It has proved my expectation completely wrong. Apparently many viewers would guess everything wrong from the very beginning and could base their judgement on mere heinous homicides committed by some callous serial murderers; however, it is beyond some grotesque serial murder cases.
The psychological aspect of the drama would hit anyone harder though there will be many questions which would be left unanswered as there are considerable number of loopholes in the story. Chill ran down my spine when the last scene was shown. Many things became clear like crystal.
This drama to my view is loosely based on the insecurity or complexities of a human mind depicted on the novel, The Metamorphosis written by Franz Kafka. After I studied a little about the psychoanalysis of it many things got even clearer.
Firstly, a human behavior is largely dependent on their surroundings. Everyone has both sides - good and evil. Depending on the situation and the outside elements of the surrounding environment where a person constantly comes in contact, provokes him/her to act in a certain way which might lead to cognitive dissonance if being exposed to too much negativity for a longer time. In many cases they fail to understand why they are acting in a certain way they are acting or it ignites certain personalities in a human which was always hidden or his/her consciousness doesn’t allow them to express or reveal it. They cannot keep it hidden when faced with certain circumstances.
Secondly, different neurotic aspects such as anxiety, paranoia, schizophrenia which all sprouted from poverty, low income, low social status, unemployment and dissatisfactory life would also result a person become gradually hysteric or cynical. They would create a nuisance with simple issue which in the first place was never a grave issue to begin with. We all go through many phases in life where we think diabolically and imagine some gruesome thing to happen to the thing or person we abominate the most. Nevertheless we refrain from conducting such behavior due to our conscience. But what if we lose our self control or conscientiousness? Are we going to change into a devil then? “Strangers from Hell” is the literal portrayal of our intense inner negative thoughts.
The story might be unrealistic yet the caliginous psychological aspect is the reality within us which mostly goes unspoken. Human beings are the scariest – that was the main theme. Our mind always get stuck in the fact that some invisible being would scare the soul out of us but how dangerous human can be we forget many a times. No wonder the insanely eerie expressions and feeling every character of the studio exuded was utterly frightening.
The casts are in one word P H E N O M E N A L. Im Si Wan has done a tremendous job as if he has a Phd on acting. The way he walked, eat, breathe, his facial expression in every incident, in every encounter with his costars, his spooky laughter, each and every little act was beyond perfection. He deserves a best actor award in this year. His performance was above effortless and natural.
The OSTs are also excellent. All of them displayed the right mood set by the story.
I wanted to rate it 9.5 but I won’t because there are few terrible loopholes which weakens the story in certain part.
All in all it is spectacular. Watch till the end. You would not regret.
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A masterfully made drama about insanity
I wrote this review in response to the underwhelming attention this show was getting. As a serious movie and TV show addict, having seen literally 1000s of shows from around the world, trust me, this show is a master piece.Let me start of by saying, this show creeps me out, but in a way that leaves me wanting to know more. It isn't a supernatural horror show, but it sure feels like it. From the dark dingy rooms, to the close ups of the mad faces of the housemates, this show plunges the viewer into a world of madness the likes of which I have never experienced in a Korean drama before. I would dare say that some parts of the show remind me a little bit of 'The Shining', which is definitely high praise.
The acting quality by pretty much all the cast members are top notch, especially Im Si-wan, who literally nails every scene he is in, allowing viewers to relate to him and feel for him. Lee Dong‑wook also did a stellar job in breaking out of the stereotypical handsome guy roles, proving that he has what it takes to be a really f**cked up bad guy.
But I don't want to just praise the two leads, because each and every one of the tenants of Eden Studio performed wonderfully. It is their chemistry that left me in awe and made me want to keep coming back for more.
From a storytelling point of view, all the characters have interesting and distinct personalities that make you want to know more about their past and how they became the way they were. The pace is reasonably slow, but the fact that the show is only 10 episodes long made it a lot easier for viewers to stay interested. The plot is well spaced, though there are some loose ends that could have been tied up before the finale. Nonetheless, I was still left smiling when the show ended, even watching through the entire credit sequence (if you never do this, do it for this show, trust me).
But what truly hooked me was the music and cinematography. Part of the reason I enjoy Korean dramas is because of the masterful combination of music and video that one usually only sees in the theater. Well, this show featured a great combination of heavy music (both the rock and hip hop kind) that fit the dark theme of the movie. The cinematography is as expected from an OCN "Dramatic Cinema" show, very high end.
TLDR: I'll be honest, I was expecting a horror show with some jumpscares here and there. What I got was something far better than that. I got a show for true horror/thriller fans who want to experience claustrophobia and paranoia all in on go, and then just get their mind blown at the end.
Trust me, watch the show. You won't regret it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Wow just wow. I finished watching this drama within a day, and all I can say is wow. I'm a firm believer that all humans are innately bad which is the main theme for this drama. The portrayal in this drama might be over the top but it conveyed the message well.
The cast did an outstanding job in playing their characters. Especially, Lee Dongwook and Im Siwan. Their smiles were so cynical that it will give you the creeps. Also, I think it was my first time to feel nauseated by watching a scene. I think I won't be able to look at raw red meat the same way again.
In all honesty, I'm still speechless as I've only finished this drama less than 20 minutes ago and the thing that is really at the top of my mind is that I need to watch or read or hear something that will make me happy. I crave for happy thoughts. That's how dark this drama is.
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The creepiest, most disturbing, most terrifying study of the human mind!
Finally a drama made me write a review and this one deserves all the golden stars.The story keeps you constantly on the edge of your seat and keeps you guessing all the way through. The ominous atmosphere makes you feel like something terribly bad is going to happen any second. This drama studies human mind in such a terrifying and fascinating way.
Acting is top-notch! I checked this drama out purely because I love Lee Dong Wook and think he's the most beautiful man alive but I'd never seen this side of him before and I'm so glad I have now. This became my new favorite roll of his. All the actors in this drama knocked it out of the park.
The OST fits perfectly and even though I prefer OST pt. 1 by The Rose, I truly love and enjoy all the four songs.
Strangers from Hell is in my opinion a perfect gateway drug into dramaland for any lover of true crime or creepy psychological stuff in general. WE NEED MORE DRAMAS LIKE THIS!
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Its a must watch for any psychological enthusiasts. Its littered with subliminal messages and symbolises throughout.
Story: First of, the story is absolutely flawless. Watching the main character slowly descend into the depths of madness as his deranged compulsions are motivated by the main villian. The writing here is insanely well done.
The show isnt over indulgent nor is it pretentious. All the set pieces are handled perfectly.
The ending aswell, without any spoilers, leaves much upto viewer interpretation. Many conclusions are feasible with this open ended plot.
Soundtrack: The soundtrack, nothing short of perfect. Its immersive, with theme sending shivers down my spine days after finishing the show. It fits perfectly with the eerie paranomical style of the movie.
Acting: The actors absolutely killed it. Lee Dong Wook nailed his role as the psychopathic serial killer, and i would expect nothing else from the highly acclaimed actor. But the one who shines the most here is the mc, Im Shi Wan. His potrayal of a man at the brink of insanity, while being reserved and submissive is oscar worthy.
The whole cast overall did an extremely good job here. All played their roles really well, and I dont think anyone else but them could've executed it better.
Directing/Visuals: Another aspect where Strangers From Hell shows excellence. All the scenes, be it the outdoors or inside the residence where shot with alot of care no doubt. Especially with the frequent use of tracking shots and well placed cuts, the momentum is never lost.
Overall, Stranger From Hell is masterclass in storytelling. With a solid soundtrack and a wonderful cast, it is nothing short of a masterpiece.
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This review may contain spoilers
First of all, I did not expect this drama to turn out the way it did. I guess I expected more philosophical, light musings on human nature and less gore? But it still turned out pretty well. THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
I think what bothered me the most through every episode was this feeling that something was lacking. I can pinpoint it down to the cinematography and the camera angles at times, as well as this feeling that the producers didn't want us to take this drama too seriously.
For example, the scene where the camera revolves 360 degrees around Jong Woo and Mun Jo looked like bad CGI and just took out the enjoyment of it. This kind of revolving happened 2 or 3 times and was off putting. The scenes with the pervert confronting Jong Woo or vice versa were kinda disappointing after the first time.
The story itself felt outrageous at times, as if the writers had deliberately aimed at shattering any suspension of disbelief the viewers might entertain. I mean, the building owner Bok Soon has a history of odd deaths all around her and nobody found it suspicious except the lone local policewoman? A detective goes missing and nobody blinks an eye? People (like the reporter) get killed or kidnapped in broad daylight or in busy places and no witnesses? There are other buildings around Eden Studio, and no still no one sees anything? What about that church lady? What happened to her? What about that other lady who made predictions? Did she die? I was also surprised when Jong Woo didn't notice the other twin go missing (also dead). It really bothered me when no one asked after the other twin.
I wanted Mun Jo to have some real background, and the lone twin as well. All characters except Im Si Wan's felt one dimensional, perhaps because there's only ten episodes.
THINGS I LIKED:
The ACTING OH WOW! Im Si Wan has outdone himself, and Lee Dong Wook as well. I utterly fell in love with Im Si Wan's facial expressions and his inner struggle that one could see in his eyes. I loved the creepy smiles he threw in episodes and the times he would break down and look like a baby about to cry. I thoroughly enjoyed Lee Dong Wook's expressions, the curve of his lips, the death and mirth in his eyes. The creepy pervert guy and the sniggering twin were also portrayed extremely well.
The psychological and philosophical angle of the story was very good. The drama shows us various kinds of 'good' and 'bad' and how these often blend or tend to make little hierarchies in our minds. For example, the bullying that Jong Woo's girlfriend and Jong Woo himself faced at the office was done in these civilized, professional environments but caused a lot of emotional damage to the victims. How is it any better than physically hurting or killing people? Can emotional trauma be taken less seriously than physical trauma? Especially if the former leads to the latter? I liked how the drama showed that nobody took Jong Woo's distress seriously, and he never truly sought professional help for what went down in his army days. All the little things added up like dominos and led to the eventual end that the drama came to. I also liked the hints towards Kafka's Metamorphosis: a person dedicates his whole life working and working and working, and yet is treated like trash in the end. Jong Woo and his girlfriend are prime examples of modern Korean (in face the modern world's) condition. You work your way to death, and you remain poor, unhappy, unappreciated and unloved, yet you're supposed to smile and bow and say 'thank you'. Gregor Samsa laid down and died when nobody wanted him around, but Jong Woo retaliated and fought back. Is Jong Woo really the bad guy?
For me, these deeper messages of the drama trump the complaints I had with it, and so the 8.5 rating.
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A Journey Into The Hellish Depths of Horror And Loneliness...
There’s no denying that Strangers From Hell is possibly one of the few and most disturbing psychological dramas that South-Korea has ever produced to date with actual investment and creativity over scenes and lighting, as well as quite bloodthirsty scenes in later episodes.Based upon the eponymous webtoon, Strangers From Hell’s title and concept is taken from a very famous play, No Exit ( 1944)by a French existentialist called Jean Paul Sartre. The play focuses upon three people who are trapped in “ Hell” which exits as a single room, and as they grow gradually sickened by the torment of one another’s company, one of the individuals realises on stage that “ Hell is other people”.
Yet Strangers From Hell isn’t a drama about three individuals stuck in one room. Instead, it is rather a focus upon our main lead Yoon Jong- Woo ( Im Siwan)’s gradual descent into madness after moving into the mysterious Eden Complex in Seoul; a cheap apartment with creepy residents and in particular, falling into the mysterious trap of the charismatic psychopath Seo Moon- Jo ( Lee Dong Wook) . Whilst not unexpected due to Im Siwan’s previous roles , it was certainty a surprising shift since his renowned role in the slice of life and business drama Misaeng, to see Im Siwan tackle a darker and more disturbing role in a psychological horror drama. Undeniably Im Siwan was brilliant within portraying the very slow mental decay of his character by the show exposing dark revelations of Jong- Woo’s past. This role was parallel to the surprising choice of typically typecast romance drama actor Dong Wook , who undeniably went beyond expectations within portraying the sheer complexity and charisma of his psychopathic role as Moon- Jo.
On the other hand, it can’t be sugarcoated that Strangers From Hell’s pacing could have been quicker or the episode lengths reduced. This isn’t to say that the show should have been constantly bloodthirsty or violent as it was part of the suspense to feel unease at what would happen next to our tragic lead, however, by the midway point ( before the ending), the drama often felt a little dragging upon focusing on one element of the story at a time. There’s obviously nothing wrong with doing this, but thus did mean there were a couple of really nuanced plot inconsistencies which were left out ( such as security cameras, suspensions and criminal records) which would have added more realism to some of the tackled scenarios.
Yet despite this, the one element of the show which must be given full praise for ( in addition to the fairly good OST, with The Rose track Strangers adding to the eeriness of the drama) , was the creativity behind the scenes and lighting. There was nothing glamourised nor glossy about the image of the apartment complex or even Jong- Woo’s workplace. It was eerily drab; adding to a later epiphany for viewers that Jong- Woo’s true hell began even before moving into the apartment complex in his hellish everyday life . ( E.g. his “ busy” girlfriend who dismisses his ridiculous claims about the residents and is nearly always at work, his arrogant old friend and boss who constantly undermines him as being worthless, his haughty colleagues as well as his fellow cadets during his time in the army ).
The finale of Strangers From Hell was certainly a surprisingly one, yet nonetheless fitting for its genre and deeper intrinsic philosophical questions of our main lead’s Hellish experiences. Whilst the drama was flawed by certain aspects of pacing and plot inconsistencies, the cast helped to realistically flesh out the characters on screen through their performances, the story was certainly intriguing and disturbing of a man just pushed too far by his experiences and it was overall a very good Psychological - Horror. It is easy to see why this show has earned its status as a cult-classic , and certainly worth a watch.
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s t o r y :
the idea behind SFH is absolutely mind blowing! the concept of a person having to stay near dangerous people because they don't have any other choice was done many times before, but this is the first time i'm seeing this kind of take on it. the way this drama shows the dark and sinister sides of people left me obsessed and i ESPECIALLY like all of the subtle hints and metaphors that were dropped each episode. (slight spoiler; i immediately realized what moon jo's goal was when they showed him reading metamorphosis) and i hope to see even more hints when i re-watch the show. there were a few plot holes that bothered me regarding the landlady but i won't get into the spoilers. all in all, i really enjoyed the story and i think it was amazingly done.
a c t i n g / c a s t :
the acting is what i liked the most in this show because it was absolutely legendary. from the facial expressions, the tone in a voice, mannerisms and the looks in their eyes, i absolutely loved the cast work in SFH. at moments, the actors made scenes so real and i could feel the fear in the atmosphere. especially pointing out seo moon jo's absolutely horrendous facial expressions that left my blood run cold. i didn't really like the girlfriend's acting though. even for someone who is portraying a ''normal'' character, she just kinda seemed detached from the story. (and i'm definitely not hating on her, i think she could do a really good job in another genre, but horror doesn't really suit her)
c h a r a c t e r s :
i hated ji eun. she was just a trashy girlfirend who ignored every red flag she was presented with and would play the victim for having a hard job.
i really enjoyed jung woo and the way his character morphed throughout the story and slowly fell into the mindset we saw when the show ended. seo moon jo is a special case too, he managed to creep the shit out of me but make me love him at the same time and i admittedly shipped the two just a little. the twins, the pervert and ofc the landlady were really fckn creepy and memorable. kang sun won and so jung hwa were my precious babies of the show, and i pretty much hated all the background characters.
m u s i c :
i rated this lower because i'm salty that the official OST is literally just 4 songs.
although it doesn't even last 15 minutes, i really liked the edgy vibes it gave off. my favorite is definitely the rose - strangers and room no. 303. check them out even if you decide not to watch this drama. you won't regret it!
!! s p o i l e r a r e a !! (the little details i enjoyed)
a) ''honey'' need i say more
b) how does that hole in the wall even work?
c) when bok-soon was picking what knife she'll use in episode 10, they literally only censored the knife she chose. it was so fucking hilarious because you get this huge row of knives and a blur in the middle
d) cleaning dust, jung woo edition.
e) the meat-
f) yall remember when kang sun asked about why moon jo wears long sleeves in the summer, and he responded he has a scar to cover? am i just dumb or did they just never elaborate on that? i really wanna know more about that so if anyone knows please tell me!
--
all in all, i really liked it (duh) just remember that if you watch it on netflix, moonjo isn't saying ''babe'' - he's saying ''honey'' literally wtf is that translation-
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It was captivating early on and they paid attention to details with the environment which is key. The acting was fantastic for almost all of the actors, especially for Lee Dong Wook's character, as he was very believable in his charismatic role. And while it wasn't overly gory, let's just say munching on snacks was fine but I didn't choose to eat a hearty meal while watching this.
Although it was only ten episodes, it felt longer. Not because scenes were dragged on, but because some of the episodes just didn't add much depth. They did provide some background on the residents but not enough to empathize much with anyone. It barely touches the complexity of a human mind and it doesn't take you through the journey of how everyone became who they are. Because of this, the ending felt rushed and it didn't trigger much emotions.
Nevertheless, I still quite enjoyed it for its suspense and those strange residents no one should ever have to live with.
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GRITTY AND INTENSE THRILLER TO BOGGLE YOUR MIND
I watched this series back in 2019 while I was on a trip with my family and decided to binge watch all the downloaded episodes in the bus.That was dumb. I agree cuz after watching this series I was left dazed and in denial for days. Last time I was this baffled when I watched the "House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths" docu series.
From first 5 min to last minute I was hooked! I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. All of characters were written equally weird and wonderful. Not only Im Si Wan and Lee Dong Wook acted well but also the other characters like Park Jong Hwan, Lee Joong ok and Lee Jung Eun created an eerie aura which will make you realise how gruesome-ly each characters are real.
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And all wrapped up in an excellent horror show that ups the fear & creep factor to eleven using clever directing, music but especially character work. Every actor here is excellent and whilst Im Siwan & Lee Dong Wook are the obvious stars, the supporting cast are all so real and well portrayed that you'll completely fall into the show from the moment it starts.
I dare anyone not to binge watch, it's impossible! And at 10 episodes it's tightly plotted too with it never suffering the kdrama problem of having a slow middle. Then again, whilst I wouldn't say the middle was slow, I did find myself a little bored through certain scenes in the first half. Maybe I wasn't emotionally attached enough or maybe I was just waiting for the set-pieces to arrive.
Overall though every episode left me running to watch the next one and watching the whole thing was as frustrating & heartbreaking as it was fascinating & captivating.
Highly recommend for lovers of horror, crime & dark shows. Also for anyone who loves shows that are a little deeper or heavier with heaps of symbolism and clever writing thrown in.
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the Best Psychological Thrillers
It’s been a while since I was left grinning from ear-to-ear after watching a drama, when this show ended I was left with the dread of the ending, and the excitement of having found a show that made me want to instantly write a positive review.This drama takes an important stance on economic privilege within a society that is heavily reliant on societal class. The commentary made is that poverty has a direct correlation to your environment and eliminates your option to leave a negative environment. There is this mindset that people, of financial privilege, may have where they believe that poverty is a choice and that many people choose to stay in a negative environment because it is ‘easy’. This may come in the form of unsolicited advice such as: Living in a place with poor facilities? Just Move. Finding it tough to earn more money? Then work harder. The drama highlights the ignorance that financially privileged people take when trying to empathize with someone who is in poverty. The plot also displays the direct correlation between one’s financial ability and the limited options they have when choosing their environment. Many people who are privileged like to pretend that they have struggled and that they have ‘moved on’ from their previous poverty state. The juxtaposition between Jong-Woo and Jae-Ho displays the lack of understanding an individual displays when they haven’t lived through difficulty. As his boss and ‘friend’ Jae-Ho attempts to undermine Jong-Woo’s experience regarding the difficulty living in the Eden Residence. Jae-ho is quick to reply with his own, fake sympathy, experience about having once lived in a communal residence (which we later find out was a lie anyways). Jae-Ho, from his financially privileged background, found it necessary to overshadow Jong-Woo’s struggles. Jae-Ho couldn’t even begin to empathize with Jong Woo because he lacked not only empathy but first hand-experience with anything remotely similar to Jong Woo’s situation.
Poverty plays an essential role in understanding the backdrop of this show’s plot and how Jong-Woo remains stuck in the Eden Residence even after he realizes that there is something fishy. There is an extreme financial strain on Jong-Woo to earn money. He is one of the breadwinners for his single mom and disabled brother. The Eden Residence ends up being the cheapest place, at about $100 (115,000 Won) per month for rent. Many times throughout the show he clearly identifies that the people living there are strange, weird, and potential criminals, but every time he calculates his income he can’t afford anything over $100 per month. There is a gap within society, where people in poverty remain stuck in their negative environment and when they seek help either face more hardship or are not believed, as is the case with Jong-Woo.
There are three levels of Hell that Jong-Woo faces. The first is that he becomes physically stuck in this residence, he has no money to move out. What happens next is that he is failed by his friends and colleagues, which becomes the second level of hell--disconnect from a support system. Jong-Woo, many times throughout the show, tries to convince the people around him that the Eden Residence is dangerous. When his girlfriend, colleagues, and boss undermine and diminish his experience, it backs him up into a frustrating situation. The skepticism is worst when his girlfriend tells him that he “is being too sensitive” about the residents. At these two levels, Jong-Woo no longer has a physical safe space or an emotional one. His descent into mental instability continues as he reaches the third level of hell. Despite his concerns having been ignored by those around him, Jong-Woo continues to believe in himself and seeks help from the Police. He is once again viewed with skepticism and asked to bring evidence. There is only one police officer who believes him, but she too struggles to initially find evidence. Now stuck financially, emotionally, physically, and locally Jong-Woo becomes truly isolated, left alone with his fears and truth about Eden Residence. These three descents into Hell are the commentary on poverty and the depths that it can push someone to when they become physically stuck in a negative environment and have no means of escaping.
Many people underestimate how debilitating poverty can be, people at the residence were preyed on because they had no support system and no money to leave.
My favourite element in the drama is Jong-Woo’s mental deterioration because it is written in such a realistic and efficient way, although saddening to witness. When in poverty, you're more likely to be preyed on, because of a lack of support system, and Jong-Woo becomes Moon-Jo’s prey. The real deterioration is solidified when Jong-Woo himself begins to question his own account of events and questions his morality. The reason for this is that Moon-Jo, through their conversation, plants seeds of doubt that grow bigger and bigger throughout the episodes.
I find the most saddening scenes to be the conversations between Jong Woo and, the second new resident, Kang Seok Yoon. In these conversations, after Jong-Woo has begun to slowly lose his mind to paranoia, we see a glimpse of Jong-Woo’s personality before the Eden Residence. Jong-Woo is smiling and laughing and able to fully converse again because he has someone who, not only experienced what he has been experiencing but validates his emotions. The desperation, of Jong-Woo’s need to be heard out, plays out with his interaction with Seok Yoon. To have someone believe in you and your struggles is a validation that Jong Woo received when it was too late.
Another question that’s brought to light, in this show, is the inmate nature of humans and what exactly makes an individual good or bad. Throughout the show, we see Jong-Woo’s flashbacks to the military juxtaposed with his current struggles, especially at work. In both instances, he finds himself face-to-face with bullies. In these situations, where he is egged on by the bullies, Jong-Woo’s internal monologue relates to death and wanting to kill the other person, often asking himself “Should I just kill him?”. My take on this is not that Jong-Woo was innately violent, or a psychopath (as Moon-Jo wanted him to believe), but that his environment and being failed at all three levels, as talked about above, exacerbated his negative emotions. Let’s take a what-if example and say that if Jong-Woo never entered the Eden Residence then he would not have resorted to the violence we see at the end of the show. The violence he does is out of necessity because no one looks out for his safety, so he is forced to look out for himself. Had Jong-Woo been born wealthy he would have had an option to leave environments that he found to be dangerous.
Having the option to leave is one of the biggest privileges anyone can have, but when faced with poverty this option is cut off. One may counter that, even with a privileged life Jong-Woo would've faced those same types of people, and would’ve blown up again, and although it is true that he would’ve met those people --what's different is that he would have been able to tell them off or stand up for himself, without the fear of losing his job. He had to suppress his right to talk back because he needed the money. In the beginning, before anyone believed Jong-Woo, before he goes to the police, and before he realizes that the residence may be the source of crimes, we can see Jong-Woo have these negative thoughts, but never act on them. The difference between when he ends up acting on those violent thoughts and when he doesn’t, is that he only acts upon the violence when he is left with no other choice.
Moon-Jo tries, and succeeds in the end, in convincing Jong-Woo that he is innately evil. Jong-Woo can’t see the cherry-picking that Moon-Jo does when he puts forth these claims. Unlike Moon-Jo, Jong Woo did not kill people just because they are a nuisance.
Jong-Woo does not give himself grace for the acts he committed and instead believes that he is encoded to kill. I want to reiterate that the turning point for the complete acceptance of himself as ‘evil’ is when Jong-Woo no longer challenges his internal monologue about if he is or isn’t bad, he just accepts that he was always meant to kill, but doesn’t stop for a second to think that the situation he was in forced him to commit those actions. Whether Jong-Woo is good or bad is up to interpretation, but personally, I don’t see him as either, I see him as a victim of his environment; had someone taken my family and friends hostage, put me through what Jong-Woo went through, I probably would’ve lost my mind as well.
No one believed in John-Woo's struggle, no one validated anything he felt. Hell was everywhere for Jong-Woo because even outside of the residence, he was not safe anywhere.
Combined with its exemplary writing is the phenomenal acting, cinematography and editing. I want to touch on the acting first because Im Si-Wan’s acting range within the role of Jong-Woo took me by surprise. If you compare Jong-Woo’s character from episode one to episode ten we see two starkly different personalities. The main change is not only in his gestures, or lack of (in the ending episode), but his facial expressions. He loses a sense of life within his eyes, instead replaced with grim. I’m not quite sure how Im Si-wan managed to capture this level of mental instability, displayed in Jang-Woo’s character, but it is captivating. I’m scared of the Jong-Woo we see at the end because you can see physically, through the acting, how much emotional baggage and trauma he now carries. I love how this progression is quite slow, Jong-Woo’s character does not make an immediate emotional change from each episode, rather it is a slow build-up of trauma and gas-lighting that shapes the version of Jong-Woo we see at the end.
Paired with Si-Wan’s acting is Lee Dong-Wook’s who displays a chilling character through Seo Moon-Jo. During the Dentist scenes, Moon-Jo seems like a different person than the one we see in the residence. Lee Dong-Wook is able to display this quick change of personality that Moon-Jo has in a way that is eerie and chilling to the audience. One of the scenes that captivated this perfectly, is the rooftop conversations between Moon-Jo and Jong-Woo where he’s able to display a twisted love and hunger for corruption. Usually after these conversations, Jong-woo will say that he is confused by Moon-Jo’s personality because he looks normal on the outside but emanates a creepiness. This was my first time seeing Dong-Wook in such a villainous role and he absolutely perfected the character. It is that level of calm and clearness that Moon-Jo has, towards his steadfast belief that what he is doing is humane and normal, that makes him an even more chilling character. The lack of remorse in his expression, and instead excitement, when he commits crimes is efficiently captivated within Dong-Wook’s acting. The way that both Si-Wan and Dong-Wook control their facial expression and display a variety of anger, calm, worry, and fear makes it clear that these two actors were perfect for the characters.
I was even more immersed into the story because of the cinematography, editing and music. Had the lighting been bright, the music cheery, and the angles less sharp, this same residence could’ve been an Eden. To create a sense of dread the cuts are made to be narrow, giving a feeling of entrapment within the Eden Residence. Looking down the corridor feels suffocating. On top of that is the amazing transitions, between the setting of the residence, work, and the city that make it feel like the entire worlds are enmeshed together, as if to say that once you enter the Eden residence it begins to take over your entire life in a smooth and horrific manner. The lighting and music were just as eerie as the plot. The level of darkness, from the fourth floor being almost pitch black, to the main floor being slightly lighter, and the bright outside world made a visual division between each level of hell that Jong-Woo experienced. The cinematography, editing and music make it seem like we were actually within Jong-wook’s mind and how he views each of these settings.
What surprises me the most about this drama is how well it hits all the points. I’m a sucker for wonderful writing and am able to excuse many things, as long as the writing is well done, but with this show, there is nothing to excuse--only to compliment. I don't usually write about cinematography, editing or music, but I found them to be so essential to the storytelling method, for this show, that it went hand-in-hand with the essence of the plot. I genuinely cannot wait to rewatch this show and discover something more horrifying and new about the Eden Residence that I didn’t notice on the first watch. This is definitely a show to watch multiple times.
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