Peaky

This drama has the best acting I've seen from Joo Ji Hoon, Han Hyo Joo, and Lee Hee Joon. (Lee Moo Saeng kills it in Maestra).

I've always noticed the creepy undertones in the dynamic between Lee Hee Joon and Han Hyo Joo. He wanted her to "submit" to him, eg depend on him, ask him for help. But it came out in full force in the creepy camping "date" in episode 6. I loved their cat and mouse tension, I was riveted.

My guess is that Lee Hee Joon ordered the terrorist attack on his grandfather, and also the shootout in the forest.

There is pseudo romance. Han Hyo Joo has chemistry and romantic undertones with her bodyguard, Joo Ji Hoon. There is also one man with a creepy obsession, not revealing who bc it's a low key spoiler. She also has a mysterious relationship with Lee Moo Saeng, the nature of which gets revealed later.

I totally agree with your deductions! The husband is being cast with suspicion, but it will be cleared, but there will be another twist. The husband is guilty of something, bc it seems the FL is going to end up with the cop.

Edit: I've read the synopsis, and the husband's only "crime" may be that he knew his father's wrongdoings and turned a blind eye. That may be why he's depressed. Either way, I'm rooting for the FL and cop to end up together!

This is my first drama with Yeon Woo Jin, and he is SO hot and such a good actor!

Watch for the noona romance with Ha Seok Jin and Oh Yoon Ah. They have great chemistry in an enemies-to-lovers relationship with eventual domestic bliss.

Lol at all the comments saying they won't watch if there's romance. If you can't see the melo/romantic undertones in episode 2, then you're blind. Sure, there's no overt romance and never will be, but the melo vibes are def there. But whatever helps those folks sleep at night...

Thanks!

Just saw the trailer and it seems similar to Night Has Come. Is it similar, and is it as good as Night Has Come?

Don't forget The Revenant! The last few episodes of that drama were exhilarating with incredible acting from Kim Taeri.

I realized those were some things that made her character unsatisfying. She didn't definitively stand up to the exploitative, sexually harassing professor. And I was hoping she was going to wise up on the sketchy landlord and do a reverse uno, but she fell into his trap. I like morally gray characters, but I guess passive characters are frustrating, even if they're realistic.

The writer and director of this drama, Yeon Sang Ho, also wrote and directed The Train to Busan. He is also the original author/creator of Hellbound and The King of Pigs.

This is a solid drama, well acted, with an ominous atmosphere and layered subplots. The village setting, shamanism and mystery reminded me of The Revenant. I do wish the female lead character was more satisfying, dark and complex (the stepfather situation was potentially disturbing but the drama didn't go there), that there was more interaction with our two leads, and that the villain was more tied into the story and satisfying.

If you don't know, there are discussions for every episode release on reddit. Discussion for E02 - E03 here: https://www.reddit.com/r/koreanvariety/comments/18yw6nk/transit_love_3_exchange_3_e02e03_240105/?sort=confidence

So she passes on her husband and stress induced cancer to her fake best friend. But imo the husband deserves to die more. He's abused FL more than the fake best friend. He took her money, he was violent with her, he used her as his maid, his mother bullied her, he was the one who planned to get life insurance on her and prevented her from going to the doctor, etc.

Yes! The CEO has a crush on her. Just search "maestra" on youtube and you should see edits of the CEO and Lee Young Ae.

If you liked the mental games and social aspect of The Devil's Plan, I highly recommend The Time Hotel (2023) and Bloody Game 2 (2023). They are both survival shows heavily inspired by The Genius but with their own unique twists. I've watched all three seasons of The Genius and The Devil's Plan, and The Time Hotel and Bloody Game 2 are just as good, thrilling and satisfying with great casts.

I've just watched Time Hotel, and it's just as good as Bloody Game 2 and The Devil's Plan. Highly recommend.

I've watched The Genius, The Devil's Plan and Bloody Game 2, and Time Hotel is just as good as those shows. There were great alliances, betrayals, reversals, displays of brain power, and a satisfying ending. My favorite shows of 2023 are Time Hotel and Bloody Game 2! (The Devil's Plan was good, but slightly disappointing.)

I think the druggie turned on the sprinklers and I think he will try to create a scandal that Se-eum and the CEO are having an affair.

The ending of episode 5 is a banger! Such a roller coaster of strong emotions. I'm still fuming.

Weak Hero Class 1 - dark high school drama based on a webtoon about loners fighting back against bullies

Hellbound - dark and creepy drama about being sentenced to hell, with mystery, violence and thrilling aspects.

Concrete Utopia - apocalyptic movie w/ Park Boyoung and Park Seojoon, but it's kinda depressing

Liar Game - It's similar to Squid Game, but the games are psychological and social.

Battle Royale - an older Japanese movie where everyone on an island has to kill each other.

I agree w/ bel12 about Kingdom, Sweet Home, Strangers from Hell. The movie version of King of Pigs has good reviews. And I'm assuming you've already watched Squid Game and Train to Busan.