If anyone is wondering if this show is any good, I'd say go for it because the rating doesn't reflect the quality of this script which is unusually disciplined . This is a good K drama. In all likelihood it's one of the best we'll probably see this year considering the misfires and mediocrity we've been hit with the last two plus years.
Of course Part 2 can't exist without Part 1 but Part 2 feels more assured because it demonstrates in clear terms how masterful the plotting is. I'm chuffed that that my speculations were right (it was only logical) but I have to give the show a lot of credit for the better-than-average plotting. Moreover the show boasts a fantastic antagonist -- one of the best I've ever seen in K drama and that I think made all the difference.
What a great finish. The last few episodes were really good and did a decent job tying up the entire season. I did prefer the backend of the season to what came before.
Shin Jae-ha -- what a performance. He's evolving into quite the versatile actor.
Well-plotted if convoluted noir detective series revolved around scams. It does go a little overboard with the non-linear storytelling but the plot is solid.
I'm trying to work out who the demographic for this show is. It feels like it could be adapted from a manhwa for kids or teens. Some of the characters are very cartoony. Is the Investigation Bureau so hard up that they hire just anybody? I like the ML but it's so obvious that they use his speed ability very inconsistently.
My only real beef with this season is the fact that they're taking 2 episodes to resolve an arc rather than just one or one and a half episodes. This definitely has affected the pacing. Otherwise I'm fine with the cases and Shin Jae-ha's arc.
No one is saying that the male lead's role is useless. Of course he's a key character here. What people are saying is: 1) There's little/no romantic spark between the leads (an issue of chemistry) 2) Romance may or may not have been necessary between the leads.
The criticism is how the romance was executed with the actors that were cast. It's never been about whether the Yeo-jung was "needed" in the story or the overall plot.
I think people are too harsh on this one.In general I think Kdramas have dipped in quality a lot since Squid Game…
If anything we're not being harsh enough. Even by the lights of your argument, we should demand better of our drama providers. I certainly agree that the oversaturation of K dramas among the rival streaming platforms has led to the dip in quality over the last two years because they are madly pushing out content just to compete on quantity. So it feels like any half-baked script can pass muster. As paying consumers we should hold these providers to account or otherwise they'll think we're just suckers who will go for anything because it comes out of South Korea.
This is in large part what's killing Hollywood. The same disease will infect the K drama industry if it hasn't already.
4 
Of course Part 2 can't exist without Part 1 but Part 2 feels more assured because it demonstrates in clear terms how masterful the plotting is. I'm chuffed that that my speculations were right (it was only logical) but I have to give the show a lot of credit for the better-than-average plotting. Moreover the show boasts a fantastic antagonist -- one of the best I've ever seen in K drama and that I think made all the difference.
Shin Jae-ha -- what a performance. He's evolving into quite the versatile actor.
https://40somethingahjumma.substack.com/p/decoy-part-1-2023-a-review
On top of that it does feature my favourite SK actor.
1) There's little/no romantic spark between the leads (an issue of chemistry)
2) Romance may or may not have been necessary between the leads.
The criticism is how the romance was executed with the actors that were cast. It's never been about whether the Yeo-jung was "needed" in the story or the overall plot.
Jang Hyuk the action hero is always worth a look. The fight sequences in this are terrific.
This is in large part what's killing Hollywood. The same disease will infect the K drama industry if it hasn't already.