Exceptional acting but disappointing writing
A compelling premise and brilliant acting couldn't save this thriller from its own flaws. While the central idea was intriguing, the execution simply fell flat, resulting in a drama that was just 'good' instead of extraordinary.
The emotional and psychological depth of the drama centered entirely on the fascinating development of the mother-son relationship. Watching Detective Cha Su-yeol confront and slowly process his bond with his killer mother, Jung I-shin, was the true highlight of the series.
This core dynamic was powerfully carried by the cast. Go Hyun-jung delivered an amazing, dominating performance as the serial killer, fully embodying the character's chilling complexity. I found myself unable to resist sympathizing with her actions, given she only targeted abusers in situations where the law was helpless. This moral ambiguity—a killer driven by a warped sense of vigilante justice—elevated the entire viewing experience. Jang Dong-yoon also excelled in his role, skillfully portraying his character's internal turmoil.
However, the writing was the biggest flaw. The police characters were frustratingly incompetent, and the female detective, in particular, was often annoying and poorly handled. On the plus side, the mystery itself was well-constructed; the writers successfully kept the killer's identity hidden, proving my guesses wrong. The twist in the final episode was a spectacular moment, leaving me speechless and redeeming some of the earlier missteps. The obvious open ending sets the stage for a potential second season.
The emotional and psychological depth of the drama centered entirely on the fascinating development of the mother-son relationship. Watching Detective Cha Su-yeol confront and slowly process his bond with his killer mother, Jung I-shin, was the true highlight of the series.
This core dynamic was powerfully carried by the cast. Go Hyun-jung delivered an amazing, dominating performance as the serial killer, fully embodying the character's chilling complexity. I found myself unable to resist sympathizing with her actions, given she only targeted abusers in situations where the law was helpless. This moral ambiguity—a killer driven by a warped sense of vigilante justice—elevated the entire viewing experience. Jang Dong-yoon also excelled in his role, skillfully portraying his character's internal turmoil.
However, the writing was the biggest flaw. The police characters were frustratingly incompetent, and the female detective, in particular, was often annoying and poorly handled. On the plus side, the mystery itself was well-constructed; the writers successfully kept the killer's identity hidden, proving my guesses wrong. The twist in the final episode was a spectacular moment, leaving me speechless and redeeming some of the earlier missteps. The obvious open ending sets the stage for a potential second season.
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