This review may contain spoilers
Stranger is strange, that is certain.
The show is heavily, who am I kidding, MASSIVELY driven by the story. It's actors are good and surve the purpose, the characters are there and exist yada yada yada. But without the geniusly written story and complex development it experiences this show would not work.That said, I personally am someone that needs strong characters, character development and good acting. Was it missing here? Not at all. The actors were all so good, that they delivered the story elements perfectly and every character had a very deep and complex story him-/herself. So why did I give this show not a 10/10 or something close to that but instead "only" a 8,5? That's because they kind of wasted their potential here a bit in terms of even further, deeper and overall better character development. They only scratched the surface on what could have been the right path to a masterpiece. All of the set up there is for Shi Mok and also his relationship with Yeo Jin just blatantly gets thrown out of the window for story purposes. I'm glad I watched this show when I already knew, that there will be a second season. Because this makes me hope, that all this set up wasn't for nothing and they actually focus on it more in season 2. I strongly believe that at least the two main characters will actually experience this severe development I strive for, because Shi-Mok showed signs of his development he made in the last scene of season 1. His smile told me, that in his 10 months he has been doing SOMETHING to express some emotions, sort out his thoughts and stuff like that. I just hope, that the showrunners will not ignore the huge potential the relationship between Shi Mok and Yeo Jin has in season 2 once again. Even though the story will probably be genius again and I will fully enjoy myself because of that, I will most likely not forgive the writers and directors for not making this small step to complete the masterpiece Stranger should be.
More in-depth review: https://youtu.be/p3OXEj-RdyY
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The drama that I truly called " Thriller "
I don’t usually write a review for any dramas that I’ve watched but this one is a must!!! If you’re hesitate to watch it bcuz you’re not sure if it’s going to be worth the time, well lemme tell u;I have watched many so-called thrilling dramas and I usually don’t feel that thrilled. However, Stranger is the first kdrama that literally made me go 😳😧😮 for EVERY episodes.
The drama is very well-written and it flows soo smoothly. You wouldn’t believe how good the drama is unless you watch it. The twist was very UNEXPECTED and it’s very worth the time. One of the best drama ever. I strongly suggest u watching it and assure that you’ll have trust issues. And btw, the drama has no romance...but friendship. Hence, the actors/actresses are 💎💎💎
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Highly rated, but confusing
So, I watched this because it's so highly rated, and while I definitely did enjoy the show overall, if you aren't very familiar with governmental and judicial systems and lingo, it may be very confusing. I am someone who isn't versed in the previously stated, and I got lost in the show quite a few times. Not to mention the fact that there are SO many characters in this show, so between memorizing everyone's name (some of which share the same surname), the lingo, and the fact that it's fairly fast paced at times, made for a confusing situation.Now, that is just ME, and could be my attention span. But I've watched plenty of other procedurals similar to this and wasn't that confused.
Aside from that, I will say that I think the whole first season overall was fantastic and I would suggest it to someone who likes crime thrillers and police procedurals. Bae Doona is killer as ALWAYS, and Yoo Jae Myung always plays the best stuck up jackass (iykyk itaewon class). Same with Lee Kyung Young in Vagabond too! The twists and turns were incredible and I love how the director set up everything perfectly and then tied it all together at the end!
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More of this, please!
Loved absolutely everything about this one. In no particular order:1. Superb acting -- could have expected nothing else from the leads, but the supporting cast were so stupendously wonderful that one can sense the depth in them -- it really does feel like they have lives outside of the show.
2. Wonderful music -- suspenseful yet not intrusive (and main theme is very catchy!).
3. Loved, loved, loved the character interactions -- It felt like the characters had real relationships (acting definitely contributed to it, but so did the writing, editing, and direction). And thank you, thank you, thank you for not forcing a romance in there.
4. Focus on the work setting -- I know this is a crime drama and the mental puzzle is what is meant to keep it going, but to me, the little interactions between colleagues is what truly makes the show outstanding. It feels like the writers may have actually worked in real life, know what work is like, and have managed to make those real-world experiences entertaining. Never having worked for the police or prosecution I cannot comment about how accurate the actual work responsibilities are (and have a feeling that many of the male lead's activities would be highly inappropriate or at least unlikely for a prosecutor), but at least the situations feel organic.
5. The story -- although there are some minor plot holes and not all deductions are completely justified, the story nonetheless makes sense, and it is clear on rewatching (which, yes, I have done a few times) that the story had been meticulously planned.
Not only one of the best Korean shows that I have watched, but one of the best on Netflix right now, IMHO.
Can't wait for the next season!
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Kim Jun-seok better win all the awards for the OST
The opening credits and the accompanying music drew me in immediately. To watch an intelligent, sensitive legal/crime thriller after what seemed forever was such a delight.Bae Doona, Cho Seung-Woo, Yoo Jae-myung and Shin Hye-sun were brilliant on screen. The OST weaves in and out of Stranger effectively, so much so, that you're still lingering on a certain scene when it has long gone by. There aren't any gratuitous misogyny or violence...it's all integral to building the story and the cast, director and DOP navigate through it all smoothly.
Lee Soo-yeon's written a complex, woven story that is skilfully abstract in places and glaringly clear in the rest.
Such a respite and antidote to the run-of-the-mill saccharine dramas on offer.
Must Watch!!
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Well written and believable
I really like it!In this days I prefer watching romantic dramas with happy endings.
This isn't one of them... The lobotomy that ML did make romance impossible and that is ok, we know that. But even with that brain, we feel something in the air...
PLOT - well balanced and very well well written.
ACTING - amazing job of almost everyone!
MUSIC - didn't pay much attention because of the environment where I saw the drama. Can't really have a strong opinion.
REWATCH - knowing the plot is important for not thinking rewatch this drama. But the reason is more because there are so many dramas to see!
OVERALL - If you like a little mystery, great plot and production and a drama that maintains the quality this is a good watch.
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Justice is challenged by corruption
"Stranger," This crime thriller drama has an intriguing plot, well-developed characters, and suspense.Prosecutor Hwang Si-mok, played by Cho Seung-woo, and a police officer Han Yeo-jin, portrayed by Bae Doo-na. The drama begins with the murder of a high-ranking official, which leads these two together, unraveling a web of corruption and conspiracy within the criminal justice system.
One of "Stranger's" standout features is its character development. Hwang Si-mok, with his emotionless exterior, hides a complex personality shaped by his traumatic past. However, the guy is like a robot sometimes. They reveal what happened to him but there were times I wished he would (or could) show more emotion. Cho Seung-woo delivers a remarkable performance, portraying Hwang Si-mok's inner struggle and determination with depth.
Bae Doo-na's portrayal of this dedicated police officer brings a sense of balance to the seriousness making her character relatable.
"Stranger" maintains a steady pace with its cleverly crafted suspense. The intricate plot unfolds gradually, revealing shocking revelations and unexpected twists that constantly challenge my assumptions. The blend of intense action sequences and quiet, introspective moments further enhances the overall viewing experience. With that said, however there were a couple of episodes where I found my mind drifting away.
Visually, "Stranger" is well done. The show's cinematography captures the gritty atmosphere of the criminal underworld when power meets corruption.
There are times when you think you know somebody or a coworker, but the reality is quite different. As a whole, I recommend watching "Stranger" if you're looking for an intelligent crime drama or thriller. Add this to your "to watch list" at a later date if you're in the mood for a comedy or a romance.
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The 12th Korean drama that I watched in 2022
The Korean drama " Stanger " is a 2017 South Korean drama that was sold to " Netflex " company in the production of TVN ..From the first episode to the end, the drama has a very complex and secretive side in a way that you don't know who killed the main one, which is one of the most complex Korean dramas ..
The drama's strong point is due to having a good writer and a very good and unique cast who were able to do their job completely and create a beautiful chemist between each other but I can say that actor " Yow Jae Myung " was the best in the drama
The drama has a complex story that doesn't just talk about one specific thing, but also talks about many other things, including "revenge, corruption, emotions, family, sense of responsibility, justice". which was one of the beautifying in the drama
Finally, I want to say that " Stranger " drama became one of the best dramas I've watched this year ..
My Rating : 8.5/10
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This review may contain spoilers
At the beginning of this drama, my favorite characters were Hwang Shi Mok and Han Yeo Jin, the leads. At the end of the drama? It was Lee Chang Joon, hands down. Why? Because even though I admired Prosecutor Hwang's and Lt. Han's integrity and adherence to the law under any circumstances, their holier than thou attitude in the last few eps rankled a bit.I'm not saying they should've admired the ones who concocted the whole plan that involved a murder (among other things), not at all, but considering that except for a few small fish who ended up in jail everyone else got away with their freedom at the very least intact (if not with their money, too), considering that pretty much everything went back to how it was before, considering that until the murder nobody had done anything, not the cops and not the prosecution? I honestly don't blame the conspirators for doing what they did. And I didn't feel one bit sorry for the murdered guy, not after what he did. He had a mother and a son? Yeah? And? So? But then, I'm a callous person, I admit that.
And Lee Chang Joon! Gosh, as the story unfolded and I started suspecting where it was going, holy smokes! He was so awesome and so smart and conniving and... wow. This part made me fall for the actor, Yoo Jae Myung, so hard. Goodness he was good!
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One of the best Thrillers ever made.
Stranger is an amazing show because it works very well as an entertaining TV show about an unusual genius solving crime and taking down institutions. If you pay some attention it's much more than that. In the movie Seven, we see our main character lose faith in humanity as he sees the actions of the killer. In Stranger, we get to suffer instead as we lose our faith in the system as Hwang Shi Mok faces problem after problem that would make any sensible person completely lose their mind where you can't trust anyone or anything but he doesn't because he can't express or feel emotion the same way we do, there is something comforting and scary about it. We get to learn a horrible truth about our world through Stranger the only way to be a hero in the real world is by being an emotionless robot who is highly functioning and doesn't get affected by all the things that put him down. The moment you become a person you have already lost against the system. Even after all the lengths, he goes does he really get anything done. Stranger is quite bleak for people who scratch beneath its surface and so I love it. I hope more folks get to watch it since I feel it would get appreciated even more outside of this circle.Was this review helpful to you?
- It was refreshing for once to witness a protagonist with strong morality, and to see him journey with emotions he once thought were lost.
- The plot could’ve easily been another political corruption plot with bad people doing horrible things, but it subverts all expectations. It’s a well-thought our plot that doesn’t keep you guessing endlessly- it has great shot-term and long-term payoffs.
- I can’t fault the supporting cast either, the acting was brilliant and you get a real understanding of their depth, secrets and motivations.
- I loved the ‘Sherlock’-esque ‘mind palace’ scenes of unravelling crime scenes. That was a great addition, although I’d quite like a deeper look into Hwang Si Mok, especially his past.
- As we journeyed with Si Mok’s own journey of emotions and connecting with people, in the end it felt like solving crimes with a genuine family. I loved seeing his growth and I’m excited to see more of this in the next season,
- My only qualm, is occasionally the dialogue-heavy parts rolled on a bit, but the saving grace is that the fast-paced nature meant the plot kept moving forward. It didn’t stop for the more emotionally heavy scenes, which I appreciated because it was great getting to know what shaped the characters.
- The finale was brilliant, there was a lot of twists and turns heading towards it, but the pay off was brilliantly done.
O V E R A L L : Aside from a couple of teething pacing problems here and there, the story flowed well. This is the one to go for if you’re looking for sharp acting, a stimulating plot and tense crime action. Oh and throw in a brilliant production values, and interesting characters- I’m ready for a second season!
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This show does not disappoint.
Ok, i'll put it out there --- this is my first CSW starrer. I had the show on my Netflix list for the longest time after watching the great BD in Kingdom. Boy, this show is a winner! Let me count the ways why it is:Hwang-Han tandem - Both characters did not get enough acknowledgment from their own peers, esp Hwang, but they got loads of it from each other. I thought between the 2 of them they could close cases and punish culprits with just their sharp minds and sheer perseverance.
Money, politics, influence - Whether at the police bureau or in the justice system, money corrupts even the best of them leaders. But what i liked here is that they are all tied together in a way that unites 1ep to the next, 1 character to another, 1case to another. It itself is the plot.
The writing -Ah, as a crime show fanatic , i can definitely say that the writer kept the plot tight, the characters relevant and the dialogues meaningful. I'm a big fan of this writer from now on!
All in all, such a gem of a crime drama that was blessed with both good writing and excellent actors.
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