Connect

I watched Connect on Hulu in one sitting, as I had planned to - it was a much awaited Jung Hae In series.

Jung Hae In's acting as an isolated and bullied humanoid, who still retains hope and innocence was excellent, to the point of heartbreaking in some scenes. The way he controlled that one eye, and his body to show loss of perspective made me think - "so, this is how one eyed pirates of Hollywood should have played it." The slanting slouch that he assumed to convey his lowly stature in society was remarkable - contrast it with how Lim Soo Hoo of Snowdrop carries himself, or the lilting, half dancing step of Jun Hee in SITR . The utter loneliness and invisibility of the urban outsider, is clearly a main theme that both the director and Jung Hae In want us to see and take away.

What surprised me though was how the overall graphic novel like aesthetics and color palette, invites the viewer in, and makes even the most gruesome scenes watchable. It somehow conveys that the director is somewhere close by, and we needn't be too scared. All kudoes to Director Miike who takes us to the brink of the macabre and then quickly pulls us back to the everyday world.

While the story pits Ha Dong Soo who resists using his super power against a pathetic Oh Jin Seopp who craves to be immortalized, there are other contrasts that are delicately presented. Yi Rang and Dong Soo are Connect, but they are not really alike. Yi Rang, the Connect is in some ways similar to the human Jin Seopp, in that both believe in their own superiority. Dong Soo on the other hand is akin to Detective Choi who understands him, and his vulnerability. His art is healing, and endears him to the musician Z. It seems to me that these are Director Miike's metaphors for contradictions in today's polarized world. Like the red tendrils that are the motif of the show, these interplays run through each episode and foreshadow further development in Season 2.

Kim Hye Joon plays the role of the confident Lee Yi Rang impressively - she is strong, smart and ambitious, and unfettered. And, she does it without overshadowing Ha Dong So who is outwardly diffident. Go Kyung Pyo is an actor I like a lot from Reply 1988 and Strongest Delivery Man. But the way he played the psychopath didn't strike any fear in me, must be because the previous images are still strong in my mind.

Choices that didn't work for me: 1. Too much air time for the organ hunters trope. Time that could have been used to strengthen the backstory and depth of the main characters, or to introduce the pharma company- they would have added menace, and more intrigue for Season 2.

2. It is logical and biological for I Rang and Dong Soo to reach for each other. However, the whole scene seemed half-hearted on the part of the director, and the actors.

3. I honestly did not understand the point of Gideun. He may well be a Season 2 foreshadow.

All these are minor issues. So my overall rating is 9/10.

I binged watched the entire Connect series with 6 episodes in 1 sitting.

Director Takashi Miike did a great job. The acting is perfection most specially Jung Hae In. He acted so well considering this is his first time doing CGI work.

The visual effects and cinematography are also well done. It is a must watch.

I especially like how they used music to interweave each storyline. It is a welcome enhancement to the webtoon. Jung Hae In's voice is so soothing that I end up contantly listening to it in spotify.

I just wish that they will have Season 2 very soon as episode 6 is such a cliffhanger.

It's worth watching this series for two things. Firstly the special effects and unusual powers are fascinating and different - he can heal and won't die but isn't extra strong. Secondly the usually sweet Jung Hae In in such a horror sci fi setting does a great job. Can feel his pain. The villain played by Go Kyung Pyo is quite effective as well. There are a few faults. The violence could have been toned down - it's a bit sickening. Secondly it's not over yet. When is Season 2? Thirdly it actually seems rushed in that some connecting explanatory scenes seem to be lacking. This is one of the few series that should have been longer. I felt I had to guess what happend sometimes. But at least it wasn't draggy.

Just finished the show. Originally, I was looking forward to watching this as the cast of this one is really promising. The fact that it's a Disney+ original added another alluring feel to it.

However, it was a disappointment.

The acting was okay, but the storyline felt lackluster and incomplete; it had potential but something was definitely missing. The visuals were great though, some of the scenes were mesmerizing. But the lack of depth and character development was glaring. I wish the writers had done a better job with the plot.

They could have added more twists and turns and made it more interesting. It felt like the story was barely touched upon in the time given and could have been a lot more enjoyable if the writers had gone a little bit deeper into the characters and the story. All in all, it was okay, but nothing extraordinary.

I watched this series hoping to get the feel of "Ajin" or "The Strain". I however got an emotional drama about art and horoscope.

The main character did not really develop, nor did it make sense how he keeps becoming dramatic with each event.

The main Villan is not even hard to track, everything he needs to get the information has always been there, but he did not utilize them. Eg: Read some lips, lookup some names...

For a tv series, I would say that the CGI is not bad, but the sound effect would suit, if he is another creature disguising as a human. It almost went full on "Marvel Venom"/ "Species", with a touch of "Kill bill's blood spilling".

The actors did good, I am impressed, but the way the story is told, forces the audience to think that the general IQ of the people in this movie is actually lower than average.

If you are here for some action, this series, has no real action, if you are looking for some story about the strong struggling, here you are.

Most importantly, the Woke-culture here is not as heavy as the west.