This review may contain spoilers
How awesome when the hero says : "This is where the law stops... And I start... Sucker."
Or maybe it was just some cheesy American guy wearing sunglasses in the middle of the night, I can't remember.
The premise of the series is good, but there are a lot of slow bits, far too many ! and a lot of repetition. I skipped loads of pointless scenes. As for the first two seasons, I don't think they're very well made or well-paced overall. And to be perfectly honest, Lee Je Hoon really isn't a very good actor. He has a likeable quality about him, yes, and I enjoy seeing him on screen, of course, but he acts poorly ; always overdoing it or not doing enough at all. And that's the case in his other roles that I've seen him in before.
The thing about this series and its seasons is that you can pause it at the end of each segment. Watch something else, then come back to it. That’s what it's designed for. So that's what I did. The overarching storylines add absolutely nothing. And it's a pleasure to catch up with this fine team of avengers. Always ready to take down the scum.
But at times, I could no longer indulge my lowest instincts for revenge. You have to know when to take a break. Especially since we always assume that criminals are driven by pure malice. They choose these cases for that reason, of course, but what about all those who are criminalised simply because they're trying to survive ? We don't see them and no one takes revenge on them ; that wouldn't fit with the spirit of the series.
We remain on the side of the victims, whose tormentors are set to get a taste of their own medicine.
The team is always one step ahead. Just when you think the protagonists are cornered, it turns out everything was planned from the start. At times, this is reassuring and comforting. Given my anxiety, I'll take it.
I get the feeling that every case is based on real events... People settle their scores here.
S01
_The part about videos uploaded to an adult website (filmed without the victim's knowledge) is discussed by Stephanie Soo in her podcast. The series even includes the boss who wants to kill chickens with a sword. (Yes, really) A boss who, in real life, apologised on camera by reciting a text he'd learnt by heart. Why ? Who helped catch him ? We'll never know. (Probably an employee...)
_Maria, the first victim the heroes come to the rescue of (and who returns in season 3), has her employers using her identity to take out insurance policies and launder money. It reminded me of that Chinese talent agency that used to do that. Their clients obviously have no idea. It happened to the sadly departed Yu Menglong (may he rest in peace); he was starving to death whilst his identity was being used to move colossal sums of money. (When Chinese celebrities are convicted of tax fraud, one can't help but wonder whether they themselves knew about it before the police arrested them and the courts convicted them...)
_The episodes about bullying at school, the same thing happened to me. Two bullies were waiting in my living room ; they were chatting to my mum as if they were my friends. Seeing them when I got home was really hard. You don't feel safe anywhere. I still tremble when I think back on it. I can easily imagine that these episodes are based on a real-life incident.
S02
_The bit about phone scams and people being held captive abroad: there’s also a Korean film on that subject. Citizen of a Kind (2024). A decent little film.
_The section on the cult, how can you not think of the JMS Church ? Not treated at all here as it has in Save Me. An extraordinarily intelligent series that perfectly captures the grip of religion. Watch Save Me !
_BlackSun, I don't think I need to go into detail. When the team started taking an interest in the club, I was pleased, even though they were throwing humour at such a serious matter. But actually, it's a good thing the sense of comedy is there, as it makes it bearable. With the courts unwilling to do anything, and the police equally unwilling as they're completely involved, the K-dramas are taking it upon themselves to punish them… a very small consolation for the many victims whose lives have been destroyed.
S03
_The Japan storyline isn't exactly gripping. I'd already watched season 1 of Tokyo Vice, and it wasn't great, so I'm not particularly excited about this "crossover".
_Ep.04, music from Paprika, correct ? That bit about the submerged cars wasn't very interesting.
_The section on the idol agency is by far the best. Sadly, all too many real-life stories fit the bill. They recruit very young women (or men), control every aspect of their lives, separates them from the world outside, shape their minds and bodies ; how on earth could that possibly go well ? Exploitation in its most basic form : making people believe that working hard to line the pockets of the rich is a privilege. "She's an idol, she can't say anything to anyone"
(Kang Na Eon is excellent as the tyrannical, manipulative manager. She reminds me of the one in the documentary about Katseye)
Go, Elements ! or not. Whatever.
_The episodes about fake adverts that turn into harassment, there's a Korean film on the same theme : Don't Buy the Seller. What a living hell. Absolute nightmare.
_On the island, I thought it was going to be about AHAE, but actually it wasn't. The whole phase of exploring the place works well ; you wonder what mystery awaits them. And the Rainbow taxis that waste the scammers' time were both funny and satisfying.
_The latest investigation involving the army… I hate the army. A profoundly disgusting institution that destroys even its most ardent defenders. Here's the proof. What's more, South Korea has a very dark history of people being killed on charges of communism, whether true or false. To justify its existence, the authorities see threats everywhere, and if they can't find any, they make them up.
"Unity !" behind the guys with guns, I guess.
_No ! I'll NEVER buy your "Kopiko" ! If I want coffee, I'll make it my-self.
_Why is the OST synthpop ?
Ready for a season 4, comrades.
Or maybe it was just some cheesy American guy wearing sunglasses in the middle of the night, I can't remember.
The premise of the series is good, but there are a lot of slow bits, far too many ! and a lot of repetition. I skipped loads of pointless scenes. As for the first two seasons, I don't think they're very well made or well-paced overall. And to be perfectly honest, Lee Je Hoon really isn't a very good actor. He has a likeable quality about him, yes, and I enjoy seeing him on screen, of course, but he acts poorly ; always overdoing it or not doing enough at all. And that's the case in his other roles that I've seen him in before.
The thing about this series and its seasons is that you can pause it at the end of each segment. Watch something else, then come back to it. That’s what it's designed for. So that's what I did. The overarching storylines add absolutely nothing. And it's a pleasure to catch up with this fine team of avengers. Always ready to take down the scum.
But at times, I could no longer indulge my lowest instincts for revenge. You have to know when to take a break. Especially since we always assume that criminals are driven by pure malice. They choose these cases for that reason, of course, but what about all those who are criminalised simply because they're trying to survive ? We don't see them and no one takes revenge on them ; that wouldn't fit with the spirit of the series.
We remain on the side of the victims, whose tormentors are set to get a taste of their own medicine.
The team is always one step ahead. Just when you think the protagonists are cornered, it turns out everything was planned from the start. At times, this is reassuring and comforting. Given my anxiety, I'll take it.
I get the feeling that every case is based on real events... People settle their scores here.
S01
_The part about videos uploaded to an adult website (filmed without the victim's knowledge) is discussed by Stephanie Soo in her podcast. The series even includes the boss who wants to kill chickens with a sword. (Yes, really) A boss who, in real life, apologised on camera by reciting a text he'd learnt by heart. Why ? Who helped catch him ? We'll never know. (Probably an employee...)
_Maria, the first victim the heroes come to the rescue of (and who returns in season 3), has her employers using her identity to take out insurance policies and launder money. It reminded me of that Chinese talent agency that used to do that. Their clients obviously have no idea. It happened to the sadly departed Yu Menglong (may he rest in peace); he was starving to death whilst his identity was being used to move colossal sums of money. (When Chinese celebrities are convicted of tax fraud, one can't help but wonder whether they themselves knew about it before the police arrested them and the courts convicted them...)
_The episodes about bullying at school, the same thing happened to me. Two bullies were waiting in my living room ; they were chatting to my mum as if they were my friends. Seeing them when I got home was really hard. You don't feel safe anywhere. I still tremble when I think back on it. I can easily imagine that these episodes are based on a real-life incident.
S02
_The bit about phone scams and people being held captive abroad: there’s also a Korean film on that subject. Citizen of a Kind (2024). A decent little film.
_The section on the cult, how can you not think of the JMS Church ? Not treated at all here as it has in Save Me. An extraordinarily intelligent series that perfectly captures the grip of religion. Watch Save Me !
_BlackSun, I don't think I need to go into detail. When the team started taking an interest in the club, I was pleased, even though they were throwing humour at such a serious matter. But actually, it's a good thing the sense of comedy is there, as it makes it bearable. With the courts unwilling to do anything, and the police equally unwilling as they're completely involved, the K-dramas are taking it upon themselves to punish them… a very small consolation for the many victims whose lives have been destroyed.
S03
_The Japan storyline isn't exactly gripping. I'd already watched season 1 of Tokyo Vice, and it wasn't great, so I'm not particularly excited about this "crossover".
_Ep.04, music from Paprika, correct ? That bit about the submerged cars wasn't very interesting.
_The section on the idol agency is by far the best. Sadly, all too many real-life stories fit the bill. They recruit very young women (or men), control every aspect of their lives, separates them from the world outside, shape their minds and bodies ; how on earth could that possibly go well ? Exploitation in its most basic form : making people believe that working hard to line the pockets of the rich is a privilege. "She's an idol, she can't say anything to anyone"
(Kang Na Eon is excellent as the tyrannical, manipulative manager. She reminds me of the one in the documentary about Katseye)
Go, Elements ! or not. Whatever.
_The episodes about fake adverts that turn into harassment, there's a Korean film on the same theme : Don't Buy the Seller. What a living hell. Absolute nightmare.
_On the island, I thought it was going to be about AHAE, but actually it wasn't. The whole phase of exploring the place works well ; you wonder what mystery awaits them. And the Rainbow taxis that waste the scammers' time were both funny and satisfying.
_The latest investigation involving the army… I hate the army. A profoundly disgusting institution that destroys even its most ardent defenders. Here's the proof. What's more, South Korea has a very dark history of people being killed on charges of communism, whether true or false. To justify its existence, the authorities see threats everywhere, and if they can't find any, they make them up.
"Unity !" behind the guys with guns, I guess.
_No ! I'll NEVER buy your "Kopiko" ! If I want coffee, I'll make it my-self.
_Why is the OST synthpop ?
Ready for a season 4, comrades.
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