Gyeongseong Creature (2023)

No spoiler review : part one

Just binged part 1
I won’t lie at the beginning I was getting kinda disappointed as it didn’t live up to my expectations.
Some scenes were boring and dragged and the romance aspect didn’t mix too well here and there nevertheless it started to pick up its pace in the last few episodes which were interesting and tensed. However some parts didn’t make sense realistically, I won’t spill any spoilers but if you’ve watched the show then u might know what I mean but other than that
Ep seven where part one ends had a good ending cliffhanger so I am eager for part two as I hope it’ll be packed with action and drama.
Actors did an amazing job as always
The monster is not bad, it’s a bit predictable compared to the monsters in sweet home but that’s fine.
Anyways I’ll update my review after part two airs

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You sly dog! You caught me monologuing!

It's not monologuing that weighs down "Gyeonseong Creature" as much as it "dialoguing".

There's some very credible attributes of this drama and it deserves some accolades. The photography is terrific. The pyrotechnics and slow-motion shots are stunning. There's a few low light scenes in the countryside that are jawdropping. The score is solid. The wardrobing, at least to this layman's level of expertise, is exquisite.

There's some solid supporting characters and actors . Jo Han Chul, in particular, is as good here as he has ever been. There's several great actors that just don't have the character depth unfortunately though. The talents of Im Ki Hong, Im Chul Soo and Ok Ja Yeon are almost completely wasted. For the villainry, Kim Su Hyun and Hyun Bong Sik and Choi Young Joon all play extremely terrible and awful monsters. But then there's a lengthy list of other wrongdoers and each time one of them absorbs any of the focus, it detracts from developing the main antagonists.

And there's plenty of bloat all around. Kim Hae Sook is listed as a lead but there's no need for the character to appear at all. Wi Ha Joon disappears for vast stretches and when he is visible, is bland and forgettable.

As for the leads, when given the opportunity to showcase their strengths, they deliver. Han So Hee and Park Seo Joon deliver in the action set pieces and exhibit all the grim resolve a viewer can handle when things get dark. Sadly, these moments aren't enough.

While the structure of the show is compelling, the ground-level narrative is twisted so badly with unnecessary side- and back-tracks, incomprehensible gaps in plausibility (the ventilation shaft that literally holds an entire squadron of soldiers is particularly laughable), interminable stretches where the highlight of the program, The Creature, is forgotten and, egad, the dialogue! The production team apparently thought nothing of stopping gunfights and melees and action to have some of the most saccharine and cliche and dull exchanges between characters. Of what had most likely been hundreds of pages of script, they needed to be reordered on a wholesale basis and almost every line rewritten. This was a concept that begged for a brief backstory up front and then a deep and long and uninterrupted dive in to a suffocating, claustrophobic, dark and forbidding place. Instead, "Gyeonseong Creature" is a tedious mess.

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Forced chemistry but good story

Gyeonseong creature takes us back to one of the hardest and struggling phase of Korean history and mixed it with an appealing sci-fi plot and created a perfect recipe for mass entertainment. ( Read summary for plot you will get the basic idea) From cinematography to cast everything is well thought and I am sure it was something that people who are sucker for some more 'stranger things' and 'sweet home' would like to watch.
First episode started with a bang especially the opening that already set the tone for the drama and you will find yourself at the edge of your seat from the suspense and the horrifying things that the army was doing to create their biological weapons and the tension between the two countries and then we are introduced to our main leads. FL: Cold, bold and have a mysterious aura. ML- Typical perfect, rich, know it all character but obviously with a difficult past. I love both of them however the more I loved their scenes separately I did not find myself feeling any chemistry between them whenever they were together. Even in the first meeting, that chemistry building looked very forced ( some people might not agree with me). That slow motion scene just took me out of a perfect action moment that was going so well. ( very typical Kdrama scene). I do not know why but ML is one of my favourite actors but here I just couldn't feel anything for his character same goes for FL. Like I really couldn't connect with his or her character throughout. I had nothing to watch so I continued watching it. I don't think this show needed romance arc but it garners more audience with that subject matter so why not... anyways that is just my opinion. The creature created good suspense in the beginning but the moment they showed it...it wasn't really that much frightening tbh. The mother and daughter arc was really good though and I really enjoyed the performance of all the side characters . And they could have explored their characters a lot more but they remained just side characters. There will be a second season and it remains to be seen how it will turn out. Overall it was a good drama no doubt but predictable after some time. Not much for a re-watch but yes definitely a one time watch for sure.

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A historically pertinent car ride that's uncertain about what it wishes to be

Quick appraisal: it was okay, not bad, not great. On a superficial and technical level, my impression is that Han So Hee's acting was honestly pretty good, while for Park Seo Joon it was not his best work. I think the scientist antagonist is the most interesting character: he has an unusual motivation by k-drama standards, but considering the heavily implied allusions to Unit 731 and the parallels to the figurehead of that operation Shiro Ishii, it's not unexpected in this context. Editing was hit and miss, occasionally a little too choppy though thankfully not so frenetic as to be dizzying.

Soundtrack is jarringly modern and anachronistic considering the historical material and setting. I feel like the romance was not entirely necessary, there's a theme of loyalty and duty that runs through the series and the dynamic of the main characters could have operated purely underneath the same umbrella to better results.

There is so much tonal whiplash within even the first 10 minutes of the first episode. Because the subject matter is so necessarily grim and horrific that the unceremonious segues into classic k-drama comedy with Park Seo Joon's character are kind of uncanny. Perhaps that's why his casting has received as much criticism as it has? I don't even think his acting is weak but the way his character is written and intended to act in the broader context of the series feels a bit misplaced.

The most rewarding aspect of the show is how they don't bat an eye at nor downplay the atrocities committed in the name of medical/scientific exploration by Japan in World War 2. The visuals are unbelievably grim at points which is why its unfortunate that there are so many detractingly blithe stylistic choices - the music, the atmosphere, the acting, the comedy - that dissent from this critical element. The series also plays with tension well but this is compromised on occasion by some frustratingly blatant plot armor and deus ex machina to keep the protagonists chugging along.

As a thriller and rom com, this is an underwhelming, unevenly concocted but serviceable work. As a historical expose, it manages well to convey the dread and barbarity that the topic necessitates. 6.5/10 for me.

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This uh... It's like a mixture of a lot of things

I don't feel like the supposed main couple has even a little chemistry, sorry, they really fell in love instantly and don't even look good together.
I think the beginning is too slow for my taste, I feel like they tried to establish the characters, but none of them are interesting enough to capture my attention or sympathy.

The story has potential, especially with the Japanese invasion theme, but I feel it is wasted and handled very poorly. It's identical to every other story of the style, I already knew what was going to happen in each chapter before it happened, the dialogues for some reason feel awkward. I was bored out of my mind while watching it, but my friend forced me to watch it to the end.

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Too many unnecessary scene

I would have given it a higher rating if they cut out all the "romance" scene altogether. It's just too much and so unnecessary. They just had to, don't they?! What a waste of screentime. Man and Woman can work together without romance, you know l, why can't writers get that!! Instead of putting those unconvincing romance, they should've focused more on the angst and internal conflicts of the characters. It's also lacking on the action scenes, it's very slow paced. Too many prolonged dialogue and blank stare. Also, I can't stand the FL, she's too stubborn and not too bright, not very convincing as a 'famous todugun". The synopsis must be wrong LOL

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Mysterious and captivating historical adventure

Plot and Concept

The series revolves around the uncovering of a brutal secret experiment on humans, the liberation of prisoners in a hospital, and the confrontation with the Kenson entity.

Unlike typical zombie apocalypses, this story emphasizes scientific experiments, making the plot particularly intriguing.

The storyline touches on important themes: maintaining humanity in the fight for survival, life under occupation, political resistance and the people's liberation movement, corruption, torture, chauvinism, the value of human life, the ethics of science, love, personal tragedies, and loss.

The story unfolds logically and steadily, without major plot holes. The characters face challenges, evolve, and make difficult decisions. The plot begins with the mysterious hospital’s activities, then the protagonists meet, head to the epicenter of events, encounter the military and the consequences of experiments, fight for survival, overcome trials, escape from the hospital, but are forced to return to finish what they started.

Particularly impressive scenes include:

— the attempt to tame the monster, battles,
— cold weapon killings,
— the moment when Chae-ok kills Ichiro,
— Chae-ok rescuing Choi Yeong-wan,
— Chae-ok and her father surrounded by soldiers,
— the explaination what Seishin is,
— Taesan subduing the monster with nitrogen,
— scenes of Mr. Chan caring for Chae-ok,
— arson, Kwon and Gappen’s torture,
— the conversation between Kato and Chae-ok,
— as well as the emotional ending.

Characters and Acting

Main characters: Yoon Chae-ok and Jang Taesan.

Chae-ok has spent years dreaming of finding her mother. She tries to save her until the very end. She is detached and cold because she lacked the warmth her mother once gave. Gradually, through Taesan, she learns to accept care and realizes she needs someone to share her joys and sorrows. Before meeting Mr. Chan, she is lonely and has to go through hell. She takes a dangerous action at the end despite doubts and her attachment to Taesan, knowing she wouldn’t forgive herself for missing the chance to take revenge for the crimes committed against her people.

Taesan is a hedonist and cynic, avoiding politics and living one day at a time. He has no higher purpose and doesn’t chase ideals. But meeting Chae-ok changes him: she is independent, strong, intelligent, cautious, and determined. While material values used to matter most to him, she becomes the meaning of his life. He realizes he can help others, saves the test subjects, and begins to appreciate and value those around him.

The characters are well-developed and relatable. Perhaps there could have been even more depth, but this is compensated by the strong focus on the concept of inhumane experiments.

Park Seo-joon and Han So-hee did an excellent job in their roles.

Park Seo-joon already stood out in Itaewon Class, where he also played a character who lost a parent and managed a business. His character there had a strong sense of justice, which is also present in Jang Taesan.

Han So-hee perfectly fits the role of Chae-ok: after My Name, where her character was also driven by personal tragedy and possessed combat skills, this role suits her flawlessly.

I believed in their smiles, the glimmers of hope in the dark world of occupied Joseon, and the tears shed over the characters’ fates. The fight scenes looked realistic—without exaggerated invincibility of the protagonists, making their journey even more compelling.

Directing and Visual Style

Overall, the series employs standard visual techniques:

— Rule of thirds,
— Symmetry (highlighting the order imposed by the occupying forces),
— Centering,
— Leading lines (enhancing focus on the object and creating drama),
— Backlighting (forming silhouettes and adding mystery),
— Low angles (making the subject appear imposing),
— High angles (emphasizing vulnerability),
— Color contrast,
— Depth of frame (reflections, shadows, surrounding objects),
— Extreme compositional choices (creating a sense of isolation and tension),
— Natural framing.

The actors deliver deep emotional performances, conveying their characters' fear, despair, and determination. Their movements and interactions are meticulously coordinated, especially in combat scenes, enhancing the realism.

Scenes featuring the monster and the experiments on the Joseon people feel real, thanks to high-quality graphics.

Different filming techniques are used to set the scene’s mood:

— Static shots (mostly in dialogues),
— Dynamic camera work in fight scenes to create a sense of chaos and danger,
— Slow zoom-ins on characters’ faces to emphasize their inner turmoil,
— Panoramic city views to showcase the scale and atmosphere of the era.

Lighting plays a key role in setting the atmosphere:

— Warm lighting in scenes with the Japanese elite highlights their privileged status,
— Cold, dim tones in scenes with Joseon people reflect their oppression,
— High-contrast lighting creates tension in scenes with the creature, intensifying the horror.

Costumes—kimonos, dresses, tuxedos—reflect the characters’ social status and national identity, emphasizing the cultural differences between the Japanese and Koreans. The set design—lanterns, signs, building facades—carefully recreates the atmosphere of 1940s occupied Joseon.

Sound design enhances the emotional impact of scenes:

— Ominous music during the creature’s appearances heightens fear,
— Silence in key moments builds tension and focuses attention on events,
— Sound effects—creaking doors, footsteps, whispers—add realism and immerse the viewer in the series' world.

Script and Dialogues

I found the dialogues engaging and non-trivial. Every character’s actions are meaningful and logically woven into the story.

The most striking metaphor in the dialogues is undoubtedly "Until the cherry blossoms fall." The moments that stood out to me the most were:

— The dialogue between Taesan and Maeda about betrayal by loved ones,
— The conversation between Kwon and Taesan about the value of money,
— The talk between Taesan and Chae-ok about remembering the other if one of them dies,
— Chae-ok’s monologue about how her mother taught her to make figures out of string.

The romantic storyline felt somewhat underdeveloped—it could have been explored in greater depth with more attention.

Music and Soundtrack

The music is well-chosen: tense scenes are accompanied by minor compositions that enhance the atmosphere. However, there are few melodies for joyful moments, though this is justified—the series rarely creates a lighthearted mood, focusing on other aspects instead.

I particularly liked FOREVER by SUHO, which plays during the credits. In romantic scenes, Time by Baek A fits perfectly. The opening track by Choe Jeong In sets an appropriately dark and tense mood. The main theme by Choe Jeong In perfectly complements the anxious and dramatic atmosphere of the series, while To. my Daughter by Choe Jeong In plays during sad but steady moments, emphasizing their emotional depth.

Overall Impression and Emotions

After watching, I was left with the feeling of a mysterious and captivating historical adventure. I felt like an invisible observer standing beside the protagonists in the harsh military reality of their world.

I genuinely cared about the characters and wanted to protect them from all dangers. I didn’t cry much—I rarely do, even in melodramas—but the powerful moments deeply moved me. The major twist involving Seishin and the scene where Taesan reunites with Chae-ok after returning from the hospital left the strongest impression.

I already want to rewatch the series and would gladly recommend it to friends.

Final Rating

I would confidently rate this series 10/10.

I highly recommend it to anyone who values an engaging plot and intense atmosphere. And for those who love sci-fi and spectacular fight scenes, this series will be especially enjoyable.

I’m almost done with the second season now. I like it a little less than the first, but it still maintains a high level of quality.

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Evil and Gore

Well this was bloody, very bloody and kind of gross most of the time... between the gore and the blood there was also a pretty good story about oppression, control, fighting the power, putting blame where it belongs and even a hint of completely unrealistic love...

Teaching us viewers once again that all ll is not fair in love and war.


There are a few slightly annoying characters but over all Id say the characters where decently portrayed, some lacked depth. There are some plot holes here and there, not as many as holes in humans bodies but Id say those of you who remember the 1990s may find yourself remind of Bruce Willis. As the leads spend more time between walls than outside in the open as well as seem harder to kill than Bruce Willis in Die hard... There was alos a slight hint of Armageddon in this making me think even more of Bruce Willis in the 1990s....

That said both me and my husband kept pushing for that next episode button and where at times kept on our toes. So a pretty decent watch, making me look forward to season 2.

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