This review may contain spoilers
Mysterious and captivating historical adventure
Plot and Concept
The series revolves around the uncovering of a brutal secret experiment on humans, the liberation of prisoners in a hospital, and the confrontation with the Kenson entity.
Unlike typical zombie apocalypses, this story emphasizes scientific experiments, making the plot particularly intriguing.
The storyline touches on important themes: maintaining humanity in the fight for survival, life under occupation, political resistance and the people's liberation movement, corruption, torture, chauvinism, the value of human life, the ethics of science, love, personal tragedies, and loss.
The story unfolds logically and steadily, without major plot holes. The characters face challenges, evolve, and make difficult decisions. The plot begins with the mysterious hospital’s activities, then the protagonists meet, head to the epicenter of events, encounter the military and the consequences of experiments, fight for survival, overcome trials, escape from the hospital, but are forced to return to finish what they started.
Particularly impressive scenes include:
— the attempt to tame the monster, battles,
— cold weapon killings,
— the moment when Chae-ok kills Ichiro,
— Chae-ok rescuing Choi Yeong-wan,
— Chae-ok and her father surrounded by soldiers,
— the explaination what Seishin is,
— Taesan subduing the monster with nitrogen,
— scenes of Mr. Chan caring for Chae-ok,
— arson, Kwon and Gappen’s torture,
— the conversation between Kato and Chae-ok,
— as well as the emotional ending.
Characters and Acting
Main characters: Yoon Chae-ok and Jang Taesan.
Chae-ok has spent years dreaming of finding her mother. She tries to save her until the very end. She is detached and cold because she lacked the warmth her mother once gave. Gradually, through Taesan, she learns to accept care and realizes she needs someone to share her joys and sorrows. Before meeting Mr. Chan, she is lonely and has to go through hell. She takes a dangerous action at the end despite doubts and her attachment to Taesan, knowing she wouldn’t forgive herself for missing the chance to take revenge for the crimes committed against her people.
Taesan is a hedonist and cynic, avoiding politics and living one day at a time. He has no higher purpose and doesn’t chase ideals. But meeting Chae-ok changes him: she is independent, strong, intelligent, cautious, and determined. While material values used to matter most to him, she becomes the meaning of his life. He realizes he can help others, saves the test subjects, and begins to appreciate and value those around him.
The characters are well-developed and relatable. Perhaps there could have been even more depth, but this is compensated by the strong focus on the concept of inhumane experiments.
Park Seo-joon and Han So-hee did an excellent job in their roles.
Park Seo-joon already stood out in Itaewon Class, where he also played a character who lost a parent and managed a business. His character there had a strong sense of justice, which is also present in Jang Taesan.
Han So-hee perfectly fits the role of Chae-ok: after My Name, where her character was also driven by personal tragedy and possessed combat skills, this role suits her flawlessly.
I believed in their smiles, the glimmers of hope in the dark world of occupied Joseon, and the tears shed over the characters’ fates. The fight scenes looked realistic—without exaggerated invincibility of the protagonists, making their journey even more compelling.
Directing and Visual Style
Overall, the series employs standard visual techniques:
— Rule of thirds,
— Symmetry (highlighting the order imposed by the occupying forces),
— Centering,
— Leading lines (enhancing focus on the object and creating drama),
— Backlighting (forming silhouettes and adding mystery),
— Low angles (making the subject appear imposing),
— High angles (emphasizing vulnerability),
— Color contrast,
— Depth of frame (reflections, shadows, surrounding objects),
— Extreme compositional choices (creating a sense of isolation and tension),
— Natural framing.
The actors deliver deep emotional performances, conveying their characters' fear, despair, and determination. Their movements and interactions are meticulously coordinated, especially in combat scenes, enhancing the realism.
Scenes featuring the monster and the experiments on the Joseon people feel real, thanks to high-quality graphics.
Different filming techniques are used to set the scene’s mood:
— Static shots (mostly in dialogues),
— Dynamic camera work in fight scenes to create a sense of chaos and danger,
— Slow zoom-ins on characters’ faces to emphasize their inner turmoil,
— Panoramic city views to showcase the scale and atmosphere of the era.
Lighting plays a key role in setting the atmosphere:
— Warm lighting in scenes with the Japanese elite highlights their privileged status,
— Cold, dim tones in scenes with Joseon people reflect their oppression,
— High-contrast lighting creates tension in scenes with the creature, intensifying the horror.
Costumes—kimonos, dresses, tuxedos—reflect the characters’ social status and national identity, emphasizing the cultural differences between the Japanese and Koreans. The set design—lanterns, signs, building facades—carefully recreates the atmosphere of 1940s occupied Joseon.
Sound design enhances the emotional impact of scenes:
— Ominous music during the creature’s appearances heightens fear,
— Silence in key moments builds tension and focuses attention on events,
— Sound effects—creaking doors, footsteps, whispers—add realism and immerse the viewer in the series' world.
Script and Dialogues
I found the dialogues engaging and non-trivial. Every character’s actions are meaningful and logically woven into the story.
The most striking metaphor in the dialogues is undoubtedly "Until the cherry blossoms fall." The moments that stood out to me the most were:
— The dialogue between Taesan and Maeda about betrayal by loved ones,
— The conversation between Kwon and Taesan about the value of money,
— The talk between Taesan and Chae-ok about remembering the other if one of them dies,
— Chae-ok’s monologue about how her mother taught her to make figures out of string.
The romantic storyline felt somewhat underdeveloped—it could have been explored in greater depth with more attention.
Music and Soundtrack
The music is well-chosen: tense scenes are accompanied by minor compositions that enhance the atmosphere. However, there are few melodies for joyful moments, though this is justified—the series rarely creates a lighthearted mood, focusing on other aspects instead.
I particularly liked FOREVER by SUHO, which plays during the credits. In romantic scenes, Time by Baek A fits perfectly. The opening track by Choe Jeong In sets an appropriately dark and tense mood. The main theme by Choe Jeong In perfectly complements the anxious and dramatic atmosphere of the series, while To. my Daughter by Choe Jeong In plays during sad but steady moments, emphasizing their emotional depth.
Overall Impression and Emotions
After watching, I was left with the feeling of a mysterious and captivating historical adventure. I felt like an invisible observer standing beside the protagonists in the harsh military reality of their world.
I genuinely cared about the characters and wanted to protect them from all dangers. I didn’t cry much—I rarely do, even in melodramas—but the powerful moments deeply moved me. The major twist involving Seishin and the scene where Taesan reunites with Chae-ok after returning from the hospital left the strongest impression.
I already want to rewatch the series and would gladly recommend it to friends.
Final Rating
I would confidently rate this series 10/10.
I highly recommend it to anyone who values an engaging plot and intense atmosphere. And for those who love sci-fi and spectacular fight scenes, this series will be especially enjoyable.
I’m almost done with the second season now. I like it a little less than the first, but it still maintains a high level of quality.
The series revolves around the uncovering of a brutal secret experiment on humans, the liberation of prisoners in a hospital, and the confrontation with the Kenson entity.
Unlike typical zombie apocalypses, this story emphasizes scientific experiments, making the plot particularly intriguing.
The storyline touches on important themes: maintaining humanity in the fight for survival, life under occupation, political resistance and the people's liberation movement, corruption, torture, chauvinism, the value of human life, the ethics of science, love, personal tragedies, and loss.
The story unfolds logically and steadily, without major plot holes. The characters face challenges, evolve, and make difficult decisions. The plot begins with the mysterious hospital’s activities, then the protagonists meet, head to the epicenter of events, encounter the military and the consequences of experiments, fight for survival, overcome trials, escape from the hospital, but are forced to return to finish what they started.
Particularly impressive scenes include:
— the attempt to tame the monster, battles,
— cold weapon killings,
— the moment when Chae-ok kills Ichiro,
— Chae-ok rescuing Choi Yeong-wan,
— Chae-ok and her father surrounded by soldiers,
— the explaination what Seishin is,
— Taesan subduing the monster with nitrogen,
— scenes of Mr. Chan caring for Chae-ok,
— arson, Kwon and Gappen’s torture,
— the conversation between Kato and Chae-ok,
— as well as the emotional ending.
Characters and Acting
Main characters: Yoon Chae-ok and Jang Taesan.
Chae-ok has spent years dreaming of finding her mother. She tries to save her until the very end. She is detached and cold because she lacked the warmth her mother once gave. Gradually, through Taesan, she learns to accept care and realizes she needs someone to share her joys and sorrows. Before meeting Mr. Chan, she is lonely and has to go through hell. She takes a dangerous action at the end despite doubts and her attachment to Taesan, knowing she wouldn’t forgive herself for missing the chance to take revenge for the crimes committed against her people.
Taesan is a hedonist and cynic, avoiding politics and living one day at a time. He has no higher purpose and doesn’t chase ideals. But meeting Chae-ok changes him: she is independent, strong, intelligent, cautious, and determined. While material values used to matter most to him, she becomes the meaning of his life. He realizes he can help others, saves the test subjects, and begins to appreciate and value those around him.
The characters are well-developed and relatable. Perhaps there could have been even more depth, but this is compensated by the strong focus on the concept of inhumane experiments.
Park Seo-joon and Han So-hee did an excellent job in their roles.
Park Seo-joon already stood out in Itaewon Class, where he also played a character who lost a parent and managed a business. His character there had a strong sense of justice, which is also present in Jang Taesan.
Han So-hee perfectly fits the role of Chae-ok: after My Name, where her character was also driven by personal tragedy and possessed combat skills, this role suits her flawlessly.
I believed in their smiles, the glimmers of hope in the dark world of occupied Joseon, and the tears shed over the characters’ fates. The fight scenes looked realistic—without exaggerated invincibility of the protagonists, making their journey even more compelling.
Directing and Visual Style
Overall, the series employs standard visual techniques:
— Rule of thirds,
— Symmetry (highlighting the order imposed by the occupying forces),
— Centering,
— Leading lines (enhancing focus on the object and creating drama),
— Backlighting (forming silhouettes and adding mystery),
— Low angles (making the subject appear imposing),
— High angles (emphasizing vulnerability),
— Color contrast,
— Depth of frame (reflections, shadows, surrounding objects),
— Extreme compositional choices (creating a sense of isolation and tension),
— Natural framing.
The actors deliver deep emotional performances, conveying their characters' fear, despair, and determination. Their movements and interactions are meticulously coordinated, especially in combat scenes, enhancing the realism.
Scenes featuring the monster and the experiments on the Joseon people feel real, thanks to high-quality graphics.
Different filming techniques are used to set the scene’s mood:
— Static shots (mostly in dialogues),
— Dynamic camera work in fight scenes to create a sense of chaos and danger,
— Slow zoom-ins on characters’ faces to emphasize their inner turmoil,
— Panoramic city views to showcase the scale and atmosphere of the era.
Lighting plays a key role in setting the atmosphere:
— Warm lighting in scenes with the Japanese elite highlights their privileged status,
— Cold, dim tones in scenes with Joseon people reflect their oppression,
— High-contrast lighting creates tension in scenes with the creature, intensifying the horror.
Costumes—kimonos, dresses, tuxedos—reflect the characters’ social status and national identity, emphasizing the cultural differences between the Japanese and Koreans. The set design—lanterns, signs, building facades—carefully recreates the atmosphere of 1940s occupied Joseon.
Sound design enhances the emotional impact of scenes:
— Ominous music during the creature’s appearances heightens fear,
— Silence in key moments builds tension and focuses attention on events,
— Sound effects—creaking doors, footsteps, whispers—add realism and immerse the viewer in the series' world.
Script and Dialogues
I found the dialogues engaging and non-trivial. Every character’s actions are meaningful and logically woven into the story.
The most striking metaphor in the dialogues is undoubtedly "Until the cherry blossoms fall." The moments that stood out to me the most were:
— The dialogue between Taesan and Maeda about betrayal by loved ones,
— The conversation between Kwon and Taesan about the value of money,
— The talk between Taesan and Chae-ok about remembering the other if one of them dies,
— Chae-ok’s monologue about how her mother taught her to make figures out of string.
The romantic storyline felt somewhat underdeveloped—it could have been explored in greater depth with more attention.
Music and Soundtrack
The music is well-chosen: tense scenes are accompanied by minor compositions that enhance the atmosphere. However, there are few melodies for joyful moments, though this is justified—the series rarely creates a lighthearted mood, focusing on other aspects instead.
I particularly liked FOREVER by SUHO, which plays during the credits. In romantic scenes, Time by Baek A fits perfectly. The opening track by Choe Jeong In sets an appropriately dark and tense mood. The main theme by Choe Jeong In perfectly complements the anxious and dramatic atmosphere of the series, while To. my Daughter by Choe Jeong In plays during sad but steady moments, emphasizing their emotional depth.
Overall Impression and Emotions
After watching, I was left with the feeling of a mysterious and captivating historical adventure. I felt like an invisible observer standing beside the protagonists in the harsh military reality of their world.
I genuinely cared about the characters and wanted to protect them from all dangers. I didn’t cry much—I rarely do, even in melodramas—but the powerful moments deeply moved me. The major twist involving Seishin and the scene where Taesan reunites with Chae-ok after returning from the hospital left the strongest impression.
I already want to rewatch the series and would gladly recommend it to friends.
Final Rating
I would confidently rate this series 10/10.
I highly recommend it to anyone who values an engaging plot and intense atmosphere. And for those who love sci-fi and spectacular fight scenes, this series will be especially enjoyable.
I’m almost done with the second season now. I like it a little less than the first, but it still maintains a high level of quality.
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