Kim Tae Ri does it again!
I'm reeling from the ending of this drama. I rarely post reviews of dramas anymore but here's the first one in 2023 that made me want to sit and type this out. This drama had times I was seriously creeped out, laughing, frustrated, lost and even sad. It's main theme is about greed and ultimately the price we pay for this deadly sin.PLOT:
I didn't quite get the synopsis of the drama and even the first episode made little sense to me. What attracted me to it was Kim Tae Ri and the reason why I stuck around was much more than that. The plot is investigative, creepy and very complex. While once we get to the climax, everything makes sense a lot of times I doubted whether the writer even knew what they wanted to ultimately write about or how they would go about resolving this absolutely intricate plot. The backstories seem frustrating in the beginning but ultimately that was the favourite part of the plot for me.
CHARACTERS:
This is a character-driven story. What happens in it from the beginning to the end are all choices that characters are actively making. It also makes you question about morals, sacrifices and what ultimately humanity is. What I love about the drama is that ultimately it shows that human beings are selfish to the core and the price we pay for our actions. At the same time, it contrasts with the fact that we - as selfish and scheming we are, are also creatures longing for love and acceptance. Sometimes we make choices for love or desire or sometimes we are aimlessly chasing the material world and fail to recognize the beauty of life around us.
ACTING:
Not much to say here. Kim Tae Ri absolutely nailed her role and I also loved the supporting cast. The actresses in the flashbacks did wonderful jobs as well. However what holds the drama together is surely Kim Tae Ri's performance and I am proud of the diversity in the projects she picks for herself.
ENDING:
A rather simple but realistic ending. All's not always well even if it ends well. We still carry the pain and trauma we went through. We should be brave enough to carry on living rather than just surviving.
SPECIAL MENTION: I usually find knocking sounds quite scary and this drama just amplifies that. The props, set and the special effects were really impressive for a 12-episode drama.
OVERALL:
It's a must-watch. This drama goes beyond darkness and horror- it's ultimately about the story of humans and the way we live life. I must say it also says to appreciate the life we have and be more conscious of the way we continue to live in it. Kindness and peace goes a long way.
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Riveting and a Breath of Fresh Air!
Kim Tae Ri has done is again. She keeps proving what an excellent actress she is and I am enjoying all her projects. Revenant is a gripping thriller-horror series that is a must watch in 2023 if for no other reason then for Kim Tae Ri's performance.The opening theme starts off with a strong and creepy vibe and the story is a slow build up of the suspense. However, the pacing is good as so much is happening in each episode. The ghostly visuals are really a unique take on horror in the form of shadows. So if you are faint of heart, this show is still enjoyable.
Folklore professor Haesang, Gu Sanyoung and officer Lee Hongsae work together to discover the identity and the mystery surrounding the evil spirit that has possessed Gu Sanyoung and is going on a murder spree. They are forced to try and solve the mystery through bits of information that Sanyoung's father left behind, along with other clues they slowly collect along the way starting with the 5 mysterious objects related to the evil spirit.
The story is captivating and the series has a high production value thus making is visually appealing. Most enjoyable was the chemistry between Hongsae and Sanyoung despite this not being a romance series as well as the final episode.
The final reveal of the spirit's story is done in the last 3 episodes. But with the evil spirit always aware of their actions, it's a race against time to get ahead.
With 12 episodes, this series is not difficult to binge. You'll enjoy every moment of it.
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This review may contain spoilers
The best drama in 2023
Watching this drama reminds me of the drama Pinocchio, even though it's a different genre, the plot of this drama has similar stages. This drama really has a very neat plot and minimal plot holes. With 12 episodes of this drama, it manages to present the plot in each episode very well. The story given in each episode has a very consistent quality and is not one-sided. This drama is very intense and gets more intense and gripping with each new episode.The acting of the actors also deserves thumbs up. We have succeeded in getting into the story of each actor so that when these actors are in danger or even die, feelings of pain and sadness really feel as if we have known them for a long time. This drama is a horror genre, but I often cry when I'm watching this drama.
The message of this drama, which I think is very good. We can know that even though ghosts are evil, we can also see that humans can be even more evil than ghosts. Where greed is the real ghost. Greed is a trait that eats away at the human heart and turns it into a breathing ghost. This drama is very extraordinary depicting human greed for worldly things. Where all the problems in this drama are not born because of ghosts, but because of human greed. This drama also shows how dangerous it is if we can't love ourselves. How dangerous it is when we become people who hurt ourselves, blame, and hate ourselves. At least, among the many bad things and bad people in this world, don't let us become one of them. If the world is mean to us, at least we have to be good to ourselves.
I was really saddened by Sanyeong's character who suffered from the past, and how hard she lived all this time. How spacious her heart is to care for her mother who has severe trauma when she also has trauma. When she had been living not for himself, and when she wanted to live for himself suddenly she was diagnosed with a disease. I feel like I want to hug Sanyeong, wants me to tell him that all this time she has lived very well. I hope in the future she can walk on the flower path.
Actually, I'm one of Hongsae Sanyeong's team compared to Haesang Sanyeong. I don't know what the writer made, but for me from the beginning of the episode, I felt that Haesang was not someone who pursues worldly things. This is proven at the end of the episode by donating all of his family's assets to the community. So I think Haesang is not the typical person who wants to have a romance genre in his life. Not to mention that during my drama marathon, I avoided all spoilers, so I didn't know that this drama was divided into two teams. But my honest opinion looking at Haesang and Sanyeong, they both feel more like two unfortunate people who met each other. They both could feel feelings of sadness for each other that others couldn't easily feel. But the two don't depend on each other, more like when you fall, you will be relieved when you see other people also fall, then you laugh together. Well, at least we're not ashamed to be alone. That's how they both look to me.
Haesang is such a pitiful character, he is forced to pay for his entire extended family's sins. He seems to be forced to take responsibility for a sin he did not commit. But I think Haesang lives up to it. And another reason why I can't see Haesang and Sanyeong's relationship as romantic is that they both met because of a 'ghost' in common. Every time they met they only talked about ghosts, Haesang wasn't interested in Gu Sanyeong, but she was attracted by the evil spirit that clung to her body. Likewise, Sanyeong is not interested in Yeom Haesang, but he needs Haesang's help to get rid of the evil spirit from his body. From the beginning of the conversation, the two of them never discussed themselves with each other, they weren't too curious about each other's lives unless they had something to do with ghosts. So I feel their relationship is more like partners in crime. And that's interesting, I feel like this kind of platonic relationship must exist in the real world.
This is a little different from Hongsae, from the past, like Hongsae, he was amazed by Sanyeong, with her hardworking nature. Hongsae, who at first didn't really know Sanyeong, was able to distinguish the real Sanyeong and not at the end of the episode. We know that all this time apart from chasing evil spirits, Hongsae has also been paying attention to Sanyeong. Although I don't know if Sanyeong also feels the same way. But at the end of the episode, it can be seen that the two of them are talking about themselves, not about ghosts.
I think this is one of the hints that the two of them have started to open up to each other. When they started talking about themselves. I feel that Hongsae is interested in Sanyeong, but he appreciates Sanyeong who is still going through a hard time. I don't know what Sanyeong's feelings for Hongsae are like, but I can realize that Hongsae likes Sanyeong secretly. He doesn't need to have Sanyeong, he just wants to be someone who can take care of Sanyeong. I think this is a very interesting thing, where I can see pure love in dramas in the Horror genre. Hongsae knows that what Sanyeong needs right now isn't a lover, but serenity, so he always tries to be beside Sanyeong.
I feel this drama has a bittersweet ending. I'm sad for the character who died, but I'm also sad for the reason the spirit became an evil spirit. I can't explain how I felt when I finished watching this drama, I was relieved and happy but at the same time, I was also very sad and felt like crying. The writer really wrote this drama very well. I'm happy because the writer made this drama end with an open ending. Even though it's an open ending, all the problems in this drama have been resolved properly, so there's nothing that stands in the way of this drama. Everything is done, then we are left to our own imagination.
In my opinion, this is the best drama in 2023, the drama plot is very neat and has consistent quality in each episode. Minimal plot holes combine horror and mystery very well and are not too imaginative. It has a good story message, the story is also presented in a very interesting and not boring way. The acting of the actors is extraordinary and the feelings can be conveyed well to the audience.
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This review may contain spoilers
Love It
From the plot on each episode and how they went detail by detail to get known on how to get rid of the ghost is really fun to watch. Really love the acting from FL here I think she did a great job. And the story is also not boring with every episode has its own mystery to be solve. For the ending it was really sad even though I know it was a happy ending.Was this review helpful to you?
Reality...
Finally after many attempts I have completed this drama...it was in my watchlist for so long .This is my one of the favourite drama♥️of 2023....this dramas tells us how can a person can go to any extent to achieve what they want even if it means to kill a little kid in a name of sacrifice ...
The cast was perfect ....every cast has given their 💯 to their role which leads to this perfect drama.....
I just recommend to every kdrama fan who loves horror, thriller genre ...plz do watch this drama atleast one time ....it is perfect to binge watch especially at night 🤣.......
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Addictive is the right word for this drama!
Couldn't get enough of this drama. I love everything about it, the thrill is thrilling.I would love to watch the same cast again in another drama. Would also love for another part of the story.
Love. Love. Love.
Couldn't get enough of this drama. I love everything about it, the thrill is thrilling.
I would love to watch the same cast again in another drama. Would also love for another part of the story.
Love. Love. Love.
Couldn't get enough of this drama. I love everything about it, the thrill is thrilling.
I would love to watch the same cast again in another drama. Would also love for another part of the story.
Love. Love. Love.
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This review may contain spoilers
Humans are again scarier than ghosts/spirit
If you are looking for a thrilling story line with a touch of horror on the side, then this is the drama for you (Even me who dislike horror/thriller genre was able to watch it through the end).
The storyline itself was very interesting and intriguing. Although the ghosts are not as scary as normal horror drama but sure can still surprise you.
The plot twist was unexpected. Since the writer made the story like so, you’ll never expect the twist towards the end.
Firstly, a big round of applause to Kim Tae Ri’s acting (KTR). She portrayed her characters well (yes both her original and possessed characters). Her eyes, facial expression, movement, voice, her screams and way of talking were different between her own character and the ghost who possessed her. Sometimes we aren’t able to tell which. Her versatile acting really is beyond imagination. There’s a BTS scene where she was possessed and drank a whole 1.5 liter of water as a way of showing the thirst of the ghost that possessed her. She literally just drank it all in one go. That was amazing.
And what creeps me out was towards the last episode where it showed that the ghost has possessed her completely and tried to become her (but was blown off by her own mother). That acting was on point and scary at the same time. (I’ve seen someone being possessed before and can totally relate to that).
Oh Jung Se’s (OJS) acting was amazing. He often portrayed a playful comedic character so seeing him with serious face is another level of acting. He portrayed his character well. Especially love the part at the end where he wishes everyone to be happy and well.
Hong Kyung’s (HK) acting was on point as well. Although I haven’t see him in any other drama but his acting and portrayal of the character draws me in. The development of the character was also good. From a mere skeptic to a believer. His determination to get rid of the evil spirit got me wanting to see him more in the drama. Also, he has a soft spot for KTR’s character (San Young). Even though the writer didn’t write any romance in the drama but was able to feel Hong Sae (HK) affection and love to San Young (KTR).
Above all, it was a great thriller/horror drama in a while. I often avoid this kind of genre as I’m to scared watching it but this drama got me excited every week wanting to know more of the story. The ending was very satisfying with all the bad ones being punished and the good people try to move on with their lives. I wish they could show more of Hong Sae and San Young. Oh and the ghosts were not that scary like other horror dramas but they can be surprising at times.
Moral story of this drama that I get was that humans again are scarier than ghosts. Human’s greed and desire were what drives the ghosts/spirit to become evil. I realized this when watching the last episodes where San Young was fighting a ghost that turn out to be herself (she treated herself badly and lost motivation to live) but she gain courage to be stronger and love herself thus she was able to conquer the ghost and came out of the mirror world she was pushed to by the ghost.
Come and watch it yourself and hope you can enjoy this drama as much as I did.
Happy watching ^^
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Revenant, at times could be pretentious and a little try hard.
Personally, I don’t think the story got all that interesting until we got fully into the lore of the evil spirit and how we got to this point. They did the unraveling of the mystery of who the spirit was pretty well. I also appreciated how they highlighted that you can be a victim and not be a good person.Once we hit the ep.9 mark and everybody stopped acting like they were working on a secret side project and started working together, it picked up a little.
The drama also started some side stories that they didn’t conclude properly and for the most part, its purpose was to remind us of the drama’s main messaging(which it already wouldn’t let us forget)-that human nature is a greater evil than those creatures could ever be and as such, ghosts can only be as bad as the desires of the host they’re latched onto.
The scariest part of this drama for me were the eyes. The shaman lady’s eyes sent shivers down my spine every time I saw her. Kim Tae Ri did a really good job of showing that sort of insidious mirth in her eyes that made me want to look away. The young grandma as she looked through a child and saw only wealth. The look of glee in eyes that should not be filled with glee, filled me with dread.
Everything else(fear wise) could be attributed to good scoring. They did a good job with the music choice and pacing cause you know a thriller/horror is only as good as it’s scoring-the music tells you when to be scared and Revenant didn’t miss a beat (no pun intended)
Overall, it was a good watch. I can’t hype up Kim Tae Ri’s acting in this enough but she brought it🔥
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A Dragged-Out Slow-Burn Mystery with Too Little Payoff
Revenant was marketed as a gripping supernatural thriller, blending folklore, mystery, and horror. With a promising premise—a young woman possessed by an evil spirit and a professor who can see ghosts—the show had the potential to be a chilling masterpiece. However, what we got was a stretched-out narrative, a mediocre mystery, and an unsatisfying conclusion that made the 12-episode run feel unnecessarily long.Despite being labeled as a horror thriller, Revenant doesn't deliver on either front:
No Jump Scares, No Psychological Tension – The horror is purely atmospheric, but without truly frightening moments.
Mystery is Too Straightforward – It’s just a “collect-the-relics” quest without any deeper twists.
The Spirit is Underwhelming – There’s nothing truly terrifying about Hyang-yi, and her motivations feel shallow.
Had the show leaned more into psychological horror or intricate mythology, it could have been a standout in the genre. Instead, it plays it too safe, leaving the audience underwhelmed.
Revenant is a show that had potential but lacked execution. The premise was interesting, the performances were solid, and the eerie cinematography set the right mood. But the weak storytelling, slow pacing, and lack of real horror or twists made it feel like a stretched-out movie script forced into a 12-episode format.
If it had been a 2-hour film or a shorter 6-8 episode series, it could have been much tighter and more engaging. Instead, it drags on unnecessarily, leading to an ending that doesn’t justify the buildup.
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Kim Tae-ri’s Masterful Performance Elevates Revenant to Thrilling Heights
Revenant (2023) is a chilling supernatural thriller, and Kim Tae-ri’s performance is at its heart. Playing a young woman caught in a battle with malevolent spirits, Tae-ri delivers a standout portrayal full of emotional depth. She balances fear, vulnerability, and strength effortlessly, making her character’s journey feel raw and real.The show itself excels in blending psychological suspense with supernatural elements. It's not just about the ghosts but about the personal trauma the characters endure. Tae-ri's nuanced performance makes the supernatural feel deeply personal and adds a layer of emotional weight to the story.
With its tense atmosphere and powerful central performance, Revenant is a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers. Kim Tae-ri truly anchors the show, making it more than just a ghost story.
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Kim Eun Hee strikes again!
Yes. Just when 2023 needed a well written horror series Kim Eun Hee released her highly awaited masterpiece.The writtng was sooooooo good. And i loved how she didnt just wrote superstitious stuff and showed that ghosts and scary but people - they are the worst.
Also we have to talk about the main attraction. The couple!!!! I was fangirling over them the whole time and so were the other viewers. You will find so many edits on TikTok lol. Its great that the writer didnt do much with them and left it to our imagination. The writer even said that she wanted Hongsae to be a reliable friend to Sanyeong. And professor Yeom to be a good older influence.
If youre looking for a well written drama then go for it. Even if youre not a fan of a horror stuff, the writting and acting just makes it so fun.
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This review may contain spoilers
"Revenant" it's a horror drama about a woman named San Young. Strange things start to happen around her and San Young realizes that she's possessed by an evil spirit. She can't control her body and doesn't remember anything that the evil spirit does when it's inside her.It's an incredible drama, both in suspense and horror, there is a tension that remains throughout all the episodes.
Kim Tae Ri is spectacular, the expressions, the way we could instantly know that it was the spirit and not her simply by looking at her and I liked it mainly because even though there were Hae Sang and Hong Sae, San Yeong saved herself, she had to realize that the way she belittled herself was food for the spirit, she was her own enemy and she had to start live for yourself.
I feel sorry for Hyang Yi, she really wasn't at fault for what happened to her, the horrible way she and her sister died, but at the same time, none of the people she killed were at fault either, Hae Sang's grandmother was the monster that started all this.
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