The Guest (2018)

The best written thriller show I've seen in a lot of time!

I give it a 10 because I can't give it more, but I would if I could! This is one amazingly written drama where the writers gives you all the hints of who the bad guy (does it count as a bad guy when we are talking about a demon?) really is but they are so good at telling the story that they distract you with other different clues so you keep going round thinking about some possibilities when they are there as the perfect smokescreen. As a fan of mystery, thriller and crime stories this one has been PERFECT for me as for once i have been fooled till the last episode and when the explanation came it was logical and well prepared.
So if you like a very very good mystery and you do not sppok when it's about demons, possesions and religion this will totally captivate you.
On top of the story the directing is well paced and brings you in the story with the characters, which are another great point of The Guest. It's impossible to watch and not feel affection for the trio of mismatched heroes and the plethora of other characters presetented in all the episodes. All the actors have done an incredible job, the ones playing possessed people were so unbelievably good! My only regret is that now when I will rewatch it I will already know how it ends.

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So scary and so good!!

I love this show!! Definitely one of my all- time favorites, and one of the few k-dramas that i have re-watched. This show is so creepy, an excellent horror show. I'm a big fan of Kim Jae Wook, and i really enjoyed his role as the 'hot' priest (ie he is so good looking and such an excellent actor that he could vacuum for an hour and i will happily watch! ) He and the rest of the stellar cast do not disappoint!! Right from the beginning, it is set up like an interesting mystery ( who is Park Il Do), and it holds the suspense and tension all the way through, it makes for excellent binge watching.

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Easy Watch with huge doses of stupidity

LIKES:
Cinematography and scene locations were well done and chosen.
Costumes for the supporting characters, also were good.
FX and use of CGI was pretty good too.
They didn’t push any romance between the three main leads, which is refreshing for once since it’s a Korean drama.
The ending was rushed, but satisfactory in terms of conclusion.
Acting for the most part was good, especially the children. I liked how they showed Yoon Hwa Pyung “seeing” the demon’s moves. Also the Priest Choi Yoon showed a good range of emotion, considering how stoic his character was presented.
There was enough blood, gore and creepy moments to keep me watching.
Story set up of the main demon controlling lesser spirits, was a new spin on the genre, even though other parts were cliche or the usual trope. Also for the writing some twists were good, although not really unexpected. I also liked how they linked together the three main characters.
Music was okay and appropriate for the scenes, but nothing really stood out


DISLIKES:

WRITING:
FL would have been better as an investigative reporter instead of a police woman. The reason I say this, is due to her stupid reactions or lack there of. As a cop she should know better in certain circumstances, than to go into a crime scene, or enter a dangerous situation and then get distracted so the bad evil doer can sneak behind and attack. The writers failed with her character on so many levels.
All three main leads had no character growth.
Certain themes were over used and became too repetitive to really impact the viewer.
The person who was the real great demon was a little to obvious and I knew who it was early on.
Supporting characters, like Look Gwang (shaman) were under utilized.
The back story of the main demon, was a bit simplistic and under developed.

DIRECTING:
Once again the characters took too long to react in certain situations, especially based on their particular occupation. Also there was a lot of time spent with the characters running around.

PRODUCTION:
As with a lot of Korean dramas, this had shaky camera syndrome, where they didn’t use a film stabilizer. It took away from the emotions of that moment, rather than add anything.

PACING:
I fast forwarded some episodes, because it moved too slow. And even doing so, it was easy to follow the storyline. Also a lot of filler scenes and conversations.


OVERALL:
Very easy to watch, not especially scary either. I didn’t binge watch it, because it didn’t grab my attention in the thriller mystery department. After watching 3 episodes in a row, I switched it off no problem. For someone just bringing to watch Korean thrillers, this would be recommended. If you like this ghost/thriller/supernatural type of genre, you might want to check out Oh My Ghost (2015) South Korean drama. I won’t watch it again.

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PERFECT. BRILLIANT. YOU SHOULD WATCH THIS!
# 1 drama on my list. Well-written and well-portrayed.
My 9 year old daughter is a scared cat but she can't stop watching every episodes with me. That's how oddly beautiful this drama made. Highly recommended. If only I can give a million star rating. Nope, I'm not overreacting, it's just I can't compare this to other drama or movies. This is a MASTERPIECE.

The writers might have the most talent. Thank you for creating this storyline.
The actors, I can't imagine some other who can give justice to their characters like how these actors did in this drama.
OCN you made the right choice.

I myself was possessed, I know everything. I have talents as well in spirits but all those worst times made my faith stronger more than ever. From a shaman to a priest. Yes I'm healed. Forgiveness and allowing others for help is the key. Prayer of St. Benedict and St. Michael , is the best weapon in an exorcism.

Why I applaud this drama because of reasons, I can relate to every character. Nothing is wrong with this one, they made a research for sure.

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Seldom do we see such gripping and captivating dramas in dramaland. Dramas that start strong and stay like that throughout their run. The guest is a near-masterpiece of the genre, that wasn't afraid to actually go for it, wasn't there for cheap scares, didn't base its plot on jump scares and did not settle for thriller character cliches.

Two aspects were aced here, being so well executed, that actually made me overlook any possible minor plot hole or mediocre acting that passed through the episodes.

Plot-wise, taking a leaf out of pretty much every psychological/religious drama scenario, we get a pretty classic story of a superior evil spirit who possesses someone, kill some people and years later relatives of those gather by chance to avenge their loved ones deaths. What a great way to make the story personal and lure you in. It just always works, doesn't it?

But what exactly made this drama truly great? The cinematography. When it comes to thriller, you need two things, a good enough plot (innovation doesn't always equals quality) and excellent editing. The story is there and believe it gets carried on wonderfully, with its twists, its cliffhangers, teasing and confusing the viewer to keep things fresh and it does always work. However, what exceeded my expectations here was the montage and effects.

The drama focuses on exorcism. Being a religious thriller enthusiast, I've devoured more than half of Hollywood's exorcism-themed movies (the original 1977 version of the exorcist still being the best), I can safely say, they freaking delivered! The music, the editing, the montage, the colors, the atmosphere, the sound effects, the cuts, the directing, everything was top notch. Creating and cultivating a creepy, gloomy, ominous, sinister and ultimately terrifying aura that not only draws you in, but also sends shivers down your spine, makes your eyes water and pretty much makes you wanna sleep with the lights on. Thriller goal met!

The drama can be separated in two parts. The first 8 episodes focused more on separate sub stories that all tied up and were obviously connected in the end, simultaneously helping the main characters from some kind of bond which will be instrumental for the drama to work later on. While the latter 8 episodes focused on the actual goal of the story, find and vanquish the evil spirit!

The drama a started extremely fast paced, the first couple of episodes were exhilarating, it does get slowed down later on, but finds its pace quickly. While this did bother me, the flawless creepy atmosphere of the whole thing made up for it. The drama does not get dragged, although you do get your average classic unnecessary lengthy kdrama conversations while setting the story and I could stay and mention some possible plot holes I stumbled upon, but who really cares. Insignificant details In the great scheme of things. I will, still, praise the development of the story and the number of twists they pulled on us. Special mention though, should be the game they played with our minds, keeping us guessing who the bad guy is without getting annoyed, for like 7 episodes or so. My attention span is way lower than this usually.

The second aspect that worked wonders here were the characters. I especially enjoyed how flawed they were, not your average hero-y people you'd find in similar dramas. I can understand why they could be seen as irritating, they indeed were, but that made them that much more human to me and I loved that. Moreover, I adored their relationship. It felt too real. They never stopped fighting and the drama lacked random cute moments between them, but you could see how they grew to care and depend on each other. Nice writing there. The actors also had commendable chemistry and it showed.

I should mention that the drama features some (neccessary to be honest) comic relief which was quite constant too. I enjoyed that too.

As far as the acting is concerned, imma give a shoutout to almost every supporting actor here, cause their role in making this work was instrumental. The main cast was good, but not exceptional or particularly memorable. Nevertheless, I especially enjoyed Kim Hye Eun, who was luscious in every scene!

Off to the hard part, this is a totally worth watching drama, a must watch if you want. Nonetheless, it is scary, and if you got issues with possession, exorcism, religious things, blood, noises of bones cracking, creepy smiles and generally cannot watch a horror film alone, you... might want go rethink this. Still, I would definitely recommend you try or force a friend or loved one to sit through it together. I can easily guarantee they will have fun if they are fans of the genre. This is s good one, not to be missed!

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Three Fates Intertwined

Is it the demons we should be afraid of, or are humans the scariest of all?

First things first, TW's for explicit gore (even though they blur it out, it is pretty aggressive), excessive violence, and other dark elements.

This is the dark tale of a demon who is determined to wreak havoc on the world and the three people who fight him with everything they have. They say Sohn comes from the East Sea, and he comes to prey on those who have fears or anger living inside them. By the hand of fate, three children's lives intertwine through Park II Do (Sohn) after he kills their parents/loved ones. They all meet again when they get older and come together to hunt down and eradicate Park II Do who has been hiding the whole time. We follow along on their exorcisms and dangerous mishaps. There is plenty of mystery to go around, and they basically run circles around who the true culprit is. I was quite impressed with how well the story continued to lead bread crumbs while keeping me on my toes to the very end.

The acting is very on point. I cringed, cried, and cheered our good guys on. Everything was believable right down to the demonic possession and the desperation in our main characters. There is no romance, but there wasn't any room for it in the plot and the chemistry between the three mains stands out wonderfully. I think the only thing I would critique about The Guest would be how lengthy it was. I'm not sure if it was all the dark elements with barely any reprieve, but it did feel a little long for my liking. It was to build suspense, which it did well, but I think it could have been shortened a little bit along the way. However, it hit the nail on the head for the horror, thriller, and mystery storyline so I'm not too hung up on it. The OST is hauntingly beautiful and I suggest checking it out even if this drama doesn't seem like your cup of tea.

All in all, a good drama and well worth the watch. I would recommend if you're looking for something with dark, serious, and rewarding content.

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Didn't expect it to be so good

I don't exactly remeber how I found this drama but I'm glad that I did.
If you're tired or taking break from romantic movies like I am, You need to watch this drama. Even though it's supernatural, it delievers everything that is preffered in a drama. The three main actors portrayed their roles perfectly. I naturally tend to keep a drama on hold or drop it if it gets boring in the middle, but this drama never troubled me. I completed this drama within 4 days which is quite fast for me.
What do you expect from a drama? Good storyline? Friendship? Bromance? Satisfying ending? Well, you can find everything here. Does not become boring and will keep you in the edge of your seat throught the entire drama.
I'm into romance-thriller drama. Some might think it would have been better with a bit of romance but trust me, it was a lot better without romance. Anyways give it a try and you won't regret it.

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"It came from the East Sea..."

As someone who loves, but is not easily scared by horror, this show is terrifying, in a beautiful, tragic way. Although it is visually horror and the initial plot is very similar to a typical ghost story, this show is so much more than just that. It is somewhere between genres, somewhere inexplicable. The fear that it evokes doesn't come from the images or jump-scares, it comes from the story and the acting. It's one of those shows that can't really be explained in its entirety because its much more than just plot and images, it's feeling and emotion.

I found myself on the edge of my seat the entire show, and finished it in 3 days. There was never once a dull moment. The acting was superb, from both the main leads and the side characters (including the possessed). Kim Jae Wook really outdid himself... I thought it was his best performance yet. The possessions were very realistic (if that's possible lol) and relied on acting as opposed to CGI. The story was well thought out and compelling. The music, often very experimental and ambient, was simply chilling and very fitting for the tone and atmosphere of the show. As I mentioned above, I'm not easily frightened by horror, but this show had my heart pounding. The jump-scares didn't shock me, the graphic nature of the violence didn't disturb me, however the suspense was inescapably nerve-wracking.

I don't recommend this show to the faint of heart, but I recommend it to anyone who can stand a bit of horror. This show leaves a lasting impression and won't be easily forgotten, not in a nightmarish way, but in the sense that it will leave a mark on the viewer. I feel like I've said a lot of nothingness, but this show is immensely difficult to describe in words. The only word that comes to mind, the only word that can adequately describe "The Guest" is...

haunting.

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Watch it without giving a second thought

First thing first, OCN is riding on such a high because of such amazing stories and dramas, you have to give the network their due credit for not shying away with experimenting with every kind of genre.
The story is really something to think about because it shows real life problems from a different and twisted perspective, you may or may not agree with but have to admit to the ills of the world. The whole concept is masterfully tackled and there is no empty space between the story, acting and the final product. This one is for everyone to watch. Do not miss out on a gem of a drama that needs much-deserved appreciation.
As for the cast, what to say. Mind-blowing chemistry between the leads and the supporting cast, especially the ones that had to act out "possessed". From grandpa to a child, everyone was amazing at their work. The way each lead played off, off on each other's energy was commendable. Kim Dong Wook, Kim Jae Wook and Jung Eun Chae were the perfect casting and has become one of my favourite team to root for.
The story is a rollercoaster ride through and through and keeps you on your toes until the very end. Usually, such stories are difficult to express due to fear of making it look draggy, but not here. The writers did such a fantastic job jotting down each character and situation that there would be almost no loop-holes to be found.
Such a perfect drama can only come from such a fine network.

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"Eenie, meenie, miney, mo — who’s the vessel for Park Il-do?" - Dramabeans (Recap Ep 12)
The above line perfectly captures what the drama quickly descends into after the first episode. I'll admit that the first episode was scary, and I almost wanted to stop watching because I was spooked, but by episode two's end I could tell there was going to be a pattern to this. Hwa Pyung will reunite with Kang Gil Young and Mateo, and go from case to case trying to find where Park Il Do is. The funny thing is that he has no plan whatsoever for vanquishing the stubborn, superior demon, and is aware that previous attempt of exorcising the spirit failed. His shaman friend continues to dissuade him from his mission, reminding him that no one can deal with the demon as it is extremely strong. However, Hwa Pyung refuses to heed the numerous advices given to him by various secondary and main characters over the course of the series.

I was bothered by the lack of character development in all three of the main characters. We are not told what Hwa Pyung has been up to during the time gap between his childhood and his adulthood. His bosses in the taxi service apparently allow him to wander wherever, shirk his duties, damage the taxi he drives, spend large bouts of time not doing his job, and still pay him. He remains stubborn, emotional and reckless throughout the series, at least up until where I watched. Honestly I got sick and tired of the name Park Il Do coming out of his lips every five seconds in every episode. There are no obvious traumatic signs from his childhood incidents, and he doesn't really display any guilt or internal torture after having killed his mother and grandmother while being possessed. He doesn't seem afraid that he might get possessed again and might end up killing the remainder of his family (there's no immunity against being possessed you know!).

As for Kang Gil Young, initially I disliked her character because she is equally stubborn and remarkably slow-witted in the first few episodes. Her interactions with her partner became so repetitive and cringeworthy after a while. He keeps jumping when Hwa Pyung shows up, keeps asking why Gil Young hangs out with him, and she continues to keep him in the dark. Lather, rinse and repeat. A similar pattern is seen with Hwa Pyung and the shaman, with the latter being meek and reluctant, trying to dissuade Hwa Pyung from his reckless endeavors, and essentially being used and discarded as per Hwa Pyung's needs. Shockingly I was fine with Mateo's character, perhaps because his hard-to-read physiognomy suited his job as an exorcist and his background. He displays emotion when the possessed people remind him of the horrors his big brother committed, and he starts to care for Hwa Pyung and Gil Young, while the latter two don't seem to have much attachment toward him.

The CGI was a little disappointing as well. The multiple eye stabbings and people gulping down water like crazy became overused and redundant. The background of the Park Il Do spirit was lackluster and vague. A guy goes to Japan and comes back evil, kills his wife and kid and gives himself over to the devil. That's it?

I found that clicking the next episode was becoming very difficult, and I was watching the drama at nearly 2x speed till I quit and wondered why I should continue to waste my time. The drama was not scary at all after episode 1, and I find it really odd that so many people seem to have enjoyed it.

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Honestly, this I'd the first ever horror drama i've ever watched. It definitely did not disappoint. The suspense and anticipation for every episode was high. The cinematography was really good. The music was 10/10 really suitable and it gave me chills. It really felt creepy. This is something to watch when you want adventure, suspense and the feeling of getting surprised every time. The story was executed well and the acting was really really good. It didn't feel boring at all at some point and you really have to pay attention to it and you would want to miss anything.

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