This review may contain spoilers
Somewhat Entertaining But Deeply Flawed Series!
For the first few episodes, you think you’re watching something akin to “Columbo” or “Sherlock Holmes,” as “Inspector Koo appears to have abilities similar to those two famous detectives. Unfortunately, by the end of the series, you begin to realize that she’s not even close to their level. The series leaves you scratching your head, wishing the writers had been as smart as their respective characters.
Koo Kyung Yi is an alcoholic recluse who spends all of her time drinking and playing computer games. She scarcely has time to eat or even shower, and her apartment looks like the city dump—literally! She’s hired by her friend, who represents a prestigious life insurance company.
On the other side of the coin, we have Song Yi Kyung. Never mind that her name is similar to Koo Kyung Yi. She’s a sociopath and a serial killer. Don’t ask me how a serial killer only decides to kill people who “deserve it.” This is a contradiction in terms. She’s very smart and uses a network of clients to help her; people who owe her for killing those they hired her to kill.
Last, we have Yong Sook, a matriarchal, corrupt politician who is trying to use her money and influence to get her son elected for mayor. We’re somehow supposed to fear her power and influence, as she does nothing but bark orders at cronies who quake in their boots whenever she’s around without any reason. She’s about as intimidating as a snowman.
The series is supposed to be quirky and comical, and for the most part, it is. However, when you leave realism in the dust, you end up with a series that is a complete farce and has absolutely no explanations or logic in how things occur.
At one point, Song Ki Kyung is trying to elude her captors. She jumps on a board and begins to paddle her way toward the center of the Han River as law enforcement pursues her on a power boat. She finally dives into the water. Don’t ask me how a person who dives into the middle of a river isn’t caught. After all, she has to come up for air at some point. It’s insulting how the writers and directors treat the audience as dimwits.
The final episode was so ridiculous and absurd, I’m not sure how anyone could buy it as being real and authentic. Koo Kyung Yi may be good at putting pieces together, but she’s downright dumb when it comes to anticipating what her adversaries will do and trusting those who you know is going to betray her. A six-year-old could figure things out better! It’s bad enough that she’s a former police officer who has clearly forgotten all of her skills. Aside from her detective skills, she must have been one terrible cop!
Song Yi Kyung has taken Santa hostage. Never mind that I lost count how many times he could have easily disarmed her. They climb aboard a train, only to find Koo Kyung Yi waiting for them. At one point, Song Yi Kyung takes out the magazine of the gun to check how many rounds it has. It never crosses the minds of either Santa or Koo Kyung Yi to attack, or even in those many moments when Song Yi Kyung isn’t even paying attention to Santa. The whole scene was so badly done that I thought I was suddenly thrown back into an 1980s action TV series!
It's sad when the writers attempt to showcase the intelligence of their characters without allowing for reality or the audience that they’re writing for.
There isn’t much to like about Koo Kyung Yi. In fact, I found Song Yi Kyung far more interesting as a character, even if there were times you wondered how her intelligence suddenly eluded her. For instance, she’s tucked away in a veritable prison, guarded by only an old gardener. For all of her intelligence and ability to plan and plan ahead, she suddenly can’t think of a way out.
Performances are good, even if the true villain in Yong Sook was laughable. The music is also quite good, and frankly, it was the best part about the series.
Koo Kyung Yi is an alcoholic recluse who spends all of her time drinking and playing computer games. She scarcely has time to eat or even shower, and her apartment looks like the city dump—literally! She’s hired by her friend, who represents a prestigious life insurance company.
On the other side of the coin, we have Song Yi Kyung. Never mind that her name is similar to Koo Kyung Yi. She’s a sociopath and a serial killer. Don’t ask me how a serial killer only decides to kill people who “deserve it.” This is a contradiction in terms. She’s very smart and uses a network of clients to help her; people who owe her for killing those they hired her to kill.
Last, we have Yong Sook, a matriarchal, corrupt politician who is trying to use her money and influence to get her son elected for mayor. We’re somehow supposed to fear her power and influence, as she does nothing but bark orders at cronies who quake in their boots whenever she’s around without any reason. She’s about as intimidating as a snowman.
The series is supposed to be quirky and comical, and for the most part, it is. However, when you leave realism in the dust, you end up with a series that is a complete farce and has absolutely no explanations or logic in how things occur.
At one point, Song Ki Kyung is trying to elude her captors. She jumps on a board and begins to paddle her way toward the center of the Han River as law enforcement pursues her on a power boat. She finally dives into the water. Don’t ask me how a person who dives into the middle of a river isn’t caught. After all, she has to come up for air at some point. It’s insulting how the writers and directors treat the audience as dimwits.
The final episode was so ridiculous and absurd, I’m not sure how anyone could buy it as being real and authentic. Koo Kyung Yi may be good at putting pieces together, but she’s downright dumb when it comes to anticipating what her adversaries will do and trusting those who you know is going to betray her. A six-year-old could figure things out better! It’s bad enough that she’s a former police officer who has clearly forgotten all of her skills. Aside from her detective skills, she must have been one terrible cop!
Song Yi Kyung has taken Santa hostage. Never mind that I lost count how many times he could have easily disarmed her. They climb aboard a train, only to find Koo Kyung Yi waiting for them. At one point, Song Yi Kyung takes out the magazine of the gun to check how many rounds it has. It never crosses the minds of either Santa or Koo Kyung Yi to attack, or even in those many moments when Song Yi Kyung isn’t even paying attention to Santa. The whole scene was so badly done that I thought I was suddenly thrown back into an 1980s action TV series!
It's sad when the writers attempt to showcase the intelligence of their characters without allowing for reality or the audience that they’re writing for.
There isn’t much to like about Koo Kyung Yi. In fact, I found Song Yi Kyung far more interesting as a character, even if there were times you wondered how her intelligence suddenly eluded her. For instance, she’s tucked away in a veritable prison, guarded by only an old gardener. For all of her intelligence and ability to plan and plan ahead, she suddenly can’t think of a way out.
Performances are good, even if the true villain in Yong Sook was laughable. The music is also quite good, and frankly, it was the best part about the series.
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