The Best Korean Neo-noir, with action packed bromance ！ A New MASTERPIECE In K-Neo Noir !
Reminder :- “ This work will not be about who is evil or who is good, but about everyone becoming empty and lonely in the end” . It will penetrate the hearts of viewers with noir action with deep emotions set in the 1990s, Totally It's an intriguing story of betrayals, loyalty, and allegiance in which each character strives to achieve what is important to them.
➟ Critical Analysis :-
While “The Worst of Evil” is an exceptional series, it may not be suitable for those seeking a light-hearted watch. Its unrelenting darkness and morally ambiguous characters can be unsettling. Additionally, the series’ brevity leaves audiences craving more, but perhaps this is intentional, leaving room for speculation and discussion.
➟ Conclusion :-
In a landscape filled with crime dramas, “The Worst of Evil” Season 1 stands out as a gripping and thought-provoking masterpiece. Its exploration of moral decay, outstanding performances, and impeccable direction make it a must-watch for fans of the genre. Brace yourself for a visceral experience that will challenge your perceptions of good and evil
➟ Emotional Resonance : -
What truly resonates with “The Worst of Evil” is its unapologetic exploration of morality. It doesn’t shy away from depicting the darkness that resides within its characters. As the lines between good and evil blur, it prompts viewers to question their own moral compass. The series leaves a lingering sense of unease, forcing introspection long after the credits roll.
Themes and Tone: “The Worst of Evil” grapples with themes of power, loyalty, and the blurred lines between good and evil. It’s an unflinching look at the criminal underbelly and the corrupting influence of power. The tone is dark, gritty, and unforgiving, perfectly complementing the story’s exploration of moral ambiguity.
➟ Acting and Characters :-
The cast delivers stellar performances across the board. Ji Chang-wook’s portrayal of Park Joon-mo is nothing short of captivating. His transformation from a dedicated cop to a cunning infiltrator is a testament to his acting prowess. Wi Ha-joon as Jung Gi-cheol brings an eerie charisma to the leader of the criminal organization, making him both menacing and oddly charismatic. Im Se-mi’s Yoo Eui-jung adds depth and emotional complexity, BiBi's Hae Ryeon role contributed more buzz to the series, it's her first drama( small screen appearance) but she delivered magnificent performance ..
➟ Direction and Cinematography :-
Han Dong-wook’s direction shines in “The Worst of Evil.” His ability to build tension and maintain suspense is commendable. The series is visually striking, with a noir aesthetic that enhances the ominous atmosphere. The cinematography captures the neon-lit streets of Gangnam and the shadowy underpasses, creating an immersive experience, it's complete masterpiece in Neo-noir genre
➟ Score and Production Design :-
The haunting score elevates the series, enhancing the sense of foreboding. It’s a perfect companion to the dark and moody production design. From seedy nightclubs to dimly lit alleys, the attention to detail in the set design is exceptional, corridor action
➟ Special Effects and Editing :-
While “The Worst of Evil” doesn’t rely heavily on special effects, when they are used, they’re seamlessly integrated. The editing is crisp, allowing the story to flow smoothly across its 9 episodes. There are no wasted moments, every scene serves a purpose
➟ finally :-
"It is not a story that you can watch with the family for a good laugh, but you would be able to feel something new,"
------------------------------------------------------ENDING SPOILER -------------------------------------------------
ENDING SPOILER :-
After completing the drama everyone's question is
1) Why did Joon Mo kill Ki-chul ? ?
From What I understood is...
" Jung Ki-chul's suicide is a curse aimed especially at Yoo Eui-jung.He is a man who has liked her since childhood.He's a man who tried to get out of the dark for himself. The guilt of driving such a man to death can last a lifetime to Eui Jung. Park Jun-mo shot Ki-chul because he wanted to free his wife Yoo Eui-jung at least by taking responsibility for Jung Ki-chul's death alone.
2) Did Park Joon Mo Yu Eui-jung broken up ??
In the last scene Joon Mo visits Jung Ki Chul's grave, he left his wedding ring, hinting that he and his wife had broken up. At same time we can watch the chain of Eui Jung ( Ki-chul gave her to in their teenage) on Ki-chul's grave it means she ends Ki-chul's love there , this the chance for their new life. Hope they will meet again after sometime and start new life.
brought by:- Shinnosuke_Lee
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
unterwegsimkoreanischenD
53 mensen vonden deze beoordeling nuttig
Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
Brutal, merciless milieu of gangs & drug cartels. Stirring, gloomy but with soulful strings, too
What a positive surprise. For all those who are not afraid of the brutal, merciless milieu of gang wars and drug cartels: "Worst of Evil" offers intense characters with dynamic profiles, especially of the two protagonists - the rural police officer who joins a new Gangnam gang as an undercover agent, to help uncover the organized drug trade between China, South Korea and Japan, as well as the boss of that Gangnam gang.In particular, Ji Chang-wook as Park Jun-mo alias Kwon Seung-ho puts his heart and soul as well as quite some muscles and fighting into it. Whatsoever, he is impressive. But so are the others. It´s well cast and Disney+ apparently didn't skimp on anything...
For me personally, gang stories like this one aren't really my first choice. Too much crude violence, too much highly concentrated testosterone... "Worst of Evil" is no exception. Sharp blades and baseball bats are in high demand, especially in the first half. Nicotine seemingly acts as nutrition and even the fanciest suits can't hide the fact that a lot of blood is being shed unscrupulously...
Nonetheless.
“Worst of Evil” features complex characters and highly explosive relationship dynamics that is touching, gripping and, more importantly, provides emotional substance, too.
Eventually, undercover operations are psychologically demanding. The boundaries between true and false identity are blurring. A solid compass for right and wrong can easily be lost. The reality of living the undercover life creates new truths in which even the 'false' identity becomes a ´true´ part of one's own life. Coming to terms with this obviously is not easy. The return to the old life as it was before, even less so. In the case of "Worst of Evil", these internal and external conflicts of our undercover investigator become even more difficult by the fact that his wife has a history with the gang boss that he knew nothing about. She, his wife, herself a police officer and officially not ´his´ wife in terms of the new undercover identity, is now drawn into current affairs in a way that the small special investigation team could not have foreseen.
Not to mention the fact that the drug cartels involves powerful partners, not only in South Korea, but also in China and Japan. At last, the homicide police also get involved in dealing with everyday gang activities and murder cases in Gangnam. None of those involved is squeamish whatsoever. So danger lingers everywhere. Not only fists and fights, but also intelligent, diplomatic solutions are required. High-end improvisation is on the agenda for our hero.
"Worst of Evil" is thrilling, stirring, gloomy and – despite all the blood that boils over and over again (and all the copious amounts that are spilled) – it has its soulful strings, too. It's about trust, loyalty, bromance, the relativity of 'right' and 'wrong', and ultimately the ethical question of which end justifies which means...
Is the story predictable? Well, I can't fully deny that. But in "Worst of Evil" the journey is clearly the destination - what the undercover special operation DOES with this once "mother-in-law's favorite" and how he comes to terms with it. In addition, his counterpart, the self-proclaimed, brash, brilliant gang leader, is also quite interesting. With his vita, his goals and desires, he doesn't really fit into the usual cliché and thus brings additional dynamism. In addition, several other characters in the cartel (and police) environment impress with strong profiles, too.
As I said, I was pleasantly surprised. "Worst of Evil" had me. It's pretty well made all around and has actually more to offer than just ruthless gangs and action. (Nevertheless, be prepared, it still is about the milieu of ruthless gangs...)
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Gangs of Gangnam
내 연기는 존나 잘해. Ji chang wook is so real for this role & dialogue, that eyebrow raise & sharp dialogue delivery while fight scenes being 🔥 . It's like watching WWE Royal Rumble - EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF. Intense opening scene, bloody fights, lots of smoking, swearing & 90's era setting is done aptly. Brownie points for casting absolute doppelgangers as younger #LimSeMi #WiHaJun in episode 3.Fast paced thriller it is but was bit predictable so far. Moving is replaced by equally intense drama by Disney plus. INSANELY GOOD SHOW!!!
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
Ending Explained
Why does Jun Mo shoot before Gi-Cheul does?Most importantly – Jun Mo does this to spare Eui-Jeong. In his bitterness and despair, Gi-Cheul threatens to remain as a tormenting memory for Jun Mo and Eui-Jeong. In that last moment, Jun Mo perceives that the only remaining “good” outcome is to take the blame for the betrayal entirely on himself. We infer that Eui-Jeong is able mourn and let go of Gi-Cheul peacefully as she has left the necklace at his gravesite.
Secondly – Jun Mo resolves Gi-Cheul’s dilemma. Gi-Cheul has now decided to escape the gang and live a normal life. But Jun Mo explains there has to be a consequence for his sins, a price to satisfy justice. At the train-crossing, Gi-Cheul realises the price is too high: he has lost his dream, his crew, and his hyung (Seungho). In desperation, he places his hope in a future with Eui-Jeong on the run, but when that falls flat, he no longer has the courage to go on. Now he wants to die, even with the shame of suicide. But before he can do so, Jun Mo grants Gi-Cheul one last favour: an “honourable” death: a gangter in defiance, shot by a cop. by Vinh B
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
awesome acting and action scenes
ji chang wook is one of the best actors in action dramas .👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼 this drama started so nice and I really like these 3 episodes .wi ha Joon is also a really nice player for this character. 👏🏻 👌🏼
the collaboration between ji chang wook and wi ha joon is so exciting.
The story of this series is very strong and exciting.
I am a huge fan of ji chang wook and I was really looking forward to an action series starring Ji Chang Wook.
ji chang wook can do anything and Play any roll and any character
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
Overall good, but annoyed by the ending
To be honest I was disappointed with the ending, specifically Junmo's coldness towards Eui Jung. I think kdramas really tend to think that it's heroic for the main lead to leave a relationship when things get too difficult, aka sacrificing his love to keep overall peace. But it's just annoying, literally, some couples' therapy and PTSD work would've benefited both Junmo and Eui Jung, rather than them splitting. My ideal would've been that the investigation, and arrests, are wrapped up in episode 7, then the remaining episodes are Junmo and Eui Jung reeling with the aftermath of the events, arguing and communicating. Instead, we get a rushed ending because the drama drags out the arrests until the end. It felt too predictable, and because of that I'm only giving this drama an average rating, it could've been a very amazing drama had it gone into the nuances of the emotional state of their marriage.On the flip side, this drama did have some great parts to it. The acting was downright amazing, so many scenes are captivating too and express how Junmo's character goes from innocent to traumatized. My favourite scene is when Junmo is over a body, fighting with the other gang, and he looks up towards Eui Jung all covered in blood. It's such a perfect angle to show how much this operation has changed him. I loved the cast so much as each actor did an amazing job portraying the characters.
Surprisingly my favourite aspect of the drama was how they portrayed the forced cheating aspect of the investigation. It's the first time I've seen a drama effectively pull off cheating in a way that makes sense. What was amazing was despite the cheating both Junmo and Eui Jung's love remains strong. The kiss scene between Junmo & Haeyrun is so uncomfortable in a way that shows just how much Junmo loves Eui Jung. Both of them didn't waver and it made for an entertaining side plot because we're left to interpret the true intentions of the characters. I strongly believe that both cops didn't waver, which is why I get frustrated at their separation at the end, it just feels like, after everything they went through.. what was the point if they weren't going to end up together again? Why did they, Jumno and Eui Jung, struggle so much? I blame Junmo for this because again the trauma makes him cold and distant...but again some serious therapy would've helped him heal, instead, he just suppresses the pain. I don't think he fell for Haeyrun, to me his feelings are more like a concerned friend. He realizes that Haeyrun is being used by her family and that she isn't entirely evil, so he wants to help her. I don't think he actually caught feelings for her.
Overall I enjoyed the drama but had hoped for a more throughout ending that would've dealt with the emotional side/psyche of Jumno & Eui Jung.
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
overall, well made drama, but my personal preference dropped the rating
Overall, this was a very well done drama. The actors’ performances, the production, and the general filming/editing were all really good. I had really high hopes for it when it started, but started to have some issues with it towards the middle/end.For me, the best part of the drama was the relationship between the three leads. Because, in general, I’ve seen this type of story told before, but what made this drama stand apart from others was the characters and how they interacted with each other.
I loved that Junmo was married and that his wife ended up part of the investigation. I liked seeing the trust they had for each other when in other stories there would only be jealousy and no understanding of the situation. This was something that I don’t normally see in stories like this. Of course, that all changed in the end, which bothered me so much. I think I could’ve handled the ending no matter what happened, if I knew that Junmo and Euijung were going to be okay. I understand that we, the viewers, are supposed to see that Junmo has changed too much to go back to who he used to be, but I didn’t want that (and obviously, this is very much just a personal preference). I guess, I would’ve liked to have seen more of Junmo changing. I know the turning point was the slaughter in the hallway; he got a little more unhinged after that, but I’m not really sure at what point he decided that he actually liked Jung Kichul enough to let him go at the end (but then turn around and shoot him? Why?). Along those same lines, when did he grow fond of Lee Haeryeon? Their relationship was a little weird/red flag to me, especially when she initially tried to sleep with him. That didn’t seem very wanted on his end.
I guess, in the end, I got myself into this one. This drama really never made any secret of the fact that it was only going to end one way and that was horribly. So my rating is mostly just because I’m annoyed by how it ended and not because it isn’t well made or acted.
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Becoming normal , I've come too far for that !!! - JCW
To begin this review let's all raise and stand in praise of all the actors (JCW oppa especially )!!The show belongs to it's actors and it's definitely one of the best career performance by everyone !
SYNOPSIS - JCW oppa sneaks undercover in a gang to trace the origins of a drug cartel and in the process becomes someone who he fails to recognize aswell.
Chaos unwind and soon everything is shattered to pieces. With a strong narrative
ACTING and CAST -
OMGGGGGG!!!!!!!! 200/100 performance ...
This by far is the best acting I have seen in any Kdrama and mind you even tho I haven't recieved my first time watcher badge I got a lot under my sleeve. JCW'S eyes speak for him his face is too expressive to be normal ...hence the headline lol".
ACTION AND VISUALS -
I would just say that it was too realistic and way believable bec even when you feel like this can not be happening it actually works bec you just get so immersed in their expressions. Visuals ...umm JCW oppa looks smoking hot and I didn't bother about other visuals lol .
WHY MUST YOU WATCH -
The story line has a soul of it's own even tho it's not a very new kinda story line but the plot is gripping enough and no useless side characters distract you all the time. Everything in the narrative serves a purpose which unfolds beautifully.
The show touches the darker side of human emotions and the ending brings a sense of satisfaction that is unmatched.
The most realistic ending the best of acting and a good narrative that maybe predictable but is definitely interesting and full of raw action sequences and swoon worthy JCW oppa is what this show offers.
MY FEELINGS AS A VIEWER-
As a critique I could easily say that the show is not new to drama world and stories like these are more often than not brought to the screen for spy dramas. Infiltrating in an gang is a very common drama-land phenomenon. But this show has a lot of emotions at stake. By the end you do not side with good or bad because the line that creates that distinction really just blurs out and that's what makes this an interesting watch !
----SPOLIER ALERT ---
For those who have already finished I got a few things to talk about.
I read a comment that said that "The biggest difference between ki chul & Eui Jung VS that of Joonmo & BIBi relation was that, in Joonmoo & Bibi relationship Joonomo never accepted her love but Eui Jung was somewhere looking for that love she did have a chance with." - To quote some examples Joonmo never said any affirmative words to Bibi and always had a wall up front every time they met. which even Bibi pointed out in the course of the show. While Eui Jung literally fell for him and tried to change him as a person through her love. By the end she became negligent of Joonmo's emotions and only cared about Ki Chul she did not do it to fulfil her husband's mission but rather wanted her love to walk the right path.
Ki Chul's character was a very fine written sketch where he constantly had this dilemma of who to trust and who to choose. He made decisions with his heart and brain and the way that the switch from heart to brain happened was so natural to me that I could easily see that things weren't his fault.
Joonmo's dilemma and pain that he went through was so evident in JCW's acting which I shall call shear brilliance. The way he felt when he couldn't be there for Eui Jung's mom's funeral the way he reacted to murder before him. the way he looked when he killed people trying to protect Eui Jung and the dialogue - "there's someone I want to protect in my heart". was a literal treat to eyes. !!!
I shall applaud Im Sae Mi for giving life to Eui Jung as she literally had us all in the process of falling for Ki chul ...bec even when we know she's not true to her husband and his cause she was true to herself and her love. Till date I have never liked a disloyal character but ig we have an exception now.
The side characters and BIBI have literally worked as good as the main cast ...Kudos to them !
but the Detective's role felt rather random and forced. His obsession with Ki chul was too much and he wasn't handled well by the writers but his story ended well ...
Music wasn't really the most memorable but it didn't become a bother so I'd give decent points to it !
OVERALL - MUST WATCH FOR JCW FANS AND PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE GOOD ACTING !
ps . the name of the show didn't really fit tho !
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
Infidelity and Love Triangles dressed up as a Gangster Movie
This is a really odd drama but at its heart it is not an action packed noir gangster movie, I mean it is but thats not what its actually about.Its really about a married couple slowly being driven apart by the demands of ML work and the FLs infidelity with her ex.
The biggest plot is the FLs devotion to and her desire to protect, her undercover cop husband shifting in every way to instead being her devotion to and desire to protect her ex bf first love and oh yes the gangster her hubby is trying to bring down.
Its kinda makjang really.
Of course to make it seem less simple the ML is presented with a love interest of sorts. (He cant really avoid her or he blows his cover).
It is clear though that what this story is about is the FL and the ex rekindling their first love and the FL cheating on the ML basically in front of him and slowly revealing to him and us and herself that she loves the other guy more.
If you enjoy that sort of angsty torture good for you. I certainly do not.
On the plus for this mess of a drama i do admire the ingenious and different than the usual weary disfunctional domestic scenario this tired plot was wrapped in.
The last scene where the ML alone visits the grave and sees his wife has already been there alone and left flowers and the symbol of her love for the 2ML (she waved it in his face throughout) and then leaves his wedding ring tells you exactly what this show was really all about.
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Alternative title suggestion: How to Feel Sorry for Drug Dealers
What a mixed bag this drama was. While the quality of acting and special effects was outstanding, the ultimately weak, far-fetched plot was what really dragged this show down. A twist on the trope of the whole drug dealer/undercover cop scenario, this story's angle shone the spotlight more on the lengths that the 'good' guys will resort to, to get what they want or achieve what they consider 'right', regardless of the means used or the collateral damage.I found the ending a huge disappointment; by the final episode you're really glad to be finally finished with Ji Chang Wook's character, who was an ambitious, selfish, jealous little toad from the outset.
Supporting male characters were excellent, particularly the knife-wielding lunatic Chief Seo, but as usual the female characters were weak pitiful creations, designed only to support the male lead. Shameful writing.
Really glad to be finished with this one and move on to something hopefully better.
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
UNDERWHELMING AF
ep 1-7, hella potential.ep 8-12 absolutely ass
what was this shitty af plot. you wasted all the potential it held. and for heaven's sake write a better female lead. this was a humiliation, lmao
the plot was underwhelming, all over the place and just not it. gicheul's character went from being cool to absolutely pathetic and foolish real fast. like wtf bro. they worked hard on Junmo's arc and that's it. that too towards the end was so easy and lame. overall very disappointed. the characters could have been written in more depth. but no. gicheul was like a child who was stuck on a crush. the FL despite being such a high ranked officer was shown as a useless girl in a teen drama stuck in love triangle. WRITE BETTER FL AND BETTER CHARACTERS OVERALL
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Don't miss this noir masterpiece
When rating the categories I could never let anyone without giving 10. Those are the things that are surprisingly amazed me in this drama. The Cinematography, Story, ACTING, music, everything was soo excellent. I have never seen such and amazing classic sense before in korean dramas. It was like watching christopher nolan movie.Ending was soo good too. It was the best ending for the drama and it is more realistic. The actors performances are on next well.. Everyone did a great job. Everyone should watch this show. Really a Masterpiece🔥
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
