Amidst the growing winds of content based on comics and novels, it is rare to find original shows. But the Korean series, GyeongSeong Creature, proudly comes across as a much-needed departure.
The show has ten episodes in all, divided into two parts, the first of which has seven episodes.
The remaining three will be released on January 5, 2024. Interestingly, Netflix describes it as a Suspenseful and horror show.
Is that the case though? Here is my review.
GyeongSeong Creature Synopsis
Jang Tae-sang, a man of many means, must find a woman if he wants to save his pawn show and all his wealth.
While doing so, his path collides with Yoon Chae-ok, who is searching for a mysterious painter.
If they are to achieve their respective goals, the duo must face a deadly creature created by the Japanese army to help them during World War II.
Higher-ups in the Japanese army use Anthrix to develop a creature that can work as a deadly weapon for them during the war.
Created by Kang Eun-kyung and Chung Dong-yoon, the series features Park Seo-jun (Jang Tae-sang), Han So-hee (Yoon Chae-ok), Claudia Kim (Maeda), and Kim Hae-sook (Nawol-daek), among others.
What Works for GyeongSeong Creature?
Ask any cinephile, K-dramas are a pleasure to watch. GyeongSeong Creature is no different.
The series is a big deal for it introduces a concept that looks grand and has room for scaling up as and when needed.
It’s an idea that grows with the storyline.
Set in the 1940s, during the days of war, the story follows the desperate want of the Japanese army to win and rule by any means.
To achieve their goal, some personnel in GyeongSeong indulge in scientific experiments using Najin, an undisclosed chemical component, which they had extracted from another territory. They capture poor people to run human trials.
If successful, the individual would turn into a deadly creature which would then be used by the Japanese army to wreak havoc.
In essence, this is what GyeongSeong Creature propagates. The storyline then brings two eccentric leads to nourish the plot.
Engaging and full of mystery, the narrative is well-built. It is not rushed to a conclusion and takes time to naturally settle down.
The makers have tried to keep the fantasy idea of a supernatural creature as real as possible.
They craft a setup of a small Korean town under the siege of the Japanese army. Though a tragic backdrop hovers around, vibrance never leaves the scene.
The colorful picturesque landscape behaves pretty well from a cinematic point of view.
Moreover, suspense and mystery extend full support by throwing intriguing theories consistently.
The series neatly hides its pivotal parts, bringing them to the fore only when the time is ripe.
It prepares you via buildups and a stimulating sense of curiosity before jumping the gun.
The enchanting background score does the rest. It is equally soothing when the ambiance turns vibrant, as mentioned earlier.
Furthermore, the screenplay of GyeongSeong Creature masters the approach of switching between the past and the present.
I loved how the makers convincingly relied on the present happenings more than the past ones, giving preference to quality over quantity.
Usually, we see an influx of flashbacks in such stories, which doesn’t happen here.
Another significant part of GyeongSeong Creature is the creature itself, meaning the VFX. The editing department makes you believe in the monster you see on the screen.
From the creature’s face to its movements, everything has been taken care of.
When it goes on a rampage with guns blazing in the background, a feeling of utter enchantment takes over the audience.
However, it will be interesting to see if they can replicate the editing success in an outdoor setting when the second part arrives.
GyeongSeong Creature’s fiery action scenes enhance the sparkles of the plot.
But it isn’t just about that, the show has a solid emotional core as well, which balances fierceness with traces of sensitivity.
The wistful moments create a platform for tension to emerge.
Lastly, the heartbreaking visuals of war scenes, including piles of dead bodies stashed upon each other make GyeongSeong Creature a gut-wrenching experience.
It will probably go on to make a global impact just like Money Heist, Dark, and several other non-American shows did.
How are the Performances?
Park Seo-jun as Jang Tae-sang is both sweet and intense. He takes on multiple shades to carry the plot toward its desired trajectory.
The sublime actor uses varied expressions and pulls you through his magnetic charm. A purposeful character sketch allows Seo-jun to objectively make a mark in the series.
He may be a loved personality already, but after GyeongSeong Creature, he is likely to find a much wider global acceptance.
Han So-hee plays Yoon Chae-ok in the Korean series. There is more to her pleasant face and restricted emotional handling.
Her fiery action scenes are a treat to watch alongside So-hee’s nimble screen movement. She can ignite your sentimental side while aiding your adrenaline simultaneously.
The stupendously crafted acting skills are at full display in a role that might land her praises from across the map.
What Doesn’t Work for GyeongSeong Creature?
First and foremost, there is no horror. The series cannot even give fearsome chills. At the most, it leaves you astonished with captivating visuals and, of course, the plot.
It may have been mislabeled on Netflix as a horror series, maybe.
Secondly, at times, the story stops to further the buildups. Understandably, the main product of the show was the ‘creature.’
And the makers wanted it to have an identity of its own, which comes at a natural pace.
However, I still feel the deliberate stagnation of the storyline in the middle phase just to aggrandize a particular aspect doesn’t always work within an otherwise fascinating narration.
Lastly, GyeongSeong Creature restricts itself to a very large extent when the idea could have taken it places.
Almost all the episodes are set inside the hospital. After a while, you just want to get out of it because the predictability factor is also looming in the air.
The second part might do justice to the potential of GyeongSeong Creature.
Stream or Skip?
The series offers all that you’d expect from a mysterious and suspenseful series. You can even binge-watch it in one go despite the lengthy duration.
The one thing you need to keep in mind is that GyeongSeong Creature is not a horror show.
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