Binge watch only
I have followed Jang Geun Suk since the beginning of his TV drama career. He's had some dud shows in later years before he enlisted (e.g. the Gambler) and this show nearly bordered on that but it wasn't his doing.To be clear, it's not the story or his acting which is bad. It's the fact that the drama was artificially cut into two, ironically with the hopes of keeping the audience hooked, but it has done the exact opposite for me. The first few episodes of Part 1 were really interesting but started to taper off by epi 5 or 6, as is normal with any 16-episoder. However, in a normal 16 episoder, there is the rest of the series will carry through usually as the mid season hump passes (usually by epi 8) when they're setting up for a thrilling finale.
However, even though Part 1 was only 2 months ago, that's forever in dramaland. I have probably have watched at least 20 to 30 dramas since. And now resuming Part 2, I have forgotten whatever happened in Part 1. And I have little interest in re-watching it to remind myself of what happened (it wasn't THAT interesting the first time). I'm faced with characters who are strangers to me and we're thrust straight into the action with a recap. "Who's this? what happened last time? What was going? Who was involved in the conspiracy?"
The 2-parter also meant that the story was going around in repetitive circles. However, it got there in the end with some solid twists in the last 2 episodes, and that's the only reason I am still giving it an 8 overall. Because of the intermission between the 2 parts, I was about to drop the series during episode 7 because it was too much mental work trying to work out who was who. If I had done so, I wouldn't have seen that the show redeemed itself in the end.
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Underrated and Unmissable: A Deep Dive into a Crime Drama Gem
"Decoy" is an exciting crime thriller that flew under the radar in 2023. The main character, Koo Do Han, used to be a lawyer but now works as a detective. His current mission to solve a homicide leads him to uncover a massive scam orchestrated by a con artist named Noh Sang Cheon. Sang Cheon was supposedly dead, but his victims weren't convinced. They formed a group to fight for justice and get their money back. But things get dark when murders connected to Sang Cheon start happening.What makes this drama stand out? Well, Do Han's approach is unique—he combines legal smarts with detective skills to solve the puzzle. His determination and ability to see through lies make him fascinating to watch. The plot is full of surprises and kept me on the edge of my seat. The victims, desperate for justice, take matters into their own hands when authorities fail them. And behind the scenes, secret players—politicians, prosecutors, and cops—try to cover up the truth.
The emotional depth of the characters adds to the intensity. Do Han's investigations even as he begins to empathize with the victims make the story even more human. The ending ties things up nicely. In a nutshell, "Decoy" is a must-watch for crime thriller fans who enjoy clever twists and complex characters.
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This review may contain spoilers
Only the police can bring justice ?
A lawyer-turned-detective with a hideous moustache is fully determined to catch the killer who victimised a group of scammers.Hint: His background as a lawyer brought absolutely nothing to the show.
He rubs shoulders with the scam victims who he terrorizes to show his determination in bringing the killers to justice.
This show tries hard to promote the police - no matter the corruption - as being the only entity that can bring criminals to justice even if it meant sweeping other crimes under the rug.
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This review may contain spoilers
"Bait 2" continues the story where the season 1 left us.We see how the conspiracy involves people of high ranks, who are still wanting more power and money and don't care about anyone else, only their own desire.
Na Yeon's story has a great focus this time, seeing more of her traumas, how No Sang Cheon's scheme ruined her life.
No Sang Cheon got what he deserved, after all the evil things he did, the many people he hurt, death seems an easy way out, but at least his victims got something in the end, with his video exposing everything. What really got me was how the didn't admit his mistakes and never apologized, No Sang Cheon thought he was right until the end.
I didn't have any expectations for this season, but it wasn't so bad, it managed to end the story well.
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12 episodes for two seasons are too much - just cut down to 10 will do
LIKEThe truth about Na Yeon's mother situation
How the victims tracked down Noh Sang Cheon and chased him all the way overseas - that was admiring
When Do Han revealed another list of prosecutors' names
Showdown at Commisioner's office
DISLIKE
When Na Yeon's mother borrows money from others to invest into the fraud company - that is not normal greed
When Noh Sang Cheon was abducted - how was there a phone hidden in the car?
MUSIC
Not to my liking
REWATCH VALUE
It doesn'y matter if I re-watch or not
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This review may contain spoilers
Watch it when you have ran out of other options.
Don’t get me wrong, the plot was great and definitely had potential, but the way it was delivered got kind of disappointing as the story went on. Some of the cast couldn’t act, and almost all the victims were just plain brainless (I mean, I guess that’s why they got scammed in the first place). The only character I actually cared about was Jung Jae Hwang that poor guy. The main character looked smart, but... nah. The first few episodes were promising, but it just got tiring as it dragged on. And the ending? Trash. Sure, the problems got solved and all, but it felt super abrupt and overly dramatic for no reason. Not a terrible drama, but definitely not a great one either :PWas this review helpful to you?
It didn’t even feel like I was watching two seasons because I finished it all in one go!
The show beautifully illustrates that everyone’s experiences, no matter how different, are equally significant. What we’ve been through is neither lesser nor greater than what others have endured.I love how the series takes a realistic approach, exploring how a person’s perspective on life evolves based on the experiences they’ve been through. This season was especially impactful as Captain Gu finally came to understand the victims' suffering. The character development throughout the series was phenomenal, and the villain’s character was so well-written and flawlessly acted—it truly hit home.
The characters’ personalities were so distinct from one another, and the main character wasn’t the only one who stood out as a hero. Each person had their own unique role to play. The cast lineup was absolutely amazing—from the villains to the victims and even the teammates. Every character played a vital role, and without this perfect combination, we wouldn’t have gotten such an incredible drama.
A huge shoutout to Jang Geun Suk and Heo Sung Tae for their top-notch performances! Jang Geun Suk’s deep voice was so captivating and his character was incredibly relatable due to its raw humanness and authentic acting. Lee Elijah embodied the raw emotions and struggles of someone in such a situation. Heo Sung Tae’s role as the main villain was outstanding! He perfectly captured the essence of a villain who constantly sees himself as a victim.
Loved the OST of Echae Kang - Neup
The ending was deeply thought-provoking. It made me realize how the experiences we go through shape who we are.
I especially loved how the villains received the endings they deserved, while the victims found some form of closure.
Finally, the show’s portrayal of fraud was truly eye-opening. It highlighted how fraudsters prey on victims’ trust, which is one of the most terrible things one person can do to another.
One of the best series out there!
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