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Poignant slow-burn thriller that grows on you
This is a sleeper hit thriller drama for 2024 and I highly recommend it to someone who likes slow burn thrillers with gripping story line and with reasonable conclusion.Long story short this drama requires patience. True to it's name it deals with how blackout and manipulation can affect someone's course of life. The unraveling of mysteries happen slowly but continuously and it feels like how flesh wounds heal - extreme discomfort followed by unraveling of wounds and finally healing. Sometimes I wondered how much deception can the poor ML handle before he breaks apart but I am so happy the show ended how it did. Sometimes it's just that - nasty people are nasty and let them handle the consequences of their actions on their own. You stay true to your original intention and continue living.
Be warned this show showcases some of the most selfish, terrible villains in k-drama history and (SPOILER ALERT!!!!) they feel no remorse on throwing shades and dirt on somebody else to keep living their life guilt free. It's almost as if they hypnotized into believing the lies they designed so that they can keep living. Once truth resurfaces, their wounds fester and finally they have to face the monsters they have become.
Upon research I learned that this drama is an adaptation of German novel "Snow White Must Die" and the team has done an excellent work to bring this story to life in a Korean setting.
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Interesting premise and great acting; awkward characters and flawed story
The story itself had a very interesting start, opening up with a gruesome case with a mysterious perpetrator, with all clues pointing to the main lead as the culprit. The drama did a great job of peeling apart the layers of this event, starting off by presenting us with a colorful cast of villagers and close friends of the ML, but slowly melts off their facades to reveal the gruesome truths of that night and the evils within them. I have to give Kudos to the actors/actresses as they did a great job of playing the roles of innocent, friendly villagers at the start, to transforming into some of the most hatable, blood-boiling characters I have seen on the small screen.Along with the acting, I also thought the pacing was pretty good for a 14 episode drama. While there were moments that could have been sped up here and there, the writers did a good job of revealing the truth piece by piece throughout the story, keeping me invested without making the truth easy to guess until the final episodes. The atmosphere of the setting was creepy and keeps us at the edge of our seats. Dark lighting and multiple camera angles of the same scenes kept suspense up and truths hidden. These were a few of the things I liked about this work and kept me watching until the end. Now for the negatives.
The main character was not interesting... I think his acting was fine, but he didnt have much to work with. He doesn't really have any standout moments for me throughout the story. The ML gets trounced on over and over and over again the whole show, and while this did drew pity from me and made me root for him, I don't think the resolutions the main character reached in the latter parts of the show are satisfying in comparison. In moments where he is supposed to stand out, like when he approaches the people who framed him, the lines are neither memorablr nor impactful. This mostly ammounts to something along the lines of "Don't you feel sorry to (victim name)?" or "why did you do it? which gets pretty old when you see this sequence repeatedly for each person who framed him (which happens to be almost every character). I think this ended up making the main character a kind person with a really uninteresting personality that could've been much more interesting if they had either more badass in his scenes like the second main lead, or made him a more flawed complex character. As he is, it feel like he doesn't add too much to the story other than being a plot device for finding the truths of the murders.
Go Bo Kyeol, while she acted well, I felt like her character was not fleshed out well enough to be worth including in the story. It seemed a little awkward how they spent the premise developing her as this superstar who was the only one to stay by the MLs side at the start, but then stopped really developing her as a character until later, where she is revealed to be some psychopath mastermind who had planned out for the ML to be put in prkson. I don't think they explained her backstory well enough for me to fully accept that she went from having a simple, albeit jealous c
Highschiol girl crush for the ML. to becoming a sociopath lover of the ML, framing him and happily visiting him in prison for 10 years. Even when her truths are revealed to the ML, the resolution for her seemed forced and really unnecessary for the overall story.
I also think there were too many plot holes for me to really ignore throughtout the drama. I think it was weird seeing how conveniently easy it was for witnesses throughout the story to clearly recall small details from events from over 10 years ago, like the details of a random car crash they saw and the exact voice of the killer they heard over a 2g cellphone. But sure, let's say they did recall these events because they were so traumatic; why was it so easy for this to become credible evidence for the police? Especially considering these same police had brushed off other, more concrete evidence from the day of the incident, like DNA samples on the clothing of the victim. This drama is about a case from over 10 years ago, which in real life would be almost impossible to solve, so I understand that these plotholes would exist for the convenience of the story.. .but they did make the story significantly less immersive for me.
Overall, I think the premise and buildup of the drama were interesting enough for me to push along and finish it, but the negatives of this drama did exist and made me give it a lower score than I would otherwise. In the long list of Korean thriller mystery dramas that exist where Signal stands at the top, I probably wouldn't recommend this to others. But if you especially like the cast and have time to spend this was overall entertaining. 6.5/10
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Thriller mozzafiato
Anche questo drama ci saluta... il viaggio che abbiamo affrontato in questo villaggio insieme a jeong u è stato intenso molto intenso...sin dai primi episodi la tensione è stata molto alta, la voglia di scoprire la verità e superare l'odio che provavamo verso i paesani bigotti e pazzi, il capo della polizia e i suoi subordinati che attorniavano questo povero ragazzo distorcendo i fatti a favore loro pur di vedere un lieto fine ci ha portati a vedere questo drama tutto d'un fiato! Gli ultimo due episodi hanno dato pace al nostro povero fegato...ogni elemento va al posto giusto ognuno riceve la sua condanna a seconda del suo peccato...il nostro jeong u viene scagionato anche se nessuno potrà restituirgli i 10 anni della sua vita persi in carcere, né tanto meno riavere il suo papà indietro...Non posso dimenticare le parole del detective...
-:"vivi una vita normale adesso, vivi le lotta ordinarie e le gioie ordinarie, sorridi e piangi in modo ordinario, sopporta e vivi con un cuore ordinario ..." quale augurio migliore poteva ricevere il nostro jeong u dopo tanto dolore...
L'ultima scena è la più bella ..vedere lui che sorride felice con sua madre ..e non solo anche Su oh ha il suo happy ending ..dimostrando ancora una volta che famiglia speciale siano..
Un 9 meritato ❤️
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Great Drama
If you look for a thriller/mystery drama ...this it is.For me one of the best dramas until now of 2024. Beware although, a lot of frustrating characters, but as you go deeper into the intrigue you will see why all act like that, yet most are hypocrites.
The story revolves around a man who is falsely accused of murdering his girlfriend and a friend of his. After 10/11 years the truth slowly came out, helped by a detective which was transferred there.
Might find him annoying at first, but he his sharp and notices fast that things don't add up... as they investigate they create a nice friendship bond too.
To be honest the last two minutes made me teary. I think his real friend he had, beside si-oh, was his twin brother, but his father decisions made his life a living hell.
He could just ask back then, not assume things and things might take another direction,
Anyway.
Great acting from all, the plot was good (I liked more the drama than the novel- because here he didn't fall in love of his stalker to put like this and who knew all], ost was good too. The main characters actor delivered his emotions very good.
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Not a pleasant watch
First of all, this is a copycat of Beyond Evil. In both series we have a small village, a murder of a teenage girl(s), a friend group of teenagers, a young guy who gets blamed for the murder, a corrupt police chief, an involved higher political figure. Sure, there is the difference, that in this series the boy was convicted and went to jail. In Beyond Evil they said, that regarding Korean law, no one can be convicted of murder if there is no corpse. In this series, it wasn't the case. He got 10 years without ever finding the dead bodies. I have no idea which series got it wrong, but that was one big difference. Sure, in Beyond Evil, the one who was accused of the murder became a cop himself, but overall, those two series are very similar. So I knew pretty fast that the police chief wasn't trustworthy at all, and the crime involved adults with higher social status and wasn't done by young boys on an impulse.Well, my issue with this series, though, and I know this review is a mess, the characters were extremely annoying, even the mother of the wrongfully accused boy. In Beyond Evil they managed to make all the character likable, even the villains and the mentally ill friends. It was such an emotional roller coaster, while this series just got me annoyed.
I liked how the rather brute cop was fair enough to listen to the wrongfully convicted murderer and helped him solve the case. I liked their "bromance", but I also have seen better ones. Nothing really got me attached to those characters or their pain.
The main character did a terrific job with his acting, but that doesn't save much if every other character is just lame. Him crying about his dead friends got me emotional, just to find out later that those two girls were some annoying b*tches. The friends were rapist. The other one was sitting for 10 years beside a decomposing body.
Ugh.
I regret watching this, sorry guys. I still try to be fair with my rating.
EDIT: Apparently, this is based on a German novel. I know the author, since I am German, though I didn't read the book. Still, this is very similar to Beyond Evil in so many aspects that's the comparison is justified. I'm also sure they changed many things to fit the Korean police system and politics.
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Black out
"If you ever find yourself afraid of the darkness of the night, close your eyes until the dawn of a new day... But what about the darkness of hearts? " In a world drowned in darkness and gloom, where the truth hides behind masks of kindness, the "Black Out" journey began to light our paths. A story engraved in hearts, and a performance that enchanted the eyes. Today we bid farewell to a series that made us live every moment with its heroes, from among the dark alleys of the city, to the depths of the human soul, exploring together the meaning of justice and injustice, love and betrayal, and hope and faithThe actors' performance was like an artistic painting whose colors changed with every scene. Each character carried within it an indescribable depth, as if they were living those events with us moment by moment. Who among us can forget those moments when we held our breath whenever the curtain was lifted on a secret from the secrets of the village whose inhabitants were unjust? Who among us did not cry with the scenes of our hero and his feeling of betrayal that broke our hearts? Who among us has not felt the suffering of innocent people who sought justice despite all the circumstances?
From the main roles to the supporting characters, each performance was a testament to the talent and dedication of its owner, creating a compelling and attractive world... It is said: "The more you hate a character in a series, the more it is a testament to their professionalism in finding that role." Today, we salute and praise all the villagers who were the reason for our hero's suffering. You may ask me why? My answer would be that it is easy to impersonate the character of goodness and put a smile on the face of any actor, but to play the role of the evil traitor, this requires years of experience. However, the crew of our series had no difficulty in doing so at all and embodied the concept of "absolute evil" in the most beautiful way
Apart from the exceptional performances of the actors, "Black Out" is an exciting exploration of complex themes. The series deals with the concept of darkness that can creep into individuals and societies, while also highlighting the power of hope in the face of this darkness. It’s a poignant reminder that even in the face of adversity, humanity’s capacity for compassion and kindness can triumph
In conclusion, “Black Out” is a masterpiece of K-drama that will leave a lasting impression on viewers. Its engaging story, exceptional cast performances, and profound messages make it a must-watch for fans of the genre. As we bid farewell to this wonderful series, we are grateful for the unforgettable journey it took us on
And always remember: “Be kind to others, and remember that your ‘simple’ actions can ruin someone’s entire life”!
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Recalling the truth
After a shocking murder mystery without corpses took place in a small village, as life goes on, everyone wants to move on and forget completely about the past except one person, the murderer, whose mind is stuck on that night eleven years ago, wanting to recall every little detail of the incident that changed his life forever.“Black Out” is a crime thriller drama that explores the journey of a murderer without memories of committing murders who tries to discover the truth so he can finally realize what happened that night, remember, acknowledge his actions and reach catharsis. As the story unveils, the deeper he goes into the path towards the truth, the more difficult it becomes to follow it, because every character has their own version of truth and a reason to keep that night forgotten.
In the story there is a multi-layered depth behind every event. Everything happens as a result of the actions of many different people and that’s why the story is character driven to its core. Each and every character has their own reasoning, unique reactions and decisions that altogether form a plot with many interesting twists and turns, making the story special and very intriguing.
Observing how every character relates with the events, impacts them and in the end causes the entire plot is really entertaining to watch and for me this is one of the drama’s biggest charms. It’s very difficult to make a plot with natural flow between the events without “exposing” the plot devices that are being used and this drama manages to do it almost perfectly.
It has to be said though, that the character-center plot is what makes the pace of the story slow, especially at the beginning, as in the first episodes, the drama focuses more on setting the characters and their relationships than evolving the main mystery. This might be a bit boring for some watchers as it delays the actual plot but it’s a necessary step for the story’s building and progression.
When the plot starts to escalate, the suspense develops gradually and the story becomes more and more interesting, reaching its climax naturally. At some point onwards it's easy to understand what’s going on and figure out the mystery. What’s thrilling about the story is not the answer to the mystery but how the characters will deal with it and which path they will choose to follow in the end. It’s amazing how the story manages to blur the line between good and bad, showing the different morality of its characters and how good intentions can lead to a morally bad outcome.
“Black Out” is a drama where the characters are composed by their actions and their actions create the beginning and the ending of the whole drama. Accompanied by a high-quality production and magnificent acting, “Black Out” can easily be considered to be an all over well-made decent drama and a must-watch for people who love watching mystery thriller dramas. If you are one of those people, give this drama a chance and enjoy its unique and entertaining ride.
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The forgotten night—a psychological thriller that serves as a profound exploration of jealousy
‘Black Out’ is more than just a suspenseful thriller–it’s an introspection of human behaviour, exploring the unsettling extremes of envy, selfishness and obsession. It simultaneously addresses more delicate themes such as passionate love and the innocence of grief, adding complexity to the depthful characters brought to life with top-notch acting. With its various storylines that intertwine into a gripping game of blame concerning the ones at fault for the killing of two young girls, it takes the innocence out of pure feelings, blurring the line between love and selfishness.In the small Korean village of Muchon Town, everyone is a suspect, and no one is to be trusted. When No Sang-Cheol, an unbiased and unapologetic detective who has no ties with anyone in the area moves to this place, his strong sense of justice and personal values are tested. He’s faced with a seemingly ordinary case whose answers lie somewhere hidden in a particularly messy double murder incident from eleven years ago. Its peculiarities leave him questioning not only each and every individual in his everyday surroundings, but also gives him great doubt in the innocence of the police department itself. Acting as if he has nothing to lose, he shows no hesitance in putting all on the line by diving straight into the pit of that sombre night that the town’s community tries so hard to forget, even going so far as to putting his own principles aside. Could standing on the same ground as a supposed criminal, not looking at him from above as an authoritative figure, be the key to solving this grandiose mystery? And would he still be willing to do it, if it meant having to be apprehensive and empathetic towards the person he despised?
The gripping novel-inspired series ‘Black Out’ heavily relies on its characters’ to drive its story forward as it constantly revolves around the consequences of their actions and their memories are the only fragments of time that are left from a dark night from long ago. Through the many leads, not only does the series showcase character growth, but it also explores the grievance of those who’ve lost a loved one, the motives behind the crimes, and the suffering of those accused of murderer, and their families. The series surfaces many sensitive topics, and is grounded in different variations of anger, using this scary and strong emotion to drive its characters to maddening lengths, whether it be for good or for bad. ‘Black Out’ is a psychological thriller that doesn't rely on gore to bring scare to the viewers, but instead brings them discomfort with depictions of emotional manipulation and other unsettling elements such as gaslighting, blackmail, threats, r@pe, bullying, emotional and physical abuse, domestic violence, psychotic behaviour, obsession, su!c!de, extreme selfishness, and corrupt police investigation.
Following the death of two young girls, sophomore-year highschool student Goh Jeong Woo, boyfriend to one victim and best friend of the other, is pleaded guilty of murder and accused of disposal of their bodies—crimes he claims to have no memory of committing. Even when convinced he isn’t the one responsible, all traces point to the opposite, and since the crimes were committed while Goh Jeong Woo was drunk and experiencing a black out, he can’t do anything but accept to serve his years in prison. As it turns out, this didn’t conclude the case, but actually just put it on pause, since the investigation was suspiciously hastily conducted, and doomed to re-open many years later. When Goh Jeong Woo is released from prison, his name is legally cleared, and he’s presented with the opportunity to start his life anew. He refuses, wishing to seek justice for his two beloved deceased friends by finding their abandoned bodies and uncovering the true murderer. His tiresome effort to conclude the investigation using the right path proves to be more difficult than expected, but he tries his best against all odds, even if it means losing those closest to him in the process, and putting himself back in the difficult circumstances he faced eleven years ago. In his strive to remember and gather clues from that fateful night, he’s torn apart between two versions of himself; the evil person everyone labels him as, and his self who is a victim instead of a murderer.
Though it starts with heavy focus on Goh Jeong Woo, the aspiring medical student from a wealthy family, as the story progresses, the focus is shifted to the other individuals that have been in his surroundings since a young age. As he progressively moves forward in his investigation of the case alongside detective Noh Sang Cheol, he parallelly relives his high school senior year through his memories. This allows him to reconsider his relationships and see his happiest memories from a new perspective, draining them from their joyous and youthful innocence and enabling him to notice how his friend group was slowly ripping apart, tampered with feelings of intense jealousy. He sees the influence that his popularity, his wealth, and his family’s economic and social status had on others, notably his and his parents’ friends. This tactic of narrating a compelling story by weaving together past and present events greatly enhances the viewers’ ability to connect with the characters.
The unravelling of the mystery also sheds light on problems concerning social dynamics. The motives behind the different crimes committed and the ignorance that follows them are rooted out of self-pity, despair and jealousy from those who believe they have been living unfairly in comparison to their shared accaintence; Goh Jeong-Woo. Those involved in the murders, even those who loved him, decided to selfishly prioritise their own selves, framing him and making him suffer the consequences of their actions without feeling remorse because they felt that they had equally suffered from him. Their way of compensating for their insecurities was to frame him for their crimes, as they would benefit from this both monetarily–since they made his wealthy father compensate for their ‘sufferings’ with land–and morally, since it helped them convince themselves he was the true problem. The element that was key to their jealousy was mentioned to be the car Goh Sang-Chu bought his son Goh Jeong-Woo as a gift. This item, which represents the family’s wealth, is not only what ends up leading one of the girls’ murders, but also plays a key role in the unfair blame put on Goh Jeong-Woo, leading to his and his family’s social and economical downfall. The series concludes the lesson that in the end, those with less moral power can appear to be at the top, while their actions and decisions reveal otherwise, opposing the values of their glorified role and image in society. Those who have wronged others will do anything they can to exerce their power to hide the flaws and mistakes of theirs that they’re too scared to reveal.
‘Black Out’ successfully blurs the line between both extremes of a crime, which is the grief and innocence of the supposed victims, and the strong loss of control and of hatred found in murderers, abusers, and rap!sts. By exploring the true identities and values of the characters, it also shines light on more emotionally sensitive themes like grief, acceptance, and regret. The series uses emotions found in both innocent grieving victims and the ones with dirt on their hands to shape its characters into realistic and depthful individuals, making viewers question their true intentions and not trust any word they speak. Its storytelling shows how grief can bring out strong feelings of regret which can affect even those who are the monsters in the story. With convincing acting, it touches the complex elements surrounding grief, showcasing that even those who aren't to blame can feel just as wrongful and remorseful as those who actually are responsible.
The ending puts forward a conclusion that highlights that even though falling and hitting the ground of the gruesome reality is surely inevitable on both sides of a crime, it highlights that the one who chooses to prioritise and believe the truth will always have a path in front of them to move on, no matter their circumstances. Because, acknowledgement and pride in oneself is truly the strongest thing there is, and is especially a crucial way of living a truthful life in modern society, where those who are the highest are those who conceal the most.
The unsettling music, gloomy aesthetic, and choice of setting in a quiet, subdued part of town all contribute to its overall eerie atmosphere, drawing in both fans of the genre and newcomers alike. Many factors render it a truly memorable watch, such as the convincing acting, and its steady rhythm of suspense, both of which provide the audience with the opportunity to get a good scare out of the psychological thriller. The series’ horrific elements, graphic scenes, and mystery lets it reach a bigger audience, further broadening its appeal to those who are fans of the horror genre. Laid bare on screen, the many themes presented are raw and sometimes hard to digest. Its honesty in presenting the dark truths in life is like an inspection of the human mind, showing much more than a simple exploration of its determined and loving side. Instead, it focuses on bringing attention to the dark things passionate emotions can bring out of even the most pure and innocent feelings. With relentless thrill, it highlights the power that holds the mind’s rawest of feelings such as anger, jealousy, and selfishness. What especially makes this series so scary are the polar opposite traits that create the lead characters. The simple motivation behind the characters’ crimes is common and experienced by all, and yet they lack the fundamental aspect of what makes us human, which is guilt.
Its captivating production qualities, topped off with the numerous potential suspects that the plot follows, altogether enhances its suspense as well as its impact on viewers, leaving them at the edge of their seats all throughout the 14 episodes. Its engaging storyline—where a fusion of passion and love meets the depths of remorse and neglect—is brought to life by complex and unreliable protagonists, inviting interpretation and suspicion to arise in viewers. The mystery unfolds fast enough yet very intricately with its many subplots and storylines detouring the truth and giving the audience the chance to come up with their own theories as it simultaneously guides them down the line of its perfectly developed plot.
Overall, all of its aspects created the formula for a truly outstanding watch. ‘Black Out’ is ultimately a must-watch for anyone looking for a release that has mastered the art of balancing out elements of suspense, mystery, crime, self-reflection, growth, and most of all, reconciliation with the past, those around us, and our own selves.
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The drama will make your blood boiled from the beginning till the end in a good way!
One word: WOW!!! It is one of my favorite dramas now.Finally, a perfect drama that I watched in a few days as I could not stop. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time as the story unfolded perfectly. The acting was superb, especially Jo Han, as you could feel his pain.
The storyline and pace were perfect. I have to say, it was hard to watch the drama, but in a good way, as you witness all the mistreatment of Jeong, and it will make your blood boil and your heart will be racing as everyone is against him. It was so sad to see all his loved ones betray him because of jealousy or personal gain. The more the story unfolded, the more shocked I was to see no guilt or remorse. I loved his friendship with the detective. He was the only glimpse of hope and the only thing that kept me sane. Also, I really liked the FL; she was the only one who believed him.
The ending was so satisfying as he finally found his peace, even though he will carry all the wrongdoings in his heart forever.
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UNDERRATED DRAMA OF 2024
i love the story and plot too , it is one of best drama in 2024 for sure! Karma is a bitch so at the end of the day truth will always prevail but it takes time to come out , i love the moral of the story. I love bromance between detective and hero and they supported each other throughout journey was simply superb. We need to more dramas like this.I know many of us think like some went to prison and others went to mental asylum, but i personally prefered truth always prevail and ending scene was perfect and overall drama for me is 10/10. Definitely everyone should watch this drama.
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Finest Mystery Thriller
Black Out: Snow White Must DieThis was one of the finest mystery thrillers i have watched this year. It started off with a bad impression due to its low production quality but the tightly woven mystery plot kept pulling me in more and more, to the point where i forgot about the cheap production. The story just kept getting better with each passing episode until the end.
The show also made my blood boil with its infuriating characters. What made it even more frustrating is how real they felt. They werent inherently evil like the typical psychopaths in crime thrillers, instead they were ordinary people trying to cover up one crime, only to commit more and more in an effort to save themselves.
Byun Yohan's acting was stupendous. He is an actor i usually dislike or at least he doesnt draw me to his projects but here his portrayal of a man falsely accused and unjustly punished for 10 years was outstanding. The way he conveyed the pain and suffering through his performance moved me all the way to the end. Even the supporting cast did so well that i wanted to jump into the screen and punch them.
The show started with a modest 2.8% rating and ended with 8.8%, which says a lot about how it grew on the audience. Like many others, i was initially disappointed but the script and story changed everyone's perception of the drama.
I loved this show and im really looking forward to the director's future projects. Hopefully, he gets a better budget for his upcoming work.
I would have given an extra 0.5 points if the production quality were better but i will still give a solid 9/10 to this excellent mystery thriller.
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Masterful but painful
I seriously don't understand the low rating for this show. What is it about this website and murder/gory shows? This show has strong Lee Joon Ki vibes in Flower of Evil.The drama is masterful - the story pulls you in with the careful telling of the story as it unfolds. It's like peeling back the layers of an onion as the characters are complex in their motivations and hidden agenda. Byung Yo Han is in his element again, this time as the conflicted murderer who cannot remember what happened. Did he do it? Did he not do it? There are a few red and blue herrings and you can probably guess the culprits. I look forward to the rest of this drama as it unfolds.
Update: I've now completed it. My original impression stands. It was roller coaster ride. It was very difficult to watch initially because the ML could never get a break but around halfway through, things starting looking up and it became bearable to watch. My advice? Binge watch. Watching each episode as it was broadcast was simply painful!
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