This review may contain spoilers
I wish it was better.
I really wanted to love Love this series but it was just meh for me. It was good though, if that makes any sense.I probably shouldn't have watched it on Disney+ because there was more ad time than there was actual show and the breaks, especially during crucial times, was really aggravating. So I will no longer watch any series on Disney+. The ads made it seem like it was dragging on and on.
The fight scenes were great and everyone was interesting but it just seemed anticlimactic. Every time something happened, a ad or a cut scene to the past.
I don't understand Kdramas obsession with let the one who should have been shot, live to come after you again. I feel like Babylon knew they had a bunch of pyscho on their payroll and then let them run around free to kill. None of it actually made sense to me.
There were so many unanswered questions. I am so confused by the purpose of this series.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Glimpse of what the Shop can offer
Kinda late, but i finally had the time to watch it and i must say, it was good.The story in the beginning was action-packed, as usual in these types of series where they drop you off in the middle of the action in the story to hook you and i don't mind it since it delivered, then backstory. I thought they'll gonna drop all the backstory at once, then continue where we left off, but nope. The way they did it is they'll only bring up a backstory when a present scene needed a context on how it led to that point and i don't know how, but it worked, it didn't really hurt the pacing of the story nor my experience since they took their time to explain things, though, at the last 3 episodes, it slowly got to me a little bit because they tied all the timeline together and i was just waiting when are they gonna go back to the action. This season is mostly a build and just a taste of what the story can offer because the backstory mostly ate all the screen time. In the back of my mind i kinda want this drama and 'Kill Bok Soon' to diverge, how hype would that be, both dramas are very similar, the difference is just the other is a movie.
The cinematography is cool as always and the action. The editing near the end annoyed the shit out of me because they chopped the scenes a lot, they don't stay in a certain part that long and they kept using the fade-to-black transition and it was so long as well, oh my god! So i guess that's my only minor critique of this show.
The characters are really good, they're all well written down to the side characters. The FL's backstory was really sad along with ML because they are tied and i really loved their relationship dynamic during the backstory, it's so wholesome. I like how they wrote FL because she isn't just this strong character on the outside just because she's the niece of ML, she actually had to work her way up, and overcome her trauma to at least become able to hold her ground, she isn't perfectly strong yet like her uncle, she still cries gets nervous and gets helped in some situation and that's what makes her a good character. FL's actress is so cute and pretty tho... it's my first time seeing her and she looks like Adora in some angle. ML, we didn't get to spend time with him in the present, we mostly got it in the backstory and it was still good by how he was built up. He was this mysterious uncle, like FL said she lived with him for 10 years, but it was almost like she didn't know anything aside from he was her uncle until he died and she found out her uncle was involved in some shady underground business and that how she got caught up in this mess. I must say Lee Dong Wook is so badass here, i want more of this kind of project please and i noticed how he talks here, it's so asmr coded, ugh!!! Not to spoil anything, his character was built up to be this perfect killer so it's very obvious to me that there's gonna be some twist to him somewhere along the series if not then maybe in season 2, judging how he analyzed the blackmail.
Another thing i appreciated and a bit of cleanse to my pallete because chinese dramas couldn't even do this one minor detail, is their foreign characters. Because in this drama foreign characters are actually speaking the language of the characters that they are portraying, yes oh my god!!! It reminded me again that "Oh yeah, koreans never miss every minor detail in their media". Whenever you have a foreign character in your show it should be obvious that they should be speaking their mother tongue to make it convincing, i don't care how broken it is or even if you butcher the language, just do it, because the viewers will appreciate it... some of course because some will not because of the language butchering. Obviously, the actors are korean, i don't know about the thai one because he looks convincing and from the way he speaks as well, i probably have to look it up. Anyway, i appreciate the effort they made to make the foreign characters speak a foreign language.
Overall, very good action series. Highly recommend it, can't wait for season 2.
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This review may contain spoilers
WOW
This was fantastic!! There were of course scenes that I thought wasn't necessaryand didn't need to be repeated over and over again but this is a must watch. I'm disappointed
that the mute guy didn't make it. I was hoping that he just lost an arm and that was it and was
hoping that he was gonna pop up in the final episode. The way Uncle on the sneak trained her
for what was to come was I must say brilliant. I guess it wasn't fitting for us to get a hug with her seeing him turn up alive but I was glad that he was alive at the end but there are
things that wasn't tied up so I hope we get a second season. It looks like Pasin got So Min Hye out
and got her some help for her wounds so if there's a second season I hope to see the both of them as well.
Lee Dong Wook...there's not much to say except he's great in everything. Kim Hye Joon did a great job in the role of the niece but her character did more than one stupid thing but the character was a bad ass.
This was excellent.
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GREAT PLOT, CAST, ACTION SCENES, EVERYTHING! Those who loved "Moving (2023)", this is PERFECT!
Next time you feel in a mood for crime/thriller- look no further, this is IT.I finished this series in one sitting, it was way too captivating! I NEED MORE!
Tough female lead, fantastic acting by everyone, the CAST ✨✨ I found myself falling in love with a lot of new actors <3
It's not boring - not one bit. The start itself is catchy, no filler episodes or scenes at all. A short, 8 ep drama that had me saying "Oh crap what do we do now" way more times than I thought. The story is explained in a present-flashback-present format, which I loved. There's not a LOTTTT of gore, as compared to other "kill/crime" stuff (meaning you don't get to see a whole lotta blood) but there are a lot of corpses involved. Military/mercenary elements, old gang getting back together, etc. etc.
Last time I felt so good after watching a drama of this genre was just afer I finished Moving - whomever has seen it would def agree that it was a blockbluster of a show. Similar to that, here the stoy isn't focusing on the kid(s), it's about the adults and their past and what they hid from the kid about their job. This one doesn't have any romance though.
I just can't keep my excitement and stuff under control anymore SHHSHLGJGSAAHHHHHHH
PARK JEONG WOO!!!!
JEONG I HUN!!! SARANGHAEEOO!!!
ANDDDDDDDDDDD ofc, our dear Grim Reaper ✨✨✨✨✨ Amazing as always
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This review may contain spoilers
Lee dong min is alive and im 100 percent sure
Like think about it. A man that worked for mercenaries for years is a good planner and a good fighter is clever and also owns a weapon shop without anyone knowing his whole life believed that jian was kidnapped and even he did lets just suppose he did do you really think he believed when bae said that they will release jian after he commits suicide. Like come on. I want him alove for sure and another fact is to kill bale he is suppose to be alive i think he is alive and that is going to be the plot twist when everyone thought that he died he actually didn’t and think the only call he made before he died was to pasin no on else so why did minhye said that he asked her to come. And the smirk when he called pasin and the way he only said that "pasin you dint have to pay me back" aahhahahhhhh i really hope he is alive.Was this review helpful to you?
Zionist Propaganda spotted
Zionist Propaganda spotted: Counterfeit Palestinian Kuffeyeh in a multitude of colors, worn by mercenaries (even if you do like one of them, Pasin for instance, they still represent violent and unlawful humans. Therefore the use of props that represent Palestinians and their freedom fighters, in this context, implicitly dehumanizes Palestinians and vilifies their decolonization efforts.)disney can't help themselves from demonizing Palestinians.
BTW disney, fox and paramount .. donate to i5rael
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Soo twisted yet oh soo good!!
So i love lee dong wook.. (given)
But this review is not about him.
This series kept me on my tippy toes.. The plot was superbly interesting..
The cast was likeable.
Although i do not envy jian at all..
But the actress who played ji an.. Played her role soo well.. That you want to root for her.
And the supporting cast was soo good as well i mean (minhye, pasin and brother.)
That you want them all to live until the end..
Thank God this show has confirmed season 2.
Because the only thing i did not like about it..
Is that its too short.
There are still a lot of unfinished business.
Love it love it!
Cant wait for season 2 😁
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A Highly recommended drama
I'm a big fan of thriller dramas, and this drama, "A shop for killers" is amazing. I am certain that this drama will blow you're mind. 8 episodes and is easy to watch from a nightstand. None of the episodes are boring and the ending is perfect. Waiting for season 2 btw. If you love thriller/action genre, this is the best drama for you.Was this review helpful to you?
Absolutely, one of the best drama of year 2024!
"Listen carefully, Jeong Jian" - Jeong JinmanWhat a ride! From start to finished, everything is full of suspense, edgy, brutality, beautifully done bloody scenes , well executed fight scenes, delivery of lines and spectacular acting.
Jian is kind of frustrating when she became an adult, compared to her younger self who's more sure of what she wanted to do with her life. I love their uncle/niece chemistry as it was not full of warmth/touchy moments or scenes, but you know that Uncle loves her in his own special way.
Fight scenes were perfectly executed, and you know they gave their 200% efforts in doing it. As what you can see with the end products, as well as if you saw the BTS videos, that they both injured their selves as they're doing their own stunts.
The story is written beautifully, and the scenes were all properly done and well-acted. I wanted season 2 and I am hoping for it as there's a lot of unfinished issues and I wanted more of Jeong Jinman and Jeong Jian scenes, as well as Unnie Minhye, brother and Master Pasin.
Overall, it is worth of time and effort watching it. Uncle Jinman is full of hotness, specially when he was still the captain of the mercenary group.
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Underrated
A Shop for Killers is a pulse-pounding thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With Lee Dong Wook and Kim Hye Joon leading the cast, the film dives into a labyrinth of conspiracies, high-octane action, and familial secrets.Plot and Execution
The story begins with Jian (Kim Hye Joon), a young woman whose ordinary life is shattered by the suspicious death of her enigmatic uncle, Jeong Jin Man (Lee Dong Wook). What starts as an investigation into his supposed suicide quickly spirals into chaos as she becomes the target of relentless assassins, cutting-edge drones, and violent ambushes. Forced to rely on the unconventional skills her uncle taught her as a child, Jian fights to uncover the truth behind his death and her own mysterious past.
The plot’s relentless pacing and unexpected twists keep the audience hooked, while the film balances its action sequences with moments of emotional depth, particularly as Jian unravels her connection to her uncle’s shadowy world.
Performances
Kim Hye Joon is a revelation as Jian, delivering a fierce and vulnerable performance that captures the character’s transformation from an unsuspecting niece to a resourceful survivor. Lee Dong Wook, though appearing primarily in flashbacks, commands the screen as the enigmatic and stoic Jeong Jin Man. His character’s layered backstory adds a compelling depth to the narrative.
Strengths
Action Sequences: The fight choreography is meticulously crafted, blending raw intensity with stylish visuals.
Intriguing Premise: The blend of familial mystery and assassin intrigue creates a fresh take on the action-thriller genre.
Emotional Core: The relationship between Jian and her uncle, revealed through poignant flashbacks, adds emotional weight to the story.
Weaknesses
Overstuffed Plot: The film occasionally juggles too many subplots, leaving some threads underexplored.
Villains: While the assassins provide a physical threat, their motivations remain somewhat generic, weakening the stakes.
Cinematography and Soundtrack
The film’s sleek visuals and dynamic camerawork enhance its tension, while the score perfectly complements its adrenaline-fueled scenes and quieter, reflective moments.
Final Thoughts
A Shop for Killers is a thrilling ride that masterfully combines action and mystery with a deeply personal story. Kim Hye Joon and Lee Dong Wook deliver standout performances, elevating the film beyond its occasional narrative flaws. It’s a must-watch for fans of tightly packed action films with a touch of heart.
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A Thrilling Departure with an Open-Ended Finale
A Shop for Killers stands out from the usual dramas I watch, offering a thrilling storyline that captivates with its blend of past and present narratives. How the show intertwines characters' histories with their current actions adds depth and intrigue, keeping me engaged. The season finale, however, left me hanging. It didn't have the conclusive feel I expected from the last episode. I eagerly anticipate what's next, waiting for the next season to continue the story.Was this review helpful to you?
Great and Thrillin
Wonderful series overall! At first I was like this is a very interesting story and it would be even more great if the fighting scenes were show. so the 1st couple of episodes I was so disappointed. By the end I was like the director writers and producers were geniuses. The story was shown by whoever’s perspective that particular episode was following. By the end I thought that was pretty cool. since my review has to be longer I’ll share some mundane information. so I love K dramas but my husband has it yet to enjoy them with me. this was the first drama. He watched with me and he loved it. at first, I thought I picked the wrong one to watch together because it started off so slowly. In the end he is looking forward to season 2Was this review helpful to you?
