A unique monster story set in Japan-occupied Korea
STORY 9.5/10I found the concept of a monster thriller set in the world of Japan-occupied Korea incredibly intriguing. The combination of the monster and period genres reminded me of Kingdom, which was another drama I loved. By combining the genres together, Gyeongseong Creature created an interesting dynamic that made the story more unique.
The shorter episode count gave way to good pacing throughout the entire series. However, one of my gripes with the story is that the show tended to give the answers away TOO quickly. Mysteries would sometimes be introduced and then revealed within the same episode. Delaying the reveals would've heightened the suspense a bit more.
I also disliked how the relationship between the male lead and female lead was handled. The hate-to-love trope was too exaggerated and the romance was rushed. It would've been more realistic to have the leads develop a relationship of mutual trust and understanding after the events of season 1 and then maybe have that develop into a romance in season 2.
ACTING/CAST 10/10
I absolutely LOVED the ensemble cast. I enjoyed seeing Park Seo Joon's anti-hero evolve throughout the series, but each of the characters had their moments to shine, even the minor supporting characters.
I was impressed that a lot of Japanese was spoken in this series by the all-Korean cast. I haven't watched any other dramas set in Japan-occupied Korea, but the fact that about half of this series was delivered in Japanese, and pretty adequately at that, further immersed me in the story.
MUSIC 10/10
The soundtrack to this series was phenomenal, elevating the thrilling action scenes to the more emotional ones. This series had an epic soundtrack and I wish there was a more comprehensive soundtrack released so I could listen to it again.
REWATCH VALUE 9/10
While most of the mystery is already revealed by the end of the series, I think the pure entertainment factor of the story is enough to make me want to rewatch this again. Also, the shorter episode count makes rewatching this series a lot more manageable than a 20+ episode drama.
OVERALL 10/10
Gyeongseong Creature impressively combines the monster and period genres, showcasing excellent execution by the production crew and cast. If you're looking for a drama with suspense, mystery, action, drama, and a dash of romance, then I highly recommend this drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Worth watching!!
This was the best drama I've watched in a veeeery long time. To be honest, this is certainly Park Seo Joon's best role so far. Alongside with great acting, I feel like he really fits the character of this not-so-serious businessman with a heroic side hidden somewhere deep down. Truly outstanding, even made me shed a tear in the last episode.Han So Hee also did a good job, and so did the rest of the cast. All of them definitely deserve a praise.
I'm glad this was only 10 episodes because that way it didn't get boring halfway as most of dramas do. The plot was full of suspense and action-packed, really had me sitting on pins and needles. Although, I must admit the romance was quite weak - there wasn't a real story to it, ML and FL just suddenly fell in love with each other. However, it's better the romance was weak and the rest of the storyline was good than the other way round.
Visual/special effects were superb, I especially enjoyed the fire after the bombing. As for OST, I'm in a fix - FOREVER by SUHO is a cool song, but in my opinion, it doesn't really fit this particular drama. Time by Baek A, on the other hand, fits perfectly.
One thing that really stuck with me is when in ep 2, ML used the expression "내 스타일대로". Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but to me it doesn't seem like something people in 1945 would say?
Overall, strong 10/10, would highly recommend. Had a great time watching it and can't wait for Season 2.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I liked
Simply perfect. The Creature from Gyeongseong is horror, suspense and science fiction combined with a period piece, which clearly made it even more spectacular. It is important to highlight that, although disguised as fantasy, it is not far from the reality that occurred in the past; that during the Japanese occupation of South Korea, many individuals born in the country were captured and used as guinea pigs for scientific experiments and testing of weapons developed by the Imperial Japanese Army, in a division known as Unit 731. Talking about the cast, what a show! Han So-Hee, Park Seon-joon, Wi Ha-joon is the true meaning of whatever; I confess that I wanted Wi Han-joon's participation in the second season but it took a different direction than I expected. 》At first, in the second season I thought it had no connection with the previous facts but little by little it started to fit together but that doesn't cancel out the fact that it was still vague. From 1940 to 2024? It completely changed the plot, setting and time that was set in the first season. 》I noticed that in the second season they focused more on the protagonists' romance, it must be because it complies with the mandatory romance between the protagonists in the K-drama, but it is notable how Han and Park do not bubble with passion on screen, their encounters of souls are more gentle and circumstantial. Which obviously explains that totally convoluted and unfinished ending. Despite everything, it's an excellent series and all I can say is: Watch it. 🎞🍿Was this review helpful to you?
Monster in Japan Era
The story is about when Japan invaded Korea. Korean people living in a town called Josenjing (a Mocking call of Japanese people to Korean people). Then there is one Korean man who has a business like a jack of all trades (Jang Tae Sang ) where you can search for anything by trading precious items. Not long after that, Japan conducted a human experiment secretly by using Korean people. It's become interesting when Jang Tae Sang encountered a girl and involved in that problem.*There is a lot of action and blood in this K-Drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
Good Enough
Korean Drama '' Gyeongseong Creature '' is a fantasy, horror, action drama.The historical aspect of the drama is spot on. The costumes, make-up, settings, everything are beautiful, and create the right atmosphere, along with camera filters and sharp shots.
The story has enough mystery, moreover, to keep things intense and interesting till the very ending. However, the plot is pretty basic for a fantasy historical drama, with few surprises, a messy pace when it came to the love story, which could have been omitted or kept for the second season, and poor CGI that messed up the whole momentum at times,
Other than that, there were some emotional plotlines and a lot of well handled action scenes.
Finally, the performances were all enjoyable.
So, overall, six out of ten.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Gripping Tale of Human Experimentation and Historical Drama
I loved Gyeongseong Creature (2023)! The unique and captivating storyline immediately drew me in, and the performances were outstanding—especially Kim Hae Sook, who continues to shine even at 67. Although I’m usually not a fan of stories involving monsters or gore, the creative concept and how it was interwoven with the historical setting during the Japanese occupation was truly exceptional. The blend of history, suspense, and raw intensity made it an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!Was this review helpful to you?
Surprisingly Enjoyable
I have reconsidered this series multiple time whether I should watch it or not as It's not something I usually watch, however I decided to give it a go as I ran out of series I really wanted to see and I've been pleasantly surprised by this series. The series itself was full of action, drama and a great story.The acting was probably one of the strongest part of the series as all main characters did an outstanding job with Kim Su Hyun as Lady Maeda being the absolute highlight for me. She played her role as a true villain. The story itself had it's few dropdowns at several occassions, but at other times was very unpredictable with an example to the last few shots of the series.
The music however wasn't the highlight of the series and have definitely seen series with better ones.
Regarding the rewatch value, It's something I do not take into account as I never re-watch a series.
Was this review helpful to you?
It is not engaging at all
Well I was expecting much more from this drama. There is no real story of developing feelings between main leads as all of the sudden they are in love .The production was really good but I have to say it was boring and 12 episodes were too many. It is real shame as it had so much potential. I could not connect to any characters at all.
Was this review helpful to you?
Exploring Horror and History in an Engaging Drama
I checked out the first two episodes when the series premiered. While it was decent, I wasn't particularly eager to continue watching—especially with Part 2 releasing the following year. Now that I've finally finished Part 1, I can appreciate its intriguing elements. This fictional sci-fi horror drama draws inspiration from eerie events tied to a historical military unit known for its wartime experiments. Set in Korea during the Japanese occupation, the story unfolds in a fictional hospital where questionable experiments give rise to a terrifying monster.The cast shines, especially Claudia Kim as the villainous Lady Maeda—she's truly captivating! However, many characters could benefit from more development; their backstories are revealed gradually in the latter half, making it challenging to connect with them initially. Additionally, some of the dialogue feels a bit shallow, detracting from the overall experience. To fully grasp the character growth and plot twists, it's essential to watch Parts 1 and 2 back-to-back.
With heavy themes and the grim realities of war crimes, Part 1 isn't likely to make my rewatch list.
Was this review helpful to you?
Fantastic
A cunning businessman and a woman who searches for missing people are thrown together in the spring of 1945. With news of monstrous happenings in a derelict hospital, the two join forces to investigate, and there they discover a unimaginable darkness. Gyeongseong Creature wraps up with some answers, a lot more questions, and sacrifices with a side of betrayal. The show hurtles toward the finish line while simultaneously limping its way there, hindered by its inconsistent pacing and underdeveloped character arcs. It has its thrilling moments, but its squandered potential keeps it from achieving what it set out to.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
beautiful, tough and historical
first of all even tho im not interested in history i was very invested in the plot. the historical part was quite important, but it didnt feel like a history class!!secondly i love this 'creature' idea, its really fascinating to me how it will work on a little baby....
what's next, it might be my problem, but it was difficult for me to get attached to the characters, so i couldnt bring myself to cry. despite that i love the was main actors showed their emotions (seo joon and so hee are truly the best)
the acting was good but what was making this series hard to watch for me, is the fact that they were almost all the time at one place. but i got through this
and the ending!!! that was really something. didnt expect that the 'mother-creature' would pass its parasite(?) to chae ok....
after that ending i really cant wait for a next season ;)
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
everybody's dumb
I usually structure my reviews in positive points and negative points, where I try to be as objective and critical as possible, but I don't think I will be able to do just that with this one. No, this one is going to be pure rant and little else.The disappointment is still too fresh as I'm typing this, but I don't want to wait to cool down before writing, because... I don't want to devote any more of my time to Gyeongseong Creature, honestly.
It's not a terrible show, I would like to make it clear; it has had its good moments and the first episode started strong, promising a thrilling and suspenseful trip in secret government structures and terrifying depictions of human experiments and the horrors of war and enemy occupation, but that didn't actually happen and I find more annoying things than great ones.
Reading the summary, I had expected a completely different plot, but that's on me for creating mental fan fictions before actually watching the thing. For some reason I convinced myself the monster (which had no human past, but came from another dimension) was haunting an abandoned hospital and built my own expectations from there.
But back to the review.
What really gave me the ick with this drama is how absolutely, utterly dumb the characters and the writing are. I will point out a couple of examples to clarify what I mean.
Let's start with the nature of the monster itself.
For 8/9 episodes out of 10 I thought the little germ they found in the glacier caused the mutation, but that bit was actually the humans. The najin solely makes the person an aggressive apex predator whose only want is to attack humans and eat their brains (basically a zombie, but without the rotten skin). They are faster and stronger than a normal human being and can heal from any kind of wound in literal seconds. The only weaknesses: fire and sunlight (but not really).
So why, WHY, even inject that mad scientist formula to begin with? You already have a superhuman, you only need to find a way to tame them. Why turn them into three-meter-tall monsters with tentacles and all of that jazz that you can't even keep in a cage? I understand those doctors are psychos, but they are just creating a problem where there could easily be none.
But I also understand they needed a disgusting monster for this show (it's in the title, after all), so I'll let it pass...
I mean, they could have omitted the part where it's the human-made injection that causes the mutation and blame it all on the najin, but let's not go there.
Other rather dumb behaviours can be found in the prisoners (and I feel bad in saying so, but it has to be said) and our protagonists.
So, you are a prisoner and you know terrible things are going on in the place you are being held in and nobody returns after they are taken from the cell, so explain me why
1) you eat and drink without a second thought the things your psychotic captors are offering you. I know you are likely starving, but you should also have some sort of survival instinct and a lot of trust issues given what you experienced. But, nope, just gulp it all down. The soldiers don't even need to hold you at gunpoint to force you.
2) WHY are you touching the weird spores flying out of the menacing and tightly sealed carriage pushed by soldiers covered HEAD TO TOE in protective suit? I was just about to scream in frustration when I saw that happening.
Now, onto our named characters.
You very secretly get into a dangerous and off-limits enemy base and you don't want them to know you are here. So is it REALLY necessary to kill those (already unconscious and taken care of) guards with a katana? Is it REALLY necessary to swing it freely around and above your head so that the soldiers standing guard in the tower can see what's going on and give the alarm? Don't think so but the writers decided it was, apparently.
At least they are consistent in making the characters dumb, I'll give them that. We got dumb villains, dumb heroes and dumb victims.
This show saving grace could have then been the horror part, but the creature itself lost its impact and horrific nature the moment it was fully and clearly showed. The CGI wasn't even that bad, considering it's for a Netflix k-drama, but I believe showing the monster is a common mistake many horror movies and shows make. After all, what is more terrifying than the unknown?
I only felt some kind of chill and anxiety during the very first episodes, when we still couldn't see the creature, just a confused shape hidden in the shadows and tentacles jumping out of nowhere. My imagination did the rest in creating a scary monster, but the instant they showed THEIR monster... it was all gone. I find it ridiculous more than anything and I even stopped feeling disgusted whenever it sucked brains with its tentacles. Which, admittedly, was the ONLY truly horrifying thing it did as the big bad monster of the show and the only time I looked away from the screen.
I truly believe with a better writing (and a little less wooden-looking FL) this drama would have been great and unforgettable, because the idea was good and the first episode very promising.
Instead we got something unoriginal, poorly executed and with underdeveloped characters. There was no built up to the experiment and the monster (although I liked the fact it was the mother our FL and her father have been looking for for ten years) and we're pushed right into the action minutes after meeting the characters. We don't get to know and care for them nor they get to know and care for each other – the love story between those two makes no sense, because how many interactions did they actually have, besides the ones where they are either fighting or running for their lives?
The more I write, the more frustrated and disappointed I fell, so I'll end it here.
I know I should watch season two to understand what was going on with the very last scenes of the season finale, but right now I really don't care nor feel like wasting any more of my time. In the future, perhaps – or I'll just go read some reviews with spoilers of s2 and spare myself another possible disappointment.
- Mei
Was this review helpful to you?
