Kidnap (2024)

Will not watch anymore. May revisit after it is completed, likely not.

Contains general impressions but no major spoilers.

Audio: The quality was inconsistent. Some sounds were overly compressed, with key effects like footsteps missing, while others, like swallowing, were oddly loud. The sound effects didn’t fit the genre, and the soundtrack also felt out of place. These issues prevented me from feeling fully immersed in the episode.

Acting: Lengso’s acting, as I expected, was not high quality. It felt forced, particularly in a 'drunk' scene and the parts where he was in a chair. Some of the dialogue at that point was also weak. It's surprising that no one on set, like the director, stepped in to help him refine those moments. I feel like they prioritised the Ohmleng pairing over casting someone more capable for this role.

Character Development: Q’s character felt pasted into the story at the last minute. He doesn’t fit the world they’ve built. I even wondered if the role was originally written for someone else. This is especially disappointing because he’s supposed to be a lead.

Plot Holes: The biggest plot hole for me involves Min and James. It didn’t make sense for James to suggest illegal activities with so little buildup or context between the characters. It didn’t feel believable.

Budget Issues: There seems to be a serious budget mismanagement in this show. It was odd to see Ohm’s car being used in filming. Why not budget for a proper prop car? The speak-easy scene was shot in a glamorous location, but it looked empty without enough background actors. If I was a potential customer on a night out, I would take one look around and choose not to go in because it looked boring! And a particular rubber gun used in a close-up had visible tears, revealing the white rubber inside. This is a big oversight, especially when better props (like cheap airsoft guns) are easy to get. There was a moment when we were looking at cobwebs, and they looked so fake and cheap, like they were bought from a party supplier for a last minute spooky halloween party.

Pacing & Genre: The relationship is developing too quickly, which doesn’t match the genre or the story presented in trailers. I felt like I was watching a school-setting, cutesy BL in parts, which doesn’t fit this type of show. The pacing is disappointing and doesn’t align with the dark tone they originally indicated.

Visuals: The camera work and visual quality were great, maybe that’s where the budget went.

On the bright side, Ohm’s acting was outstanding, which I expected. He is incredibly talented and carried every scene he was in. There were moments when I gasped because his performance was so natural and high-calibre.

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