36 reviews
Based on the first three episodes, I can only guess and hope that this series will be a stand-out horror kdrama, unlike some other very conventional dramas. I expect nothing less from Kim Eun-hee(Kingdom). Kim Tae-ri is an amazing actress and she can deliver. But some of the aspects should have received a little more attention, like character development(especially the main leads) but I am hopeful that the upcoming eps will solve this issue.
I watched another k-horror drama called The Guest(which is amazing) and could feel the same type vibe in this one. So I feel that it has the potential to be a hit drama😊 Hope this helps.
I watched another k-horror drama called The Guest(which is amazing) and could feel the same type vibe in this one. So I feel that it has the potential to be a hit drama😊 Hope this helps.
I am not usually a fan of the supernatural genre but I decided to watch this as I am a big fan of Kim Tae-ri and as usual she does not disappoint. Supported by a super cast she plays a struggling student who becomes possessed by a child ghost who is being pursued by an exorcist (Oh Jung-se) who can see ghosts. We also have a detective duo who are investigating mysterious deaths that go back many years with the older of the pair being friends with the exorcist. The story moves reasonably slowly but the director and writers slowly ramp up the tension so by the later episodes you are really on edge. Even though the child ghost is a murderous malevolent spirit I did feel sorry for her because of how people created her.
- alaningle7
- Jul 29, 2023
- Permalink
Intriguing Storyline:
The storyline itself was very interesting and intriguing. Although the ghosts are not as scary as normal horror drama but sure can still surprise you.
The plot twist was unexpected. Since the writer made the story like so, you'll never expect the twist towards the end.
Themes of Human Nature: Beyond the supernatural elements, the series also delves into themes of human greed, desire, and the darkness that can exist within individuals.
Strong Performances: Kim Tae-ri and the other cast members deliver convincing performances, particularly Kim Tae-ri's portrayal of the young student who becomes possessed.
Overall: "Revenant" is a well-made K-drama that offers a compelling blend of supernatural suspense, compelling characters, and exploration of Korean folklore. While it may not be a horror film, it successfully delivers a suspenseful experience with a strong focus on the human element and the consequences of greed and desire.
The plot twist was unexpected. Since the writer made the story like so, you'll never expect the twist towards the end.
Themes of Human Nature: Beyond the supernatural elements, the series also delves into themes of human greed, desire, and the darkness that can exist within individuals.
Strong Performances: Kim Tae-ri and the other cast members deliver convincing performances, particularly Kim Tae-ri's portrayal of the young student who becomes possessed.
Overall: "Revenant" is a well-made K-drama that offers a compelling blend of supernatural suspense, compelling characters, and exploration of Korean folklore. While it may not be a horror film, it successfully delivers a suspenseful experience with a strong focus on the human element and the consequences of greed and desire.
Revenant is a suspense thriller that will captivate your curiosity. Covered with so many layers of lies and real life experiences. This film will surely make you watch all episodes in one sitting because you would seriously want to know the WHO, WHERE, WHEN and HOW. You will be left dumfounded by clues that are left by the spirits. Oh Jung-Se made another spectacular character. From the very first episode, it will leave you wondering with so many questions about the entirety of the film and you would want to know the answers to it. You'll never guess what happens to each episode. Everyone did a great portrayal. Makes you realize and appreciate things that you normally take for granted. A must watch!! Yet another great addition to my binge-watching movie list. This will not leave you disappointed.
- mviloria-10193
- Jul 29, 2023
- Permalink
Revenant is a supernatural mystery thriller, so don't be put off by the "horror" tag if you're too scared to watch it. There is a lot of suspense but no gore, so true horror fans might be disappointed. Revenant has a unique and interesting plot featuring Korean folklore, so you'll be kept thinking and guessing throughout the series. It also raises important themes of society's pressures and how they affect youth.
Revenant showcases the masterclass acting of Kim Taeri, who absolutely gets better with each work, and she fully deserves all the accolades she gets. She has the uncanny knack of transforming herself with each role and you don't see a trace of past characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed Revenant and highly recommend it. It joins Twenty-Five Twenty-One and Mr Sunshine has my all-time favourite dramas.
Revenant showcases the masterclass acting of Kim Taeri, who absolutely gets better with each work, and she fully deserves all the accolades she gets. She has the uncanny knack of transforming herself with each role and you don't see a trace of past characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed Revenant and highly recommend it. It joins Twenty-Five Twenty-One and Mr Sunshine has my all-time favourite dramas.
- acjoe-83655
- Jul 29, 2023
- Permalink
FYI: Kim Tae Ri - Baeksang Best Actress (25 21), Oh Jung Se - Baeksang Best Supporting Actor (It's Okay Not To Be Okay). Hong Kyung - Baeksang Best New Actor (Innocence), Kim Eun Hee - Baeksang Best Screenplay (Signal). And together they made The Revenant. So what would you think will happen? Yes, a masterpiece.
I waited almost every week for another 2 episodes because the series was very intriguing. The characters were all smart and open minded, and also learnt from their mistakes. This what made the show different from any other horror/thriller movie, where most of the characters were looked so panic and clueless when it came the time to face the devil.
Supporting casts were also very good. The mother, the good friend, the old detective, the demonic granny, the shaman, even the evil spirit, all stole the moment when it came to their screen times. Last but not least: kudos to the screen writer and director that pay attention to story details example: when the mom complaint about how Gu San Yeong never ask her to ride along with her new car, or when the scar in Gu San Yeong's head remained seen until the end of the series.
Excellent 9/10
A very minor spoiler : at the end, we will still feel pity for the main character.
I waited almost every week for another 2 episodes because the series was very intriguing. The characters were all smart and open minded, and also learnt from their mistakes. This what made the show different from any other horror/thriller movie, where most of the characters were looked so panic and clueless when it came the time to face the devil.
Supporting casts were also very good. The mother, the good friend, the old detective, the demonic granny, the shaman, even the evil spirit, all stole the moment when it came to their screen times. Last but not least: kudos to the screen writer and director that pay attention to story details example: when the mom complaint about how Gu San Yeong never ask her to ride along with her new car, or when the scar in Gu San Yeong's head remained seen until the end of the series.
Excellent 9/10
A very minor spoiler : at the end, we will still feel pity for the main character.
- soeprijo19
- Jul 30, 2023
- Permalink
Before I go on about how Kim Tae-Ri deserves every Best Actress award that there is right now in South Korea for her brilliant dual role performance, Revenant is a 12-episode horror thriller that follows Gu San-Yeong (Tae-Ri) as she - with the help of a folklore professor - tries to banish the evil spirit that's latched onto her before it completely takes over her life.
Unlike The Guest that features graphic gore and horror, Revenant has the right amount of violence and spook, but it'll definitely give you door knocks paranoia for the next couple of days lol.
The series has a solid slow burn storyline with plot twists that will keep you guessing until the finale. Also, no filler episodes! Every episode is crucial to the story and even the throwbacks are done so well.
Lastly back to Tae-Ri. I believe she just delivered her career-best performance yet as Gu San-Yeong. She's phenomenal in this and watching her switch personas from being terrified, to looking terrifying in a blink of an eye gives me chills every time. She's a versatile actor and I simply cannot wait for her future works.
Unlike The Guest that features graphic gore and horror, Revenant has the right amount of violence and spook, but it'll definitely give you door knocks paranoia for the next couple of days lol.
The series has a solid slow burn storyline with plot twists that will keep you guessing until the finale. Also, no filler episodes! Every episode is crucial to the story and even the throwbacks are done so well.
Lastly back to Tae-Ri. I believe she just delivered her career-best performance yet as Gu San-Yeong. She's phenomenal in this and watching her switch personas from being terrified, to looking terrifying in a blink of an eye gives me chills every time. She's a versatile actor and I simply cannot wait for her future works.
- colourmebleu
- Aug 6, 2023
- Permalink
Korean Drama " Revenant" is a horror mystery thriller with some folklore elements.
The movie is a psychological thriller with a mystery that is slowly unfold and an intriguing story. And though the start of the drama is slow and kind of boring, the drama picks up later on and the story gets more and more dark as it progress.
The performances were pretty great and the chemistry between the three main ones was enjoyable. The characters were pretty intriguing as well and kept things interesting even when the main plot got druggy.
Finally, the CGI was pretty great and enjoyable enough. The ending was also masterfully handled and just right for the story.
So, overall, seven out of ten.
The movie is a psychological thriller with a mystery that is slowly unfold and an intriguing story. And though the start of the drama is slow and kind of boring, the drama picks up later on and the story gets more and more dark as it progress.
The performances were pretty great and the chemistry between the three main ones was enjoyable. The characters were pretty intriguing as well and kept things interesting even when the main plot got druggy.
Finally, the CGI was pretty great and enjoyable enough. The ending was also masterfully handled and just right for the story.
So, overall, seven out of ten.
- PennyReviews
- Aug 20, 2023
- Permalink
Revenant, starring Kim Tae-ri who is known for her acclaimed projects The Handmaiden, Mr. Sunshine, Twenty-Five Twenty-One and more, is a supernatural horror drama that questions wishes that comes with sacrifice.
Revenant's supernatural chase has a beginning and hopefully an ending (that doesn't end with many more deaths). The evil spirit that goes on possessing the characters is an outcome of inhumane cruelty and greed of the society which has to reap the seed it has sown. It is not just a tale about a supernatural mystery chase but a tale about regressive traditions, of unravelling the darkness that lies in being human, of denying the right to live.
Overall, the show is fast paced with thrilling and simultaneously terrifying scenes. The mystery lies in identifying the spirit while the spirit is aware of every step that one takes. And the stakes are high, especially when the professionals have been killed in the process. Needless to mention, the cast is doing a fantastic job especially Kim Tae-ri who changes into a different person in every episode.
My Rating : 9/10.
Revenant's supernatural chase has a beginning and hopefully an ending (that doesn't end with many more deaths). The evil spirit that goes on possessing the characters is an outcome of inhumane cruelty and greed of the society which has to reap the seed it has sown. It is not just a tale about a supernatural mystery chase but a tale about regressive traditions, of unravelling the darkness that lies in being human, of denying the right to live.
Overall, the show is fast paced with thrilling and simultaneously terrifying scenes. The mystery lies in identifying the spirit while the spirit is aware of every step that one takes. And the stakes are high, especially when the professionals have been killed in the process. Needless to mention, the cast is doing a fantastic job especially Kim Tae-ri who changes into a different person in every episode.
My Rating : 9/10.
- pranayjalvi
- Aug 12, 2023
- Permalink
The first I watched this kdrama because I really love actors especially Tae ri and I was right acting was perfect with this story which made me surprised was perfect mix the plot was really good and Tae ri and jung se acting made this show in addition this girl in the past who was evil she is genius i loved their acts a lot maybe hung Kyung doesn't have a big role but I have no deny he is good actor but you know I was really sad because they didn't pay attention to the couple _Tae ri&hung kyung_ despite they were attractive couple but I really loved the end was realliastic
I really hope Tae ri & hyung Kyung act with each other again.
- retaelfnagely
- Feb 4, 2024
- Permalink
The show is amazing and I have been enjoying it so far!! It is still on going, we have many questions and are intrigued by the unsolved mysteries. I love this feeling. The cinematography and background music!!!
Also, the acting of Kim Tae-ri! Since her debut film out(The Handmaiden), she has been surprising us with her great yet natural performance! Her expressions, movements, voice, and acting details are amazing!
Oh Jung-se is also a really good actor! His charisma is on another level!
I have not expected that but the chemistry between Taeri and Hongkyung is fire. Although the show is non-romance, Taeri has great chemistry with both male leads.
Also, the acting of Kim Tae-ri! Since her debut film out(The Handmaiden), she has been surprising us with her great yet natural performance! Her expressions, movements, voice, and acting details are amazing!
Oh Jung-se is also a really good actor! His charisma is on another level!
I have not expected that but the chemistry between Taeri and Hongkyung is fire. Although the show is non-romance, Taeri has great chemistry with both male leads.
- guldana-77250
- Jul 10, 2023
- Permalink
This kdrama has a lot of horror scenes. I don't usually prefer fantasy horror dramas or movies but this one is somehow different. The storyline seems more like a horror mystery , with the supernatural elements be good enough without make it to seem unrealistic. The main characters are awesome in their roles. Need to mention Kim Tae Ri had an excellent performance as Gu San-yeong.
I didn't expected to like it so much. Every episode has something to add to the solution of the puzzle. Last but not least, even if it's a horror drama, it still tries to let us moral messages concerning poverty , desires , desperation.
I didn't expected to like it so much. Every episode has something to add to the solution of the puzzle. Last but not least, even if it's a horror drama, it still tries to let us moral messages concerning poverty , desires , desperation.
- Mr_Avenger
- Oct 28, 2024
- Permalink
These korean mfs stupid faces are bothering me rn after watching this series. I effing lost my 13 hours watching this nonsense.
Revenant is a classic example of a show that had a ten-minute idea stretched painfully thin over twelve exhausting episodes. What could've been a tight, eerie short film instead becomes a bloated, glacially-paced mess riddled with overdramatic stares, pointless exposition, and recycled horror tropes.
Let's start with the biggest offender: the pacing. If there's a Guinness World Record for dragging a plot, Revenant might just win it. Every episode feels twice as long as it is, filled with endless filler scenes that contribute nothing to the story. The core mystery is paper-thin, and rather than letting it unfold organically, the show spoon-feeds you every minor development with flashbacks, narration, and overused jump scares. It's as if the writers had only a handful of ideas and decided to repeat them until the runtime caught up.
Then there's the acting. While the lead actress does a commendable job (hence the only two stars), the rest of the cast range from wooden to outright irritating. The exaggerated facial expressions, particularly during "intense" moments, felt more like caricatures than characters. It's baffling how often the show zooms in on these expressions as if the audience can't grasp what's happening unless a character's face is practically breaking the fourth wall.
The supernatural element, which could have saved this mess, is uninspired at best. Possession, haunted objects, vengeful spirits-every horror cliché is thrown in with zero innovation. At no point does Revenant feel scary, suspenseful, or even slightly unsettling. The ghost effects look cheap, the lore is underdeveloped, and the rules of the supernatural world are so inconsistent they feel made up on the fly.
Dialogue is another major weakness. Characters often speak in cryptic nonsense or overexplain simple concepts as if viewers are either mind-readers or five-year-olds. The writing lacks subtlety and assumes the audience needs to be handheld through every beat of the plot.
Worst of all, there's no real payoff. You slog through twelve hours hoping for some grand twist, emotional catharsis, or at least a satisfying conclusion. Instead, you're left with a half-baked ending that raises more questions than it answers. It feels like the show was made to fill a quota rather than tell a compelling story.
Ultimately, Revenant is a frustrating experience. It wastes the viewer's time with an overinflated sense of self-importance and an underwhelming delivery. There's no reason this series needed to exist in its current form-its premise could've been delivered better as a single episode of a horror anthology.
If you're looking for meaningful character development, clever horror, or even basic entertainment, Revenant is not it. Save yourself the 13 hours. Watch literally anything else.
Revenant is a classic example of a show that had a ten-minute idea stretched painfully thin over twelve exhausting episodes. What could've been a tight, eerie short film instead becomes a bloated, glacially-paced mess riddled with overdramatic stares, pointless exposition, and recycled horror tropes.
Let's start with the biggest offender: the pacing. If there's a Guinness World Record for dragging a plot, Revenant might just win it. Every episode feels twice as long as it is, filled with endless filler scenes that contribute nothing to the story. The core mystery is paper-thin, and rather than letting it unfold organically, the show spoon-feeds you every minor development with flashbacks, narration, and overused jump scares. It's as if the writers had only a handful of ideas and decided to repeat them until the runtime caught up.
Then there's the acting. While the lead actress does a commendable job (hence the only two stars), the rest of the cast range from wooden to outright irritating. The exaggerated facial expressions, particularly during "intense" moments, felt more like caricatures than characters. It's baffling how often the show zooms in on these expressions as if the audience can't grasp what's happening unless a character's face is practically breaking the fourth wall.
The supernatural element, which could have saved this mess, is uninspired at best. Possession, haunted objects, vengeful spirits-every horror cliché is thrown in with zero innovation. At no point does Revenant feel scary, suspenseful, or even slightly unsettling. The ghost effects look cheap, the lore is underdeveloped, and the rules of the supernatural world are so inconsistent they feel made up on the fly.
Dialogue is another major weakness. Characters often speak in cryptic nonsense or overexplain simple concepts as if viewers are either mind-readers or five-year-olds. The writing lacks subtlety and assumes the audience needs to be handheld through every beat of the plot.
Worst of all, there's no real payoff. You slog through twelve hours hoping for some grand twist, emotional catharsis, or at least a satisfying conclusion. Instead, you're left with a half-baked ending that raises more questions than it answers. It feels like the show was made to fill a quota rather than tell a compelling story.
Ultimately, Revenant is a frustrating experience. It wastes the viewer's time with an overinflated sense of self-importance and an underwhelming delivery. There's no reason this series needed to exist in its current form-its premise could've been delivered better as a single episode of a horror anthology.
If you're looking for meaningful character development, clever horror, or even basic entertainment, Revenant is not it. Save yourself the 13 hours. Watch literally anything else.
- ahmed-80933
- May 18, 2025
- Permalink
Actually I'm am not a fan of the horror genre drama or movie ever but I decided to watch this drama because I saw a fan snippet of the heroine's drama(Kim Taeri) in YouTube.
When I saw it,I thought to myself,WOW,she's a very unique wonderfully actress🌟She piqued my curiosity too much.
Truly,I was indescribably amazed by the extent of the beauty,strength & charm of her acting...In every episode,I could not stop saying "Oh my God,she deserves the Oscar for Best Actress, not just a local award in Korea." But I don't hide that I was afraid & terrified in every episode.
Kim Taeri Brvooooo u did a great job🌹 Thanks to all the cast.
When I saw it,I thought to myself,WOW,she's a very unique wonderfully actress🌟She piqued my curiosity too much.
Truly,I was indescribably amazed by the extent of the beauty,strength & charm of her acting...In every episode,I could not stop saying "Oh my God,she deserves the Oscar for Best Actress, not just a local award in Korea." But I don't hide that I was afraid & terrified in every episode.
Kim Taeri Brvooooo u did a great job🌹 Thanks to all the cast.
- rosesmiles-83628
- Oct 3, 2023
- Permalink
AActing is superb. I don't wannt to explain about that. Cause every character giving their best. I can feel it. I love proffecer yeom. What talented actor. He can do any kind of characters. And kim ta ri is always best. And my detective . I love how he build his character very smoothly .
I really don't want to explain about actors couse they did their best.
I wannt to appreciate writer . My goad. You such a talented person. I don't you will able to read this or not. But i really want to say thank you for hard work . Giving such a beautiful and a moral story for us.
And the director , Besfor the actors you the first person came to my mind when i am thinking about this drama. Because i can feel how much you effect you gave to this drama to came to this point. I looking forward for your work sir.
Every one who in the behind the sence. When i see the last photos. That make me emotional cause if your not their we cant get this amzing drama. I give my full respect and my all love to you . Thank you very much everyone.
And also you make me down we i here the last episod with " keep it go " in the last sence. Thats will be in my heart .
Again and again thank you very much for giving this advice for us. LIFE IS FOR LIVING . This is the moral i got for here. Doesnt matter how much jard our lifes People are trying survive whithout dying . Is anyone reading this with you wannt to give up with your lifes. Keep it up .
I really don't want to explain about actors couse they did their best.
I wannt to appreciate writer . My goad. You such a talented person. I don't you will able to read this or not. But i really want to say thank you for hard work . Giving such a beautiful and a moral story for us.
And the director , Besfor the actors you the first person came to my mind when i am thinking about this drama. Because i can feel how much you effect you gave to this drama to came to this point. I looking forward for your work sir.
Every one who in the behind the sence. When i see the last photos. That make me emotional cause if your not their we cant get this amzing drama. I give my full respect and my all love to you . Thank you very much everyone.
And also you make me down we i here the last episod with " keep it go " in the last sence. Thats will be in my heart .
Again and again thank you very much for giving this advice for us. LIFE IS FOR LIVING . This is the moral i got for here. Doesnt matter how much jard our lifes People are trying survive whithout dying . Is anyone reading this with you wannt to give up with your lifes. Keep it up .
- dewmininisansalam
- Jul 29, 2023
- Permalink
What is there to say the show has Kim taeri as the female lead. I new I was going to like this show and was excited to see how she would take on such role. Although Gong Yoo was to be male lead, Oh Jung-se didn't disappoint. An actor who is usually seated in a supporting role finally take on a more serious leading role. Both actors character balanced each other and created a more enjoyable drama. There is no romance in this show but the chemistry was for sure there.
I recommend this to anyone keeping in mind this is a horror-thriller. The writers infuse psychological horror and Korean folklore and did a really good job. Wouldn't say this is a really scary show but the vivid visuals made this scary and disturbing.
I recommend this to anyone keeping in mind this is a horror-thriller. The writers infuse psychological horror and Korean folklore and did a really good job. Wouldn't say this is a really scary show but the vivid visuals made this scary and disturbing.
This web series is an absolute obsession! From start to end, it's a fabulous experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat, driven by an insatiable curiosity to uncover the truth. The masterful blend of suspenseful jumpscares, comedy, horror, and creepy vibes creates an enthralling mixture that leaves you breathless. It's a WOW experience, and I can't recommend it enough - 101% RECOMMENDED!
The gripping plot twists and unexpected turns kept me guessing at every step, making the binge-watching experience utterly addictive. The production quality was top-notch, with stunning visuals and spine-chilling sound design that heightened the series' impact. This web series is a true masterpiece that caters to a diverse range of tastes, and it's sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who dares to embark on this rollercoaster ride of emotions and thrills.
The gripping plot twists and unexpected turns kept me guessing at every step, making the binge-watching experience utterly addictive. The production quality was top-notch, with stunning visuals and spine-chilling sound design that heightened the series' impact. This web series is a true masterpiece that caters to a diverse range of tastes, and it's sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who dares to embark on this rollercoaster ride of emotions and thrills.
- iambhupinderarya
- Jul 28, 2023
- Permalink
Revenant; definition: A person who has returned, especially supposedly from the dead.
"People around you will die. People you don't like or wish would disappear will die. Evil spirits are said to grow by fulfilling a person's desires." The folklore prof looked very serious when he said this. (He must be insane!)
Next thing, the guy who scammed their family hung himself.
Let's get this out of the way: There's too many unexplained things out there for all of them to be a coincidence. Whether it's supernatural or super dimensional (perhaps there's no difference between the two) any fair-minded person who looks at the evidence would agree that there's quite possibly, even probably, more to our existence than this 3D plane.
Lost time, memory lapses, purchases she doesn't remember, things she doesn't remember saying or doing... Ku San Young is increasingly confused and disturbed. Is it multiple personalities? D. I. D? Drugs? Nope. It's possession. Most cultures in the world have lore, myth and/or downright belief that possession exists. There's psychologists, and other highly educated people who do - because they've seen it, like Dr. Richard Gallagher, Ivy League grad, board-certified psychiatrist and Columbia/New York Medical College professor.
San Young doesn't deserve this. She's not an evil person. An evil spirit shouldn't want to hang out with her, right? Sure, she was thinking about killing herself, but she pulled back. The scammer had taken everything. Her mother is impossible to deal with... She /didn't/ jump, though. The woman on the /other/ side of the road did. And then the evil spirit left the woman across the road and latched onto her. Now, Su Young can see spirits, AND this weird folklore professor is texting her, approaching her, and saying all kinds of weird things to her, like everybody around her is going to die. Another thing he says is that doors are the passageways between worlds. If someone knocks at the 🚪, make sure you know who it is before you open it.
® is a 2023 release that is rated 89 on AWiki. It is 1 season consisting of 12 70-minute episodes. What a creeptastic opening. Watch the opening credits. They are short in length and tall in imagination. To get right to the point, ® is good, but not great. Its greatest failure is that the characters don't completely possess its audience. We remain on the outside and never fully bond with the protags. Don't wait around for love: They just tease us. Perhaps they are looking at a S2? Nothing has been announced.
Furthermore, ® is scary, but it's much sadder than merely scary. It's loosely tied, with many fine working elements that come together to make an interesting, imminently watchable show that leaves one feeling quite morose along with the sense that it could have been better. Ep12 runs into problems - Stupid people, stupid actions, stupid plot turns. It's mostly confined to 2 scenes. They recover.
The show can get creepy. It isn't on the level of some of the darker Hollywood stuff, but it has bona fide chills. There's many deaths. The primary evil spirit is a child ghost. The ghost's backstory is horrifying. Anyone who finds child abuse to be a particular trigger may want to avoid ®: It took a toll on me. Child sacrifice is/was not as uncommon as we would like to believe. Child abuse is/was not uncommon at all. There were many moments when the show weighed heavily on me. The plain, oft repeated & proven fact is that a group of people can talk themselves into any action, no matter how heinous.
There's more good than bad to ®. We've got an all-star cast. Kim Tae Ri (Mr. Sunshine-9, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Space Sweepers-7.6) is FL Ku San Young. She's fantastic. Young is a little woman who casts a big shadow. It's a shame she kills herself in ep1. Wait... that was the woman on the /other/ side of the bridge. Young caught herself in time. But her mom blew the money. They're wiped out. That didn't change. Yang Hye Ji (Sweet Home-8.4, Wonderful World-7.8, When the Weather Is Fine-9) portrays her BFF, Baek SeMi, who is put-off and often hurt by the recent changes in Young's personality. Ye Soo Jung (Mine-8, Link: Eat, Love, Kill-6.7) has a guest role as Kim Seok Ran, San Young's paternal grandmother. She's a fantastic actress.
Park Ji Young (Save Me, The Red Sleeve) plays Yoon Kyeong Moon, San Young's mother. As of ep5, I'm not in love with her performance, but she is a beautiful woman. She has to play a person who has been through severe trauma. Her backstory is rough. (We will see, I thought to myself early on). In the final analysis, her part drags the show down. She's annoying and she does irritating things.
Oh Jung Se (It's Okay to Not Be Okay-9, Queen of Tears) plays ML Yeom Hae Sang. He's been following Professor Ku Kang Mo/San Young's father's career (Jin Seon Kyu of Space Sweepers-7.6, Kingdom-8.3) for a long time. The legend, Na Byung Hee, is his grandmother and CEO of Joonghyun Capital. Her first credit is from 1977. I've seen her in No Gain, No Love-7.4, Inspector Koo-8.4, Start-up-8, Hospital Playlist-9, Saimdang, Light's Diary-8.5, & Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds-7.2, and I've just been watching since 2020. She can play the sweet grandmother, the frustrated mother, or the queen b!+ch. She's fabulous. In ® she acts possessed, or at a minimum, oppressed. Never seen her like this before - Her character is really dug into her evil - total commitment.
Both police officer roles, and the actors that portray them, are underutilized. That isn't about screen time. There's something missing from their character arcs. Kim Won-Hae (Black-9, Signal-8.6, and so many more) plays officer Seo Mun-Chun. He's terrific in every role. In ®, though he is a cop and deals with facts, his personal history is such that he knows there are supernatural phenomena out there. On one level he knows, on another level he refuses to accept it. This creates a lot of tension in him as well as an obsession with strange suicide cases and other unexplained phenomenon. Its only result is that it has garnered him the moniker 'Detective Shaman'. He happens to be friends with folklore professor Yeom Hae Sang. Hong Kyung (Weak Hero Class 1, DP-8.4) is the other ML, Lee Hong "Sae", a young detective. He had the highest score of his year on the exam. He's partnered with Sr. Ofr Seo Mun-Chun. Everything his senior says and does make Sae uncomfortable. This partner will say things like 'As a detective he's supposed to be easing the grudges of the Dead.' How can anybody say that in this age of science & globalism? Sae wonders how he got stuck with this nut. "Do you want to come with us?" Sae's asked by Professor Yeom & his senior. "No thanks," is his clipped reply. "I'll conduct a more rational investigation." The viewer is "in" on the inside joke and the over-the-top irony weighing down this statement.
The screenwriter is the highly talented Kim Eun Hee (Signal-8.6, Kingdom-8.3), and the directors are Lee Jung Rim (V. I. P) & Kim Jae Hong (Through the Darkness, Flex X Cop-8.5).
The main theme is: The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil + Money doesn't solve every problem. What is done for money (and food) in the show rivals documented dark histories and many horrifying conspiracy theories about what still goes on today. The realm of hungry ghosts is one of the Six Paths in Buddhism, we learn. Being hungry and thirsty, hungry ghosts always covet, and their realm was created by human desires. This basic template loosely shows up in anime, and the classic Chinese work, Journey to the West (A Korean Odyssey-7.2 is based on it). It isn't completely unlike Dante's Inferno, either. The writer has been sprucing up on her folklore.
There are a few amusing scenes. Our FL and the professor are conducting their own investigation while the police are rationally investigating "the facts". They are working from completely different angles. Yet they still end up at the same places at the same time. It's probably the best element of the show.
Will you like this? ® is a show for fans of the horror and supernatural genre. It happens to be my least favorite genre- probably because Hwood's stuff tends to be so evil feeling, but I still like a good scare every now and then. I thought The Ring, for instance, was very well done. In my estimation, the good outweighs the bad, but ® is not on the watching level of The Cursed 8.3, The Wailing-8.8, or even Uncanny Counter S1 (S2 is horrible). Hopefully this provides some light in the darkness.
QUOTE🗣
Humans are more terrifying than ghosts.
〰🖍 IMHO
📣7.3 📝7.5 🎭7.5 💓4 🦋5 🎨7.7 🎵/🔊7 🔚6 🤗4 ▪ 🌞4⚡5.5 😅3 😭5 😱5 😯4 🤢4 🤔5 💤0
Age 16+ The primary evil spirit is a child ghost. The ghost's backstory is horrifying. Anyone who finds child abuse to be a particular trigger may want to avoid this show.
Rated TV-15: Parents Strongly Cautioned.
Re-📺? Highly doubtful
In order of ~lite&trite~ to ~heavy&serious~ you may also like:
Modern Day - A Witch's Love 7.8, Love to Hate You 8.9, Oh My Ghost 10, It's Okay Not To Be Okay 9, My Mister 9.5,
🎎 - My Only Love Song 8.7 ~ excellent comedy, Mr. Queen 8.5, My Sassy Girl 8.5, Saimdang 8.5, The King's Affection 8.3, Mr. Sunshine 9
⚡/🚀 - Glitch-8, Mystic Pop-up Bar-8.2, Hotel del Luna-8.4, The Golden Spoon-8.1, Missing: The Other Side-8.3, Flower of Evil 8.9, Mother-8.8, The Man from Nowhere 8.9, Black 9, Squid Game 8.4, Kingdom 8.3, Sweet Home 8.4.
"People around you will die. People you don't like or wish would disappear will die. Evil spirits are said to grow by fulfilling a person's desires." The folklore prof looked very serious when he said this. (He must be insane!)
Next thing, the guy who scammed their family hung himself.
Let's get this out of the way: There's too many unexplained things out there for all of them to be a coincidence. Whether it's supernatural or super dimensional (perhaps there's no difference between the two) any fair-minded person who looks at the evidence would agree that there's quite possibly, even probably, more to our existence than this 3D plane.
Lost time, memory lapses, purchases she doesn't remember, things she doesn't remember saying or doing... Ku San Young is increasingly confused and disturbed. Is it multiple personalities? D. I. D? Drugs? Nope. It's possession. Most cultures in the world have lore, myth and/or downright belief that possession exists. There's psychologists, and other highly educated people who do - because they've seen it, like Dr. Richard Gallagher, Ivy League grad, board-certified psychiatrist and Columbia/New York Medical College professor.
San Young doesn't deserve this. She's not an evil person. An evil spirit shouldn't want to hang out with her, right? Sure, she was thinking about killing herself, but she pulled back. The scammer had taken everything. Her mother is impossible to deal with... She /didn't/ jump, though. The woman on the /other/ side of the road did. And then the evil spirit left the woman across the road and latched onto her. Now, Su Young can see spirits, AND this weird folklore professor is texting her, approaching her, and saying all kinds of weird things to her, like everybody around her is going to die. Another thing he says is that doors are the passageways between worlds. If someone knocks at the 🚪, make sure you know who it is before you open it.
® is a 2023 release that is rated 89 on AWiki. It is 1 season consisting of 12 70-minute episodes. What a creeptastic opening. Watch the opening credits. They are short in length and tall in imagination. To get right to the point, ® is good, but not great. Its greatest failure is that the characters don't completely possess its audience. We remain on the outside and never fully bond with the protags. Don't wait around for love: They just tease us. Perhaps they are looking at a S2? Nothing has been announced.
Furthermore, ® is scary, but it's much sadder than merely scary. It's loosely tied, with many fine working elements that come together to make an interesting, imminently watchable show that leaves one feeling quite morose along with the sense that it could have been better. Ep12 runs into problems - Stupid people, stupid actions, stupid plot turns. It's mostly confined to 2 scenes. They recover.
The show can get creepy. It isn't on the level of some of the darker Hollywood stuff, but it has bona fide chills. There's many deaths. The primary evil spirit is a child ghost. The ghost's backstory is horrifying. Anyone who finds child abuse to be a particular trigger may want to avoid ®: It took a toll on me. Child sacrifice is/was not as uncommon as we would like to believe. Child abuse is/was not uncommon at all. There were many moments when the show weighed heavily on me. The plain, oft repeated & proven fact is that a group of people can talk themselves into any action, no matter how heinous.
There's more good than bad to ®. We've got an all-star cast. Kim Tae Ri (Mr. Sunshine-9, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Space Sweepers-7.6) is FL Ku San Young. She's fantastic. Young is a little woman who casts a big shadow. It's a shame she kills herself in ep1. Wait... that was the woman on the /other/ side of the bridge. Young caught herself in time. But her mom blew the money. They're wiped out. That didn't change. Yang Hye Ji (Sweet Home-8.4, Wonderful World-7.8, When the Weather Is Fine-9) portrays her BFF, Baek SeMi, who is put-off and often hurt by the recent changes in Young's personality. Ye Soo Jung (Mine-8, Link: Eat, Love, Kill-6.7) has a guest role as Kim Seok Ran, San Young's paternal grandmother. She's a fantastic actress.
Park Ji Young (Save Me, The Red Sleeve) plays Yoon Kyeong Moon, San Young's mother. As of ep5, I'm not in love with her performance, but she is a beautiful woman. She has to play a person who has been through severe trauma. Her backstory is rough. (We will see, I thought to myself early on). In the final analysis, her part drags the show down. She's annoying and she does irritating things.
Oh Jung Se (It's Okay to Not Be Okay-9, Queen of Tears) plays ML Yeom Hae Sang. He's been following Professor Ku Kang Mo/San Young's father's career (Jin Seon Kyu of Space Sweepers-7.6, Kingdom-8.3) for a long time. The legend, Na Byung Hee, is his grandmother and CEO of Joonghyun Capital. Her first credit is from 1977. I've seen her in No Gain, No Love-7.4, Inspector Koo-8.4, Start-up-8, Hospital Playlist-9, Saimdang, Light's Diary-8.5, & Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds-7.2, and I've just been watching since 2020. She can play the sweet grandmother, the frustrated mother, or the queen b!+ch. She's fabulous. In ® she acts possessed, or at a minimum, oppressed. Never seen her like this before - Her character is really dug into her evil - total commitment.
Both police officer roles, and the actors that portray them, are underutilized. That isn't about screen time. There's something missing from their character arcs. Kim Won-Hae (Black-9, Signal-8.6, and so many more) plays officer Seo Mun-Chun. He's terrific in every role. In ®, though he is a cop and deals with facts, his personal history is such that he knows there are supernatural phenomena out there. On one level he knows, on another level he refuses to accept it. This creates a lot of tension in him as well as an obsession with strange suicide cases and other unexplained phenomenon. Its only result is that it has garnered him the moniker 'Detective Shaman'. He happens to be friends with folklore professor Yeom Hae Sang. Hong Kyung (Weak Hero Class 1, DP-8.4) is the other ML, Lee Hong "Sae", a young detective. He had the highest score of his year on the exam. He's partnered with Sr. Ofr Seo Mun-Chun. Everything his senior says and does make Sae uncomfortable. This partner will say things like 'As a detective he's supposed to be easing the grudges of the Dead.' How can anybody say that in this age of science & globalism? Sae wonders how he got stuck with this nut. "Do you want to come with us?" Sae's asked by Professor Yeom & his senior. "No thanks," is his clipped reply. "I'll conduct a more rational investigation." The viewer is "in" on the inside joke and the over-the-top irony weighing down this statement.
The screenwriter is the highly talented Kim Eun Hee (Signal-8.6, Kingdom-8.3), and the directors are Lee Jung Rim (V. I. P) & Kim Jae Hong (Through the Darkness, Flex X Cop-8.5).
The main theme is: The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil + Money doesn't solve every problem. What is done for money (and food) in the show rivals documented dark histories and many horrifying conspiracy theories about what still goes on today. The realm of hungry ghosts is one of the Six Paths in Buddhism, we learn. Being hungry and thirsty, hungry ghosts always covet, and their realm was created by human desires. This basic template loosely shows up in anime, and the classic Chinese work, Journey to the West (A Korean Odyssey-7.2 is based on it). It isn't completely unlike Dante's Inferno, either. The writer has been sprucing up on her folklore.
There are a few amusing scenes. Our FL and the professor are conducting their own investigation while the police are rationally investigating "the facts". They are working from completely different angles. Yet they still end up at the same places at the same time. It's probably the best element of the show.
Will you like this? ® is a show for fans of the horror and supernatural genre. It happens to be my least favorite genre- probably because Hwood's stuff tends to be so evil feeling, but I still like a good scare every now and then. I thought The Ring, for instance, was very well done. In my estimation, the good outweighs the bad, but ® is not on the watching level of The Cursed 8.3, The Wailing-8.8, or even Uncanny Counter S1 (S2 is horrible). Hopefully this provides some light in the darkness.
QUOTE🗣
Humans are more terrifying than ghosts.
〰🖍 IMHO
📣7.3 📝7.5 🎭7.5 💓4 🦋5 🎨7.7 🎵/🔊7 🔚6 🤗4 ▪ 🌞4⚡5.5 😅3 😭5 😱5 😯4 🤢4 🤔5 💤0
Age 16+ The primary evil spirit is a child ghost. The ghost's backstory is horrifying. Anyone who finds child abuse to be a particular trigger may want to avoid this show.
Rated TV-15: Parents Strongly Cautioned.
Re-📺? Highly doubtful
In order of ~lite&trite~ to ~heavy&serious~ you may also like:
Modern Day - A Witch's Love 7.8, Love to Hate You 8.9, Oh My Ghost 10, It's Okay Not To Be Okay 9, My Mister 9.5,
🎎 - My Only Love Song 8.7 ~ excellent comedy, Mr. Queen 8.5, My Sassy Girl 8.5, Saimdang 8.5, The King's Affection 8.3, Mr. Sunshine 9
⚡/🚀 - Glitch-8, Mystic Pop-up Bar-8.2, Hotel del Luna-8.4, The Golden Spoon-8.1, Missing: The Other Side-8.3, Flower of Evil 8.9, Mother-8.8, The Man from Nowhere 8.9, Black 9, Squid Game 8.4, Kingdom 8.3, Sweet Home 8.4.
- 50fiftillidideeBrain
- Jan 17, 2025
- Permalink
Finally, a K Drama on Disney+/Hulu that was good.
Starts off with a creepy, supernatural premise, and mostly delivers. Never veering into horror, it manages to stay planted firmly in supernatural suspense territory.
A good chunk of this show's success can be attributed to Kim Tae Ri (25 to 21, Space Sweepers) who once again 34.65 convincingly portrays a teenager (at 33!). As great as the cast is, and as well as the mystery unfolds,2023 10 they took too many episodes to reveal & resolve everything. Had this kept up its initial pacing, and not added padding episodes, it would have been a 9/10. Even the vfx were very decent, never a distraction.
As it stands, being about 4 or 5 episodes too long, it's still a very decent 7.9, B-
Starts off with a creepy, supernatural premise, and mostly delivers. Never veering into horror, it manages to stay planted firmly in supernatural suspense territory.
A good chunk of this show's success can be attributed to Kim Tae Ri (25 to 21, Space Sweepers) who once again 34.65 convincingly portrays a teenager (at 33!). As great as the cast is, and as well as the mystery unfolds,2023 10 they took too many episodes to reveal & resolve everything. Had this kept up its initial pacing, and not added padding episodes, it would have been a 9/10. Even the vfx were very decent, never a distraction.
As it stands, being about 4 or 5 episodes too long, it's still a very decent 7.9, B-
- amwilburn-60131
- Sep 23, 2023
- Permalink
This gives me so much chills and suspense. The fact that i watched this always at midnight lol IT DOESN'T DISAPPOINT YOU! I've never watched any horror kdrama that really gives me 'THAT HORROR' vibe until i've watched this. Not only that, it is so heartfelting and relatable. Will make you realize about social class, that everyone's different and we face problems, the living is the one we should be scared off not ghost haha and moreeee. Love this SO MUCH. I hope i can find more kdrama like this. I love everyone's portrayal, fits them a lot! They did great! (the chemistry of taeri and kyung is so top tier ???)
- kimlizabelltorres
- Aug 4, 2023
- Permalink
I'm not sure why this drama has such a high rating... to me, it's just average. I can't pinpoint exactly what it's lacking, but from the moment I started watching until episode 3 or 4, I didn't feel compelled to continue. It felt a bit dry... I honestly don't know where it went wrong.
This doesn't happen with other horror/thriller dramas I've watched before, like Flower of Evil, Karma, Connection, Nine Puzzles, and others - all of which had strong hooks right from the first few minutes and managed to keep me engaged until the very end.
Maybe the male lead lacks charisma, I'm not sure. If the drama had a stronger male lead, perhaps it would've been better. As for Kim Tae Ri, I think she did well - as always, her acting is solid - but she alone isn't enough to carry the drama or make it interesting enough to hold my attention until the end.
I've watched Kim Tae Ri's previous works, and I really liked The Handmaiden. In my opinion, her performance in that film was excellent, and the story itself was unique, with all the actors portraying their roles convincingly. I didn't feel bored at all - I genuinely enjoyed it from start to finish.
But with this drama, I just don't know what went wrong - was it the plot? The acting? The cast? It simply didn't succeed in drawing me in or keeping me interested enough to watch until the end.
If you ask me, it's most likely due to the male lead lacking screen presence. Also, the drama might have been too serious, without any lighter moments or comedic relief to balance it out.
This doesn't happen with other horror/thriller dramas I've watched before, like Flower of Evil, Karma, Connection, Nine Puzzles, and others - all of which had strong hooks right from the first few minutes and managed to keep me engaged until the very end.
Maybe the male lead lacks charisma, I'm not sure. If the drama had a stronger male lead, perhaps it would've been better. As for Kim Tae Ri, I think she did well - as always, her acting is solid - but she alone isn't enough to carry the drama or make it interesting enough to hold my attention until the end.
I've watched Kim Tae Ri's previous works, and I really liked The Handmaiden. In my opinion, her performance in that film was excellent, and the story itself was unique, with all the actors portraying their roles convincingly. I didn't feel bored at all - I genuinely enjoyed it from start to finish.
But with this drama, I just don't know what went wrong - was it the plot? The acting? The cast? It simply didn't succeed in drawing me in or keeping me interested enough to watch until the end.
If you ask me, it's most likely due to the male lead lacking screen presence. Also, the drama might have been too serious, without any lighter moments or comedic relief to balance it out.
The show is amazing and it is an absolute obsession.. It's a combination of horror, thriller, suspense and realistic.
The acting of Kim Tae-ri! Is awesome.. her creepy smile my god...so good.
I love all the characters.. i really wished Sanyeong and detective to be a couple... I want to appreciate writer It is so real and it is worth watching... Thank you all for giving such a wonderful and valuable story for us.
And there is message which I liked the most is "live for yourself". If you failed even after the hardwork don't give up or don't end your life, live - it is what life is for..live..
The acting of Kim Tae-ri! Is awesome.. her creepy smile my god...so good.
I love all the characters.. i really wished Sanyeong and detective to be a couple... I want to appreciate writer It is so real and it is worth watching... Thank you all for giving such a wonderful and valuable story for us.
And there is message which I liked the most is "live for yourself". If you failed even after the hardwork don't give up or don't end your life, live - it is what life is for..live..
- vrandaamin
- Jul 29, 2023
- Permalink
Bestest drama I can't explain how amazing story it has just mind blowing blowingggg real horror I get so scaredddd it's wonderful awesome leads chemistry is superb literally just fell in love with their couple their is no romance still their relationship is so magnetic is beautiful how he has crush on her just wowwwww every moment of this series is wow can't get over it it's awesome the trio is soooooo cute I love all the three they are fantastic male lead is sooo cute characters are bombastic can't explain in words how much wonderful is it. Fell in love with this drama like forever everything is love.
- isphahanigohar
- Jul 22, 2023
- Permalink
This film's the most attractive one that i've seen for the whole time,cant make any negative critics from the plot to the actors.everything was on-point.the various facial expressions on the actors face amazed me that i have to exclaim "wow",i highly rcm this one for everybd and hope it will never disapoint me,cant wait tto the momment that the main male char and the female one uncovered the truths anout the monster inside San young.looking forward to the episode 7,uhh. However,i hope this film'll be more popular 'cause it doesnt seem like Revenant was being promoted too much. In my country,i hardly found any topic abt this one and its was too scarce to find any pages written abt this.
- haiduongnhanma
- Jul 11, 2023
- Permalink