I don't know about you, but I love when an opening credits sequence instantly grabs me. It doesn't happen often. The only example I can think of is "Game of Thrones," which hooked viewers right away. Well, the new Korean Netflix show "Gyeongseong Creature" does just that with its creepy opening theme. You see paintings morph into something more terrifying, with blood, bodies, and solemn music. It sets the tone perfectly for the fantasy thriller ride ahead.
And what a ride it is! With "Hot Stove League" director Chung Dong Yoon at the helm and two giant Hallyu stars in Park Seo-joon and Han So-hee, expectations were sky-high for this big-budget production. Considering South Korea's recent success in the creature feature genre with shows like "Sweet Home," "All of Us Are Dead," "Duty After School," and "Happiness," the bar was set high. Dong Yoon delivers the goods and then some by blending fantasy, horror, and action thriller elements into one killer cocktail.
Welcome to 1945 Gyeongseong
The show is set in 1945 Gyeongseong, Korea, during the final days of the Japanese occupation. We meet Jang Tae-sang, played brilliantly by Seo-joon. He owns a pawn shop, The House of Golden Treasure, and wheeling and dealing is in his blood. Tae-sang knows all the angles when it comes to surviving in treacherous Gyeongseong. And good thing too, because he soon gets enlisted to find a missing woman named Myeong-ja.
In the process, Tae-sang crosses paths with tenacious sleuth Yoon Chae-ok, portrayed perfectly by So-hee. After returning home to find her mom (who disappeared 10 years prior), Chae-ok teams up (somewhat reluctantly) with Tae-sang. Their investigation leads them to a mysterious hospital where human experimentation has spawned a terrifying creature.
And when I say terrifying, I mean terrifying! This creature feels wholly unique compared to others I've seen. It's sad and emotional, making it even more frightening. Tae-sang and Chae-ok have no choice but to fight against it, even when it seems hopeless.
A Fully Realized Fantasy World
Dong-yoon crafts not just a good story here but an immersive world. 1945 Gyeongseong feels alive and layered thanks to beautiful cinematography and production design. It becomes a character unto itself. The show also boasts an incredible supporting cast in Wi Ha-joon, Kim Hae-sook, Claudia Kim, and Jo Han-chul. They help establish a palpable sense of mood and place to suck you into the period setting.
After a first episode dedicated to world-building, the show unleashes gripping fantasy action. And I simply can't praise the direction and camerawork enough here. The way Dong Yoon shoots the violence and gore while keeping the creature partially obscured is masterful. It harkens back to Jaws where you don't see the whole creature at first. This makes it even scarier.
There's a shot reflecting bloodshed in a character's glasses that sent chills down my spine. And wait until you see the creature conjure thorny branches as a shield. It's an astounding visual feat thanks to seamless VFX. Moments like these validate why this series warranted a big-budget treatment. This isn't your average creature feature but rather one cutting-edge in FX and filmmaking.
Well-Executed Tone and Stylistic Shifts
What also works so well is the show's ability to juggle different tones and styles. We go from tragic emotion to comic banter pretty effortlessly thanks to the versatile cast and concise writing. Screenwriter Kang Eun-kyung ensures transitions in character don't feel abrupt but rather earned. For instance, Tae-sang believably progresses from a glib pawn shop owner all about the money to a selfless hero bit by bit. Seo-joon's layered performance sells this evolution remarkably.
So-hee also impresses with her ability to pivot from hard-hitting action to vulnerable character moments. She and Seo-joon share crackling chemistry too, both comic and romantic. And I'd be remiss without mentioning how delightful Seo-joon and Wi Ha-joon are together. Their buddy comedy rapport brings levity between fantasy horror set pieces.
Since it's set at the twilight of Japanese occupation, the language seamlessly moves between Korean and Japanese. This might trip up non-Korean speakers, but stick with the subtitles. Because while disorienting initially, it ultimately feeds the rich atmosphere and period authenticity.
One Killer Cliffhanger
My only qualms with the series come in Episode 1. Due to table setting, the premiere moves slower than I'd like. The gore also feels gratuitous in moments, simply too visceral for the sake of shock value. But neither issue ultimately takes away from the series' fantastic fantasy/action storytelling.
This brings us to the end, which I'm bummed to report is indeed...the end! Well, for now at least. "Gyeongseong Creature" has two parts, with Part 1 consisting of seven episodes. The finale leaves you with quite the killer cliffhanger making me relieved Part 2 arrives on January 5th. I already can't wait to see where the story goes next.
In the meantime, if you're seeking a slick Korean thriller blending genres, gorgeous production design, and charismatic performances, mark your calendar. Because Gyeongseong Creature offers all of that and then some for fantasy fans hungry for their next obsession. Watch it on Netflix now!
Answering All Your Questions
How many episodes are there in Gyeongseong Creature?
Gyeongseong Creature is a South Korean web series with a total of 10 episodes. The series is split into two parts, with Part 1 consisting of seven episodes and Part 2 having three episodes left. The first seven episodes of Part 1 were released on December 22, 2023. The remaining three episodes will be released in Part 2 on January 5, 2024. The show is set in 1945 in Gyeong Seong (the old name for Seoul) and follows the story of people who fight fiercely at the border between life and death.
Comments