1
SunOh
Hell came on the day the rain of lies fell.
Pure chaos from the start, braver, wilder and crazier than ever.
~ This review covers both seasons ~
Season 1 : ~ Hell came on the day the rain of lies fell ~
Season 2 : ~ Born again from lies ~
(Posters translation)
First things first, it has to be your kind of crazy, so that you can embrace it all. It's basically the definition of excessive art, as it presents drama in its purest form. Therefore the drama introduces viewers to a world where logic takes a backseat to spectacle, but in a dream-like, epic way, endlessly and effectively pushing boundaries to a new level where anything is possible, making the immersion simply divine. Outlandish and absurd, yet meticulously crafted in style and tone, perfectly serving the narrative. One thing's for sure, you will either find the drama fascinating, impressive and imaginative or simply unwatchable.
I've never been this excited about a drama before. The premise hooked me from the start, and then the posters and teasers just kept raising my anticipation. I was practically going insane waiting, but somehow, I held off until the end of Season 2. Honestly, what a perfect gift for people like me. I couldn't ask for anything more.
Inspirational references (official) :
- The Seven Deadly Sins : if you want you can play a game where you try to assign one original sin to each of them at the start, with both the normal and the drama ones (they did their own take on it on Viki's synopsis)—though to be honest, it's easy to give them several sins right from the start lol
- Dante's Divine Comedy : you'll get those feels from the first episode, but also 'a bloody revenge resembling a divine punishment' is part of the premise
- The Count of Monte-Cristo : the drama being a modern picaresque work
- The Avengers/Marvel/The Boys : I remember Lee Joon saying it felt like a comic book, which is exactly why it was so much fun, and I couldn’t agree more. It does feel like that kind of universe, somehow. I mean, look at Penthouse and The Last Empress. The fact that they mentioned Marvel in the drama makes it even more epic. While I didn’t see any mention of this on Namu Wiki (maybe I missed it), there's no way it wasn’t intentional, especially given the parallels with The Seven from The Boys (which you can explore more in this article https://www.cbr.com/the-seven-vs-avengers). The Boys is a parody, but if you're familiar with it or read the article, you’ll understand what I mean. That mention made the drama feel even more self-aware and creative than it already was. Honestly, Thor might as well be a hidden main character...
- More in the comments, under the spoiler tag.
The initial concept of the drama is to bring together 7 villains and to condemn then.
They are all heavily related to Da Mi, an innocent girl whose life turns into hell before she disappears from the world.
Bound together by life, or rather by death... The journey of the 7 begins.
The title of the first season is War for Survival, the title of the second season is Resurrection.
The first episode is enough to decide if it's for you or not. While Penthouse may be fine for many, 7 Escape is something else. The plot is very brutal so it can be overwhelming. For me, it was ecstatic. It also doesn't shy away from pure survival and extreme psychological themes at one point.
In terms of social status and backgrounds, 7 Escape is already different. The characters aren't meant to be rich like in Penthouse, and it's not the same kind of very classy drama. Look at the posters, compare this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/eYlLlY_4) to this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/p3ZzD_3) and this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/QJdAJ2_4) to this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/ENb8O_4). It's obvious right? You can also click on my profile, I have all posters displayed.
Anyway, I want to clarify that your opinion of Penthouse doesn't necessarily matter. Proof? I'm not even a fan of Penthouse. I started watching 7 Escape with a friend who barely made it through the first five episodes, but from the very first episode, he was as obsessed as I was.
Advices : Always watch the intro, the end-of-episode visuals accompanied by the music and the closing logo, and the credits at the end of each season. The only thing you can skip is the preview for the next episode. Additionally, I’ll share some links in the comments. A cool detail to note: the logo features a dual design, with one side displaying the title of the first season and the other side showing the title of the second season. I discovered this neat touch in a video, the link is included. Also, don’t miss the bonus scenes in Season 2. (They do not appear after the previews, of course.)
Do I need to talk about the biblical and mythological references in S2's opening? Simply insane.
Regarding the soundtrack, it's a brilliant blend of classical and modern music—much like the drama itself—which makes it easily my favorite OST album.
The 'ridiculousness' isn't confined to the story alone—it permeates every aspect of the production. From the editing to the sound and visual effects, and even the storytelling, the introduction presents a very intriguing foreshadowing, followed by an incredibly fast-paced, event-packed, and dramatic narrative that embraces the chaotic nature of its own creation.
The sets and costumes also deserve commendation, as they splendidly reflect the drama's grandeur and extravagance. It is interesting to note that the drama has an impressive world-building, too.
If the Seven aren't your cup of tea, you will most likely not enjoy the drama, or not to its full extent at least. The drama has such a strong aura, but you either savour it or hate it.
Kim Soon Ok has become the screenwriter I respect the most, and I wish I could thank her in person. Extremely creative she is, even the most creative, but also extremely sensible and spiritual. I could tell by the script that she's a really fun and witty individual more than I could in Penthouse. In fact, if I were to compare the dark humor and comic relief characters in both dramas, my preference would strongly lean towards 7 Escape—as it does with everything else. I don't have anything against Penthouse though, I also think it's a masterpiece. On a side note, while 7 Escape introduces moments of comedy, it skillfully maintains the tragic, heavy atmosphere that defines the piece.
Be warned, Season 2 is more serious and less fun than Season 1—I was in tears. But that's what makes it so refreshing. It feels like a natural progression, especially given the ending of Season 1. The new season brings a shift in tone, introducing different vibes, new dynamics, a new main character, and plenty of cool scenes to explore.
I'm not great at explaining technical details, but you'll definitely notice a difference in the writing, screenplay, cinematography, and sound design. Pay attention to how everything, including the characters, has evolved. Season 2 carries its own unique charm, which is already apparent when you compare the posters and ID films. Season 1 is vibrant, colorful, and flashy, while Season 2 is mystical, vivid, and visually stunning. Overall, it creates a cold and mysterious atmosphere.
Chaotic yet intelligent, psychotic and toxic, twisted and intense—dynamic and modern, even futuristic and dystopian. It's relevant, meaningful, complex, and unconventional, offering limitless, provocative, and unpredictable elements. The production, the writing, the acting, it's absolutely mind-blowing. I barely could handle so much goodness from the start. There's just so much passion and dedication put into this rollercoaster. The writing might get some people frustrated because it is intended to be blurry, especially at the beginning, but it made it all the more intriguing for me. Expect the beginning to be particularly chaotic, there are a lot of characters and storylines. Besides, the out-of-the-box storytelling (like the premise) only made me fall in love more with the drama. It starts out with a deliberately forced setting, and the drama consistently adheres to this stylistic approach throughout.
The story is so huge and complicated, I don't know how Kim Soon Ok wrote that but she did anyway. The pacing is also terrific. I once saw a comment saying that no one writes as deliciously and excitingly as she does. I wouldn’t have agreed with that before, but now I do. I might end up enjoying The Last Empress more than Penthouse, but nothing will ever come close to 7 Escape for me. All I can say is genius. Even more so because managing to write the most inhumane and humane, soulless and soulful, hopeless and hopeful plot all at the same time is certainly something to achieve. Hence, while it may be the ultimate escape from reality, it also brings you back to it in the most powerful and impactful way, and that's where all its beauty lies.
Maybe you need to be unhinged and sadistic to truly and fully enjoy this... I mean, I do feel bad for fictional characters, but here it's not the same and I can only say that I had a blast. I loved these villains from the start and the first episodes were already a delight to watch. If there's one drama I would like to experience again from the start, it's this one.
As entertainment, it definitely serves, but it is so much more. Like my favorite reviewer said, if you are not afraid of diving into the abysm of the human species, 7 Escape is right here for you. Additionally, in a world where the truth is increasingly an abstract concept, the drama does an excellent job at conveying that.
Overall, it has some of the coolest concepts I have ever seen, and I am personally in love with the execution. For its innovation, originality, and boldness, along with its clear passion for art and creativity, The Escape of the Seven proves itself as a thoughtful, transcendent work that goes beyond realism or mere entertainment. It is truly interesting in a way that has never been done before and won't be able to be recreated in the future. If you expected a simple thriller, you will be proven wrong. I see it as a true tribute to artistic freedom and expression.
Everything seemed to be designed for me including the characters and that's why this drama is now my all-time favorite and a dream come true. I was not that shocked at the madness because this is what I wanted and always dreamed of, I was more like shocked at how good it was because it kept exceeding my expectations.
7 Escape is, in conclusion, Korean dramaturgy in all its glory. I'm sorry if you don't feel the same way as I do towards it, but if you enjoy it that's enough for me. And if you love it, almost or as much as I do, I'd be the happiest.
Before finishing, I would like to say that in terms of content, it is the richest drama ever made. From the themes of justice, technology, societal decay, revenge, to so much more.
Final words : In the end, can you escape your sins ?
Thank you for reading !
Season 1 : ~ Hell came on the day the rain of lies fell ~
Season 2 : ~ Born again from lies ~
(Posters translation)
First things first, it has to be your kind of crazy, so that you can embrace it all. It's basically the definition of excessive art, as it presents drama in its purest form. Therefore the drama introduces viewers to a world where logic takes a backseat to spectacle, but in a dream-like, epic way, endlessly and effectively pushing boundaries to a new level where anything is possible, making the immersion simply divine. Outlandish and absurd, yet meticulously crafted in style and tone, perfectly serving the narrative. One thing's for sure, you will either find the drama fascinating, impressive and imaginative or simply unwatchable.
I've never been this excited about a drama before. The premise hooked me from the start, and then the posters and teasers just kept raising my anticipation. I was practically going insane waiting, but somehow, I held off until the end of Season 2. Honestly, what a perfect gift for people like me. I couldn't ask for anything more.
Inspirational references (official) :
- The Seven Deadly Sins : if you want you can play a game where you try to assign one original sin to each of them at the start, with both the normal and the drama ones (they did their own take on it on Viki's synopsis)—though to be honest, it's easy to give them several sins right from the start lol
- Dante's Divine Comedy : you'll get those feels from the first episode, but also 'a bloody revenge resembling a divine punishment' is part of the premise
- The Count of Monte-Cristo : the drama being a modern picaresque work
- The Avengers/Marvel/The Boys : I remember Lee Joon saying it felt like a comic book, which is exactly why it was so much fun, and I couldn’t agree more. It does feel like that kind of universe, somehow. I mean, look at Penthouse and The Last Empress. The fact that they mentioned Marvel in the drama makes it even more epic. While I didn’t see any mention of this on Namu Wiki (maybe I missed it), there's no way it wasn’t intentional, especially given the parallels with The Seven from The Boys (which you can explore more in this article https://www.cbr.com/the-seven-vs-avengers). The Boys is a parody, but if you're familiar with it or read the article, you’ll understand what I mean. That mention made the drama feel even more self-aware and creative than it already was. Honestly, Thor might as well be a hidden main character...
- More in the comments, under the spoiler tag.
The initial concept of the drama is to bring together 7 villains and to condemn then.
They are all heavily related to Da Mi, an innocent girl whose life turns into hell before she disappears from the world.
Bound together by life, or rather by death... The journey of the 7 begins.
The title of the first season is War for Survival, the title of the second season is Resurrection.
The first episode is enough to decide if it's for you or not. While Penthouse may be fine for many, 7 Escape is something else. The plot is very brutal so it can be overwhelming. For me, it was ecstatic. It also doesn't shy away from pure survival and extreme psychological themes at one point.
In terms of social status and backgrounds, 7 Escape is already different. The characters aren't meant to be rich like in Penthouse, and it's not the same kind of very classy drama. Look at the posters, compare this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/eYlLlY_4) to this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/p3ZzD_3) and this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/QJdAJ2_4) to this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/ENb8O_4). It's obvious right? You can also click on my profile, I have all posters displayed.
Anyway, I want to clarify that your opinion of Penthouse doesn't necessarily matter. Proof? I'm not even a fan of Penthouse. I started watching 7 Escape with a friend who barely made it through the first five episodes, but from the very first episode, he was as obsessed as I was.
Advices : Always watch the intro, the end-of-episode visuals accompanied by the music and the closing logo, and the credits at the end of each season. The only thing you can skip is the preview for the next episode. Additionally, I’ll share some links in the comments. A cool detail to note: the logo features a dual design, with one side displaying the title of the first season and the other side showing the title of the second season. I discovered this neat touch in a video, the link is included. Also, don’t miss the bonus scenes in Season 2. (They do not appear after the previews, of course.)
Do I need to talk about the biblical and mythological references in S2's opening? Simply insane.
Regarding the soundtrack, it's a brilliant blend of classical and modern music—much like the drama itself—which makes it easily my favorite OST album.
The 'ridiculousness' isn't confined to the story alone—it permeates every aspect of the production. From the editing to the sound and visual effects, and even the storytelling, the introduction presents a very intriguing foreshadowing, followed by an incredibly fast-paced, event-packed, and dramatic narrative that embraces the chaotic nature of its own creation.
The sets and costumes also deserve commendation, as they splendidly reflect the drama's grandeur and extravagance. It is interesting to note that the drama has an impressive world-building, too.
If the Seven aren't your cup of tea, you will most likely not enjoy the drama, or not to its full extent at least. The drama has such a strong aura, but you either savour it or hate it.
Kim Soon Ok has become the screenwriter I respect the most, and I wish I could thank her in person. Extremely creative she is, even the most creative, but also extremely sensible and spiritual. I could tell by the script that she's a really fun and witty individual more than I could in Penthouse. In fact, if I were to compare the dark humor and comic relief characters in both dramas, my preference would strongly lean towards 7 Escape—as it does with everything else. I don't have anything against Penthouse though, I also think it's a masterpiece. On a side note, while 7 Escape introduces moments of comedy, it skillfully maintains the tragic, heavy atmosphere that defines the piece.
Be warned, Season 2 is more serious and less fun than Season 1—I was in tears. But that's what makes it so refreshing. It feels like a natural progression, especially given the ending of Season 1. The new season brings a shift in tone, introducing different vibes, new dynamics, a new main character, and plenty of cool scenes to explore.
I'm not great at explaining technical details, but you'll definitely notice a difference in the writing, screenplay, cinematography, and sound design. Pay attention to how everything, including the characters, has evolved. Season 2 carries its own unique charm, which is already apparent when you compare the posters and ID films. Season 1 is vibrant, colorful, and flashy, while Season 2 is mystical, vivid, and visually stunning. Overall, it creates a cold and mysterious atmosphere.
Chaotic yet intelligent, psychotic and toxic, twisted and intense—dynamic and modern, even futuristic and dystopian. It's relevant, meaningful, complex, and unconventional, offering limitless, provocative, and unpredictable elements. The production, the writing, the acting, it's absolutely mind-blowing. I barely could handle so much goodness from the start. There's just so much passion and dedication put into this rollercoaster. The writing might get some people frustrated because it is intended to be blurry, especially at the beginning, but it made it all the more intriguing for me. Expect the beginning to be particularly chaotic, there are a lot of characters and storylines. Besides, the out-of-the-box storytelling (like the premise) only made me fall in love more with the drama. It starts out with a deliberately forced setting, and the drama consistently adheres to this stylistic approach throughout.
The story is so huge and complicated, I don't know how Kim Soon Ok wrote that but she did anyway. The pacing is also terrific. I once saw a comment saying that no one writes as deliciously and excitingly as she does. I wouldn’t have agreed with that before, but now I do. I might end up enjoying The Last Empress more than Penthouse, but nothing will ever come close to 7 Escape for me. All I can say is genius. Even more so because managing to write the most inhumane and humane, soulless and soulful, hopeless and hopeful plot all at the same time is certainly something to achieve. Hence, while it may be the ultimate escape from reality, it also brings you back to it in the most powerful and impactful way, and that's where all its beauty lies.
Maybe you need to be unhinged and sadistic to truly and fully enjoy this... I mean, I do feel bad for fictional characters, but here it's not the same and I can only say that I had a blast. I loved these villains from the start and the first episodes were already a delight to watch. If there's one drama I would like to experience again from the start, it's this one.
As entertainment, it definitely serves, but it is so much more. Like my favorite reviewer said, if you are not afraid of diving into the abysm of the human species, 7 Escape is right here for you. Additionally, in a world where the truth is increasingly an abstract concept, the drama does an excellent job at conveying that.
Overall, it has some of the coolest concepts I have ever seen, and I am personally in love with the execution. For its innovation, originality, and boldness, along with its clear passion for art and creativity, The Escape of the Seven proves itself as a thoughtful, transcendent work that goes beyond realism or mere entertainment. It is truly interesting in a way that has never been done before and won't be able to be recreated in the future. If you expected a simple thriller, you will be proven wrong. I see it as a true tribute to artistic freedom and expression.
Everything seemed to be designed for me including the characters and that's why this drama is now my all-time favorite and a dream come true. I was not that shocked at the madness because this is what I wanted and always dreamed of, I was more like shocked at how good it was because it kept exceeding my expectations.
7 Escape is, in conclusion, Korean dramaturgy in all its glory. I'm sorry if you don't feel the same way as I do towards it, but if you enjoy it that's enough for me. And if you love it, almost or as much as I do, I'd be the happiest.
Before finishing, I would like to say that in terms of content, it is the richest drama ever made. From the themes of justice, technology, societal decay, revenge, to so much more.
Final words : In the end, can you escape your sins ?
Thank you for reading !
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