Inspector Koo (2021)

Real definition of "Dark Comedy".

This is exactly what you call dark comedy or black humor; perfect combination of comedy elements & morbid satire. Inspector Koo, in my opinion, is also the investigative thriller of the year 2021 and I am amazed to see an immense investigative drama after a long while.

Inspector Koo (구경이) got a simple yet "not so basic" storyline. The title clearly indicates about the drama being centered by single person, i.e. Inspector Koo Kyung Yi. She's an ex-cop who now works as an insurance investigator at a company after retiring from police due to a tragic incident involving her personal life. Her desire to perceive truth behind different cases is so high that she can do literally anything to get her work done. She ferociously chases down a university girl, who seems to have been connected to a serial murder case, all of them staged as either suicide or accicent.

The drama has 3 stages in total:
i) know it all but no proof.
ii) have proof but can't catch.55
iii) oh! everything is a messs.

Koo Kyung Yi (Lee Young Ae) is a crazy woman; to say it in Korean, 'michin yeoja'. Food, alcohol and gaming are what she lives for, and can go insane when not provided with them. She got severe mental health issues due to past incidents, and can be sensitive when mentioned about them. Song Yi Kyung (Kim Hye Joon) is a university student with abnormal behaviours and considered a psychopath by many. She's a dramaclub member too and her past has made her like this. She avenges victims of several incidents who have been unfairly compensated by the law, by doing what? Killing the guilty. She's also know as Ms. K.

This drama infact is a all female story and is dominated by women all over; amazing actresses playing major characters. We have here, Chief Yong Sook (Kim Hae Sook) as the chairperson of a charity foundation. Na Je Hee (Kwak Sun Young) as the team leader of the investigative team B, Director Kim (Jung Suk Yong) as Chief Yong's right-hand man, Oh Kyung Soo (Jo Hyun Chul) as an investigator in the Team B, Santa (Baek Sung Chul) as Kyung Yi's assistant, Ahn Keon Wook (Lee Hong Nae) as K's helper, etc in the major roles. These are all profound actors, and hence the acting department has done very well in the drama.

The plot development is stupendously set up in the drama and the progression is very pleasing. The first impression from the 1st episode is sooo intriguing that you'll definitely move to the next without hesitation. This is something that'll keep you hooked throughout and never ran outta substances. There are places where you might feel like the consequences might be become uninteresting, but that's where the table turns and they start over again. That's the beauty of the drama. There are several peaks in this 12 episode script and I loved how they were able to keep the moods & vibes up till the very end of the show.

I don't want to believe that the writer is actually a rookie and it's their debut script as the main jakka. Sun Cho Yi jakkanim have done a great job such a mind blowing script with a compelling plus captivating progression. The character dynamics for each and every major character is very well drawn and everyone has got a fair share of importance, I feel. You're gonna love Koo Kyung Yi, Song Yi Kyung, Santa, etc. Special mention to the cute-acting namja Santa who'll melt your heart multiple times with his acts TT. There's also a portrayal of homosexuality (gay character) for one of the major roles (won't spoil) and I am happy they didn't use it in bad light.

Director Lim Jung Heum, known for the critically acclaimed thriller drama "Nobody Knows" did take the responsibility for Inspector Koo and was able to do a fabulous job there. This is clearly evidebt from the 1st episode of the show. Screenplay management, coordination, screen-editing pacing and execution is amazingly handled and the entire crew deserves credit for it too.

The sound production department as well as the composer for this drama Kim Tae Sung needs some serious praise. Loved how the drama has so many enraging OSTs that perfectly fit the mood of the drama and were appropriately used at instances. A major part of OST album is sung by TRPP, a Korean Indie trio, known for their rock, alternative and garage elements. The songs by TRPP are "Yeah (Round and Round)", "Coming After", "Sins", "Patience", "Liars (I feel Alive)" and "Limbo".The speciality of TRPP is that are the electronic instrumentals used in their songs plus their harmonic vocal line up, which is totally visible here.

Other than that we have "Up" by Hajin, "Watch Me" by SURL and "SURF" by INNI. Additionally TRPP has collaborated with Wayco and Mollo separately to remake Yeah (Round and Round). I swear to my life, there couldn't be any other song to accurately suit the drama and the mood it wanted to deliver. Music for Inspector Koo deserves 10/10.

The sense of choosing from right or wrong is the main concept of this drama. This drama reminded of this quote which I don't remember was said by the person, but it goes like, "Right is right even if no one is doing it; wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.". Everyone who has their standards to differentiate between the two and in case they committ mistakez they come up with certain prenotions to defend themselves by which the whole concept of righteousness itself is wronged. Perceiving the drama from this way, Inspector Koo is secondarily a revenge game where someone tries to avenge the right by unlawful means and another who tries to stop the former because righteousness can never be achieved when you commit the same mistake.

The drama also focuses on mental health issues. Abnormal and morally dangerous personalities induced by lonliness and trauma can harm the society in many ways and the drama is yet another portrayal of that. I am happy they has also emphasized on that.

The 2 important elements of Inspector Koo are investigation and comedy. Again, thia drama is a great treat for the lovers of investigative thrillers. Although you known who the culprit is, it really takes a great effort and time to figure the situation, motive and consequences. Connecting the dots and drawing a figure is all yoh have to do and this drama did it brilliantly. There are several highs and lows in the status but what matters is the end, and I assure it was as compelling as the entire show. Many shows claiming to be of dark comedy genre actually fail to understand what dark comedy is but the writer of Koo has done a good job in doing her homework. The main source of comedy is Koo herself and anything involving her might look serious but they simultaneously make you burst into immense laughter too. Several scenes which scare you off about the consequences, also seem weirdly funny, and that's how it should have worked, I mean that's how it happened. I had a good time watching the entire show.

Overally, Inspector Koo is an amazing drama and it has also those entertaining factors. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and honestly wanted more episode tho I don't wanna complain. The basic storyline of chasing after villain is not something new but the screenwriting and plus the execution along with music surely make it a stupendous thing. It's a must watch in my opinion with high reawatch value, so definitely coming back to it.

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What a show

!!Recommended!!!
It bothers me that this didnt get the hype it deserves. I came watching with zero expectations and then I got hooked. I'm shook about the quality of the show. Everything is top notch, the direction, acting, production and even the plot. The writers actually used their brain cells. The characters are actually smart. Like what??? Everyone is layered, I don't trust whatever word comes out of their mouth. The acting is off the charts, there aren't any cringy parts. There is no dull scene, absolutely love the chemistry between the cast. Lee Young Ae doing wonders as always! Truly a great actress. Was hoping to learn more about her background and how she ended up the way she did.

Love the female leads, their battle is intriguing both similar yet different especially with the paths the chose. Loved their fight in ep6, just hilarious. Kim Hye Joon is truly underrated like her acting surprised me. I'm disappointed that I only heard of her now. The way she is able to execute K's "emotions" are great. K is a psychopath to say the least. Santa is hiding something, he knows more than he leads on. He is such a wildcard, i can barely firgue out what his plan is or who he is. The ending didnt help as there were still questions...frustrated about that. I definitely did not trust the Chief.

The comedy not bad, got me laughing a couple of times. The comedic timing quite good. The OST is fire, it is great. Definitely not a show that should be ignored. Keeping me engaged and entertained, can't wait for the next episodes. The episodes just kept getting better. Just when I thought they have outdone themselves, the twists just kept coming. Each episode grew more intense.

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So Fresh

It's a really weird drama, that's the first thing that comes to my mind! :) It's unusual but so fresh, the characters are so peculiars that you would never think they could work together, but the chemestry it's so good, even if they don't meet at all. This drama is a huge mystery, too many crimes all together, it's confusing but not to the point to give up, instead, it makes you want to discover what's really happening behind the scenes.
Kyung Yi isn't introduced as the usual "detective", even before the tragedy, she had a charismatic side, even now that she's presented as a really "messed up" person, K is a character which you can always feel the presence, even if she's not present.I have to admit that I started watching this drama because of Kim Hye Joon (K), after I saw her in Chip in I really wanted to see her more and seeing her in here made me really happy, the way she portraits K is sublime. Since it's not completed yet I can't say if she's sociopathic or if she has some dissociative identity problem or something else, but the way they mix her killer side with a cute one is hilarious, yes I find her so cute!
I can confirm to you that both leads sparkle, we didn't have lots of chances to see them together, but those little moments were fire, their chemestry is no joke. The drama gives you lots of hints about their history but never revealing the complete truth, it's also happening with the background in their present, so you can only guess what happened or what's happening, the mystery is well kept and keeps you entertained.
I recommend this drama even if it has not finished, because I find it really original and different, give it a chance!

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The greatest mystery - who is Santa?

Are you done with watching incompetent cops trying to solve a mystery and catch the criminal? Do you find it funny, when shows try to hide who the killer is, even though it’s more than obvious to the audience? Did you have enough of female characters being there just to support the male leads? If yes, this show is for you.

There are no cops to be seen, so you don’t have to deal with their incompetence. We know who the killer is since day one and the whole plot centers around the amazing cast of female characters. Want a hero? Want a complex gray character? Want a chaotic villain? You will get it all here.

Inspector Koo is a whacky, bizarre and surreal crime comedy that presents an exciting cat and mouse chase, with a lot of traps hidden for all the characters. The show introduces a number of plot lines that, by the end, get fitting conclusions.

We follow three different sets of characters, having their own motivations, goals and ways of dealing with piling up issues - Kyung Yi and her team, K, and Chief Yong Sook. Each of them trying to be on top and outsmart the others.

Inspector Koo presents a refreshing take on the heroine trope. Koo Kyung Yi is not exactly the type of person you would admire and try to look up to. Struggling with basic daily activities, she gets absorbed into the investigation, getting close to an obsession.

Luckily, she has on her side Na Je Hee, who is able to keep the team operating, Oh Kyung Soo being the voice of a real reason and Santa, the innocent helper who cares for Inspector Koo deeply, while hiding his true identity. Who is Santa? That’s the mystery of the show.

On the other hand, we have Song Yi Kyung, who is the “righteous” serial killer hidden under the name “K”. With her wits and daring behavior, she was able to commit murders undetected. Her reasoning and personal moral code make her an interesting character to observe.

The third party involved in the plot is Chief Yong Sook and her subordinates, who team up with Koo Kyung Yi in attempts to catch “K”, serving a role of a behind the scenes power, while hiding their own motives.

The three groups present amazing dynamics and never ending scheming that kept me as a viewer at the edge of my seat. Not only that, the drama presents viewers with conflicting emotions - you know you should not be rooting for the killer, but somehow… it’s hard to be completely against their actions.

Inspector Koo is a perfect blend of crime, investigation and dark comedy. It never takes itself too seriously by trying to have a depth of the Mariana Trench, when it’s more of a puddle. It’s not here for you to break your brain trying to understand convoluted plot lines and morally gray dilemmas and issues. It gives you thrills, fun, action and an entertaining set of characters that work together in the most amusing way.

On several occasions we can witness the clever writing, when jokes or solutions are set up in the previous episodes. Some seemingly off topic and insignificant comments made by the characters are used to set a playoff in the scenes later on.

The production team committed to the bizarre characterization of the drama, elevating it by unusual, at times over the top editing and gaming elements - making the whole plot seem less realistic and surreal. Adding the perfection that the soundtrack for this show is - we’ve got ourselves quite a cinematic treat.

Overall, one of the biggest surprises of 2021. Fitting and funny comedy, amazing thrills, likable characters, unusual mystery and romance found in surprising places, scheming and wits that take you on the peculiar journey.

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Great in many ways

First off, this was enjoyable to watch and is most certainly closer to dark comedy than thriller. The basic plot is an off-beat ex-cop anti-hero chasing a serial killer. In the beginning, Koo, our titular anti-hero is doing odd jobs for an insurance company fraud team led by a barely competent manager. Some guy is on the team...he's pretty much devoid of character and story line.

The first few episodes kind of jump around with flash backs and other expository elements, don't worry about it most of it isn't necessary to enjoy the popcorn goodness so to speak. Koo soon figures out that a serious of random deaths for various accidents and natural causes are the work of a serial killer who's victims of course are connected in some way. The deaths are elaborately planned and executed with the killer (who also has a side kick devoid of character) operating through intermediaries...intriguing stuff.

As we roll on it's clear that the barely competent manager is a treacherous weasel and laughably gets ousted from her job but already has a job lined up as a campaign consultant...how?? Doesn't matter the candidate and his family are corrupt scum bags that figure prominently into the machinations. Insert standard story lines for covers ups/murder here...it's not bad but it's not fresh either.

So ends phase I - despite the choppy beginning it's good. Oh yeah, Santa is now on the team. He doesn't talk - who knows what his deal is?

Phase II is brief but interesting...as Koo closes in, the serial killer (by the way played fantastically) is on the run and cut off from her normal ability to plan meticulous murders and begins to fray. And she seems to be turning into a random serial killer...it's actually kind of dark at this point. These are some of the best episodes.

Phase III is where the glaring weaknesses come in full throttle. The weaselly and traitorous manager is exposed...yet strangely still able to work with both sides. Weird. Serial killer girl is back on top, but suddenly switches from the meticulous unseen harbinger of death into a Bond villain style mad-bomber intent on elaborate and contrived plots. She also outsmarts and generally gets the drop on so many of her adversaries that her general baddassery is what keeps the wheels from falling off.

And the ending...well suddenly Koo pulls off her own insanely convoluted plan to bring us to an extended final confrontation...and like every Bond villain...serial killer girl either spends too much time talking or during a 2 on 1 fight where she consistently beating her opponents down (Koo and Santa) annoying and blatantly turns her back for extended crucial moments to allow our hero to pull out the win.

Still overall this is a good watch and worthy of some high marks.

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Messy and disappointing

Perhaps I am in the wrong age/ mental group. I found this stuff messy and meaningless, more or less centered (since it's neither) about who deserves to be killed (based on what?).
The series jumps from one killing attempt to the next, akin to what happens in many videogames, a point of which people are reminded in the end when the screen goes "thanks for playing". As such it shares much with "Squid game", which I found to be trash.
I expected more from Lee Young-Ae, here juggling videogames, booze, junk food, and occasional work.
Some acting was OK. The best element of the series is the music; some cartoons on which the series is based, are also OK.
I am afraid that tossing the serial killer in jail (could have shown the trial!), who hears a jail mate screaming that some guy deserves to die (as if she needs that to lust after killing!), is a preamble for a second series whereby the nutcase escapes for a new killing spree. May God have mercy on us, and block "Inspector Koo 2".

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Dramalands most adorable villains

This drama is just soo cute, making me fall in love with every single one of the cast and having my heart flutter over and over again, The chemistry between the characters is just phenomenal and each character has their own little qwirky. Okay it may be in a lets kil em all type of cute and slightly dark at times. To be perfectly clear this is not a romance or feel good drama but the fluff is there so it can easily be mistaken as one if you ignore all the death, corruption and violence...

This is probably THE fluffiest serial killer investigation drama out there by far, and in someways that bothers me others not ( I am not going to get in to detail) but I find myself conflicted over the overall fluffiness in this female centered plot...

I love about 90%the characters in this drama including villains and side characters they are just so, so sweet and lovable I just want to hug them all, go to an ice cream parlor and eat lots of ice cream with them.

I love the friendships here (some more destructive than others), the gay couple, the little robots, it is just all so cute!

Did I mention this drama is cute?

What I did not enjoy was the over use of trash and about a hand full of just unnecessary silly scenes. There is also an over use of slomo and I some theater like scenes seemed out of place at times. There where also some parts where it is hard to follow where they are (time wise) so if you want everything to make sense and be realistic this is not the right drama for you I found it ok, and I am sure as many as hate it probably love it.

There are also some pretty good lines, great use of trucks and the product placement is very entertaining at times.

Most of the twists are pretty predictable so I would not say I was kept on my toes to, much but I honestly have never wanted the villains to have a happy ending as much as I wanted them too here... The entertainment value is higher than the suspence value.


To sum it up, this is a fun drama, just leave your brain at home.

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I totally hate this one

The storyline really is messy. Starting from Lee Young Ae become a homie gamer addicted for 5 years due to her guilt for accusing her husband of murdering his student which caused him to take his own life.
I thought the main case supposedly finding out who the real killer is while solving other cases, but it's not, more likely chasing a psychopathic serial killer as well as psychopathic politician Mama.

Idk which one is the messiest, it's even wasted more than 1 eps to get Koo to handle the cases. It was still acceptable for me until ep 4, but it just keep going downhill.

At first, the drama directed the viewers as if the serial killer is also the student's murderer, so I thought it's still on track. But then, after ep 3 or 4, the focus is changed, the student murder case was never brought to attention again until the very last eps... the serial killer thought her that Santa was with the student, so there's no way Koo's husband killed her.... but still, if Santa is a witness.... who is the killer, is it a murder, an accident or suicide? No one knows.

I'm annoyed how Mrs. Sook and Yi Kyung's psychopathic characters really use the same "JOKER" wannabe vibe. Not to mention, how ridiculous in the last ep, when Mrs. Sook can cooly move and face all reporters after getting heavily injured by a BOM.... casually moving with burn injuries in half of her face and hand... seriously!!!

I'm also annoyed with the inconsistency.

There's no explanation on why Yi Kyung gets very obsessed with Koo. Some scenes show Yi Kyung desperately wanting to have some friends, but when Wook gets shoots in the last scene, she just leaves him there bleeding out..... He is her only friend.

Koo was known as a great investigator, but she has no willingness to know who is Santa... like... why??? Seriously? What make it even more "funny", when Yi Kyung asked "why don't you do a background check on him? Don't you want to know why Santa is helping you? You're not even paying him." And her replied of "He just does it because he is Santa, a man doing good for no reason" sending me to the deepest part of the earth. Is it me being overthinking for believing that is no ordinary human being doing something that far, without hidden agenda... we're talking about risking his life for free, for God shake. He is human! Not a real Santa Clause!
As a police academy graduate, she's not even capable enough to have a "proper" fight with Yi Kyung.

Santa gets close to her and helps her due to his guilt for not testifying for Mrs. Koo's husband's innocence.... but why does he have to wait for 5 years just to do it? And a wall full of Mrs. Koo's pictures out of guilt... sing like a psycho while observing/adding those pictures... this is a sick obsession
There's also no explanation on why Santa refuses to talk to Koo and the team. Only refuse to talk to them...., remember, he even sings when he is alone. As if he is scared that if they hear his voice, a big secret will be revealed.

Last but not least... I hate how she keeps coming back to alcohol every time she failed.

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What if Ms koo & Santa was more then just coworkers??

Just finished this. It started really well and was solid. But midway it was going off the plot and jumping around. Towards the last few eps, the confusion clears though. Gave it 8.5/10. recommend it very much. Also, I wish there was more to santa. like they should have made santa and ms koo a couple. I know the age gap was big but the lengths he took to look after her I would approve of them being a couple. what is your opinion on santa and ms koo being a couple? Also WHO IS SANTA? Like I finished the drama but have missed something or is it still a mystery?? Let me know if you know.

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Don't watch if you're expecting logic

This show is full of sh#t. There's no logic in it at all from why characters behave the way they do and how everything ties in with each other. If you want something just as nonsense watch The School Nurse Files instead. At least that's only 6 episodes. The soundtrack was peppy, the animations were cool, the gay lovers were a sweet little story arc and, even though he didn't make sense at all, I loved Santa. Beyond that, it's not worth it.

This show is essentially 12 episodes of complete, utter nothing. It's nonsense. The eponymous detective/inspector has a breakdown due to an unsolved case involving her husband who killed himself. Don't expect this case to be resolved at the end as it never does. The villain is a college girl who, despite having no formal education, job or inheritance, is able to garner hundreds and thousands of financial resources to carry out her murders. She is an explosives, tech and chemical weapons expert able to create quite complex bombs, poisons and surveillance systems in normally inaccessible, highly secure and/or private locations that are mostly tightly guarded. Depending on the storyline she also has superhuman strength to be able to carry adult bodies quite easily or fend off male attackers. In one attempted murder scene she is able to lock two adults in their car without them seeing her lock the car doors outside (and somehow avoiding CCTV surveillance too apparently), move their unconscious bodies into a huge wooden crate that is then dumped into a shipping freight container that she somehow manages to position in the middle of a riverbank without anyone, or CCTV, picking it up. That pretty much sums up the logic of the show. Oh, and she's a parkour practitioner which, in a BS twist, is also something a gamer char in the show is good at... because gamers are known for active lifestyles, apparently (read with sarcasm)... There is no rhyme or reason for the villain's actions and the morals displayed by all characters, on both sides, are extremely fluid as they're willing to change sides and work with previous "rivals" depending on the needs of the situation.

The only thing worth watching is Santa but be warned he is a highly unrealistic character too. This is pretty much acknowledged when the writing team doesn't even bother giving him a real identity. His existence started from when his function began for the team and his props (possessions and photo albums) start from when he meets the inspector. It was still enjoyable to watch him not make sense throughout the whole show coz he's such a sweet helper character, the type you can't help but like.

Inspector Koo feels like a screenwriter going through different drafts of characterisation just to end up with a whole lot of nonsense. It's like a work in progress that should never have been produced in its current final form. The other little touch I liked was the food blogging alter ego of the matriarchal villain's help. It was an interesting quirk that gave an otherwise cliche character a little texture. However, even this texture could not save this show from being an AVOID. Unless u like Santa, the character :)

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One of the best shows ever

I absolutely love this show. I have watched it 3 times already, and know I will probably rewatch it in the future. The music in this show is incredible, and I sometimes even listen to the soundtrack while driving. This show does a great job balancing humor, drama, and mystery. It also displays things in an appropriate manner that lots of dramas tend to steer away from, or make into jokes, such as Santa's selective mutism, or Gun Wook's sexuality. They are things that are shown, and part of who they are, but are not the defining characteristics of these characters. It treats these characteristics with respect, where as other shows have turned them into jokes (I'm looking at you, Strong Woman Bo Dong Soon!) This is also a show that has an original artistic element to it. The scenes played out in Koo Kyung-Yi's mind as theater productions really helped to keep the story on track, and made it easier to follow for me, almost like a recap of the chaos that had taken place. Overall Inspector Koo is an amazing show, that is unique, artistic, funny, and serious all at once.

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