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Edge of Your Seat Suspense.. Thriller That Keeps You Hooked..
Undeniably the best thriller drama of 2024..The drama boasts top notch production quality and excellent cinematography.. Though the beginning can be frustrating.. As the ML is gaslighted into a confession and his family suffers manipulation and helplessness.. It effectively sets the stage for a gripping and intense thriller..
It gets even more frustrating.. How they mistreat the ML's mother and how they try to protect the person who tried to Kill her.. How helpless the ML is.. Yeah it gets on your nerves..
The story progresses too slow at the beginning.. But that makes the eventual twists even more impactful and makes it even more interesting.. A proper thriller that slowly unravels and pulls you deeper into its web of suspense with each twist and turn... That's how it is.. I am glad I waited to binge watch it.. Because there’s no way I could have handled waiting a week between episodes.. Watching the ML spend more time in the ER than his house after getting out of prison was a bit much..
Besides the ML and SML and Ha Seol.. The rest of the characters were truly awful.. Most weren’t just bad they were outright evil.. Manipulating and feasting on others pain.. Even the detective who forced the ML’s confession was being gaslighted by the chief.. It’s a story packed with evil people.. I mean nobody felt a hint of remorse of regret for what they did..
Initially, I felt bad for Choi Na Gyeom. She stood by the ML for 10 years, visiting him in prison when even his mother didn’t. That devotion was admirable. That was quite something.. But how he kept pushing her away.. Ignoring her.. That felt bad.. But well.. She turned out to be a psychopath.. A total psychopath.. But Go Bo Gyeol nailed her role..
Around episode six the story starts coming together... Everything starts to make sense and just when you think you’ve figured it out.. Another twist drops and then another.. It keeps you hooked till the very end.
There were a few flaws though.. Like the unrealistically clear footage from a foldable keypad mobile phone.. Seriously.. how was it not grainy??
Anyhow.. Black Out delivered a satisfying conclusion.. Though I would have loved to see the ML’s friends suffer more for their actions.. They lost what they valued most and ended up in jail but they deserved even worse.. They deserved more pain.. More and more and more pain..
For the first time in a long time.. I was fully immersed in a Korean drama.. It was one hell of a rollercoaster ride..
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Multi-layered plot, strong acting & perfectly tailored with minimalist aesthetic, up to the OST
Complete memory gap after too much alcohol - a wonderfully promising step stone for a gripping, solid, emotionally complex (psychological) crime thriller in the high-end segment. "Black Out - Snow White Must Die" is the multi-layered dramaturgical documentation of the protagonist's desperate urge to remember that particular night, that he´s bond to since then.Life with such a drastic memory gap may be difficult enough, yet even more difficult to digest could become what emerges while looking behind shiny facades. "Black Out" is, so to speak, a study about human chasm that lurk and seduce even behind the cleanest of vestments. And then it is also a solid, multi-layered, gripping crime thriller in KDrama format. Just great.
It is based on the 4th volume of the Bodenstein-Kirchhoff series by the German writer Nele Neuhaus from 2010: “Snow White Must Die”. The setting is not the Taunus, but an inconspicuous town in the wider area around Seoul. The scenario works just as well there.
Strong acting and perfectly tailored with minimalist aesthetic, right up to the OST.
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Best Thriller of 2024!
First of All, Thriller is not my favourite genre of shows.Unless something is too outstanding like Mouse (2021), i don't often praise thrillers in kdrama industry... i started watching 'black out 'with much expectations as everyone around me did good reviews but it was FAR better than how i expected it to be.At first, what i want to point out is the acting.I rarely find shows Where EVERYONE gives their 100% but here,all of the actors,yes,just whoever appeared for just 10 minutes did ABSOLUTELY AMAZING in his/her role.The actors could open an acting Academy for K industry tbh.
Secondly, The story... it wasn’t too much complicated or hard to understand, but the presentation was great.Director and writer did an amazing job creating and maintaining the suspense...The ending was perfect, just perfect for a mystery thriller. (btw,don't expect any romance bcz there's almost nothing at all ) The bromance was so-so... Comedy was also very little (but i loved seeing Detective Noh seong chol,he was fun,it was enjoyable how he made fun of the serious situations.. )
i love dramas where strangers become someone's hope and his help at the crucial moments of life when people whom he knew and treated like a family for a lifetime betray...This is why this drama was kind of like a soul food to me.This is maybe not a reality to all,but this story is kinda a reality to some people and they will totally relate to this drama to some extent.
Finally, my heart hurt for Geon Ho..jeong woo & his family...No sang cheol...And The Happy ending made me happy and sad at the same time...Goodbye black out:snow white must die...!it was an absolute delight to watch all 14 episodes❤️❤️
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I have nobody to speak to about this!
This is a 10/10 show through and through. The plot is well written, the acting is amazing, the pacing is impeccable, and the resolve is perfect. I was hooked from start to finish. It did not feel like it was dragging on at any point. The characters are so perfectly portrayed to the point where you feel actual anger seeing some of them on the screen. Although the show is very emotionally heavy from start to finish, the incorporation of lighthearted moments between the main character and the detective, as well as Ha Seol, gives the viewer a little bundle of hope they can hold on to till the end. This was an amazing watch from start to finish, and I would recommend this to anyone that values quality.Was this review helpful to you?
DEFINETLY ADDED TO MY LIST OF CLASSIC KDRAMA THRILLERS.
"Black Out is a classic K-drama thriller that captivates from start to finish. The story revolves around a man who is falsely accused of murdering two of his friends. Despite his claims of innocence and a lack of memory regarding the events, the evidence leads to his conviction, resulting in a ten-year prison sentence. Upon his release, he faces the harsh negativity and suspicion from the people in his village, which drives him to seek the truth and clear his name.
What stands out about 'Black Out' is its exceptional writing. It skillfully combines intense thrills with emotional depth, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats while also tugging at their heartstrings. The narrative unfolds gradually, revealing critical information piece by piece, which only heightens the excitement as the story progresses. The pacing of the story is decent—not too rushed and not too slow—allowing everything to be revealed without leaving anything out.
The acting in 'Black Out' is nothing short of amazing. Byun Yohan, in particular, delivers a powerful performance, showcasing a wide range of emotions that truly resonate with the audience. The female lead also won me over with her acting; the character she portrayed suited her perfectly. The supporting characters, including the detective and various villagers, contribute significantly to the story, even if some are intentionally irritable and may make your blood boil. Each did well in their roles as they were written.
The ending felt like therapy after the roller coaster of emotions this drama put me through..I had tears in my eyes the entire time...it was all worthwhile!
Overall, 'Black Out' was an interesting thriller and mystery drama that kept me at the edge of my seat as I waited for the story to unfold. Prepare some stress-free pills on the side because the characters, minus the male lead and the detective, are sure to test your patience. Do I recommend 'Black Out'? Definitely! It's a classic, and I would add it to the corner of my favorite K-drama thrillers right next to 'Mouse,' 'King of Pigs,' 'Big Mouth,' 'Beyond Evil,' 'Flower of Evil,' 'Signal,' and more."
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Underrated and gripping
I watched Black Out in March and yet I can't stop thinking about it. It was my third thriller after Beyond Evil and Strangers from Hell and I believe that it's painfully underrated.
Black Out is based on the German novel "Snow White Must Die". I haven't read the novel therefore I don't know how accurate the series is. But that's irrelevant to me because the drama had me hooked from the very first episode.
Black Out is the type of slow-paced thriller I enjoy. It took it's time to introduce the audience to the story and the characters. When you thought you knew everything about them, the series would hit you with some revelations that would shatter what you knew until then. I was able to predict some of the plot twists but in some cases, I couldn't predict what would follow next. It was a nail-bitting experience, especially towards the climax.
The main character, Jeongwoo, won my heart. Byun Yo-han did a fantastic job at portraying him and in my humble opinion, his performance could have been nominated for some awards. At first, the series really made me flirt with the idea that he really was the culprit but I quickly abandoned my theory because Jeongwoo was far too kind of a person to do that. He is one of the most tragic characters I've seen in a kdrama series, he was basically abandoned by everyone and seeing him being mistreated really made my blood boil from anger (although I could excuse people's prejudice and fears).
The relationship between Jeongwoo and Sangcheol was one of the highlights for me. Definitely one of my most favourite bromances. They didn't get along due to Sangcheol's hatred towards Jeongwoo because he thought him as the culprit and yet their chemistry blossomed so much. Their interactions were so soft and reassuring and I loved every single scene between them.
Sangcheol himself was a very interesting character and Ko Jun did a fantastic job to bring him to life. He was grumpy, clever, sarcastic and yet he always made sure to do his job right and help Jeongwoo.
The rest of the casting did an equally magnificent job, everyone played so well. The series is full of great deliveries, there were moments which made me tear up or made me want to strangle some of the characters. Trust me when I tell you that this drama might frustrate you when it comes to some of the characters, I couldn't believe how some people could do the things they did to Jeongwoo and his family.
The relationships between the characters were well-explored and as the story went on, everything made sense and how some parts connected with each other. If I could point out a complaint of mine is the amount of times Jeongwoo and Sangcheol's plans were jeopardized and that sometimes, the plot dragged (but not to the point it made me want to drop out).
If you haven't watched the series, please give it a chance. I don't want to write more but I really hope I expressed my opinion as clear as I could.
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A decent story that suffers in pacing, could've been better if told in 8 eps
There are a few things I like about Black Out; it nails the creepy and bleak vibes well, decent performance from protagonists and most characters constantly evokes my anger & sinister sides (Although imo these angry scenes are overdone and not always useful to the plot, it makes a good entertainment to laugh at ;P). Whenever we get new clues and revelations after long frustrations of waiting in the dark, it gets intriguing. The cliffhangers keep me coming back.However, Black Out suffers with its’ pacing, not enough momentum to keep my anticipation high throughout the looong 14-episodes. Without momentum, I often forget what happened, who did what in previous episodes, etc... Some might find the slow-burn investigation to be appealing, but to me it felt sluggish. At some point, the case is not a mystery anymore in viewers pov, but the protagonists keep getting into too many hurdles to reach the truth. In my opinion, the reveals are also a bit dumb, they don’t give the WOW mind-blowing feeling. I still think this is a decent thriller, but would be more thrilling if told in 8 episodes.
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This story masterfully creates tense
This story masterfully creates tense and thrilling moments through meticulous world-building and deep character development, drawing viewers into each subsequent episode. It skillfully balances the delicate interplay between darkness and light, despair and hope, reflecting the depth of human emotions. The characters are crafted in a way that not only fosters empathy but also establishes a strong emotional connection with the audience, lingering in their minds long after each episode concludesWas this review helpful to you?
Masterful but painful
I seriously don't understand the low rating for this show. What is it about this website and murder/gory shows? This show has strong Lee Joon Ki vibes in Flower of Evil.The drama is masterful - the story pulls you in with the careful telling of the story as it unfolds. It's like peeling back the layers of an onion as the characters are complex in their motivations and hidden agenda. Byung Yo Han is in his element again, this time as the conflicted murderer who cannot remember what happened. Did he do it? Did he not do it? There are a few red and blue herrings and you can probably guess the culprits. I look forward to the rest of this drama as it unfolds.
Update: I've now completed it. My original impression stands. It was roller coaster ride. It was very difficult to watch initially because the ML could never get a break but around halfway through, things starting looking up and it became bearable to watch. My advice? Binge watch. Watching each episode as it was broadcast was simply painful!
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Underrated crime-detective mystery
I maybe saw one tweet about this show, but I found it randomly scrolling for a new show. This show will 100% infuriate you. I was pulling my hair out for entire episodes, I was screaming at the tv at times, but I’m glad I watched it. This show is so gripping and feels so real in its unfairness but also I can’t believe people could behave in such ways. The entire cast is golden and the mystery solving is paced really well. Highly recommend.Was this review helpful to you?
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Great Drama
If you look for a thriller/mystery drama ...this it is.For me one of the best dramas until now of 2024. Beware although, a lot of frustrating characters, but as you go deeper into the intrigue you will see why all act like that, yet most are hypocrites.
The story revolves around a man who is falsely accused of murdering his girlfriend and a friend of his. After 10/11 years the truth slowly came out, helped by a detective which was transferred there.
Might find him annoying at first, but he his sharp and notices fast that things don't add up... as they investigate they create a nice friendship bond too.
To be honest the last two minutes made me teary. I think his real friend he had, beside si-oh, was his twin brother, but his father decisions made his life a living hell.
He could just ask back then, not assume things and things might take another direction,
Anyway.
Great acting from all, the plot was good (I liked more the drama than the novel- because here he didn't fall in love of his stalker to put like this and who knew all], ost was good too. The main characters actor delivered his emotions very good.
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Finest Mystery Thriller
Black Out: Snow White Must DieThis was one of the finest mystery thrillers i have watched this year. It started off with a bad impression due to its low production quality but the tightly woven mystery plot kept pulling me in more and more, to the point where i forgot about the cheap production. The story just kept getting better with each passing episode until the end.
The show also made my blood boil with its infuriating characters. What made it even more frustrating is how real they felt. They werent inherently evil like the typical psychopaths in crime thrillers, instead they were ordinary people trying to cover up one crime, only to commit more and more in an effort to save themselves.
Byun Yohan's acting was stupendous. He is an actor i usually dislike or at least he doesnt draw me to his projects but here his portrayal of a man falsely accused and unjustly punished for 10 years was outstanding. The way he conveyed the pain and suffering through his performance moved me all the way to the end. Even the supporting cast did so well that i wanted to jump into the screen and punch them.
The show started with a modest 2.8% rating and ended with 8.8%, which says a lot about how it grew on the audience. Like many others, i was initially disappointed but the script and story changed everyone's perception of the drama.
I loved this show and im really looking forward to the director's future projects. Hopefully, he gets a better budget for his upcoming work.
I would have given an extra 0.5 points if the production quality were better but i will still give a solid 9/10 to this excellent mystery thriller.
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