The Midnight Studio (2024)

My last memory - I want it to be you !

So I didn't really expect it to be this likable - ep 2 and i was shedding tears that tissues couldn't wipe - but when you start from the highest point there's no way up and I guess that's what went wrong with the show !

The first half was well cut, top notch ideas and execution, the kind that creates a yearning for more - for the 16 eps to stretch till infinity but I guess the makers took this feeling otherwise. The second half is pretty much set in a different tone which is draggy and feels like a failed attempt of recreating the original one because the directions the story was progressing in didn't support that at all.

The storyline does try to answer the questions it had previously put forward but the things that couldn't possibly be explained were called miracles ...which is such a lazy choice as if I was just watching it with all my interest for it to be called a miracle. And then suddenly the plot shifts conveniently towards their romance with the villains waiting till the couple is all done with their lovey dovey, like really !!!

Not that the story wasn't well cooked but that it did taste foul before it was even cooked ! - The lead pair didn't have what we call chemistry, it was never butterflies and more often just were too awkward to even sit and watch. There romance was like spilled ink on a masterpiece. There was no mention of the villain (whom they apparently took as villain) in the initial eps but later they just take it so obviously that it's almost like taking the audience as a dumb kid who'll be fed with medicine in the name of molten chocolate.

The last few eps still manage to keep you hooked and somewhat bring it back on track - was I terribly disappointed with the events in the last episode - yes, did it make sense - no, did I see it coming - yes!
The side characters are consistently well written and are so relatable that even if you guess their plotline you still want to have them on screen, living it(pun intended) !

So as to sum up the show ruined itself with the romance but the bromance is what kept me going along with the very interesting and heart warming stories that made me cry rivers and oceans.
With ep 2 as my by far the most favorite one in all the ghost stories I have ever seen, this show is worth a shot if you can ignore or skim through the romance and like ghost stories and afterlife transitions!



-- spoiler -- would have been so nice if it was the police spirit helping him out of netherworld instead of twin- someone who shouldn't exist should have been done by someone who ceased to exist as well !-- also how is he carrying that sword if nothing is allowed in afterlife ? -- spoiler end ! --



The overall backdrop of the show is a marvel itself and I'd suggest watching it for there's so much to miss out on ! and not to get your hopes up would be my advice for you all.

Also tho I am in love with the ost they play it fucking everywhere ...like people be crying lalala people be happy lalalala evil spirit be winning lalala ....at one point you'll be like WHAT THE FUCK !!

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A perfect blend of comedy and horror

Do you remember that hotel for ghosts run by Man Wool? It stole the hearts of people through its quirky lines and ghastly plot. Now, after five years, a narrative has appeared where an owner of a photo studio is here to tell its tale.


Ki Joo is a photographer. He has his own photo studio. However, he does not click photos of normal humans but of ghosts. He is the seventh owner of the mysterious place and has been a diligent worker. And one day his path crosses with Han Boom who works as a lawyer.

Highs of the drama

Following the footsteps of the hit series Hotel Del Luna, the story successfully keeps the zeal alive.

Each episode dives into a fresh incident and tactfully brings in all for the solution, which is heartwarming.

Joo Woon the seventh owner looks convincing and fresh. His subtle romance with Na Ra is surely more beautiful than ever. The leads of the story share a subtle and soft romance.

Lows of the drama

In some scenes, it felt like the director was dragging the narrative. It could have been handle better.

The music score is not outstanding

Overall: It is a fun watch.

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A memory for the dead, a price for others

It's an interesting concept, a studio in which the owner has to take photos of the dead.

The first episode was really good and captivating, the others were also good and very emotional. But then, I felt somehow, it was a decent watch although the plot was still on-going and interesting. maybe I thought it could be enough to have only 12 episodes and not 16 in total but nevermind. I also think, although I liked the romance between the main leads, I would prefer they stayed friends because somehow, I felt more a friendship dynamic, I don't know but it's just a detail.
It's not really a spoiler but after finishing, I thought it was a bit illogical however, I still overall, appreciate the serie. However, I won't have the urge to binge watching it.

The production did a really good job in my opinion but wish the ghost were a bit more scarier (lol) and the acting was also good and for some others, impressived, they made me feel emotional.

And I really appreciate all the OST, it's emotional and beautiful to listen!

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An Okay watch

This K-drama, reminiscent of shows like "Tomorrow" and "Hotel del Luna," revolves around supernatural powers and themes of the afterlife, akin to what I enjoy a lot. While it had the potential to be exceptional, it ended up being merely average.

Merits:
- Eum Moon Sook delivered an incredible performance as Baek Nam Goo, portraying the character with depth and authenticity. Yoo In Soo's portrayal of Go Dae Ri was also commendable, adding layers to the character and contributing to the overall narrative. Both lead actors performed well, delivering performances that aligned with their usual range.
- The music was skillfully composed and added emotional depth to key scenes, enhancing the viewing experience. Additionally, the set designs were visually appealing and helped to immerse viewers in the world of the drama.

Demerits:
- Despite the strong individual performances, the chemistry between the lead couple was lacking, hindering the audience's ability to fully invest in their relationship. As a result, their parts felt less engaging and at times, uninteresting.
- The drama's pacing felt sluggish, with certain scenes and storylines feeling unnecessarily prolonged. Shortening the episode count to 12 could have helped to maintain viewer interest and made the drama more binge-worthy.
- While the overall storyline was engaging, there were some logic inconsistencies throughout the series. However, the last three episodes managed to address some of these issues and provide a more satisfying conclusion.

Overall, while the drama may appeal to fans of the genre or those interested in the featured actors, it falls short of being a must-watch.

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I'm sorry but what was this?

I'm not use to write reviews but I just have to say some things about this drama. I came to this show with high expectations because I saw that it had a certain similar vibe with Tomorrow and I loved that drama, one of the bests and I truly love this type of dramas that can make you feel everything, every single emotion at once and it really makes you think about life but I don't even know what to think about this one.
First of all, I loved the first episodes, specially the twins ones I cried so hard, I truly felt it in my soul and I was expecting more emotional storys in each episode a different one but it didnt came. I wasn't really feeling it the relationship of the FL and ML, there wasn't any chemistry in my opinion and it just felt dull and just exactly like other 20 dramas. I predict a lot of the story, not the villain but specially the ending but I was not expecting the end for the two ghost friends of the ML. And its in the ending and in their story that I got really disapointed.
For the ghost cop, I thought that we were going to get an emotional conversation with his wife. I understood what they were trying to do but for me I preferred that they had a conversation and both could feel at peace and not that he was going to turn out an evil spirit. I felt that he deserved better then that ending.
And now the one that I was flabbergasted... why does the FL friend ends up with the ghost??? It doesn't make absolutely no sense and, I know that this drama isn't supposed to be realistic but I mean I preferred that they had send him, in peace to the other side then having him end up as a professor of the ghosts and in a relatinship with a human!!!
Overall, it was an okay drama, I will not rewatch in the future but I guess it was good to pass the time and if you want to cry.

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Great transition to afterlife drama

There have been several similar transition to afterlife stories. I liked the formula of this drama - they have a case of the week that our team has to solve and bring closure to the deceased. That kept the delivery each episode interesting. The 'rules of engagement' (ie rules governing how they operate together eg safe zone, Dae Ri jumping into a human host for 10 minutes at a time, etc) were established early on and stayed consistent, unlike some dramas that bent the rules just to fit the plot or to create dramatic tension or because they didn't know how else to conclude the drama.

In terms of negatives, perhaps the weakest point was the romance between the main leads. There was no chemistry whatsoever and they looked awkward together especially when they had to call each other cutesy names, or kiss or hug. The second couple had far better chemistry (at least no awkwardness) but I'd rather the drama just focus on the cases! Second, the last few episodes were especially draggy when they were trying to develop the romantic relationships rather than resolving things. Third, the OST was boring - they had one song and used that to death for everything - sad, happy, dramatic, etc. I'm not expecting a highly listenable soundtrack like CLOY or DOTS, but we're basically going back to the early 90s with Autumn in My Heart and their one song-one-hit-repetitive-wonders.

In contrast, the chemistry between the four 'team members' was enjoyable to watch. I enjoyed how they worked together with a mix of humour, teamwork, and goodwill to overcome the villians. Overall, it was entertaining and I enjoyed watching it but I wouldn't call it the best drama of the year or even of the genre, not even close.

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reminds me of dramas from 2013 era

Can I just say the starting episodes of this drama were really good. I was hooked and emotional and the story was so nice. It began with Seo Kijoo a ghost photographer helping to solve the last wishes of ghosts who are leaving this world. He has 2 assistants and their team is very funny and cute.

I would say the first half of the drama was good but I felt like this drama would have been the best if it ended in 12 episodes. Beyond the halfway point the writer stopped the plot revolving solving of the issues but instead the focus was on one main issue.

Once the ghost issue was resolved now the writer had to think of a way to resolve the curse so the drama continued longer to fit the 16 episodes. But i feel the pacing would have been nicer if it was faster, as there were quite alot of filler scenes towards the end.

Romance was also good at the start but gradually it lost the chemistry although all the kiss scenes were good but somehow the initial fluttering moments were nicer to watch.

Overall it was still a decent drama but the production did make it feel like it was a show from 8-10 years ago. Oh! but the OST was beautiful.

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A little less than I hoped for

The production and the acting get full marks. The leads are at the top of their game but they don't have to carry the whole show since the rest of the cast are also pulling their weight. It's very competently directed and obviously not cheaply made. The music fits well and provides an excellent background for the emotionally intense scenes.

I don't expect every afterlife drama to be a "May I Help You?" but I was hoping for at least a "Mystic Pop-Up Bar." I did not get it here. I feel like the script was not ambitious enough and the plot got stretched too thinly towards the end. I feel that the makjang missed the spot as often as it hit it. And it suffers from one of my pet peeves, which is the leads constantly running off into danger alone *after* they find out that they're stronger together.

Midnight Studio is well made and bingeworthy but it's not exceptional. It's missing that certain je ne sais quoi of originality that would set it apart from the crowd. Still, you would not be wasting your time watching it.

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Give it a try, but for me it fell short

Things I liked:
-Loved the relationship between ML and his two ghost partners. Yoo In Soo as Sung Ho and Eum Moon Suk as Nam Goo were both very good. There was quite a bit of humor when these three were involved.
-FL's friend the attorney that climbed up the hill to her office. I LOVED the yellow suit she was wearing.
-The way they styled ML. Loved the color of his hair, it set him apart. I also loved the clothes they put him in, loose, comfortable clothes.
-2FL storyline (for the most part).
-I liked the cameos.

On the other side of the coin:
-ML and FL had no chemistry, as far as I was concerned. The whole thing seemed kind of forced to me. However, they didn't have the cliche misunderstanding breakup.
-Some of the filming was extremely dark. If you aren't in a dark room when you watch it, you'll miss stuff.
-I didn't like the character of the FL at all. I don't care for forward women, and she just couldn't get the hint.
-Continuity issues - they are drinking in the park at night, and suddenly when they are walking home it's daytime.
-I felt that this show suffered from too many episodes. There was a lot of wasted time.
-The cop ghost - didn't like the ending of his story, or his lack of resolution with his wife.
-The 2FL and the office ghost in a relationship? Please, that was just too ridiculous.
-Though it was a happy ending, I was pretty disappointed in the show once I finished it.

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One...Two...Three...Click

There is a saying that goes like this, “A tiger leaves its fur after death and humans leave photographs as evidence of their life.’

The Midnight Studio is now opened.

We have countless memories in our lives, but there is one we can’t photograph – it is the memory of the last breath.

If there were a studio that took photos of your last memories, the ones that you couldn’t take when you were alive, wouldn’t you want that? Somewhere between life and death. Somewhere on the treacherous and arduous path of death. It only allowed you to want it desperately. You cannot go back once you get lost on the path to death. You have to walk in the skin-cutting snowstorm, across the valley where the ground splits and fills with molten lava and go through endless mazes to finally reach this place. What place is that? A photo studio only for the dead – a photo studio that only opens at night.

The secret of this drama was based on the camera which could not only take photographs of the dead but also the miraculous power to bring them back to life. Many intruders tried to get the camera, but the Grim Reaper was the guardian and its protector.

One soul came to the Netherworld and stole the reaper’s belongings. His Excellency made it back to his child who was ready to die with the camera, but the Grim Reaper followed him. Chastising him for taking the camera and he wanted it back. His Excellency begged the reaper to let him have the camera to save his child and let him live until his age, 35. The reaper agreed telling him that his sons and all his descendants that follow will all end with the same fate. The dead would chase them during their very short lives. His Excellency agreed to the reaper’s demands. But with this agreement, little did he know that he created a curse that lasted thousands of generations.

The ML (Joo Won aka Seo Ki Joo) was the 7th photographer in his family that ran a photo studio that only ghosts frequent. The FL (Kwon Na Ra aka Han Bom) is a lawyer who unbeknownst to her would become involved with Seo Ki Joo due to their past history.

Seo Ki Joo has two ghosts who were earthly bound which were: Assistant Manager Go (Yoo In Soo aka Go Dae Ri) and a former police officer (Eum Moon Suk aka Baek Nam Gu) who were in charge of bringing in ghosts as customers as well as handling closure to cases to help the ghosts move on.

Assistant Manager Baek Num Gu was a violence crime unit detective who married his childhood sweetheart. On the night of their anniversary, he promised her he would be home on time. Chasing and cornering the perp they began to fight and in split second Baek Num Gu was stabbed and died. His partner came too late and found him dead. Staying bound and not leaving he wanted to help his partner find who killed him which eventually he did. Baek Num Gu had the ability to hold objects and move them.

Assistant Manager Go was earthly bound due to dying of a heart attack on the job from overwork. The day of his heart attack he was to go on a blind date. He thought that Han Bom was his blind date until he realized her roommate was the woman he was looking for. His ability was he was able to take possession of another person’s body for approximately 20 minutes. This allowed him to go on dates with Kim Ji Won. She did figure out that he was a ghost.

Han Bom was connected to Seo Ki Joo based off her car accident with her parents and also his uncle being at the scene at the time. He died trying to save Han Bom.

This drama gives us various poignant moments as we learn more about the studio and are given beautifully crafted stories of the "ghost" who will or are facing death.
.
- The Virgin Ghost Bride
- The child is Han Bom (she was in a coma)
- The husband who the police believed killed him in the hospital
- The priest
- Han Bom’s grandmother
- The CEO
- The high school senior
- The twin brothers
- The con
- Seo Ki Joo's uncle
- The evil stalker

There is one particularly funny part when all the "ghost priest" are dancing to Aespa. Hilarious. They do get out of character; you will definitely enjoy that.

Of course, everything cannot all be happy and light. We do have an evil spirit that possesses a stalker and finally takes full possession of Lieutenant Lee Seon Ho. His demise comes on the death of our favorite detective...Baek Num Gu.

Each moment with the “soon-to-be-departed” Seo Ki Joo would take a photograph. The camera would only allow him to take two shots. The first one of the living and dead to meet each other. These are such heart wrenching moments that you better have some tissues nearby. The second photo signifies – goodbye or their final departure. This is also so gut wrenching. The lovely part is as they watch them leave and fighting through their tears, the last photo of the desperate souls last moments falls down giving them that inner peace and memory of their final goodbye.

Seo Ki Joo did find out how his brother did die. He did have the opportunity to take the last photograph of his brother.

To lift the curse Seo Ki Joo had to take the camera back to the Netherworld and to the Grim Reaper. He was successful but unfortunately, he could not leave. It took him one year to come back with the help of the twin brother who he had helped cross over.

The ending -- we see them all sitting ready for a photograph together and as we know that Seo Ki Joo and Han Bom will be happily together but unfortunately for Kim Ji Won and Assistant Go, he was just a spirit who one day would have to cross over.

I can only say how much this drama touched me personally. Dealing with the loss of my mother and sister made me wish that I would be able to really afford to have such moments one last time. I believe we all would. You will feel so much during this drama as I said, have tissues ready because it just helps in its own way to help all of us seek closure when dealing with death. We never can get over the loss of a loved one but if watching this drama can help, then I say do so, it did in its own special way for me.

Final thoughts regarding the studio: That it helped people who’d only been chasing tomorrow, cherish the precious moments right now. And I’ll ask you to cherish them today.

One, two, three…click

The Midnight Studio is now permanently closed.

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