Signal may not be the best murder mystery series but it is certainly one of my favorites. What's more, it manages to add a supernatural element where characters from the past and present communicate to solve crimes, which gives things a unique twist. I undersand this sort of thing has been done before (see Hollywood movie "Frequency") but Signal ups the ante, makes the theme all its own and gives it a Korean flavor that I can't help but applaud the writer for putting it all together.
The experience is like watching a crime drama, with mystery after mystery being solved by veteran detective Cho So Yun (refreshingly strong but vulnerable- can't help but compare her with the inefficient female counterpart from Galileo) and profiler Park Hae Young, with the help of a character from the past - detective Lee Jae Han (who is now one of my favorite kdrama characters); the result is fun, exciting and a bit tragic.
The series does a good job of letting you know when the scenes are from modern time vs. past time and the scenes from the late 80's and early 90's looked genuine and authentic. I wouldn't say that Signal is a scary show, but it certainly had its fair share of atmospheric, eerie moments. All the characters had good chemistry and I liked every member working in the 'unresolved cases' crime unit. The main villain was despicable but I find that kdramas do a good job in making you hate the villains/antagonists. This one was no different in that I wanted to reach out and slap him in the face, repeatedly.
My only complaint was that there were times when both Park Hae Young and (to a lesser extent) Cho So Yun would take too long to react to a shocking piece of news when they'd hear it. It would usually happen at a suspensful moment when it was critical for them to react quickly, so it got on my nerves a bit since I was worried for their characters at those times! This wasn't a deal breaker for me, and I thing Signals advantages far outweigh whatever flaws it has. I think the difference between asian crime drama (using Signal here as the reference point) and the American/English ones I've seen is that the former tends to be overemotional. It works in context though, and I like the fact that I know I'm watching a korean melodrama* as well as a murder mystery.
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This review may contain spoilers
Is "Signal" a masterpiece?
Hi. This is my first review. The reason I am writing it, is that I am greatly disappointed by this overrated drama.I started it cause I read so many good reviews. Man, that was not true for me. I am still confused, why viewers praise it so much. I mean why? I really don't get it. Good acting ok, yes. By two out of the three leading actors. I hated the female lead, but I will come to that later. Good cinematography ok. But other than that? A messy plot, a messy scenario, too much illogical stuff going one, plus a stupid ending, with too little conclusion , too much suffering with inadequate retribution. Hell, why did this guy had to go through all these? What was this ending, really? I honestly ask you, did you all like it and were satisfied by it? Really? I am just shocked. Cause I felt betrayed and disappointed. Let me just write you a list with everything I didn't like in random order. Cause I let two months pass after watching it, to see if I will calm down. But no. I didn't.
1. The actress they chose, not a good choice. Bad casting, to start with. I didn't like her. The past tense of her, being naive, idiotic etc enraged me. Ok that was the part you say. They shouldn't picture her like this. I disagree. Why should she be like this? Why couldn't she be clever from the start. Inexperienced still but clever. And the actress, played this part, terribly. It didn't fit her. She couldn't convince me. Acting kind of sweet and innocent, didn't fit her. It felt just like she was trying too much, but with no result.
2. The radio element. Bad choice. So, although the two male leads were connected in the past, he finds the radio by a coincidence?? Ya, right.... This is a joke. And they could speak for only one minute??? And it was the same radio item that they both had? The same machine? And it was working at present without batteries??? Hahaa well that was the scifi element mentioned. Too many inconsistencies.
3. All these corrupt cops. Dang. There were too many.... My nerves....
4. Was justice served? Hell, no. I waited and waited, just for the plot to become more annoying, and then, Lee Jae Han has noone to rely on, he has to give up everything, how he did it, with no money beats me, I don't get it. How he survived, I don't get that either. And why did he hide in a hospital? Was he ill or not? Anyway, even she didn't help him in the past. Why? Cause he didn't ask for her help. And how come, the bad guys didn't find him, so many years? Were he pressumed dead? Did he stage his death? They don't tell us anything. This was never explained.... Noone thought to keep an eye on his dad, and see if he is meeting his son.
4. The first episodes were too confusing, and they didn't gave us enough clues, the cases seemed not connected and I was asking myself why I was watching all these. I must confess that I dropped it after episode 4 for quite a while. I just couldn't get hooked.
5. Why did the hero became a policeman afterall? Who would do such a thing, knowing how corrupt they were. He thought he could find the bad guys? But we wouldn't if there wasn't this radio, right?
6. After all these misfortunes, his brother isn't saved.... I wanted to break everything. Those episodes were so annoying. That was what I was expecting and the reason I kept watching.The poor boy gets coldboodly murdered, because LJH gets delayed by her, spraining her foot, omg what a silliness. And he couldn't sent another one, or call the boy, and tell him to leave the house...... Ok LJH gets rescued but only for a while.... What? The script was a disaster. Why everyone liked it, again?????
7. The main villains were roaming around and lived their lives until the last episode, doing whatever they liked. That was unbelievable. And the rapists were NEVER punished. So, what was the message, the scriptwriter wanted to convey? That you should never give up? I totally believe that she failed her goal.
8. So, so much illogical stuff going on. The note LJH wrote. How did he know that Park Hae Yeong, will find it for sure? And why didn't he write the main story, the main case, the most crucial, in the top of the list? And so many other crazy stuff. I will only mention this. In the past LJH gets murdered. And she, his partner,, his coworker, that was in love with him, never succeeded in solving this case. Why? Cause she was stupid , that's why. And the few first conversations that the two men, have through the radio, why were they messed chronologically? The timeline was not consistent. I wanted an explanation. I deserved one. First, he is in the abandoned hospital rooftop, gets knocked on the head etc then while talking to PHY from the future, he gets shot. Ok wow, and I am thinking is that it? Was he a guest role? No, no, no. Silly me. They talk again and then it's some years before that. Why? How? Did she write the script urgently? Was she in a hurry, or she was just pushing everything by the hair , just to be illogical, and hence intriguing, different, hence unique, well it was just pissing me off. Even in a series like this, I want you to convince me. I have seen Kairos recently. And it was written brilliantly. It didn't left me believing I am stupid. This one did. Or you are all jeniuses, that like it. I don't know anymore.
The two male leads were great. I respected them. And they were the only thing that kept me watching on and on. Also, the curiosity where all this was going ,and the need for justice. But I wanted that to happen in the past. I wanted so much that I didn't get. Justice for me would be, for his brother to live , the rapists to be punished, and Lee Jae Han's life not to be ruined. Maybe he would be safe, get a raise, and get married and have family with that idiotic police girl. In the past. Be happy. Ok that's too much, i know. Well just be alive and not hiding. That was one of the worst finales for me in a kdrama.
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Mixed Signal with Mixed Messages
I have a mixed feelings about this one. I'm a huge fan of crime solving premises. Added with some science fiction aspect of time travelling, boy I'm sold. It's a potentially great drama to explore with however some of the plot developments in the story really bothers me. It infuriates me as the emotional elements somehow reduces the affect of an awesome investigation-time-travel story. It had potential. Wish it could have been better executed.Story
Brilliant storyline. However it was caught up with too much emotional overflow that really takes a toll on me. For me its too overwhelming. At first I was able to focus on the story but as it unfold and explored further I find myself feeling frustrated of how things are progressing. The severity of each cold cases, of how cruel this world work in the story is really becoming unbearable to comprehend. It's one man versus the world. And I find it so disheartening. Almost too good to be true.
The unexpected outcome of each cases really threw me off-guard but not in a good way. I didn't feel surprised about it at all (its appalling tbh), and what bother me the most is how the good characters poorly-handled the radio-past-to-present situations. They are being inconsistent almost throughout the show. The first few transmissions are acceptable (forgivable); As it demonstrates of what/ who/ how they are dealing with. But as we continued on, it's becoming a tool of deception. A misleading setup. How the story would deviate and alter the future not according to our usual hopeful good expectations. Infact, it totally defeat the purpose as to why such transmissions ever took place. I was hoping that the characters could have made some progress and better themselves in handling each transmission that was being made. If you realized that you could change something in the past, would you hesitate each time? Or would you come up with better ideas on how to manipulate the past to alter the future? Sadly this story focus more on the emotional throttle effects than the logical/ critical thinking aspects. They scripted the story to have an over emotional and disastrous outcome rather than logical, make sense and satisfying ones; and that frustrated me beyond believe.
For example, I really wished that the future policeman's brother would have survived; instead they ignore his death and focus more on the emotional stir of bringing the family back together as his last dying wish. In my opinion, it would have created a better/ greater impact if the brother did survive. It give us as viewers a breather; a ray of hope that somehow in that cruel and harsh world that good will always prevail, but NO... this show prefer to keep taunting us instead (for the sake of realism). The fact that he seems to be desperate in saving his brother only after he found out that he was murdered, is really bothering me. So you only going to save him after learning that he didn't kill himself? Didn't you ever thought of saving him at all since the transmission started? Really?
I'm not saying that the story is bad, but it's not that great either. Why? Because I refused to believe such world existed. Where almost all of the characters in the story can be so ignorant, selfish, cruel, insensitive and inhuman.
Cast
Overall casts are amazing. The ensembles have good chemistry and very convincing display as good/ bad cops, villains, victims and politician. The emotions that they bring really makes me care and love them as characters. But at the same time they also frustrates me of their logical and problem solving inconsistencies.
Music
Hmmm pretty bland and very melancholic but acceptable befitting to time travel premis.
As always; Do I want to watch it all again?
Maybe but not in the near future. Need to have mental preparation.
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My Love-hate relationship
I really had mixed feelings about Signal.It is a really popular show and the concept and cast are exceptional. I really can’t fault them.
But I didn’t like the pacing. A lot of people could get into the first episode but for me it was a real test of patience. It took me about three different attempts to g t past the first few episodes and when I did so I can say that my expectations were admittedly mixed.
The storyline had its triumphs and flaws. I mean every drama does I guess but Signal had me screaming at the screen at times and sobbing the next. Mixed.
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Speaking of which - how much do I love that Signal used real cold cases and presented them to the viewer in a new light? So many cases go unsolved and you tend to forget the victims and their stories - despite the fact that it was heartbreaking at times seeing some of the cases unfold, it was a great reminder that we will never forget. The social commentary made in several of the cases was bold and refreshing - and I liked that even though it's not like the writers could solve the real cold cases, they could at least give the victims their turn at justice in a fictional world.
Story:
The writing in this was absolutely brilliant - it's so hard for police procedural dramas (especially one with a bit of a supernatural twist) to pull it off without significant flaws in logic, but I think Signal handled it very well. Not to say it was perfect - but all the cases were both compelling and still relevant to the main story. The director also played a huge role in telling the story - he emphasized the story telling side versus the crime solving, and because it added a very real, human element, it was beautiful to watch. Despite the lack of romance, the platonic relationships within the show were developed so well. Though the overall tone is heavy, there are still some great, warm moments that help to fuel you through the more depressing ones.
Characters/Acting/Cast:
Three cheers for the cast, who were absolutely phenomenal. The main three actors were given great characters as well, which is always the first step to success, but the performances were top notch. Yes, Lee Je Hoon did tend to overact in the beginning (and a little towards the end), but I still think he was fully able to show the conflicts within Park Hae Young. Jo Jin Woong was the star, and his bumbling but determined Jae Han was such a wonderful hero to have in a show where you weren't sure if justice could prevail. Kim Hye Soo deserves all the love in the world for essentially playing two characters, but still showing that they were the same person, just changed by time and circumstance.
Music.
There was never a moment where the music overwhelmed the scene - it was always a perfect match. And yes, a lot of the soundtrack was a little haunting, but it fit.
Signal is probably the most well done Asian police procedural show that I have seen, and I absolutely love that it has elevated the expectation of quality in this genre. I will say, though, that I rated it lower on rewatch value if only because I don't know if I can live through all the emotions again. If you haven't seen it yet, you need to!
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Strong one
i know i haven’t watch so many kdrama / series but as for me this one is a super high level drama i need and i want many like this. I like this kind of action and mystery movie but the reason i can definitely recommend this one for everyone is because of the story line and the cast holds each other tight. It served really well, full of chill but every episode makes me want to know what is the next story. i watch this drama in one go nonstop from every episodes, yet still can and want to rewatch it. Standing applause for the idea and result they give us for this masterpiece. once again i would like to say i hope i can see many dramas like thisWas this review helpful to you?
One of the best Korean crime drama I have ever seen
This drama is truly a gem. I cannot recall a time when I have experienced so many emotions watching anything. The crime solving was suspenseful, thrilling, and kept you on the edge of your seat. A lesson lied in each of the cold cases solved. Every decision made had a consequence. The acting of the cast was absolutely phenomenal. You will feel what each character felt. You will cry tears of sadness, guilt, anguish, despair, regret, and even relief. You just couldn't help rooting and hurting for characters like Detective Lee Jae Han. I must have cried in every episode because the acting and writing touched every corner of my heart. There were a good number of twists and turns to keep it refreshing and interesting too. And the ending was completely mind-blowing for me, I did not predict that. One of the best endings I have seen in Asian dramas. I don't know how I'll be able to get over this. This is a truly unforgettable experience. I highly recommend everyone to give this drama a try. You will not regret this!!!Was this review helpful to you?
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STORY: The story is about 2 different cops from different timeline, connected by a single walkie-talkie. Once they finally realized this is happening for real, they decided to stop multiple unresolved serial murder with present evidence/locations of the murder to stop it from ever happening.
in all honesty, this is actually a great concept of a story that you rarely sees in asian drama..The story progress was smooth and develops very well towards the end. They used a lot of flashbacks from what they've already shown you in previous episodes but these flashbacks actually hide tiny details that you tend not to catch on your first watch...So if you're worried that it might bore you with all the flashbacks, don't...it's rather good execution..
ACTING - Superb acting by the man who plays Lee Jae Han, you actually buy it that how anyone of his character would react...Also the female lead officer did superbly as well...
there's multiple times that I actually felt it was real thing that is happening, not an act--like the person is actually experiencing the traumatic events/heartbreaking events for real...
OST - I have them in my music collection and I play them regularly even after almost 2 years...that should tell you how it was
REWATCH VALUE - You don't get bored with the story, the acting, music, the humanity that this drama brought... even if you're not interested in crime drama, you should give this a try
I've watched this drama from start to end 3 times so far, first time alone, second time with my dad which we watched until 4am and third time, with my mum whom always gets emotional in some of the scenes..
The only issue I had was with the ending...I thought it could've done better way..For me, it had barely any closure on the characters...some might argue it warrant a sequel, which I doubt it happening
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it's great. binged it in 4 days
I loved it. the story was great, we have to remember the laws in Korea are different than where some other people may live. the low ratings don't know what they're talking about. people always complain about something, you can't please everyone.The majority of us liked it. it kept me watching. it's a great mystery, crime / drama. I feel like it covered reality and how it is when you have money and power. give it a try, I wasn't disappointed at all. I would definitely recommend this drama series to someone I know, even someone I don't know.Was this review helpful to you?
