fyra

When I think about what makes a great action-thriller, a drama like A Shop for Killers is what comes to mind. It has all the right elements: interesting characters, exceptional acting, intense fight scenes, and gripping storytelling. From the very beginning, the dark and suspenseful cinematography alone entices us as its audience, and the strong characters and engaging plot hold our attention, keeping us on the edge of our seats. The story is told in two timelines, and although I am usually not a fan of a non-linear narrative because it is often implemented poorly, A Shop for Killers manages to successfully weave the past and present seamlessly into a cohesive story for us.

We get to follow the uncle-and-niece duo, Jeong Jinman and Jeong Jian, as they start off as estranged relatives, to being forced to rely heavily on each other, to Jeong Jian abruptly and tragically becoming the sole surviving member of her family. Neither are prepared for their roles as parental figure and orphan — no one ever is — but both somehow make it work with a lot of time, trial and error, and tough love. The way these characters are able to tug on my heartstrings is something that I really admire. This is one of those stories that have minimal dialogues, and yet, every subtle action and expression is more than enough to evoke strong reactions from me. There are a few times when the drama leaves me in tears because of how wonderfully performed the scenes are. Raw emotions at its finest.

I love the child actress, Ahn Se Bin, and her ability to showcase Jian's childhood trauma and resilience. She brings this character to life, making the audience root for her survival and wish for her prosperity. And I love Lee Dong Wook's depiction of Jinman — on the surface, the character comes off as cold, strict, and unaffectionate, but there are moments when his vulnerability and hidden tenderness seep through and you can see the pain and guilt he carries deep down. In fact, from the child actors to the veteran actors, every performance in this drama is spectacular.

The action sequences are fun and enthralling. They are a composition of strategic maneuvers and split-second decisions. Some scenes, I really have to suspend disbelief in order to appreciate, but for the most part, I enjoy the intensity behind every fight in this drama. They are well-choreographed, no dull moment in sight.

However, nothing is without its faults, and A Shop for Killers has a few.

We are introduced to an unique concept: what if there is a shop for killers? In this shop, each customer must follow a set of rules placed by the owner, and anyone who breaks these rules must face the wrath of the entire network. This sounds cool in theory, and I would have loved to see this executed to the fullest extent possible, but I feel like this part of the pact is never fully explored. Which leads me to ask: what is the point of teasing us with such a compelling premise of killers coming to our hero's aid if most, not all but most, of the killers involved don't honor the agreement? What is the point of having rules, if there are no consequences for those who break the code of conduct? I expected a refreshing twist on the classic revenge story, and this drama missed an opportunity to do just that. The idea that initially drew me in is overshadowed by a more conventional but predictable revenge arc.

Even in death, the memories of Jeong Jinman haunt every episode, and it is in these moments that we learn who he really was. For fourteen years, he was not only a prisoner of his past in his nightmares but also its prey in his reality. His demise was the result of the choices he made to appease his conscience. The revelation of his old enemies and the reasons for their grievances is where, in my opinion, the plot starts to deteriorate and collapse in on itself, because unfortunately the villains are walking contradictions. If what Jinman did in the past was an isolated incident, and no one else has committed similar past actions, then their desire for revenge would be understandable to me. However, that was not the case. So, why was he the exclusive target of their vengeance?

Along with my frustrations for how the revenge aspect is handled, our protagonist, Jeong Jian, is someone I also have conflicting feelings for. She starts off as this quick-witted child, and we see glimpses of her intelligence and strength once she grows up as well, but for some reason, she becomes a muddled mess by the end. Throughout the entire drama, the audience is constantly reminded, "Jeong Jian, you are just like your uncle." But when push comes to shove, she proves that she is, in fact, not. While she is supposed to be this very capable character, she continuously makes bad decisions, one after the other. And when cornered into a confined space, her ability to combat danger is inconsistent — sometimes she is able to evade and deflect, other times, she freezes while her allies suffer.

I think my disappointment stems from the fact that I expected more from her. She was such a fighter when she was young, she had the spirit of a lion; I thought she was going to deliver the same kind of excellence when the enemies arrived at her door. Instead, the side characters are the ones who step up and do what she cannot. It is hard for me to believe that her speech is impactful enough to stop the mercenaries from collecting the bounty on her head. I try to tell myself that her crashout is PTSD induced, and this does make a little sense of things, but even so I can't help but feel like we are robbed of a moment for Jeong Jian to really shine in the end.

The villains' fluctuating motives for attacking Jian are confusing — one minute they are trying to kill her, the next, they are claiming they need her alive — and it only becomes more illogical as we reach the finale. This makes the last few episodes weak due to a lack of a clear purpose. Thankfully, the final moments steer the story back on course and redeem the overall drama in my eyes. It is obvious that the real showdown will most likely take place in season two. I don't really mind this since I believe this story deserves a proper resolution.

Although A Shop for Killers has glaring flaws that I can't ignore, I still find it immensely enjoyable. Over the span of just eight episodes, I have become emotionally invested in these characters. It is rare to find an action-thriller these days that is able to elevate the story beyond the fist fights, gun battles, and explosions. This story have intrigue, tension, and a whole lot of heart. I'm definitely glad I gave it a chance.