Under the Skin Season 2 (2024)

It feels like they didn't expect to do a second season and used everything on the first

I think they gave everything interesting they could think of in the first season, that everything they were left with is a bit dry in comparison.

Script: It's not that it's bad, it's just that S1 was filled with explanation of how Shenyi does what he does, that in this S it's not that special or unique. He draws from blurry images or a covered face caught in security cameras and skulls but it doesn't feel as good as it felt in the S1.

I personally think they didn't do themselves justice with putting the first case as the first case. It's so beautifully written and done on the psychology of the characters and it's so complicated that you don't know who to root for. Even when you tell yourself the law is the law you keep wondering if it's fair. Also the murder method was so interesting and difficult to figure out. Everything after that falls short because of how good it was.

It feels a bit random at times even tho the cases are interesting. Like Li Han's story is so real and well written on the psychological part. I could see myself in her, being lost and afraid, but it felt out of place. We didn't get to see her a lot before so we didn't see any signs that her character is going through some things.

I'm wondering what they're gonna do with the girl in the red dress part of the plot and the weird stranger (Fang Kai Yi). If it gets messed up then I'll be disappointed cause Tan Jian Ci is a great actor and can deliver, guilt, losing oneself to ego and playing g0d, so well. We already saw a glimpse of it in one of his conversations with Du Cheng.

Acting is good:
I think Tan Jian Ci is a great actor. Really good in emotional scenes but just as good with sassy moments.

I hoped Jin Shi Jia will change a bit and have more charisma. He is good with the emotional parts but when it comes to giving orders or just standing there, he looks like a child that doesn't know what to do with his hands.

Zhu Jia Qi is great. All the product placements fell on his shoulders and he was so natural. He is so good in that role it feels like he is Jiang Feng.

Lu Yan Qi did so well with her story. Better than I expected.

Overall the acting is good. All supporting actors did well. All the guest ones did well.

Directing and Fight choreography is good.

Editing is a bit harsh on the eyes. Color grading-color correction is too bright when you look at windows at day time.

Overall, I'm satisfied with it. I didn't expect anything more cause I felt like it'll be hard to match S1. I might add to my review when the show is finished (English isn't my first language so sorry for any typos or grammar mistakes)

Edit. Tan Jian Ci was so creepy in the opera eps. The "why are you behind me" was so good. I really liked that ep

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Pretty Solid Psychological/Profiling Drama

I think this is a pretty solid season (up to ep 15). After reading other reviews, I realised that if you only enjoyed the 2 leads' chemistry and/or the mysterious syndicate which caused the death of Du Cheng's ex-colleague in 1st season, you're likely to be disappointed by this one. However, if you're into psychological/profiling genre and the criminology context, you might like this one.

Below contains spoilers, read at your own discretion.

It's pretty clear that this season's plot and characters development are advancing in a quite different direction than the previous. Below are some points about this season (might change with EPs update) which I like.

Point 1.
While S1 is mainly focusing on using forensic artist and their sketches to apprehend suspects, S2 is advancing the police force into venturing ways of preventing crimes instead of investigating crimes that's been done.

This is evident with Superior Zhang supporting Shen Yi's passion and research into using profiling to determine the potential suspects, preventing them to commit crimes. This theme is similar to Psycho Pass (anime) and The Mouse (kdrama) where you're judged guilty once you're assessed and predicted to have possessed the intention and/or the ability to commit a crime. However, this leads to the critical moral dilemma, which is my Point 2.

Point 2.
Moral dilemma for the legal system: instinct vs logic.

Shen Yi realises that his sharp instinct and deep understanding on humans' psychological aspects allow him to determine suspects of crimes up to a certain degree. Failing the prevent a potential crime in the past caused him guilty and more determined to use his skills to prevent any crimes in future. However, this method is flawed with the current justice system and by law of humanity - innocent until proven guilty. Which is why Du Cheng is against of this method as he believes in logic and science when solving crimes instead of apprehending yet-to-be suspects using instinct. This flaw is evident in later case, where the suspect did not commit the crime in the end, showing there's a line between intention vs commitment of crime.
***(This point is supported by the leads' recent interview)***

Point 3.
Working as a team vs duo.

As their professional roles are different in the police force, it's reasonable for them to work with other team members on assigned tasks to ensure the efficacy of their investigations. I like the diverse dynamic between different combinations of team members they're showing us. Hence, I don't think the 2 leads should be stick together in a single frame for most of the time. And, I think both leads have fair share of screentime and presence. Hence, I'm confused with comments that mentioned about screentime/presence issue for another lead.

Point 4.
As I mentioned before, this season focuses on psychological, induction, hypothetical (what-ifs & predictions) vs last season's evidence-based, deduction, science (if so then so). I like psychological and crime genres. Hence, I enjoy the exploration on the individuals and their contexts. The environmental and personal factors that structure their behaviours and mentality. Of course this does not justify their actions but it gives a critical perspective on crimes prevention. This exploration is helpful for formulating effective interventions for treating the root cause of crimes instead of the symptoms.

This drama also has some room for improvement. E.g.

1. The ranks and orders in the police force is not as systematic as I expect. They seem to be able to take up whatever cases they're interested in even though some presented conflict of interest. Regarding some simplified procedures to gain approval (e.g. part timing in entertainment company), I'd take it as part of the drama nature, to keep up with the pacing. And I really like how they keep each case to 2 EPs max.

2. Like some comments had mentioned, I'd prefer to have some focus/pick up on the main case (the secret syndicate in S1) on earlier EPs. At least foreshadow something or provide clues in the background of some cases would have kept the balance between the day-to-day case and this primary plot.

3. I also felt some gaps in S2 due to missing of characters, e.g. the female friend/art student who was with Shen Yi in S1. As Shen Yi hasn't relocated, some mentioning/brief reveals of communications would've been more natural in terms of characters' life. I do like the developments of some characters relationships in this season, showing how time flows.

That's my personal review so far. Looking forward to the next ep and expecting on how the story will unfold.

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Worth the wait for S2!

Under the Skin is a gem, both S1 and S2. I'm really glad they kept the original cast and S2 opens up with all familiar faces. Seeing all the cases unfold before my eyes, it seems like the team has leveled up somehow.
The cases are complicated, intriguing and engaging multiple truths of life. I can't imagine anyone else playing Shen Yi except TCJ. He is amazing in every role and that deep voice really suits the character, he's calm, gentle and kind.
Just finished watching the 3-4 episode and omg I have no words for it. The case was good, nothing too complicated, but the FEELS! I was crying throughout the two episodes. Really beautifully done! The fact that just an episode before Shen Yi had told Du Cheng that he wants to draw what's in the hearts of people and not just their faces, this episode was proof of it! In such a short time he was able to understand the secrets between Yun Lei and the kid! Just this episode alone could win an award fr!
I still have to watch more episodes, but honestly this season 2 has been worth the wait! Tbh you don't have to watch S1 to understand what's going on here. I think even watching it as a stand alone works. S1 definitely had a underlying backstory for Shen Yi and Du Cheng, but S2 isn’t showing much as of now.
Overall for me it's a 10/10 !

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