Signal (2016)

One of the Most Innovative Thrillers I've Ever Seen!

“Signal” is one of the most innovative and original thrillers I’ve ever had the privilege to watch. It captivates you right from the beginning and never lets up. The writing is crisp and taut, leaving the viewer to sit in wonder as to where the next leg of the story is going to go, while at the same time, wondering what the fate of our three protagonists is.

Park Hae Young is a brilliant criminal profiler with a tragic past, one in which he seems to be the center. While he’s a lieutenant with the police department, he does not like the police, nor does he have any faith in their ability to do their job—and with good reason as we find out as the story unfolds.

Detective Cha Soo Hyun is one of the few female violent crimes detectives who seems cold and a bit aloof, but she’s dedicated to her job, and she also comes with a tragic past: the only person to treat her with respect as well as the love of her life in Detective Lee Jae Han who mysteriously disappeared 15 years ago from when this story is set.

Finally, we have Detective Lee Jae Han who leads a one-man crusade to fight against police and political corruption within the police department. He has absolutely no compunction about acting alone, as he’s determined to always do the right thing and bring justice for those who are incapable of getting it otherwise. In many ways, Lee Jae Han is the glue of the trio, and demonstrates that you can never give up no matter what happens. He is the one person Park Hae Young respects within the police department, and soon Cha Soo Hyun as well.

The main focus of this series is a radio that sends its transmissions into the future, and always at the same time, although not every day. Park Hae Young is soon amazed that he’s speaking to Detective Lee Jae Han in the past, using a radio without batteries! How can this be? The series does not ask nor require an explanation, but simply for the viewer to go with it. Perhaps it is the spirit of Lee Jae Han and his fierce determination that causes this phenomenon to occur. In the end, it doesn’t really matter.

Soon placed on a Cold Case Squad under Cha Soo Hyun, Park Hae Young and Detective Lee Jae Han begin to tackle cold cases of the past, and together, hope to solve them and catch criminals who are uncaught—that is until the mysterious radio transmission begins to occur. Park Hae Young has access to evidence that Detective Lee Jae Han doesn’t in the past, including the future location of crimes at future points in time.

However, we soon learn that not everything is resolved because of this advantage, and Park Hae Young quickly discovers that certain things that have been corrected are not always for the best, as others are forced to pay a price for the interference.

There are plenty of plot twists as the story continues with the three of them trying to uncover the central plot to the story that has caused the death of Detective Lee in the past as well as the death of Park Hae Young’s brother. This, of course, raises certain questions, whether they be moral or ethical: can Detective Lee be saved from his fate? Should he be? And can anything be done to save Park Hae Young’s brother?

The series raises a glaring philosophical question: if you could go back and change something from the past, would you? Most people, without really thinking things through, might quickly say, “Yes!” But then, how would things change? This is something that our three characters must ask and answer within the scope of the story. Kobe Bryant was once asked if he had a time machine, would he not want to go back and change things? He very quickly said, “No. I’d never use it. Because that undermines everything that I ever learn from my mistakes.”

Most people have events of the past that they wish they could have done differently. These may even include tragic moments where accidents or events have led to the death of a loved one. Therefore, it may be far more challenging to refrain from using a time machine ability to change the past with the hope of changing the future.

Time stories are very, very difficult to do well. They tend to fall under one of two results: those done very well, and those that are done very badly. There really isn’t an in-between. This is not only one of the few that does it well, but it’s among the very best that I’ve seen. Perhaps only time stories in the Star Trek universe have been done better.

While all three actors are absolutely fantastic in this series, it’s Jo Jin Woong who is the standout for me. He carries himself beautifully as a dedicated detective who is very uncomfortable with personal advances, such as those we see from Cha Soo Hyun toward him, leading to some absolutely hilarious exchanges between the two of them. He plays a hard-nosed detective who refuses to take guff from anyone, no matter their rank. He’s definitely a very idealistic police officer who still believes in the system and that his job is to bring justice. In many ways, Detective Lee is a true hero.

This is a series that will hold your interest all the way to the end. I had only a slight reservation at the very end, and I thought it was because they might have been leaving the door open for another season, but that wasn’t the case. How did Detective Lee survive/escape his last attack? And are Park Hae Young and Cha Soo Hyun successful in, not only getting to him in time but also able to bring down the corrupt congressman? The answers to the last two questions, we can assume that they do, but the first question is left much more obscure that, frankly, needed an answer. But, neither of these prevented me from being grateful for being able to watch such a fantastic series!

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Beautifully crafted crime drama

Most of the times, I have a hard time watching Korean crime dramas. Though they are exciting to watch, sometimes there are just too many names to remember (hard to remember foreign names vs english ones).

I am currently watching the Queen's Umbrella and saw someone comment in his review how much he liked Kim Hye Soo in Signal. I loved her in Juvenile Justice so I decided to watch Signal and see her in a different role.

After finishing this series in record time, I agree with loving Kim Hye Soo. Not only is she a great actress, she totally suits the role of a tough detective. I also loved Jo Jin Woong. His acting is so natural and he is so in character as Detective Lee Jae Han. I looked around for his other dramas but sad to say that he doesn't have any current ones.

The storyline is also well written. It captures the viewers interest and there are some heart pounding moments when you wonder if this or that is about to happen.

While the radio transmissions give you Frequency vibes, it is still different in certain ways. Definitely a must watch

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After the first three or four "confusing" episodes, 'Signal' provides the outright most amount of emotion and attention-to-detail a drama could ever give. Phenomenal acting by each single member of cast alongside a confusing-at-first plot which turns into a masterpiece, and a production quality that Hollywood would be proud of - it is a definite watch for anyone who enjoys these type of shows. I believe a second season has already bee made and is waiting for release, but if I am wrong, I still believe that a second season should be made - although it's been almost 5 years!

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Not to compared, but i love this over voice. It's more into criminal psychologic study and detective work. The forensic just give a little touch. There's not really called a thriller scene tho. But I loving the different generation to end with. It's no sense if we put it on the real life, since cold cases has too much holes to filled up. But through the time difference, they could! Even though the end was just normal, like other dramas that they'll still alive until several season. The music didn't stand out well. Since i was focused more on the story. But it help a lot wuth the sad scene. Well, this must got a good prising.

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This was the first drama that rose my standard of what I wanted in a drama.
For summary sake this is about a police officer who finds a walkie talkie of a missing officer from the 80s and he can communicate with him from the past at a certain time. together they solve crimes in the past and present.
It has so many twists and turns I couldn't predict what happened next up to the last minute.
1. If soppy love storys are your type of dramas this isn't for you. YES there is a female lead who had a past spark with the missing officer (I never remember names) but is all very subtle and never really brought to the service although their bond is amazing.
2. The acting and emotions are great, I was really drawn into every episode by the incredible acting and storyline.
Minor SPOLIER - The ending can be frustrating as it is a cliffhanger and you have to kind guess what happens but It doesn't bring down the story at all just think of the ending you want as it leaves it up to you anyway.

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Wow... Just wow
This is an epic drama. At first i thought this is just another boring crime solving drama. After watching it, i realized how wrong i was. This drama takes you to a journey of two different people connected by a signal from different times. It's not like you just starts solving cases and won medals and all that. If you change the past present changes too.
Signal is a crime thriller that will keep you on the edge throughout most of the show.
The main leads were really good at what they were doing. they were amazing at their roles. I loved this show.
If you want to enjoy an epic crime thriller with a time traveling twist. This is for you, Don't think twice just go and watch it. You can thank me later.

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Must watch

I loved the series, why i didn't score it higher? because oce the mister is gone, is difficult to re-watch and get the same emotions. I would like a season 2 to complete to blank spots.

The character of Jo Jin Woong brought a baggage of emotions, while I was expecting more from the other 2 main characters, especially Kim Hye Soo, I truly love her works.

The story is great, don't want to spoil the mistery and the OST perfect, I have it on my YouTube private library :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe5J2l2scl8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpyPPEr-9DM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZYSjUADrw&list=PL1LdzvvpQJSAQT_ZSmkVAB8jaRFQjvjWJ&index=2

Is a must see series.
Enjoy !

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Ouvi falar muito sobre, lembro que em dois mil e dezesseis não o encontrei em nenhum lugar para ver, então desisti, porque este ano foi uma safra boa de dramas. Devo ter terminado o ano vendo mais ou menos uns vinte seis. No ano seguinte vi Tunnel, meu primeiro investigativo que envolvia a temática tempo.

Amei como as cenas do presente tem um tom frio azulado e as do passado quente amarelado, isso ajuda muito a diferenciação. Outra coisa que adorei foi como a líder é bem diferente no passado, desastrada, animada, inocente, para do presente séria, controlada e porque não dizer um pouco fria, foi um bom trabalho a criação dessa personagem. No começo me perguntava o que a fez mudar.

Se fosse para escolher o caso mais impactante escolheria o do episódio nove e dez, o ator que fez o assassino deu tudo de si, foi um show de atuação.

Sobre o walkie talkie, particularmente não ligo para uma explicação, é uma ficção científica sobrenatural, nem sempre se tem todas as respostas para todas as perguntas. Viver é uma eterna busca de conhecimento.

Não vi pontas soltas, mas sobre pontos negativos, às vezes não senti profundidade na atuação de Lee Je Hoon, mas como estou acompanhando ele em Taxi Driver, vejo que evoluiu muito. O final poderia ter sido mais completo, não precisava desse gancho para uma segunda temporada que nunca aconteceu. Vi em algum lugar que talvez aconteça, espero que sim, não consigo me conformar com este final.

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this will be my first ever review. read on.

i started watching signal at a rather impressionable age. at one where i'd be easily blinded by enjoyment over everything as my primary factor for rating a title. then, it was a 10 for me. almost 3 years later, it's still a 10 for me, but now i've a bit wider vocabulary to word how i feel about this series as accurately as possible or even assess it.

this title greatly sticks out of the usual norm of korean dramas and, depending on the circumstances, it may not even be for everyone or, it might not be your cup of tea if you're looking for something light-hearted or totally opposite.

since i cannot summarize the story in my own way because of review rules, i will instead be vocal about my impressions on it, the other factors, and what i've disliked.

i don't have a particular preference when it comes to k-dramas but as i've said before, this one greatly sticks out of the norm. it is thought-provoking, it keeps you on the edge of your seat almost every time, emotionally, it plays with you and intellectually & methodically, it toys with you. events that happen during the series might not be immediately obvious to you, so that's why you have to make sure to pay attention so you don't miss anything. that's something i love about this series & observation is one of the key points of this drama, from a viewer perspective. the same goes for the plot hole of the series. what stops me from giving a 10 on story is the lack of information about the very key object of the drama, the walkie-talkie. what is it's origin, why is it able of doing what it does? those were the questions i've had near the end of the drama that eventually were not answered. although it would've been better for the general experience, it didn't stop me from enjoying the drama to the extent of giving it such high ratings.

onto the cast/acting. let's just say there's a reason why i gave a 10 on cast/acting. i've faced with most of the cast for the first time when i saw this drama, but i've had the fortune of watching tomorrow with you, in which lee je hoon was the main lead. i was impressed by his versatility & general acting. the cast chosen for this title is brilliant. they got into their characters remarkably well, i was very impressed. it was a tense & emotional run for me which is, for one, because of the cast.

onto the music. crème de la crème of this k-drama. music is very important since it takes part in setting the ambiance or, that might just be my opinion, i don't know. anyway. the ost is rather bitter & tearful and by giving it a listen you could have the general idea of what this drama would be like. the bgm is suspenseful & gloomy but right on-point too. i love listening to it sometimes, just for the reminiscing of it.

this concludes it i guess.

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I am speechless (in a good way)

My head is spinning ( just finished the last episode )

first case ( 1-4 ish):
I was pumped, and full of adrenaline, it was crazy and the story was interesting.

I calmed and acted it got solved. And I kinda of didn't have the urge to watch the next episode right away.
The same thing happened with the other cases until around episodes 7-8 ( I think) where the cases got more personal/related to our main characters and I got emotionally attached to them so I was more invested in the drama. It's kind crazy how much I ended up loving the characters when I am not really that attached to the characters of thriller/mystery dramas.

The story was interesting and done well.
Though it made my head spin a few times, it wasn't that confusing.

The last episode was something, the drama suggested so many things, like how the transmissions could have gone to someone else and it was just crazy and I am really happy that he was alive.

I really love how all three main characters had some sort of relationship.
Even though this isn't a romance, the relationship and chemistry between detectives Lee Jaehan and Cha So Hyun was so cute and then Cha So Hyun and Park Hae-young had less of an implied romantic relationship but they had a hot sizzling chemistry and weirdly, I was shipping for both relationships.
( I don't usually ship a person with a lot of people)

I feel like they won't make a second season, but I wonder how they will do the story if they decide to, like there are so many things to touch on but I wonder what they will do the characters with)

I am not unhappy about the open-ended even though I was wishing for a reunion of all three of them but yeah, this is a good drama and it really made me cry especially when our main characters were on the verge of death.

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