Good Korean Thrillers

My favourite movie in general.

One might expect it to be the typical revenge story but it isn't, not in the slightest. Instead of following the usual formula- the entire movie being about person a hunting down person b from start to finish and getting "justice" at the very end- this film instead takes a 'cat and mouse' approach. The heroine (and I use that term lightly) catches his target fairly early on, only to then purposely let him go in order to catch him again... and again... and again.

It's a very long movie but I found it went by insanely fast. I was so locked in to all that was happening that the runtime didn't even phase me.

My favourite show in general.

It earned it's place as my most favourite K-drama ever before it was even half way through airing.

Right away I noticed and appreciated it's use of colour tones. When we're shown scenes in Ae ri's timeline, it has a bright yellowey colouring overlayed. When we're shown Seo jin's timeline, it has a darker blue-ish gray colouring overlayed. This is brilliant for 2 reasons: 1. To separate the timelines from one another ensuring viewers don't get confused, and 2. It represents the two characters' situations. Ae ri is the one with the ability to change things for the better, thus the warmer tones (hope). Seo jin is in a constant state of stress, hence the colder tones (grief).

I won't go into further specifics of my love for it, as that would delve into spoilers.

I strongly suggest you don't look up spoilers for this show, as there's a lot of crazy plot twists that deserve to be seen first hand.

Simple but effective in many ways.

Plot progression is fantastic. You essentially learn things in tandem with Song Pan Ho.

Acting legends SHJ & Kim Myung Min compliment two actors that I believe to be some of the only good new talent in Korea today, Kim Do Hoon and Heo Nam Jun, very well. Park Se Hyun is brilliant as well. Together they elevate the story to something really special and insightful.

Do you see and expect good and kindness from your child no matter their actions, or do you give in to the realization of a likely evil turn in character? Are they remorseful of supposed mistakes, or have they been completing further steps in a long con? Do you suspect, or forgive?

A familiar concept to me, seen and enjoyed previously in both The Phone (2015) and in Kairos, and The Call joins them in harmony by executing the same idea in a unique way.

Horror is my favourite genre and I think this is one of the best if not the best Korean specific horror movies I've seen.

Jeon Jong Seo is phenomenal, Park Shin Hye does great as well.

From story to acting, cinematography and direction, as well as practical effects and makeup, a complete knockout!

Excellent cast, excellent story.

It felt like if Squid Game was an indie type production. The look and feel to it, almost echoed Wes Anderson at times.

Park Jeong Min was a severe stand out. I hope he gets more substantial roles in television in the future. He seems to gravitate more to film.

Chun Woo Hee & Park Hae Joon were great as always.

I am a sucker for father daughter relationships like this, especially when inserted into a mystery thriller.

It's a wild ride with a completely satisfying ending.

Chae Won Bin is phenomenal.

Excellent lead dynamic, which solidified the show as special no matter the result of the investigation.

Built for multi seasons if you ask me. Could easily be grouped in with legendary mainstream pairings like Castle, Bones, The Mentalist, etc., if only they were given the chance.

Incredibly fast paced, full of plot twists, excellent ensemble cast.

I watched this as it aired and felt I was in the minority when it came to reception.

I was genuinely hooked and on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

Nana, Choi Jin Hyuk, and Park Sung Hoon are absolutely fantastic in these roles.

The character dynamics and plot progression were so intriguing and easy to latch on to.

No complaints.

Brilliant and tense thriller.

We're told at the beginning of the film that it is a true story, but it never really hit me until the very end. A punch to the gut.

Kang Dong Won as the faceless kidnapper does so much with essentially a voice only role.

Your usual Korean detective investigation show, elevated both by setting- alternate reality/multiverse- and by a heavy heartstrong character- in the form of two Han Seo Gyungs, and their effects on our primary Seo Do Won.

Starts as a typical spooky movie, only to play out in the most unexpected way possible. A mid-film plot twist that boosts it into pure excellence.

Incredible writing, incredible acting. Bravo!

Great cases and good characters.

Similar concept to Kairos and The Call, it does great with it's own plot and is a solid thriller overall.

Resonated with me more than season 1 did for some reason.

Bae Nara's storyline was a definite stand out.

Incredible cast and excellent chemistry across the board.

Good but standard investigation plot.

Episodes 10-16 of this show made it become one of my all time favourites. There's a lot of plot twists and story developments that happen which you wouldn't expect.

However episodes 1-9 are quite slow and even slightly below average if I'm being honest.

If you can manage to push through the first half of this show you will be rewarded with a sudden pace pick up later on.

Incredibly tense thriller.

Fantastic cast.

Everyone knows it for a reason.

My favourite Bong Joon Ho film.

Horror movies with a family as their beating heart will always play well.

Slow at times, but is true and proper horror which I appreciate.

Had room for improvement but still enjoyable overall.

Great chemistry between the leads.

It's a story that will have you wanting answers at the beginning, but by the end you'd prefer to have no answers at all. You'd rather have him stay with the people he's grown close to during his time in the past, instead of return to the bleak and dark future.

Watching this before it went big... what a time.

Solid!! Enjoyed it all throughout.

Only issue was the Gi Hun last minute hair dye... what are you doing girl?

The follow up of all time...

Really fun!

Star studded event.

Lee Do Hyun and Go Youn Jung's chemistry should be capitalized.

A devastating movie.

Under different circumstances you'd find the main character cruel because he's going after teenagers, but instead you actually end up rooting for him. The teens are portrayed as monsters and it makes you pity the main lead so much. I really just wanted to give him a hug.

One scene in particular is one of the most heartbreaking things I've seen in film frankly.

– When he's in the teen's place and hides while they replay the video...

Pretty darn fun minus the iffy CGI!

Jeon So Nee and Koo Kyo Hwan have incredible chemistry.

Would love to see further seasons.

I am rarely able to get into school set shows in recent years. This one pulled me out of that rut.

I've adored Hong Kyung for a while, but his performance as Beom Seok truly catapults him into the best Korea's young acting scene has to offer.

The tone shift partway through the season is excellent and is really what sets the show apart from the usual teen dramas.

Pretty decent mob set thriller.

Great and intriguing "villains."

Our so called good guys are a little too high and mighty for my taste. They both had great potential to swing to the dark, even if not permanent, with genuine decision and feelings it could have easily made it go from good to amazing.

Incredibly fun and grounded. Marvel and DC wish they could make a superhero work this great today.

Mix of classic stars and up and comers who compliment eachother well.

A makjang soaked in incredible characterization.

Makes you understand and sympathize with rotten people.

A most-of-the-time great mix of action, thriller, and comedy.

Quirky and fun horror.

Focuses on terrible people coming to rely on one another.

Very interesting dark topics at play, would have been nice to see further seasons.

Messy at times but easily saved by it's character work and relationships.

A decent plot elevated by it's characters and dynamics.

Nam Gyu Ri's character in particular was the true standout. Her relationship with Shi Hyun and her sister-like bond with Jin Sook were the heart of the show.

I also liked the setting (the mob world). While it's become more common nowadays with many of the Disney+ shows, it wasn't too common around the time that I watched this. It brought an overall darker theme to the show which helped bring a certain weight to everything going on.

However I really hated the character of Ji Hyung Min and eventually ended up skipping through most of the police related scenes due to it. The constant switch back to the police investigation lost me quite often, which is a big drag when it's centered around a main character.

A lot of great young talent showcased here. The students and their relationships were what stood out.

Unfortunately the cops and teachers weren't nearly as intriguing. On paper there's good backstory and motivation for both Young Jin and Sun Woo, but whether it be underwhelming performances or missing weight/depth to them, I never clicked with them. The supporting cops as well were more annoying than anything.

As for the villains, I have mixed feelings. A lot of intrigue and potential there. Baek Sang Ho and his hotel crew would have been a little more enjoyable if they fleshed out their group dynamic and connections more. There's a moment near end where he and Sun Ah(?) seem much closer than shown to us prior. It was just a fleeting glimpse into what their relationship might be. I would rather have been shown a closer look into how he truly feels about his partners all throughout. It would have grounded him more. As for the original killer, the Pastor, super bland and uninteresting. It was good that they got rid of that point to the case so early on.

Despite a somewhat hollow undertone, I was able to keep going and still be curious as to how it would all play out. The structure of reveals was well done, as they staggered all throughout.

It's a good disposable mystery to pass the time.

The cases at hand and their link were really interesting. All these different murders taking place, all resulting in a newfound life and better circumstance for a child left behind.

Might have been a little bit better with different lead actors.

I had a hard time caring about Lee Yi Kyung or Kim Sun Ah. Their performances invoked nothing from me. If there was more weight to their reactions and actions, I definitely would have at least liked them.

The supporting cast on the other hand really shined. Cha Hak Yeon & Nam Gyu Ri filled their roles perfectly.

A slow start for sure, but it soon grips you through the Woogy & HeeJu dynamic.

The makjang of all time...