, finds himself tied to these vengeful murders.

The core of this drama is tragic. It explores the origins of school violence and bullying, which remain prevalent in modern society. The show doesn’t shy away from the darker side of human nature, delving into physical, sexual, and mental abuse that these children endured, often under the watchful eye of teachers and parents who either turned a blind eye or participated in it. The narrative is not easy to stomach, yet it’s compelling and hard to look away from.

The production and script are outstanding. Each episode keeps you hooked, especially when the story delves into the past through powerful flashbacks. As new perpetrators and shocking twists are revealed, the pace keeps you on the edge of your seat. The series also dives deep into the concept of revenge—a theme explored in many thrillers, but here it feels particularly gripping. The show effectively questions the justice system, showing how it often fails to provide true justice, leaving many to take matters into their own hands.

The actors deliver exceptional performances, particularly in their portrayal of Kyung Min’s desperate pursuit of justice and Jong Suk’s refusal to confront his past. The tension and emotions are palpable, drawing you into their struggle. This is a series that will make you think long after the credits roll. However, it is not for the faint of heart. If you're a fan of psychological crime and Korean revenge thrillers, this show will resonate deeply, but it’s not recommended for those sensitive to heavy themes.

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Its MUST to watch

I cant stop thinking about this show and how amazing are actors. Just wow... I really like the whole story and the plot. The actors delighted me. They've done a great job with all of their appearance. Choi is such a good actor. It deserves more attention. Like a character in a drama deserves better
I recommend it to anyone who likes to watch mystery and crime. There are not many disturbing scenes. But it's definitely tragic. I can say that I cried watching it.
You won't regret it.
Also..
The music in the background is very much in tune with the events and characters

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Brutally good

One of the best things I have seen in quite some time.
Raw, devastating, complex, beautiful, unflinching, a masterpiece.

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Less action-oriented than Weak Hero, more character-driven, slower, more real. Exudes a darkness so substantial, an edgy gloom, a tone so deeply depressing it almost equals "No Longer Human". For mature audiences or those who can handle the trauma inflicted in the drama as well as on the viewer. Adults are notably absent here, in a way adults are absent in Stephen King's "It".

A clear-eyed look at school bullying, its consequences and all the harsh realities that come with it even into adult age. There are a lot of revenge dramas out there but this is one of the few where the revenge feels justified. Deeply wounded, flawed, complicated main characters looking for a way to cope in circumstances that leave seemingly no way out.

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If You Are True Thriller Mystery Fan, Then Don't Miss It

✅THE BEST THRILLER DRAMA OF 2022

REVIEW: DAMN WHAT A RIDE!

- An Intense And Gripping Edge Of The Seat From Start To Finish, Not A Single Scene Is Boring, Each Scene, Each Episode Shocks You, Rage You Up, Tears You Up, A Brilliantly Written Revenge Crime Thriller Drama With A Lot Of Satisfying Moments

All The Casts Are Awesome.. Specially The Acting Of Child Actors Is Just INCREDIBLE! Especially 'Choi Hyun Jin' As Kim Chul, He Just Killed

– If You Like Mystery, Thriller + Serial/Psycho Killer Type.. Then This Is a Definitely MUST WATCH

⚠️It Has a Lot Of BLOOD BOILING Moments⚠️

My Rating: 8.9/10

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Arguably the best thriller of 2022 (so far)

Wow... what can I say... This drama just shot up to one of my all time fave dramas. It hooks you in right off the bat and leaves you wanting more. Not a second wasted on useless filler scenes and everything that happens is pivotal to the plot. The school bullying scenes can be hard to stomach and are fairly graphic, even by western standards. But thanks to that, it helps make the revenge scenes all the more satisfying. Pacing, cinematography and soundtrack are all top notch and I dare say close to perfection. Acting is absolutely PHENOMENAL from every character and really major props to the teenage actors for being able to carry such heavy roles convincingly.

Only gripes are the strange plot developments that occur in ep 10, where no one, except Lieutenant Kang thought to investigate Kyung Min's registered properties. She waltzes in conveniently to his hideout, with all his revenge plans and diaries out for display. Despite all the easily accessible evidence, she does not call for backup and instead starts browsing through his diaries on the spot. It was truly a WTF moment because everything that had occurred so far was all fairly logical (or as logical as possible in kdrama world) and this moment truly threw me off. Another gripe was the scene where she managed to confront Jong Suk at the hospital and basically confirms that he is out for blood. Instead of trying to stop him, she brandishes a gun but doesn't do anything further. He literally tells her to stop being a busybody and leaves, leaving her looking extremely aggrieved. ?!?! Cmon girl... this is probably the lowest effort confrontation by a police officer ever. Lieutenant Kang is the show's least developed character (she has 0 character development) and her existence just serves to help the audience uncover the truth. I saw some comments that complained about her character but I wasn't too bothered by her (other than those ridiculous scenes that I mentioned above). She is the typical cold, stubborn, headstrong detective archetype in kdramas so I can see why her character was not well liked. If they had tried to develop her character more (and removed those strange scenes) I would honestly give this drama a 10/10.

Overall, this is as close to a masterpiece thriller as possible. I liked that the ending wasn't all sun and roses, with everyone living "happily ever after". The final throwback scene to happier childhood days really drove home the point of how trauma can affect one's whole life. This drama is an extremely heavy one, and the central topic of school bullying is widely relatable. There are no filler comedic scenes whatsover, so only watch if you are able to stomach through 12 episodes of almost constant violence/death. With that said, you should not miss this if you enjoy thriller dramas. It's literally one of THE best (if not the best) out there.

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Amazing but not for the faint-hearted

This was genuinely a tough watch because the subject matter revolves around school bullying and assault. There is also a lot of gore and violence depicted so it might be hard to watch the first 4 episodes of the series. It gets better after that as the bulk of the worst forms of violence is over.

This is a revenge drama that follows a series of murders committed by a victim of school bullying, Hwang Kyung Min, as an adult shortly after he was suspected of killing his wife. Kyung Min, leaves messages for his school friend, now a police officer, Jung Jong Suk at his crime scenes inviting him to join him. Thus the detective becomes part of the investigation and provides insight into who the potential victims can be. With every episode we are taken to flash backs to experience the intense violence and humiliation that was faced by Hwang Kyung Min for being of lower social status than the rest of the class. At the time, he was befriended by Jung Jong Suk who eventually started to stand up to his friend's bullies and faced their wrath.

The story is intense and gripping. As a viewer, you will find yourself rooting for the main lead as he seeks his revenge. There is another mysterious character introduced and with each episode you understand their relevance to the story. The ending was incredible and unexpected! I hope people are not put off with the gore and make it through to the end. It'll be worth it.

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Do you have to become a monster to fight a monster?

I started watching this drama randomly, I don't even know why.

I thought I would binge watch it but it was heavy, I had to take a break around ep 8 but I finally finished it and I think it's worth it. It's a really dark twisted drama that leaves an impression.

Hwang Min is a murderer but I still couldn't hate him as much as I hate his bullies. Jong Suk is a hypocrite, he turned out to be the same as the bullies. I guess all he wanted to do was to protect himself, I can't blame him for that, his life was hell, but he still sucks like everyone else even if he tries to put on the perfect policeman mask.

I like how we start out thinking Hwang Min is the bad guy and Jong Suk is the good guy but the more story goes, we see nothing is black and white. Both of them are equally bad.

Hwang Min took the dark path of revenge while Jong Suk never repented for what he did, he just forgot it and that hurts because it's like it never happened. I don't like how it was never revealed what he did but I understand why, if Hwang Min wanted to reveal it, it would be revealed.

My favorite scene was definitely when Jong Suk and Cheol are talking after Cheol decides he wants to live.
JS - You are the God. God has to save the weak.
C - What are you talking about? Who do I save? I couldn't even save my dad. I'm just a middle school student.
I feel like Jong Suk was more obsessed with Cheol's ideology than being his friend. He put Cheol on a pedestal and when Cheol no longer wanted to be on that pedestal, he did something extreme.

In a way Cheol indirectly made Jong Suk a monster and his ideology that you need to be a monster to fight a monster stuck with Jong Suk till the very end. Even if he forgot Cheol, he never let go of that.

The scene where all three of them are laying down actually made me tear up because they were finally together. If they weren't bullied, how would their lives go? They would live long lives and be friends but that was taken away from them.

The ending scene is what really got me, them smiling and then you remember how they ended up. It's just sad.

I recommend this drama but keep in mind, it got really dark, real fast.

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A Series that Will Never be Erased from Minds

It is one of the best dramas to have happened to the Korean drama industry. Too strong, too realistic, too tragic. It's not a series that anyone can handle but it is one of the most beautiful series that those who love this kind of series should definitely not miss. The series is actually such a heavy series in terms of its subject that I watched it over 4 days but I enjoyed every minute of it. I cried, I laughed, I was sad, I was happy. It's like every single one of them is a living character for me. I feel so sad and happy that I was able to discover this series. I am sad because the weight of this drama will always be somewhere in my heart. Many thanks to the animation screenwriter who adapted this series and to everyone who contributed to this series.

P.S.: All soundtracks of at the end of the episodes are masterpieces.

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