G r i p p i n g
All the cases are based on true events and criminals such as Yoo Young-chul, therefore the show has a more realistic storyline that doesn't waste time on useless sub plots, *cough* romance or politics *cough*, and really makes you sympathize for the victims. From the media press all the way down to the clothes they were wearing when they were arrested is accurate, although I would say the Red Hat Killer's case is more fictionalized from Lee Chun-jae. Please be reminded this is based off Profiler Kwon-il yong's novel from his real accounts of being South Korea's first profiler but just a bit more dramatised.The drama has a serious cinematic tone but is enjoyable as it shifts between slow burn, to some episodes that are very fast paced and intense (especially starting from Episode 7) that had my jaw unhinged and heart racing. The narrative of the criminals are shown in between investigations so you can see them commit crimes which adds to the suspense. Although, keep in mind these criminals are not geniuses and they are humans who can be caught by studying their psychology and behaviour therefore the drama thickens even if they get caught. This was also quite a while ago and the police were different back then so you have to be open minded on how they operate with their limited resources, but even then they are the least annoying police force I have seen in a crime drama who have logical thinking and encourages their officers. Everything feels like it's meticulously set in the right time period and small references to notable past events such as 9/11 and the World Cup are made, similarly to "Reply 1988".
Ha-young is a quiet but straight forward man and even though he expresses very little, Kim Nam-gil is amazing at portraying nuanced emotions. His fellow friend and profiler, Young-soo, is such a lovable and optimistic character who supports Ha-young along with their young intern, Woo-joo, who is a bit clueless and cute. Both bring such a lightheartedness to this dark show and also display their cleverness.
Tae-goo, the one female detective also feels like an actual individual with her own real struggles and goals compared to many other females like her in crime dramas. Comedic relief is given from most of the main cast like Kim Won-hae and Lee Dae-yeon who are great fun supporting actors in crime dramas. The acting is superb from every single character, including the criminals. Everyone has great chemistry together and you can really tell how much the crimes affect the profilers and detectives who express human emotions all the while maintaining detached and objective as they solve crimes like the professionals they are.
The soundtrack is moody, haunting and soft that reflects the drama beautifully and captures the essence of it. Isaac Hong (well loved and known), The Nerd Connection (a hidden k-indie gem), Kim So-yeon (an ethereal angel) and 4MEN (triple threat with sweet contrasting voices) are the OST singers.
Overall, it's similar to the likes of "Mind Hunter" though much more prevalent to Korean history and culture. It displays how even though America was developing and using profiling methods at that time, the rest of the world was just grasping the idea of it. It's a brilliant production that's worth watching as you will be completely immersed. If you're having deja vu with these cases from seeing it in other dramas it's because these cases literally inspired so many criminal characters in thriller k-dramas.
Former FBI agent explains criminal profiling: https://youtu.be/LHqbfJ3tq4Y
Kim Nam-gil and Profiler Kwon Il-yong's QnA discussion on criminal profiling:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBD3KVgNp_ozVH5aEfw2-RlIy6G-1klYN
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Brilliant in every aspect...
"There is no such thing as Perfect Crime"Inspector Song Ha young always say this sentence through this drama. Every criminal will bound to revealed one day, This is one the best psychological crime investigation drama that released recently no doubt for that, each and every aspect of this drama simply brillant. Based on a book with the same title Through the Darkness is an Adaptation. The book is all about the field experience of Korea's first Criminal profiler. Back in 90's there were various brutal murders happened and the pressure for detectives to catch the criminal was too high.Not aware of the importance of criminal profiling in korea made it so complicated for the investigation and failed to catch the right criminal at right time.
And they formed a team,At first criminal profiling team was a joke to other's. They considered as an invisible characters in the department, study the psychology of criminals and stop more crime through that was the initial main motto of criminal profiling team. Started with a 3 member group which named Criminal Behaviour analysis team with the leadership of Captain Kook Young soo, profiler Song Ha Young and statistical analysit Jung woo ju. They slowly started to make progress and worked hard to catch the Criminals by their on methods.
The Drama is very intense, You can definitely feel that in every episode. The struggles they faced while analysing each and all murders, the breakthrough they got and everything that dealing in this drama was so interesting to watch. I have to mention Kim Nam Gil's performance as Song Ha Young, Studying and talking to the these brutal murderers was exhausting. You can actually feel his psychological change and struggles,He just nailed it in every situations.
Through the Darkness is a must must watch drama.It has only 12 episodes and that was perfect, no unwanted dragging, once you enter into their world then every minute of this drama will engage you. Also the story happening in a wintage period. So that atmosphere itself make this more realistic. The climax made me Goosebumps..
Thanks to SBS for making this. Love and Respect to all the cast and crew❤️
#N45Views
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A Wonderfully Grim and Enthralling Show
Through the Darkness is a 2022 Crime drama that follows criminal profiler Song Ha Young during the late 90's to early 2000's as he carves a place for behavioral analysis in South Korea. Based upon the experience of Korea's first criminal profiler Kwon Il Yong (who helped write the show), the show contains 2-3 episode mini arcs, each with their own main criminal. Thus the connecting factor of the episodes is Song Ha Young and his colleagues' journey into becoming more comfortable with the art of profiling. The show is stunningly realistic, and does not shy away from dark matters such as murder, and sexual assault. The show stands out from others in the same genre due to its faithfulness to real life, which makes it both gripping and horrifying.If the show has one flaw, it is that at times, it is too realistic. As it is focused on accurately portraying the process of catching criminals and creating a whole new method of investigation, it at times is very slow - understandably so considering real life investigations aren't often magically solved in a couple days. In fact, I had trouble getting through the first episode but I decided to watch the second and was so hooked I never looked back.
Because of this realism, the characters at times can be frustrating, or not that very stand out. I see that most people who didn't like the show did not like it because of the characters, and I believe it is because of how realistic they are. They aren't written to be sensational or quirky to catch viewers eyes like most characters are, but rather are very nuanced and subtly fleshed out. To some, this means they are boring or annoying, but to me, they were not stagnant at all. Most characters experience slow and slight changes to their personality and ideals throughout the show, as most real people do. Plus, the main character Song Ha Young is incredibly compelling from start to finish. I felt that his character arc (this slow descent into the minds of criminals and how he copes) was amazingly written, and you can really see the differences in who he is from episode 1 to episode 12.
On the topic of Song Ha Young, Kim Nam Gil is brilliant in his portrayal of him. If I liked him in Fiery Priest, then I loved him in this. His acting is so well done, particularly in his expressions (I mean, his gaze really makes you feel like you're being analyzed and broken down) and he lends himself perfectly to Song Ha Young who as a character is mostly well composed yet brimming with justice and anger. He breathes life into this character and does a fantastic job in carrying the show and making you invested in him. I really believe that no one else could have played this part like he did, he's perfect for it.
The other actors are also wonderful, although it's harder to comment on them since the shows focus is mainly on Song Ha Young. Yet they do well to make the show feel realistic and make their characters feel like actual people. Major props should go to those who act the criminals, as they often put on chilling yet human performances.
This show is not a 'whodunnit' show, but a 'how catch em' show, reminiscent of shows such as Mindhunter and Columbo. Thus, it is very different from conventional thrillers, which again to some, coupled with the shows slower pace makes the show boring. To me, I felt that this made the show brilliant, and even after finishing the show I just wish I had more of it. It's one of those rare shows where I just know I'd watch season after season of Song Ha Young and his job. It will most definitely be a show I come back to time and time again, because the joy of it is not figuring out a criminal (like many mystery shows) but rather the process of criminal profiling and bring justice to innocent victims.
I understand that this show is not for everyone, especially those used to fast paced and plot-twisty mysteries, but it is a masterful show nonetheless. As someone who loves watching content about criminal profilers, this show is definitely my favorite k-drama regarding to topic to date, and one of my favorite portrayals of a profiler as well. This is a must watch for people who like things about criminal profilers, alongside those who enjoy the investigative and crime genres.
Even if this show seems to differ from your usual tastes, I implore you to give it a chance. You won't regret it.
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1
1Holding the lantern so others can see.
Through the Darkness is a show that, in a skillful way, shifts the focus from the criminals and their mentality, to profilers and the psychological consequences that their job has on them. Yes, we still get the fair share of why criminals do what they do. We still get the eerie conversations with serial killers - the look into their deranged psyche, but the story focuses more on the interviewer, not the interviewee.If you are looking for unreasonable wits and close to supernatural skills characters like Sherlock Holmes had in the BBC tv show, you won’t find it there. Profiling wise, it’s as basic as it can get. That’s expected from a show that is based on the book that depicts the beginning of Korea’s first criminal profiling team. And yet, it was never boring.
Song Ha Young was more fascinating of a character than any of the killers and criminals presented combined. The depth of the portrayal thanks to Kim Nam Gil acting was one of the best aspects of the show. The character represented pain, loneliness, desperation, fixation - all that could lead to a tragic outcome without a proper support system.
Kook Young Soo, who became my favorite character, was like an anchor that kept Ha Yeoung grounded. He was a perfectly balanced character - knew the importance of his work, but did not ignore his own needs, health and people around him.
What Through the Darkness does perfectly, is showcasing the variety of realistic characters that have believable flaws, but are never over the top caricatures. We see how some of them might be greedy, full of prejudice, corrupted, but there is a realistic limit to their flaws and how far they are willing to go based on just these characteristics.
The writing was that good. When you have solid source material and people who care not to misrepresent it, you get the quality content. The tension build-up in every episode was just phenomenal. The interviews were just... terrifying. The journey of Ha Young - heartbreaking.
Even the soundtrack leaves nothing to desire. Listening to Lullaby gives me chills and makes me tear up a little bit. Lyrics for Can’t Run Away are the perfect representation of Ha Young’s character, motivation and emotional state. Bloom and Fall Alone made me think about all the victims. Each song elevates different aspects of the story.
If I were to complain about one thing - how little we get Yoon Ji, the reporter. I think her narrative was also really important, since she served as a better connection for the audience to relate to, than the detectives did. How we as society view killers and psychopaths. What kind of narrative gets our attention, and what we find not "interesting". How we ourselves pay more attention to the perpetrators than the victims. I was waiting for her to be a more integral part of the show, but instead she started to show up less and less.
That said, as much as I loved the show, I would not recommend it to people who prefer action and fast pace. This is slow. There are countless scenes of main characters just walking around trying to find clues, observing the surroundings of the places the crimes took place. Ha Young is not this confident cop who is so assured in his skills and position, no criminal can get to him. We watch him waver, we watch him break, but we also see him push forward.
Overall, for me it was close to perfection. Last two episodes made me feel extremely emotional, as I got closer to the end. It was fascinating to see the journey the characters took, and it made me appreciate the people who are willing to step into that dark and twisted world, just to keep others safe.
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A thrilling crime drama that's a breath of fresh air
I've got so much to say about this drama. I wish there's a second season (though it seems unlikely). This drama isn't your typical crime thriller drama, if that's what you're expecting. This drama focuses a lot on the mental of the criminals and also the profiler while trying to figure out these evil minds. What I found truly interesting about this drama is that it shows how much criminal profiling can take a toll on the Criminal Behavioral Analysis Team, especially the profiler himself. It shows how profilers also struggle facing these ruthless serial killers who show no remorse for their crimes and speak of their crimes like it's their achievements or their entertainment.I always have respect for the people who truly pour their heart and soul into their jobs to catch criminals. But after watching this drama, I feel that I could understand them a little bit more and have more empathy for them.
This drama also doesn't just focus on the criminals and the profiler, it also shows the pain of the victims. Not just the ones that are killed, but also the ones that are left behind. I think this drama executed this part with a lot of empathy and respect. It was beautifully done.
The approach of this drama is seriously a breath of fresh air. It has the k-drama essence, but not the usual execution. I've got to give it to the director and the writers of TTD. For each case, they didn't drag it out. They only focused on the parts that were relevant to the drama, which is the profiling. They were always clear with that they were going to show, no time wasted. So you get to see Song Ha-Young (played by Kim Nam-Gil) figuring out the minds of the criminals--how they plan their crimes, how they evolve, how they choose their victims, etc. And the interrogation scenes and criminal interviewing scenes were absolutely phenomenal. Kudos to the scriptwriter for the dialogues. Song Ha-Young has such a way with words, making criminals crack and falling into their own trap without even realizing it. And when the criminals get arrogant, he puts them back in their places. It was SUCH a delight to watch. And if you are a Kim Nam-Gil fan, you will love the interrogation scenes.
And because this was a time where technology wasn't as advanced yet and people were skeptical about criminal profiling, the CBAT faced a lot of challenges to prove their worth. It gives you a glimpse of how hard they had to fight to work on a case. And by the end, you will see how far they have come and I tell you, it was SO satisfying.
This drama had such an amazing cast, and I'm not just talking about the 3 leads. Even the actors who played the roles of the 3 main serial killers did such an outstanding performance. You'd be wondering if they needed any counseling after playing those roles. Everyone played their characters to a T. And it was really nice seeing Kim So-Jin playing this no BS character. I really admire her character because she doesn't shy away from her mistakes, she has high EQ, she also keeps an open-mind but always raises relevant questions. A lot of people may have hated her character because she was skeptical about the CBAT at first, but I think that's normal. Because EVERYONE was skeptical about them. But she actually slowly saw what they could do instead of shooting them down without even trying to get to know more first, which was what most of her subordinates and her a-hole team leader did.
Not a single minute felt slow or boring for me, to be honest. I enjoyed each episode tremendously and I would definitely rewatch this. Maybe after I recharge with something less......psychotic and inhuman first. Lol. The drama uses famous serial cases that happened and I think they followed it pretty closely. The attention to detail was also commendable, not just for the props and procedures and stuff, but even the way the CBAT acts at the crime scene. That's because the production team had Prof. Kwon Il-Yong supervising on set, which I seriously appreciate.
Overall, I say it's a drama that is absolutely worth watching and you'd be missing out big time if you don't. But this may also not be your cup of tea coz it's not like your usual crime k-drama. It's kinda slow burn and the suspense isn't on the detectives chasing after criminals, but on the profilers trying to figure out how to find the killer based on data. For me, it was really interesting and I think Kim Nam-Gil definitely deserves another Daesang for this role.
P.s. Kim Nam-Gil and Jin Seon-gyu also had such great and adorable chemistry! Wish we get to see them both starring as leads in a comedy some day. Lol
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Through The Darkness Comes Light
I loved that this drama focused on the profiling techniques to identify and help capture vicious criminals, and the heavy weight and darkness the profilers carry with them. Kim Nam Gil had me deep in my emotions. I can hardly imagine how it must be to live day in and day out with the viciousness of the crimes we've witnessed in this show in real life -- the secondary stress, compassion fatigue, burnout, post-traumatic stress, and everything else in between. As someone once said, the expectation that one can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to walk through water and not get wet. Ha Young reaching that burnout point and wanting to escape the darkness is only natural, but wanting and actually being able are two completely different things. Kim Nam Gil and this drama make all the other current dramas pale by comparison.Just like how I enjoyed the depth Kim Nam Gil brings to his role as Song Ha Young. I loved the passion Kim So Jin brings to Tae Goo. A top-notch police officer disregarded her for her gender. The more I watched Through the Darkness, the more respect I gained for Kwon Il Yong as the first ever South Korean criminal profiler, and for pouring his all into looking inside the hearts of monstrous criminals at the time when the term criminal profiling and the idea of serial killers was nonexistent. And what I like more is that the drama focuses more on those who chase serial killers, rather than the serial killers themselves. I liked that the drama was unapologetic in its realistic depiction of the events at that time, the overt contempt and ingrained prejudices of male police officers at all levels towards their female counterparts even more than I did the serial killings, and I abhorred those. I understand the behavior is reflective of the times, and despite it having gotten somewhat better, the sad truth is that the battle between feminism and deep-seated misogyny continues to this day and is perpetuated by historical practices. I love that this drama doesn't shy away, nor skims through the dark issues.
What affected me most as I watched the events of this drama unfold is how Kook Young Soo, Yoon Tae Goo, Jung Woo Joo, Reporter Choi Yoon Ji, and particularly Song Ha Young struggled to come to terms with the senseless abuses and murders each case and interview brought to the forefront. I would be remiss not to mention Kim Nam Gil's brilliance in the role of a man and police officer who feels too much, so much so that he distances himself from everyone as a way to cope. There were many scenes that touched me deeply, and in particular the scenes where the team desperately searched for a murdered child's missing fingers. When Ha Young wishes in his sleep, he could've puffed her killer away before he committed the most atrocious act against. What I like most about Ha Young is that he doesn't fit nor does he try to fit. And the more I watched the drama, the more I realize that serial deviant behavior flows from a hard heart. One choice leads to many, many choices until the conscience is so hardened that the predators forget they even have one. and no longer in operation.
When one is fully immersed in a show 12 episodes seem so short. The end came a lot faster than I expected or wanted, and just when I started to get used to Ha Young's smiling face. I loved the rapport and camaraderie Song Ha Young, Kook Young Soo, and Jung Woo Joo persistently built together, helping each other through what may have seemed like endless darkness. They went from being marginalized for their grandiose ideas to becoming the most sought after criminal profilers. My biggest takeaway from this drama is that through the darkness comes light, through fear comes love, and through pain comes triumph, as someone once said. No doubt Kim Nam Gil, Jin Seon Kyu, Kim So Jin, Ryeoun and the many other brilliant and talented actors made it seem a lot simpler and sexier than in real life -- the true heroes are the likes of Kwon Il-yong, who encountered evil time and time again and persevered through it all. Kim Nam Gil in The Fiery Priest was awe-inspiring, so much so that I thought he wouldn't be able to top that role, but I was wrong. He did again, and I am sure he will do it again and again. A thousand and one kudos to those who penned, directed, and brought this profound drama to life -- a job beyond well done. Kim Nam Gil definitely leaves a void, and I pray this is not the end, but the beginning of many seasons to come.
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How criminal profiling came to be in South Korea
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."This drama is based on a nonfiction book written by South Korea's first criminal profiler. Given this, most of the cases (all except one in which I am unsure of) are based on true cases in S. Korea. The storyline is straightforward and goes in chronological order, like a documentary, and has several time jumps to show the years passed. There were a handful of slow moments but with only 12 episodes, they weren't too bad. I overlooked them for the tight story development, superb acting, and perfect OST and BGM. Some people complain that it's too slow but this is based on true events- the writer of this drama can only dramaticize it so far. I'm glad they stick to the facts to stay true to the true cases while adding some thrill/suspense in catching the killer. While the characters don't go deep into psychological analysis of the criminals, we can still tell they are paying attention the personality characteristics of the killers and using them to study and prevent others. The production paid close attention to detail in recreating the horrid things that occurred in the crimes especially the Raincoat killer and Southwestern serial killer. It was quite informative to learn how criminal profiling came to be accepted in criminal investigations in Korea. Who would have expected them to start in early 2000s?
I cannot leave without commending Kim Nam Gil who is amazing as Song Ha Young. I have no words for how he portrayed the disgust and anger from having to interview serial killers in jail. His breakdown later in the drama was heartbreaking and I shed a few tears for him in empathy. The rest of the cast were all great too. The bromance between Ha Young and Chief Kook (plus Woo Joo!) was cute and lightened up the otherwise super dark, heavy drama based on true crimes. I really ate up all the rare interactions between Ha Young and Chief Kook. Do give this a shot if you love crime dramas!
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And I have to say, as much as I've yet read the original book, we can already see how important criminal profiling is in solving difficult cases. Especially with the common occurrences of the use of violence to extract confessions, (which was quite a common scene in past dramas that may reference to real life situations in the past) that can lead to some innocent victims being falsely convicted and allowing the real criminal to slip away unscathed. To people who were quite curious to learn how criminal profiling started in South Korea as well about the many criminal cases that once haunted the country which includes some notorious serial murders, this drama was a good one for you to dive in. Though, as much as the drama is based on Kwon Ilyong's book, there would still be some details that may be fictionalised and dramatised to make it more interesting.
Kim Namgil gave a great performance as Inspector Song Hayoung, the first criminal profiler from the Criminal Behavioral Analysis team. You can really feel the struggle faced by Hayoung as he attempts to read through the minds of notorious criminals in order to give the families of victims of criminal violence some closure as they put a stop to the crimes that were commited by these criminals. In order to do their jobs well, these officers will have to learn more about the criminals they're studying and the task wouldn't be for the weak minds. This drama would give as a glimpse of what it used to be like when criminal profiling hasn't yet be a common occurrences and allow us to better understand how tough the role of profilers were and appreciate the work that they're doing.
The drama had some pretty haunting ost, in which it reflect and enhance the sombre mood and seriousness of the cases. It really felt as if you were being brought back in time when these cases had happened.
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Not your typical psychological thrillers...
The series is more focused on the job of a profiler rather than the criminals. Normally, crime- thrillers provide their audience with thrill through their cat-mouse chase, where it seems difficult to catch the criminals and includes various efforts to do so. However, this one is different from the usual. This one is more of a way to make the audience familiarise with the job of profilers and their need in the society to catch the criminals , which is why it slowly progresses in that direction to make the viewers learn about that process from the scratch. It's more towards a maturer side rather than providing immense thrill.Moreover, it will be more likeable to the people interested in knowing the 'criminal psychology' specifically rather than watching a criminal chase. Here, the investigation process and getting a confession out of the criminals through a mind war is the thrilling part rather than catching the criminals.
Also, this drama is significantly focused on the development of the leads as profilers since they didn't started with it originally in their careers, but rather felt the need to study such criminal behaviours as it would help in reducing the time to catch psychopathic criminals, who kill solely for the purpose of pleasure and therefore normal investigation methods fail to catch and identify them as the perpetrators. You cannot catch them solely through their MO unless you understand their mind and psychological behaviour which is different from a normal human being.
The series is set in the time frame of the year 2000-2004 specifically which the viewers need to keep in mind as they watch the show, since psychopathic criminals was not a normal deal back then and science was still evolving. The leads are also learning through the process of profiling and updating their knowledge by interviewing such criminals. One thing needs to be noted is that, there wasn't much development of such educational field of criminal psychology back then and therefore it had to be studied by our lead actors by themselves rather than learning it in a college or something. You should therefore enjoy the process of them getting better at their job each day and with each case, where they also learn to embrace their own hearts within such evil environment where the criminals do not repent or feel remorse over their killings and if had chance would still murder more people.
Also, there is a misunderstanding through the summary that the series only involves a single case i.e. of 'Red Cap' however this series includes more number of cases specially involving different serial killers.
I hope people enjoy this show as I did as an avid learner of criminal psychology.
Thank you!!
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one of the BEST thriller korean drama's i've ever seen!
let me just begin saying that this show exceeded my expectations. out of most thriller/crime korean drama's i have watched, this one was definitely the best i've ever come across. simply because the cast for this show is absolutely insane and the emotions they portray in it is impeccable, i felt so engaged in their acting because it felt so real. if anyone is thinking of watching this show, i 100% recommend although it does touch on intense topics which may be triggering for some.[spoilers]
one specific part i enjoyed about this show is that they included how the criminal profilers felt themselves and didn't just focus on the criminals half, those who enter these types of jobs suffer a huge amount and song hayoung really emphasised that during episodes 10-12, that scene was incredible emotional and the acting was so spot on.
overall i rate it a 10/10! the acting was phenomenal, the storyline was so well developed and i really enjoyed the osts. however i wouldn't rewatch it only because it is a really emotional show and it's not so much a show that you'd want to rewatch although it was outstanding.
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Best Criminal Profiling Drama
Love that this is no-fuss drama with no political schemes whatsoever, and focusing only on how they catch the criminalShout out to Kim Nam Gil who really ace this character and Kwon Il Yong, SK 1st profiler who did a really good job on assisting and telling the story to make this drama even better.
12 episodes were really packed with all the important parts and no dragging at all.
Big respect to all of the people involved in making this story interesting and alive depite the 3weeks-Olympic hiatus.
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