Korean Drama : Tell Me What You Saw

Year Released

2020

Genre

Crime, Thriller

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Jang Hyuk, Choi Soo-young, Jin Seo-yun, Eum Moon-suk

Storyline

Criminal profiler detective Oh Hyun-jae (Jang Hyuk) lost her fiance to 'Peppermint Candy' serial killer five years ago. The police announced the serial killer's death in an explosion but recent murder cases proved otherwise. All victims had a peppermint candy left behind in the crime scenes.

Cha Soo-young (Choi Soo-young) is being recruited into RIU to assist them with cases relating to Peppermint Candy due to her ability to remember what she sees. Together with team leader Hwang Hwa-young (Jin Seo-yun) and the rest of RIU, they worked with Oh Hyun-jae to track down the real murderer.

My View

My second Jang Hyuk's drama, the first one was Voice. I guess he is pretty suitable in doing crime dramas. Plotline flows through well and I don't feel draggy as much though everyone seems to be linked to peppermint candy serial killer. 

Rating

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Save Me 2

Year Released

2019

Genre

Thriller

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Uhm Tae-goo, Chun Ho-jin, Kim Young-min, Jo Jae-yoon

Storyline

Scam artist Choi Kyung-seok (Chun Ho-jin) disguises himself as Professor Choi from Hankook University in Seoul. He befriends Jung Byung-ryul (Sung Hyuk) from Wolchoori village and later introduces himself as Elder Choi.

Elder Choi helps the villagers in getting maximum compensation from government for their soon-to-be submerged village to make way for a new dam. In return, he gets permission to set up a church in Wolchoori.

Elder Choi directs multiple 'miracles' to the villagers and also turns pastor Sung Cheol-woo (Kim Young-min) into believing that he has healing hands and is son of the God. Once most of the villagers decide to join as church followers, Elder Choi shows them about the religious community, Garden of Eden.

Only Kim Min-cheol (Uhm Tae-goo) is not buying all of these 'sweet talks' and had already seen Choi Kyung-seok's true colours long ago.

My View

As compared to Save Me part one, part two is way better. I certainly did not expect the well played scams and think I would probably be fooled as well. 

For those who feel offended about why a certain religion has to be marked as a cult, don't be. All religions have good teaching and the only reason why they look bad is due to the wrongdoing of evil people.

Rating

5/5 Stars

 

Korean Drama : Save Me

Year Released

2017

Genre

Thriller

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Ok Taec-yeon, Woo Do-hwan, Seo Yea-ji, Jo Sung-ha, Park Ji-young, Jo Jae-yoon

Stoyline

The plot revolves around Guseonwon, a church in Muji town where Spiritual Father Baek Jung-ki (Jo Sung-ha) spreads his beliefs to his followers. He has support from Apostle Jo (Jo Jae-yoon) and Apostle Kang (Park Ji-young).

Unknown to his believers, Spiritual Father is actually a former criminal charged for fraud. He has also been involved in sexual assaults with young girls, mostly are the children of his followers. Baek claims that in order for everyone to enter paradise, he needs to marries a Spriritual Mother.

Im Sang-mi (Seo Yea-ji) is the latest victim of Guseonwon and together with her friends Seok Dong-chul (Woo Do-hwan) & Han Sang-hwan (Ok Taec-yeon), they track down and uncover the truths behind this evil cult.

My View

Save Me is not too bad at first then after a while it starts to get a litte draggy. But the story goes back right on track after that but I think this thriller is not impactful enough. Good artistes there but the story is soso.

Rating

3/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Squid Game

Year Released

2021

Genre

Thriller

No. of Episodes 

9 - running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Jung Ho-yeon, Wi Ha-joon, Heo Sung-tae, Oh Young-soo

Storyline

For those people with bad debts, they are being offered a chance to win some money if they agreed to play games for a few days. Little did they know that the price to pay would be their lives should they be eliminated in the game.

My View

An extremely well-written plot that keep me glued to each episode and I completed the drama in a day. That's one good thing about Netflix series as they are short and sweet.

Found this site of Squid Game's spoilers which is quite mind-blowing actually. There are already tons of SQ's games on Roblox and one of them being Red Light Green Light which I enjoyed playing it.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Voice 4

Year Released 

2021

Genre

Crime, Thriller

No. of Episodes

14 - running time of 63 minutes per episode

Starring

Song Seung-heon, Lee Ha-na, Lee Kyu-hyung

Storyline

The same old Golden Time Team where call centre receives emergency calls and police officers being dispatched to on site. This time round revolves around Derek Jo (Song Seung-heon) from US LAPD entering into Korea to catch a criminal.

Under agreement with the Korean government, Derek is allowed to stay in Korea and to co-operate with GTT in search for his younger sister, Lisa Jo's (Lee Yi-dam) murderer. Derek believes that very same murderer is involved with his mother's death as well many years back on Vimo Island.

While chasing the culprit, Kang Kwon-joo (Lee Ha-na) uncovers secrets leading to her special hearing ability. Her memories slowly come back when she happens to be at a deserted hospital in Sonang Village.

My View

Compared to Voice part 1 to 3, part 4 is kind of mild. Not many cases involved and I don't actually feel tense like I used to have when watching thriller or crime dramas. But I have high expectation for part 5 as it seems like viewers are finally getting the answer to Fabre's beginning. Unless the scriptwritter decides to write some side tracks like part 4 and drag on a little bit.

Special mention on Lee Kyu-hyung as he is truly good in his acting. Liked him a lot in Prison Playbook and he is not too bad in Doctor John too.

Rating

3/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Tunnel

Year Released

2017

Genre  

Crime, Thriller

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Choi Jin-hyuk, Yoon Hyun-min, Lee Yoo-young

Storyline

Park Gwang-ho (Choi Jin-hyuk) is a detective from Hwayang police station who time travels from 1986 to 2016 while chasing a serial killer through a tunnel.

There, he meets Kim Seon-jae (Yoon Hyun-min) who is a lieutenant in Hwayang police station. Together, they get to know criminal psychological professor Shin Jae-yi (Lee Yoo-young).

Gwang-ho continues to chase after the serial killer as he thinks this is the only way for him to go back to 1986. 

My View

Tunnel's plotline is extremely exciting that I'm having goosebumps at times when watching it.

Since the story is that amazing, I don't even want to write any spoilers here.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Awaken

Year Released

2020 - 2021

Genre

Mystery, Thriller

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 70 minutes per episode

Starring

Namkoong Min, Kim Seol-hyun, Lee Chung-ah, Yoon Sun-woo

Storyline

Team leader Do Jung-woo (Namkoong Min) heads the special team of Seoul Metropolitan Police agency together with inspector Gong Hye-won (Kim Seol-hyun). 

FBI investigator Jamie Leighton (Lee Chung-ah) has been invited to join special team as well. They are trying to track down serial killer Moon Jae-woong (Yoon Sun-woo) who has been making the victims commit suicide by having lucid dreams.

All of the victims play a part supporting a foundation in experimenting serum of immortality. They use young children below 14 years old as test subjects at White Night Village. 

However, a tragedy happened one night where everyone killed each other in the village. A few children manage to escape and survive until they are adults. Now they are plotting revenge against those evil scientists and members of White Night foundation.

My View

The idea of killing people by making them have lucid dreams is somewhat creative to me. It's like one is unable to differentiate between reality or fantasy.

Rating 

5/5 Stars

 

Korean Drama : Trap

Year Released

2019

Genre

Thriller

No. of Episodes

7 - running time of 70 minutes per episode

Starring

Lee Seo-jin, Sung Dong-il, Lim Hwa-young

Storyline

The story starts with anchorman Kang Woo-hyun (Lee Seo-jin) as a victim to a group of "hunters" while on vacation with his family. His wife and son are kidnapped and taken as baits. Woo-hyun has to decide if he is to save his wife or son.

Detective Go Dong-kook (Sung Dong-il) works together with profiler Yoon Seo-young (Lim Hwa-young) to track down the group of serial killers.

My View

There is a little twist here and there but not that much of an impact. Perhaps, it is due to only 7 episodes which feels pretty rush.

How I wish everything just ends instantly but the ending is a cliffhanger.

Rating

3/5 Stars

 

Korean Drama : Beyond Evil

Year Released

2021

Genre

Thriller

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 70 minutes per episode

Starring

Shin Ha-kyun, Yeo Jin-goo

Storyline

Lee Dong-sik (Shin Ha-kyun) is a sergeant at Manyang Police sub-station of Munju Police Station. He was a suspect of his twin sister's killer 20 years ago. Dong-sik lives his whole life trying to catch the real murderer.

Han Joo-won (Yeo Jin-goo) is a detective from International Crime Investigation team of the Foreign Affairs Department in Seoul. He is transferred to Manyang Police sub-station to find out a serial killer he is investigating.

My View

The most disgusting part about society is those who know the truth but choose to remain silent. 

Some did it for their family while others are just plain greedy.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama: The World of the Married

Year Released

2020

Genre

Family, Romance, Thriller

No. of Episodes

16 + 2 specials - running time of 80 minutes per episode

Starring

Kim Hee-ae, Park Hae-joon, Han So-hee

Storyline

The plot starts off with a perfect life follows by suspicion, betrayal, lies and manipulation. After which is a comeback, revenge and fear. 

Then there is emotional breakdown, dilemma and suicide. Finally, the show ends with reflection, letting go, a lot of patience and forgiveness.

My View

The first episode left me swearing a lot. If betrayal by your other half is not enough, there are those people who keep their silence about the truth.

Another part that makes me curse was when Lee Tae-oh (Park Hae-joon) and Ji Sun-woo (Kim Hee-ae) had a fierce fight which landed Tae-oh a police's constraint order.

In the end, all of them realise what is the most important thing in their lives. Eventually, they get to move on in peace.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Children of Nobody

Alternative Title

Red Moon Blue Sun

Year Released

2018 - 2019

Genre

Mystery, Thriller

No. of Episodes

32 -  running time of 30 minutes per episode

Starring

Kim Sun-a, Lee Yi-kyung, N, Joo Suk-tae

Storyline

Child counselor Cha Woo-kyung's (Kim Sun-a) life seems perfect until a little girl whom she doesn't know has been appearing in her subconcious mind. From then on, her life starts getting from bad to worse. 

Her husband has an affair, her second child is stillborn and she accidentally knocked a child down which ended up killing him.

Detective Kang Ji-hyun (Lee Yi-kyung) is someone who believes that every life matters be it a criminal or civilian. He crosses path with Woo-kyung when he is investigating some murder cases connecting to child abuse.

My View

I have not watched such an awesome thriller drama in a long time. 

For the first four episodes, my heart was racing as everything seemed spooky and mysterious. At the end of the first episode when Woo-kyung completed the poem, my heart skipped a beat.

Throughout the entire show, I just cannot wait to find out what's next. The plot is too good that I'm unable to write any spoilers. Lol..

Rating 

5/5 Stars

 

Korean Drama : W - Two Worlds

Year Released

2016

Genre

Romance, Fantasy, Thriller

No. of Episodes

16- running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Lee Jong-suk, Han Hyo-joo

Storyline

The story sets in a fictional webtoon named W, written and illustrated by author Oh Seong-moo (Kim Eui-sung) which begins to function on its own.

Seong-moo's daughter Oh Yeon-joo (Han Hyo-joo) visits his father's studio one day to investigate his sudden disappearance. There, she accidentally enters the comic world and finds a bloodied Kang Chul (Lee Jong-suk) on a building rooftop.

My View

Lee Jong-suk really looks like someone who just comes out from the comic. He has extremely sharp features.

W Two Worlds is a must watch fantasy drama and the ending is acceptable for me.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Voice 2 & 3

 

Year Released

2018 (season 2), 2019 (season 3)

Genre

Crime, Thriller

No. of Episodes

12 - running time of 60 minutes per episode (season 2), 16 - running time of 60 minutes per episode (season 3)

Starring

Lee Jin-wook, Lee Ha-na, Kwon Yul, Park Byung-Eun (season 3)

Storyline

Season 2

While Detective Moo Jin-hyuk is no longer at the Golden Time, Kwon-joo (Lee Ha-na) still heads the team and continue catching criminals. This time she partners with Detective Do Kang-woo (Lee Jin-wook) who is a mysterious man with secret hidden pain. He is able to read criminals' minds.

Season 3

The third part takes place in Japan where the team will discover Kang-woo's real identity. 

My View

Though the final ending is kind of sad, but I think that is the best solution to end it all.

Fell in love with Lee Jin-wook here.. *smiles*

I must say Kwon Yul and Park Byung-Eun are certainly good at being psychopaths.

Voice 4 is coming out soon this year. Can't hardly wait!

Rating

5/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Voice

Year Released

2017

Genre

Thriller, Crime

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Jang Hyuk, Lee Ha-na

Storyline

This story brings together detective Moo Jin-hyuk (Jang Hyuk) and policewoman Kang Kwon-joo (Lee Ha-na) in catching the serial killer who took the lives of their loved ones.

Kwon-joo is a voice profiler working in the "Golden Time team" while assisting Jin-hyuk with any slight clues in tracking down the criminals.

My View

For the first time in my life, I actually have to remove my earphones (I usually watch dramas from my laptop) because Voice is just too frightening. 

My friend has to remove hers when she watches the drama Signal. Lol..

If Jang Na-ra is the drama queen, then Jang Hyuk is drama king. 

When I look through all the K-dramas for the past ten years which I would like to catch up, all I see are both their names.

I have 120 dramas to go as of time of writing because I go for everything from comedy, crime, legal, romance, fantasy, historical period to web series.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Korean Drama : Bad Guys

Year Released

2014

Genre

Action, Crime, Thriller

No. of Episodes

11- running time of 65 minutes per episode

Starring

Kim Sang-joong, Park Hae-jin, Ma Dong-seok, Jo Dong-hyuk, Kang Ye-won

Storyline

Detective Oh Gu-tak (Kim Sng-joong) often uses excessive force in catching his criminals which leads him to suspension. When law and justice could not take the criminals down, Police Chief Nam Gu-hyeon (Kang Shin-il) requests Gu-tak to form a team.

Gu-tak recruits three convicts from jail to form his team. Lee Jung-moon (Park Hae-jin), a genius psychopath serial killer, Pak Un-cheol (Ma Dong-seok), a mob boss and Jung Tae-soo (Jo Dong-hyuk), a contract killer. Joining them is police inspector Yoo Mi-young who tries to deal with the team rationally.

My View

A terrific idea in getting bad guys to catch bad guys. You especially need a psychopath's mind to know the other serial killers' thoughts.

I fell in love with Jo Dong-hyuk... *melts*

Rating 

5/5 Stars

 

Korean Drama : Vampire Prosecutor 1 & 2

Year Released

2011 (Season 1), 2012 (season 2)

Genre

Horror, Thriller, Crime

No. of Episodes

12 - running time of 58 minutes per episode (season 1), 11 - running time of 5 minutes per episode (season 2)

Starring

Yeon Jung-hoon, Lee Won-jong

Storyline

Min Tae-yeon (Yeon Jung-hoon) is a prosecutor who gets bitten and becomes a vampire. He looks for hints in victims' deaths by drinking their blood.

Tae-yeon partners up with Detective Hwang Soon-bom (Lee Won-jong) in solving cases and he is the only one who knows about Tae-yeon's secret.

My View

The first case for season 2 is so terrorising that I need three days to finish the first episode. Seriously..

VP has a good plot and I enjoy each of the crimes that are being solved.

Hoping for season 3 as I still need to find out who is the "bad blood".

Rating

5/5 Stars

 

Korean Drama : Vampire Detective

Year Released

2016

Genre

Thriller, Horror

No. of Episodes

12 - running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Lee Joon, Lee Se-young, Oh Jung-se

Storyline

Yoon San (Lee Joon) works as a private detective with his friend Yong Goo-hyung (Oh Jung-se). One day, Yoon San is turned into a vampire. He remains a private detective who solves cases for his clients all the while uncovering the secrets from his past.

My View

The story is still not too bad as I have seen worse ones.

Rating

3/5 Stars

 

Korean Drama : The Lies Within

Year Released

2019

Genre

Thriller

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Lee Min-ki, Lee Yoo-young

Storyline

After Kim Seo-hui's (Lee Yoo-young) father, assemblyman Kim Seung-cheol's death (Kim Jong-soo), her husband Jung Sang-hoon (Lee Joon-hyuk) mysteriously disappears.

Seo-hui seeks the help of detective Jo Tae-sik in investigating these incidents.

My View

Honestly, I was kind of taken aback when I finally know the truth behind the story.

A lot of misleading clues making you guess who is the real villian.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama : The Guardians

Alternative Title

Lookout

Year Released

2017

Genre

Action, Thriller

No. of Episodes

32 - running time of 35 minutes per episode

Starring

Kim Young-kwang, Lee Si-young

Storyline

A group of five people teaming up to serve justice themselves after losing their loved ones to criminals.

Prosecutors Jang Do-han (Kim Young-kwang) and Kim Eun-jung (Kim Tae-hoon), detective Jo Soo-ji (Lee Si-young), Seo Bo-mi (Kim Seul-gi) who communicates with the world through CCTVs and hacker Gong Kyung-su (Key).  

My View

I enjoy watching how the truths are being unfolded and Park Solomon's acting is not too bad actually. 

He should have more future opportunities.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Korean Drama : The Girl Who Sees Smells

Year Released

2015

Genre

Thriller, Fantasy

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 60 minutes per episode

Starring

Micky, Shin Se-kyung, Namkoong Min

Storyline

Choi Eun-seol (Shin Se-kyung) comes home from school one day and finds her parents murdered. While escaping from the murderer, she is hit by a car and falls into coma.

Choi Moo-gak (Micky) visits her younger sister Eun-seol (Kim So-hyun) in the hospital only to find that she has been killed. 

When Eun-seol wakes up, Oh Jae-pyo (Jung In-gi) adopts her as his own daughter Oh Cho-rim. Cho-rim is now able to "see" smells as visible colours and shapes. She can trace where people have been because of their lingering scents trail.

Moo-gak has been so traumatised by her sister's death that he has insomnia and is in constant pain. One day, he faints and wakes up losing his sense of smell, taste and is unable to feel pain.

He decides to be a detective to investigate the truth behind his sister's death.

My View

The suspense is there because the villian is just right in front of you but you simply cannot catch him.

Namkoong Min is certainly the best psychopath out there.

Rating

5/5 Stars