My review is gonna be so long.

Don't get me wrong, I rate the story for you who don't believe in a 10 rate. It's good to start the series without expectation and it's up to you if this show deserves a higher rating :3

If you expect this as much of action-thriller scenes and intriguing cases drama, it's not, BUT it's more than that.

(Honestly, I would rate this drama as a perfect 10/10, but sadly I have to be realistic though)

This is mindblowing, for real. Every aspect of this drama is well made!

- {1. The Story} -
First, the drama feels like a super well-executed big movie because the storytelling is magnificent. Every dialogue has its purpose, comically or theoretically. The story is getting better. Each episode's ending always has a great cliffhanger, so it will make us want to watch it more and more. (I feel envy for those who can binge-watch this after the drama ends. Because the end is satisfying!)

Second, every character is necessary. It's not just like a random person passed by as a killer, get caught, and one case is done (so we won't see the character often). But not here. Every character has its nature, and we empathize with most of them, especially the main leads. The support characters appearance has meaning too to the story.

Third, it is unpredictable! Everyone can be a suspect of the crime. When you suspect someone, your reaction will be: "It's him. Eh, actually not. No, it's him definitely. Or is he?" It really plays with your mind!
And when the drama reveals some of the truths, you will be shouting out loud, "OMG! IT'S HIM ALL THE TIME!" or "YES! I KNEW IT!"

It's well-paced and so fun to watch :D

Last, it's fun but also VERY DARK. Some of the episodes are rated as 19. As we know, the story is about serial killing, but not a brutal random slaughter. A dead person is a crucial issue because the victims have their own roles. And the killing method in this drama always makes me shivers. It's beyond creepy, and dark means no one's innocent. Even I feel irritated about the main leads! So much dirt but so cool.

THE MINUS:
Like I said earlier, the story is not about action scenes. It's more about manipulating emotionally and psychologically with dialogues and expression. So if you want to watch this, you can feel bored with the lack of action (but you should give it a try, please)

I think there's a difference between watching it when ongoing and binge-watch. The mystery is a slow-burn, so it is pretty slow. One of the reason is to build up some trusts and tensions. And sometimes I skip some scenes in the drama (especially when the higher-ups, people with power and money, speaks)

There's a tiny bit about political talks in the middle of the series. It's understandable because it's for the sake of the story. Though, it still bore me :'D


- {2. The Acting} -
It should've been Unlimited/10.

More than perfect. Even I didn't know that Choi Seung Eun as Yoo Jae Yi is a rookie actress! This is her first drama, yet she's so good!

Yeo Jin Goo is one of the greatest young actors. I really appreciate him. His way of conveying his character is very fluid. When he looks angry and desperate, we empathize with him as if we all feel the despair he feels.

And for more, he can tell us what he thinks without a word. The character cannot be matched with other actors but him. And honestly, at first, I originally watched this drama because of him. Thank you, Yeo Jin Goo, for introducing me to this spectacular drama!

Then there's Shin Ha Kyun. If he doesn't get any reward from Baeksang or Daesang in acting, I will be really devastated. The delivery of his emotions is very extreme, and every inch of his body speaks. I instantly felt scared when I saw him. And annoying too when the character is irritating at that time.

His intonation is unique, and even his sweet smile and laugh can look absolutely terrifying. But his sadness is his ace card for me. I suddenly felt concerned when I saw him crying. As it's so miserable that I want to embrace his character who has been soaked by suffering. I fell in love with Shin Ha Kyun's acting now.

Last but not least, the other support characters are so terrific (Choi Dae Hoon omg u have all my respects!). Even the cameo that only shows up in one scene can make me angry. Thus, the conclusion is, don't underestimate the supporting actors too! They deserve to be the main leads as time goes.


- {3. Music} -
Very beautiful, incredible, and spectacular. The Night is my favourite song in this series. A mixture of blues, jazz, and noir kind of music? Why not! It fits perfectly with the drama.

And the background music, *chef kiss* It's delicious and so unique!

In every scene in the drama, I feel goosebumps. The BGM emphasizes the intense atmosphere. Like, when something big will happen, it's so thrilling! It makes me want to rewatch the scene all over again.

I also believe one thing. Maybe if you heard the BGM after finished the drama, you would automatically reminisce saying, "Ah, The Manyang Town." like an old man.

So great, even one of the BGM song (10 Fingers Memory) has been my alarm sound to start the day.


- {4. Is it rewatchable?} -
Obviously! I'm sure most of us will rewatch it even though it's just for the scenes they like.

Not only from some impressive scenes with good acting and cinematography, but I might also even rewatch it from the beginning without skipping. (because at first I usually pass the boring part, but now I regretted it).

I wish I could watch it again with zero memories.


LAST WORDS
Again, this story is not for everyone.

Maybe some people prefer the drama to be a lot of action-thrillers between life and death. Or maybe not watching this drama because of the lack of romance (though there's bromance with such intimate interactions).

10/10 I recommend this to people who like dramas with heavy stories, lots of thoughts, and focus more on how good the actors' acting is than watching it because of how good-looking the actors are.

But for those of you who want to try it, I'm sure it's worth it as long as you don't watch it patchy!

Thank you for joining my TEDtalk :D