1
Signal: A Brilliant Transmission with a Broken Ending
In the intricate web of Korean dramas, Signal stands out as a tale both hauntingly resonant and frustratingly incomplete. Built on the foundation of cold cases inspired by real-life events, it weaves a story of connections that transcend time. However, much like the mysterious walkie-talkie that bridges its past and present, the drama itself oscillates between brilliance and bafflement, leaving viewers grappling with a sense of unease as the final credits roll.
At its core, Signal is a fascinating blend of crime procedural and supernatural thriller. The narrative kicks off in 2015 when criminal profiler Park Hae-young (Lee Je-hoon) stumbles upon a discarded walkie-talkie that inexplicably connects him to Detective Lee Jae-han (Cho Jin-woong) in the 1990s. Their collaboration across time sparks the resolution of a 15-year-old kidnapping and murder case, setting the stage for a cold case team led by Detective Cha Soo-hyun (Kim Hye-soo), whose personal stakes in the mystery add layers of depth to the story. As past and present collide, the ripple effects of their actions unravel a gripping tale of justice, loss, and unintended consequences.
The drama’s initial strength lies in its narrative, which draws heavily from real-life cases such as the Hwaseong Serial Murders and the 2004 Miryang students’ gang-rape case. This grounding in reality gives Signal a chilling authenticity. Each case is a microcosm of societal failures, illuminating the devastating human toll of unresolved crimes. It’s not just the victims who suffer but also the investigators, whose lives become intertwined with the pursuit of justice.
Cho Jin-woong’s portrayal of Lee Jae-han anchors the series with his portrayal of an unyielding detective who refuses to compromise his principles despite overwhelming odds. His performance is both raw and heartfelt, making him the emotional cornerstone of the narrative. Meanwhile, Kim Hye-soo’s transformation from a naive rookie to a hardened detective showcases her remarkable range, and Lee Je-hoon’s portrayal of the hot-headed yet perceptive profiler adds a dynamic edge. The interplay between these three characters forms the heart of the drama, with each actor bringing a unique energy that complements the others. Their individual arcs are intricately woven together, creating a narrative tapestry where no thread feels extraneous.
One of Signal’s greatest strengths is its ability to deliver plot twists that genuinely surprise without feeling contrived. The writers masterfully subvert expectations, leading viewers down one path only to veer sharply in another direction, all while maintaining a logical coherence. The stakes are consistently high, and the consequences of meddling with time are explored with a level of nuance that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
Yet, for all its brilliance, Signal stumbles at the finish line. The 16th episode, a 90-minute attempt to tie up loose ends, feels like a betrayal of the meticulous storytelling that preceded it. Instead of delivering a satisfying resolution, the finale rehashes earlier scenes with minor revelations, as if circling back to the starting point without ever moving forward. The narrative comes full circle, yes, but in a way that feels more like a loop than a conclusion. The open-ended ending, clearly designed to set up a second season, is an affront to viewers who invested 15 episodes worth of emotions, only to be left dangling with no closure. Nearly a decade later, with no updates on a sequel, this decision feels all the more frustrating.
Adding to the dissatisfaction is the lack of explanation surrounding the mystical time-traveling walkie-talkie. While Signal thrives on its emotional and procedural realism, the fantastical element remains a gaping hole in the story. Hae-young’s brief theorizing about how the time magic works is brushed aside as if even the writers had no interest in delving deeper into the mechanics of their own premise. The inconsistencies in how the past and present influence each other, including the frequent “resurrections” of characters thought to be dead, undermine the emotional stakes. Why mourn a character when their death might be undone in the next episode?
Despite these flaws, Signal remains a poignant exploration of humanity and resilience. It captures the relentless determination of those who seek justice, often at great personal cost, and the ripple effects of their actions on the lives of others. The show’s portrayal of police work is unflinching in its honesty, highlighting not just the victories but also the toll it takes on those in the trenches. Some of its most powerful moments come not from the resolution of cases but from the quiet devastation of lives forever altered by violence and loss.
In the end, Signal is a tale of two halves. Up until episode 15, it is a masterclass in storytelling, character development, and emotional engagement. But its inability to stick the landing tarnishes what could have been an unequivocal masterpiece. Watching Signal is like gazing at a stunning painting, only to realize the artist left the final strokes unfinished, leaving you to imagine what might have been.
Likes:
Signal begins with a narrative punch, drawing on real-life cases to craft compelling stories that delve into the human cost of crime. The three leads—Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, and Cho Jin-woong—deliver standout performances, creating characters who feel authentic and deeply layered. The intertwining of their arcs is seamless, with each character’s journey adding depth to the others. Unexpected plot twists keep the audience on edge, while the show’s focus on the emotional toll of its cases elevates it beyond the typical procedural drama.
Dislikes:
The final episode falters, spending too much time revisiting earlier scenes and failing to provide a satisfying resolution. The open-ended conclusion feels like a ploy for a second season, leaving viewers frustrated nearly a decade later. The mystical element of the time-traveling walkie-talkie remains underexplored, and the frequent reversals of character deaths dilute the emotional impact.
Verdict:
Signal is a gripping drama that excels in exploring the humanity behind crime and justice. Its strong performances, intricate storytelling, and emotional resonance make it a standout—up to a point. Unfortunately, the lackluster finale undermines the experience, leaving viewers yearning for closure that never comes. It’s a testament to the show’s strengths that it remains memorable despite its flaws, but one can’t help but wish it had finished as strongly as it began
At its core, Signal is a fascinating blend of crime procedural and supernatural thriller. The narrative kicks off in 2015 when criminal profiler Park Hae-young (Lee Je-hoon) stumbles upon a discarded walkie-talkie that inexplicably connects him to Detective Lee Jae-han (Cho Jin-woong) in the 1990s. Their collaboration across time sparks the resolution of a 15-year-old kidnapping and murder case, setting the stage for a cold case team led by Detective Cha Soo-hyun (Kim Hye-soo), whose personal stakes in the mystery add layers of depth to the story. As past and present collide, the ripple effects of their actions unravel a gripping tale of justice, loss, and unintended consequences.
The drama’s initial strength lies in its narrative, which draws heavily from real-life cases such as the Hwaseong Serial Murders and the 2004 Miryang students’ gang-rape case. This grounding in reality gives Signal a chilling authenticity. Each case is a microcosm of societal failures, illuminating the devastating human toll of unresolved crimes. It’s not just the victims who suffer but also the investigators, whose lives become intertwined with the pursuit of justice.
Cho Jin-woong’s portrayal of Lee Jae-han anchors the series with his portrayal of an unyielding detective who refuses to compromise his principles despite overwhelming odds. His performance is both raw and heartfelt, making him the emotional cornerstone of the narrative. Meanwhile, Kim Hye-soo’s transformation from a naive rookie to a hardened detective showcases her remarkable range, and Lee Je-hoon’s portrayal of the hot-headed yet perceptive profiler adds a dynamic edge. The interplay between these three characters forms the heart of the drama, with each actor bringing a unique energy that complements the others. Their individual arcs are intricately woven together, creating a narrative tapestry where no thread feels extraneous.
One of Signal’s greatest strengths is its ability to deliver plot twists that genuinely surprise without feeling contrived. The writers masterfully subvert expectations, leading viewers down one path only to veer sharply in another direction, all while maintaining a logical coherence. The stakes are consistently high, and the consequences of meddling with time are explored with a level of nuance that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
Yet, for all its brilliance, Signal stumbles at the finish line. The 16th episode, a 90-minute attempt to tie up loose ends, feels like a betrayal of the meticulous storytelling that preceded it. Instead of delivering a satisfying resolution, the finale rehashes earlier scenes with minor revelations, as if circling back to the starting point without ever moving forward. The narrative comes full circle, yes, but in a way that feels more like a loop than a conclusion. The open-ended ending, clearly designed to set up a second season, is an affront to viewers who invested 15 episodes worth of emotions, only to be left dangling with no closure. Nearly a decade later, with no updates on a sequel, this decision feels all the more frustrating.
Adding to the dissatisfaction is the lack of explanation surrounding the mystical time-traveling walkie-talkie. While Signal thrives on its emotional and procedural realism, the fantastical element remains a gaping hole in the story. Hae-young’s brief theorizing about how the time magic works is brushed aside as if even the writers had no interest in delving deeper into the mechanics of their own premise. The inconsistencies in how the past and present influence each other, including the frequent “resurrections” of characters thought to be dead, undermine the emotional stakes. Why mourn a character when their death might be undone in the next episode?
Despite these flaws, Signal remains a poignant exploration of humanity and resilience. It captures the relentless determination of those who seek justice, often at great personal cost, and the ripple effects of their actions on the lives of others. The show’s portrayal of police work is unflinching in its honesty, highlighting not just the victories but also the toll it takes on those in the trenches. Some of its most powerful moments come not from the resolution of cases but from the quiet devastation of lives forever altered by violence and loss.
In the end, Signal is a tale of two halves. Up until episode 15, it is a masterclass in storytelling, character development, and emotional engagement. But its inability to stick the landing tarnishes what could have been an unequivocal masterpiece. Watching Signal is like gazing at a stunning painting, only to realize the artist left the final strokes unfinished, leaving you to imagine what might have been.
Likes:
Signal begins with a narrative punch, drawing on real-life cases to craft compelling stories that delve into the human cost of crime. The three leads—Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, and Cho Jin-woong—deliver standout performances, creating characters who feel authentic and deeply layered. The intertwining of their arcs is seamless, with each character’s journey adding depth to the others. Unexpected plot twists keep the audience on edge, while the show’s focus on the emotional toll of its cases elevates it beyond the typical procedural drama.
Dislikes:
The final episode falters, spending too much time revisiting earlier scenes and failing to provide a satisfying resolution. The open-ended conclusion feels like a ploy for a second season, leaving viewers frustrated nearly a decade later. The mystical element of the time-traveling walkie-talkie remains underexplored, and the frequent reversals of character deaths dilute the emotional impact.
Verdict:
Signal is a gripping drama that excels in exploring the humanity behind crime and justice. Its strong performances, intricate storytelling, and emotional resonance make it a standout—up to a point. Unfortunately, the lackluster finale undermines the experience, leaving viewers yearning for closure that never comes. It’s a testament to the show’s strengths that it remains memorable despite its flaws, but one can’t help but wish it had finished as strongly as it began
Was this review helpful to you?
`