Jigeum Uri Hakgyoneun

Another Netflix/South Korea/TV Show connection and it works again. This time the fan club is smaller, but the numbers speak for themselves. The most watched series in 25 countries, over 75% on IMDB and Rotten, so we can definitely talk about success. But I have some minor reservations. I was expecting the event of the year, but I got rather pleasant zombie entertainment. Once again the Koreans have bet on a not quite traditional setting, namely a high school where a zombie apocalypse breaks out (this stuff has already appeared in Anime and a couple of cheaper indie horror films, but not in anything downright commercial yet). Most of the ideas are recycled from elsewhere, but that doesn't mean it doesn't look fucking good when all these scenes come together. The first half was the best for me. The zombies have an unpleasant look (great bone crunching and transformations), the gore is just right, the suspense and the cramped school setting that you can't escape from works great, and the characters work, although they make some weird decisions at times, but I wouldn't necessarily blame the writer – different mentality, different world. I agree that twelve hours is unnecessarily long, 6 to 8 would have been quite optimal, but the series still managed to keep my attention, entertained me and kept me on my toes. There were a few interesting and new elements throughout (especially the hybrids, infected with no sign of contagion, a very cool new element). Adding to a zombie apocalypse humanistic villains that are ignored by the zombies is pretty refreshing and you have to admit that the central aggressor is a classy and sneaky bastard. Aside from the length, I was a bit bothered by the fact that the students tend to run away and don't put up much of a fight, I would have liked work on some weapons to make the action stand out more. At times I was sadly reminded of the headshots from Army of the Dead, and of course it’s not missing the mandatory Korean melodrama, but I didn't find it as irritating as when it's done with adults. All in all, it could have been better, but on the other hand, proper zombie stuff with bigger budgets are scarce and I appreciate every effort. Story 3/5, Action 4/5, Humour 2/5, Violence 4/5, Fun 4/5 Music 4/5, Visuals 4/5, Atmosphere 4/5, Suspense 4/5, Emotion 4/5, Actors 3/5. 7.5/10. (07/02/2022)

After three episodes, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to bother with the rest. It's not downright bad in terms of craftsmanship, Netflix knows how to handle that, but it’s a series with no distinctive style, likeable characters, or anything else that would make me want to sit through a crazy 12 hours of it. Korean zombies on autopilot, better take the Train to Busan or Kingdom. (04/02/2022)