I really wanted to like this series. Wonderful plot. Decent script. But it became a bit of a slog by episode 6. The acting had become a little too bland with too many silences in dialog covered up by the constant new age background music that never seems to take a break.
For example, a character is seeing things while driving in the rain. Instead of letting the driver's elevated breath, the sound of road and rain build an organic sense of natural suspense, the director dominates the scene with distracting music that, rather than enhancing this promising scene, kills it.
These directorial choices occur through the entire series. Yes, the pacing improves as the series moves along. The acting becomes more natural. But that overbearing music never goes away. This show would have been at least an 8 for me with just a minor tweak to the pacing and cutting 90% of the music.
Let me put it this way: If you're familiar with Korean cinema, this is not high art like that of Bong Joon Ho, Lee Chang-dong or even Hwang Dong-hyuk. This is made-for-TV quickly shot and assembled, and little more.
For example, a character is seeing things while driving in the rain. Instead of letting the driver's elevated breath, the sound of road and rain build an organic sense of natural suspense, the director dominates the scene with distracting music that, rather than enhancing this promising scene, kills it.
These directorial choices occur through the entire series. Yes, the pacing improves as the series moves along. The acting becomes more natural. But that overbearing music never goes away. This show would have been at least an 8 for me with just a minor tweak to the pacing and cutting 90% of the music.
Let me put it this way: If you're familiar with Korean cinema, this is not high art like that of Bong Joon Ho, Lee Chang-dong or even Hwang Dong-hyuk. This is made-for-TV quickly shot and assembled, and little more.