viking
Inspector Koo is another Sherlockian wannabe, but is that a bad thing?
Story:
Inspector Koo follows a middle-aged reclusive woman with the typical Sherlockian characteristics as she, and her subordinates, follow the trail of a serial killer. The serial killer is made obvious and introduced from the start, creating a cat-and-mouse game that antagonises the audience for 12 episodes. Although there are several issues with this story, including how erratic some aspects of the plot felt, it was still relatively enjoyable. This kdrama is possibly the best definition of a dark comedy/thriller-comedy that I have seen, coming near to The Killer's Shopping List (which I feel is a better show).
I found most scenes to be visually intense or enjoyable, but the actual plot itself got seriously complex in the later episodes, enough so that it started to create more questions that need answering. This is the issue when the screenwriters try to write a plot that includes everyone or adds depth to character.
Inspector Koo, the main character of the show, has spent the last 5 years as a recluse due to her husband's suicide. However, I felt like more scenes with the husband (and Koo) in the past should have been included to give more access for the audience. There was a constant incomplete picture, which of course, added mystery, but I was no longer left questioning things and instead was forced to let it play out.
I will admit however that I am incredible pleased with the varied characterisation of the characters. Koo is not a police officer (although was one formerly) and instead works for a life insurance company. Although, this detail becomes lax in the later episodes when they decided to focus on the serial killer.
By Episode 10, I felt that the drama was going in a direction away from how it started. The show is brilliant in the first few episodes. There was a constant need to create tension, dramatics, comedy and a bit of mystery, fed on by introducing more and more characters but giving them too much control of the scenes.
Additionally, the biggest issue is the deduction of the crimes and plausibility. In comparison to other crime shows, Inspector Koo has an atmosphere of "knows it all but has no proof" which is incredible but also increasingly frustrating, especially given the reckless route Koo seeks to catch the serial killer, K.
And finally, K's aunt and K's backstory weren't handled as strongly as they could have been. I felt that there was a shift from the seriousness of K's behaviour to it being bizarre and interpersonally comedic. This drama could have been written better but it came off strongly plotwise due to outside factors like direction, production and visual fxs.
Acting/Cast:
I seriously enjoyed the cast they had here. It was female-dominated, and it almost felt refreshing to watch a drama without the male narrative.
Lee Young Ae captured the sloppiness of Koo to a T. The slurps after drinking, messy hair and dry skin. There was a very depiction of a reckless woman who is unable to take care of herself.
Kim Hye Joon is going places with her excitingly psychopathic depiction of K. In fact, the first few episodes are a cinematic masterpiece in terms of highlighting her character. There is one scene in Episode 2 where K goes clubbing but she dances on the club floor alone while people stay far away from her.
Santa's character was homely and hugely expressive due to his lack of words in the drama. Although, he still remains a mystery.
Music:
Holy Shit. The music for this show... it deserves some serious praise. 10/10
There are so many songs that fit the theme of the show as well as the intense, comedic or sad scenes that it plays over for. No song is out of place and are so melodic and appropriately fitted into the background that it doesn't stand out or eclipse the actor's words.
Rewatch Value:
Unlike other shows where the killer is revealed in the last show, Inspector Koo sets it out from the beginning who the serial killer is and makes notable comparisons between K and Koo. Therefore, the rewatch value of this show hasn't plummeted too much.
It's a visual masterpiece that almost moved me to tears with some scenes, and I would genuinely consider rewatching it in a few months time when I've forgotten most of the scenes etc. The characters and their dynamics in the show, particularly the cute nature of Santa, make it appealing.
Overall:
Inspector Koo is one of those shows that might appear messy to the outside eye, which in hindsight, it can be given the complexity of the plot in the later episodes. It works well to embody comedy and thriller together and creating a protagonist that you will not necessarily like but learn to tolerate.
A few issues with the show come from spoiler-ish details that feel like a shock factor trying to make the final episode more intense. I'll list them down below. Apart from that, I genuinely enjoyed this show as a fresh breath of air because it alternates from psychopathy to comedy fluidly. That and the OST which really helped me sit down and watch peacefully.
From a logical perspective, nothing in this show makes sense. From the fact that life insurance inspectors can investigate a serial killer to the fact that the serial killer is a college student who we have never seen in college nor have we seen work and yet she has an abundance of technical knowledge and finances.
If you enjoy a good ol' crime show but with a hint of comedy then watch this.
***SPOILERS***
- Director Yong locking up K made no sense apart from a flat storyline to conveniently keep K locked up while Koo and the others work.
- Santa's background reveal in the final episode didn't feel needed.
- There was still no explanation about what the black bat dolls are.
- Several of the details in the show point to a Season 2.
Inspector Koo follows a middle-aged reclusive woman with the typical Sherlockian characteristics as she, and her subordinates, follow the trail of a serial killer. The serial killer is made obvious and introduced from the start, creating a cat-and-mouse game that antagonises the audience for 12 episodes. Although there are several issues with this story, including how erratic some aspects of the plot felt, it was still relatively enjoyable. This kdrama is possibly the best definition of a dark comedy/thriller-comedy that I have seen, coming near to The Killer's Shopping List (which I feel is a better show).
I found most scenes to be visually intense or enjoyable, but the actual plot itself got seriously complex in the later episodes, enough so that it started to create more questions that need answering. This is the issue when the screenwriters try to write a plot that includes everyone or adds depth to character.
Inspector Koo, the main character of the show, has spent the last 5 years as a recluse due to her husband's suicide. However, I felt like more scenes with the husband (and Koo) in the past should have been included to give more access for the audience. There was a constant incomplete picture, which of course, added mystery, but I was no longer left questioning things and instead was forced to let it play out.
I will admit however that I am incredible pleased with the varied characterisation of the characters. Koo is not a police officer (although was one formerly) and instead works for a life insurance company. Although, this detail becomes lax in the later episodes when they decided to focus on the serial killer.
By Episode 10, I felt that the drama was going in a direction away from how it started. The show is brilliant in the first few episodes. There was a constant need to create tension, dramatics, comedy and a bit of mystery, fed on by introducing more and more characters but giving them too much control of the scenes.
Additionally, the biggest issue is the deduction of the crimes and plausibility. In comparison to other crime shows, Inspector Koo has an atmosphere of "knows it all but has no proof" which is incredible but also increasingly frustrating, especially given the reckless route Koo seeks to catch the serial killer, K.
And finally, K's aunt and K's backstory weren't handled as strongly as they could have been. I felt that there was a shift from the seriousness of K's behaviour to it being bizarre and interpersonally comedic. This drama could have been written better but it came off strongly plotwise due to outside factors like direction, production and visual fxs.
Acting/Cast:
I seriously enjoyed the cast they had here. It was female-dominated, and it almost felt refreshing to watch a drama without the male narrative.
Lee Young Ae captured the sloppiness of Koo to a T. The slurps after drinking, messy hair and dry skin. There was a very depiction of a reckless woman who is unable to take care of herself.
Kim Hye Joon is going places with her excitingly psychopathic depiction of K. In fact, the first few episodes are a cinematic masterpiece in terms of highlighting her character. There is one scene in Episode 2 where K goes clubbing but she dances on the club floor alone while people stay far away from her.
Santa's character was homely and hugely expressive due to his lack of words in the drama. Although, he still remains a mystery.
Music:
Holy Shit. The music for this show... it deserves some serious praise. 10/10
There are so many songs that fit the theme of the show as well as the intense, comedic or sad scenes that it plays over for. No song is out of place and are so melodic and appropriately fitted into the background that it doesn't stand out or eclipse the actor's words.
Rewatch Value:
Unlike other shows where the killer is revealed in the last show, Inspector Koo sets it out from the beginning who the serial killer is and makes notable comparisons between K and Koo. Therefore, the rewatch value of this show hasn't plummeted too much.
It's a visual masterpiece that almost moved me to tears with some scenes, and I would genuinely consider rewatching it in a few months time when I've forgotten most of the scenes etc. The characters and their dynamics in the show, particularly the cute nature of Santa, make it appealing.
Overall:
Inspector Koo is one of those shows that might appear messy to the outside eye, which in hindsight, it can be given the complexity of the plot in the later episodes. It works well to embody comedy and thriller together and creating a protagonist that you will not necessarily like but learn to tolerate.
A few issues with the show come from spoiler-ish details that feel like a shock factor trying to make the final episode more intense. I'll list them down below. Apart from that, I genuinely enjoyed this show as a fresh breath of air because it alternates from psychopathy to comedy fluidly. That and the OST which really helped me sit down and watch peacefully.
From a logical perspective, nothing in this show makes sense. From the fact that life insurance inspectors can investigate a serial killer to the fact that the serial killer is a college student who we have never seen in college nor have we seen work and yet she has an abundance of technical knowledge and finances.
If you enjoy a good ol' crime show but with a hint of comedy then watch this.
***SPOILERS***
- Director Yong locking up K made no sense apart from a flat storyline to conveniently keep K locked up while Koo and the others work.
- Santa's background reveal in the final episode didn't feel needed.
- There was still no explanation about what the black bat dolls are.
- Several of the details in the show point to a Season 2.
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