Unmasked (2025)

Fun fact (In case you're curious about the real cases):

Episode 1: The case of 'Agadongsan' (아가동산) and 'O DaeYang Corporation' (오대양) -- Cult and mass sui****

Episode 2 and 3: 'Incheon Dongchun-dong elementary school student kidnapping and murder case' and 'Edmund Kemper' (2 grandparents murdered (when he was a minor), 8 serial murders and time (including biological mother)
[Culprit of Incheon case will be released on April 12, 2030]

Episode 4: 'Deux's Kim Sung-jae's suspicious death case' and 'Kim Bo-eun and Kim Jin-gwan case' (The victim was subjected to long-term SA by the defendant before the murder.)
[Kim Jin-kwan: 7 years in prison ( reduced to 2 years and 6 months on March 1993 , released around 1994 )
Kim Bo-eun: 5 years in prison (pardoned in March 1993)]

Episode 5: Collapse of demolished building in Hakdong, Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (9 deaths and 8 injured)

Episode 6 and 7: The incident of Cho Joo-bin's accomplice stalking his homeroom teacher -- Student who conspired with Cho Joo-bin of ‘Nth Room’ to commit murder.

Episode 8 to 12: Deux's Kim Sung-jae's suspicious death case



Now the short review of the drama:

Unmasked delivers a gripping mix of crime, suspense, and dark humor, setting a new standard for investigative K-dramas. The sharp writing and unpredictable twists make every episode intense and addictive.

Strengths:
- Fast-paced, no fillers
- Smart dialogue & dark humor
- Unpredictable twists & emotional depth

Weaknesses:
- Slightly rushed finale
- Some side characters are underdeveloped


VERDICT: A must-watch for thriller fans. Engaging, thrilling, and unforgettable.

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thought provoking drama

A Thrilling Mystery

Unmasked is a gripping K-drama that blends suspense, action, and character depth, keeping viewers hooked from start to finish. The male lead, known for his cold and mysterious persona in Glory, showcases a completely different side here bright, bubbly, and full of charm. This transformation adds a refreshing dynamic to his performance, making him even more captivating.
The female lead is equally outstanding, bringing strength and emotional depth to her character. Their chemistry adds another layer to the story, making their interactions engaging and memorable.
With an intriguing plot filled with unexpected twists, Unmasked maintains a steady pace and keeps the tension high. The cinematography and direction enhance the storytelling, ensuring every scene feels impactful.
Unmasked is a gripping K-drama that blends suspense, action, and character depth, keeping viewers hooked from start to finish. The male lead, known for his cold and mysterious persona in Glory, showcases a completely different side herebright, bubbly, and full of charm. This transformation adds a refreshing dynamic to his performance, making him even more captivating.
The female lead is equally outstanding, bringing strength and emotional depth to her character. Their chemistry adds another layer to the story, making their interactions engaging and memorable.
With an intriguing plot filled with unexpected twists, Unmasked maintains a steady pace and keeps the tension high. The cinematography and direction enhance the storytelling, ensuring every scene feels impactful.

Rating: 9/10 – A must-watch thriller with an incredible male lead transformation, a strong female lead, and an engaging plot

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Unmasked - A Thriller That lacks thrill

First of all _ it's common there are several factors that influence our decision to watch a particular drama or movie. To me 3 types of factors made me watch Unmasked.
1) Cast
2) Story
3) Genre
But this drama underperformed in catching up with those factors. I'm not going to talk too deep about this drama. Here are my thoughts on those factors.

1) STORY - Story revolves around Investigative Journalism. One of the fresh Story concepts in Kdrama. Naturally the audience expects something unique, fresh from it or at the least solid entertainment. The story holds great potential to explore diff compelling cases to deal within the realm of Investigative Journalism. But the Cases they showed most of us already watched in previous diff dramas. That's the main drawback of the drama _ while watching these Crime cases at some point we feel " ah I have watched this type of crime cases before ". EP 1 to EP 6 are good, and Who is Trigger Man ( Not him ) but Who ! this point somehow one of the reasons to continued watching the drama.

2) GENRE - Thriller, Comedy, Mystery enough reasons to binge watch for fans of these genres. But what if it lacks thriller elements and little to not scope for the mystery ? - Then the story may feel dull and fails to keep viewers engaged. It can feel predictable and viewers might lose interest if the suspense is not strong enough.
At the least give us some genre based story elements in the drama.

3) CAST - a) Jung Sung II, he was one of the reasons I watched this drama. I watched him supporting roles till The Glory, he proved he can pull off the main roles too with Glory. He was the main lead in this drama I was not expecting more from his character because this is not a character scope drama for him. But i was surprised by his transformation as Han Do, they showed him much younger than the Glory and in the first 6 eps his character is going with drama flow but when the main case starts to Investigate his character slowly gets low off from the screen. But still whenever he was on the screen it was good and entertaining to watch along with Kim Hye Soo. But it's really disappointing not using his full potential just like Glory makers. He can do more if they wrote more for him in this drama.
b) Kim Hye Soo - I know her from Signal, I agree she is good actress. But to me not this drama, her character lacked in some aspects also better in some ways. I found it annoying in some scenes but in the latest eps her character is shaped into an emotional character. It's good to see some emotional development in the last but not in the first.

And the rest of the other supporting actors performances are good but again here also some characters like Gi-Ho feel annoyed and made to skip some of his scenes. But one supporting role good written and the actress is also given excellent performance _ Choo Ja Hyun as Cho Hae Won. Her character is very little but at the same time it's a story turning character. Just another little badass female character ;)

Crew Departments -
Soundtrack is just Okie, no big space for the to talk about the Cinematography. Some Good VFX.

Final Talk :-
Director & Writer Yoo Seon Dong who is the director of hit drama Bad & Crazy disappointed this time with Unmasked. If he give the strong stories ( crime cases ) in the drama then who knows it might get different result. The pace is suitable for the flow of drama but what good when the actually suspense & thriller lacks in the story. Even though the story follows same tamplate - one main case is running in the background and different cases ( stories) evolves and somehow unfold to main case story. However The drama missed the mark delivering the solid entertainment for those expecting a binge worthy thriller.

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Unmasked, unnerving

I wasn't planning to watch Unmasked but people in social media were adamant I was missing out, so I gave it a try. I admit, they were right. This kdrama is a really good production, Kim Hye-soo simply doesn't miss. Another factor I liked was that every case presented to the viewers was actually based on a real life crimes that were highly covered by the media. To be clear, the stories presented in the drama are no dramatisation of these real life events, which touch on very sensitive issues.

It's almost like a serial, following each story for one or two episodes. and each case helping the viewers get to know the main characters as they position themselves morally and ethically as journalist having to tell this really difficult stories. There is, however, a bigger case following through the entire run that I wish it would have been more of the main story. I think the drama spend too much time with certain aspects that it didn't serve for the overall development of the kdrama.

This is where I have to warn you; because some of Unmasked's episodes can be really grotesque and triggering. Having watched the whole drama, I can't say this is something I would recommend to everybody and Disney+ was smart to not make this a drama to binge-watch because I don't think this is something most people could sit through without pausing, taking a break. It's not really as bad as I am making it sound but there are episodes dealing with animal abuse, SA, chid and elderly endangerment.

On technical aspects, I think this drama is really well done. Director Yoo Seon-dong knew what he was doing. The cast had impeccable chemistry and everyone delivered really amazing and compelling performances, from the main actors to the guest roles. The standouts for me being Choo Ja hyun and Choi Dae Hoon, whom played siblings and every scene they shared was incredible. A very well deserved shoutout to teen actor Moon Woojin who delivered a bone-chilling performance. And also Ahn Suk-hwan, he was unrecognisable on this production.

Very well done!

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cool but flawed

at first, i thought wow what a cool drama but then i started noticing the flaws.
for example, the character development was messy. kang giho was just a crybaby who spent the whole drama whining, and when he betrayed his team, he still had the nerve to be mad at everyone. but when others hid something from the team that could harm them, he blamed them even though he was no better. this would have made sense if he had learned something and changed for the better, but i think he would just make the same choice again and keep saying how miserable he is and how everyone else is to blame.
the female lead is just fire i worship her 🛐🛐 no complaints.
hando was more interesting to me at first, but then he changed somehow and there was no more development. i was curious to learn more about his story.

as for the plot, in the first half of the drama, they were solving other cases that lasted one or two episodes, and then they shifted focus to the main story. i felt like some short cases weren’t explored enough, and this main story didn’t really develop much from the beginning, so when they switched focus to it, it was hard to get into.

but i really liked the story format, and overall, it was very interesting to watch. i think anyone who loves detective stories will definitely appreciate this drama.

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I love Kim Hye-soo; she is one of my top ten favorite Korean actresses. Jung Sung Il impressed me in Glory; he was poised, dignified in his silent rage at his wife, yet at the same time a fierce protector of his daughter. I say this to acknowledge that I was excited when I first heard they were going to be in a drama together. However, I've been in quite a slump lately, and I didn't even attempt to watch the drama when it was released early this year. I am deeply disappointed in myself for that. I truly enjoyed this drama. I'm not saying it's the best of the year, but it's pretty solid. It blends elements of action, comedy, crime, mystery, and thriller. It revolves around a team of investigative journalists who are trying to solve a 20-year-old cold case involving a missing actor. A quick breakdown of the common points:

Story: The drama centers on investigative journalism, a concept that K-dramas have largely varied from in recent years. One of the best is Argon (2017), featuring the late Kim Joo-hyuk, who is sorely missed. The cases Unmasked tackled seemed to be based on real-life crimes, which made it that much more unique and, at times, revoltingly upsetting, that this world we live in harbors unimaginable monsters. The drama follows a structure in which a team of reporters working for a public news channel investigates cases of public interest, which are then presented in a show format.

Characters/Acting: Kim Hye-soo's performance as the lead investigative reporter, Oh So-ryong, is well written. Ethical, uncompromising, and willing to go the distance for the truth and her team. Jung Sung-il's character as the odd one out is endearing, if not typical of the hate-to-love trope, so to speak. He is thrown in with a team he doesn't want, but with the team, he learns to appreciate not only the team but himself. The other character worth mentioning is Choo Ja Hyun, for her portrayal of the demented Cho Hae Won, who tries to escape her twisted, wealthy family but fails, only to return years later with a vengeance.

Tone: The drama features a fast-paced and energetic style, incorporating silliness and humor without hesitation. I found the mix of suspense, thriller, and comedy to be effective. It was preachy at times, but I didn't mind it.

In summary, "Unmasked" is a drama that blends genres and focuses on investigative journalism. Its strengths lie in its cast and story.

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It Lacked a Big Reveal of the Mask

*Unmasked* had all the ingredients of a gripping K-drama — a mysterious lead, hidden identities, and the promise of a shocking twist. From the start, the drama establishes an intriguing premise: who is truly behind the mask, and what secrets are waiting to be exposed? The acting was solid, the cinematography beautifully dark, and the pacing decent for the most part.

However, Unmasked severely lacked the payoff—the grand, jaw-dropping moment viewers were waiting for. The "mask" was symbolic throughout the story, representing the characters' hidden agendas, pain, and lies. But when it came time for the real unmasking—both literally and emotionally—the moment felt rushed, underwhelming, and too predictable. Instead of leaving the audience gasping, it felt like a slow exhale we didn’t even notice.

Character arcs, especially for the main leads, felt like they were building toward something bigger, something that would make us rethink everything we’d watched. Sadly, that moment never truly came. Some subplots were left hanging, and the villain reveals lacked the emotional punch needed to make the betrayal land.

Overall, *Unmasked* was entertaining but fell short of its potential. It’s worth the watch for the performances and moody aesthetic, but if you’re waiting for that epic, mask-dropping scene that leaves you speechless — you won’t find it here.

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casting >>> writing

there's no much to say about the story. it starts off strong but ends on predictable note, both in terms of the plot and the characters. none of them experience any significant growth as individuals. there's no doubt that the highlight of this drama is the dynamics between the trigger crew. special mention goes to kim hyesoo, who portrayed oh soryong with incredible nuance and depth. similarly, jung sungil delivers an impressive performance that adds weight and charisma to the show. while the storyline may leave much to be desired, the chemistry and performances of the cast make it worth watching.

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Get triggered

I started watching Unmasked, a thrilling crime-comedy mystery starring my favorite actors, Kim Hye Soo and Jung Sung, and I must say, it’s an absolute rollercoaster of suspense and humor!

The drama kicks off with the crime show on the verge of cancellation, immediately setting the stakes high. But what makes Unmasked truly stand out is its dynamic ensemble cast, each member bringing their own distinct energy to the show. The balance between intense, edge-of-the-seat moments and well-timed comedic bursts keeps the narrative fresh and engaging.

One of the best aspects of Unmasked is its episodic storytelling—each crime they investigate unravels deeper truths, making it impossible to stop at just one episode. The blend of mystery, investigative journalism, and humor makes it a perfect watch for those who love crime thrillers but also enjoy lighthearted moments that break the tension.

Kim Hye Soo and Jung Sung’s performances are exceptional, as expected, adding depth and charisma to their characters. Their chemistry, both in serious investigative moments and witty banter, is one of the highlights of the show.

Eventhough the entire storyline kept us hooked and intrigued for the next episodes, I felt the finale was a bit rushed nevertheless truly enjoyed it. The side characters started off with good contribution towards the end felt lack of exploration in their story.

Solid 8/10
Watch it.!

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?!?!

I don’t get why SOO many people are giving this drama bad ratings. To me, it’s really well-written and super engaging. Right from the start, the story pulls you in, and it never feels boring. The pacing is just right, and every scene keeps you interested. It’s the kind of drama that makes you want to keep watching because you’re so invested in what’s happening !!
I honestly think this drama deserves way more appreciation than it’s getting. Maybe some people had different expectations, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the better dramas I’ve watched in a long time. If you enjoy a good story with strong characters and a mix of emotions, this is definitely worth watching. Don’t let the negative reviews stop you from giving it a chance—you might end up loving it as much as I do!!

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My favorite 2025 drama

I can't believe this show has only 12 episodes! I want more... Give me a season 2 please.
First of all it's fair to say i started watching this drama just because of the main actress cause you know you can trust some actors with their choice of script and project and the cast in general is a 10/10.
The characters are interesting and actually important!
Although the female lead is very strong and admirable but they didn't make a literall God out of her to make more sense and make it more natural.
The plot is amazing i enjoyed all of the cases.
The cinematography and production was also great.
The only problem is that it was too short. They really did make an interesting thriller and mystery genre kdrama to watch and enjoy in only 12 episodes!!!
It finished when we were just getting into it!

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