379. Web-series Reviews – 194

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Signal – Koreas series came in 2016. Fifteen years ago, a female child was kidnapped on the way from school. At that time, Park Hae Yeong, who was an elementary school student, witnessed the girl being taken away. A few days later, the girl was found dead, and detectives couldn't find the culprit. As time went by, Hae Yeong started distrusting the police. Fifteen years later, Hae Yeong is now a police officer and criminal profiler. One day, he finds a walkie-talkie that allows him to get in contact with Detective Lee Jae Han who is in the past. Police officers Hae Yeong, Jae Han and Cha So Hyun then set out on a journey to solve cold cases.

A review from IMDB...

SIGNAL (Sigeuneol) (2016) was such an interesting premise. I really enjoyed this crime series. I'm not sure how to best describe it though. It was such a unique experience. While it was a investigative crime drama series there were also definite amounts of science fiction or possibly even paranormal elements which makes it a very unusual watch for me. I really enjoyed that aspect however, especially blended with criminal investigation aspects. Although a strange mix of genres, it really worked here.

I loved Lee Jehoon (as Park Hae-Young). At first I really didn't think I would like him but he ended up being phenomenal in this. He is far from being a stereotypical lead character. I love the emotional connection he gets with cases. Given his background it really endears viewers to him. I love Kim Hye-su (as Detective Cha Soon-hyeon) and Cho Jin-woong (as Detective Lee Jae-han). They are both great actors and their characters are really cool and likable.

I also really enjoyed the two timelines. I think they did a great job portraying two different eras and overlapping story and cases. The concept is fascinating. Visually and aesthetically it was appealing and very original series. The acting was great, the story was great, the music was great, I loved the three main characters. Everything was really well done.

The main reason I hesitate giving this 10 stars is for a few small reasons. Mainly because of the way it ended. Without giving away any spoilers I will only say the ending felt very open-ended, and hopefully it is open-ended intentionally for the purpose of sequel seasons. Until then, I hesitate in rating it too highly because it felt incomplete and needed so much more. Secondly, while I loved the three main characters so much, many of the other side characters felt a bit flat to me. I felt there could have been more depth and character building. Otherwise this show was so unique and worthwhile.

While Signal is very intriguing and full of heart, it also has a very dark and dreary feeling, with a lot of very sad themes (i.e. Murder, corruption, suicide, rape, etc.) and not a lot of happy moments to balance it. The overall mood of the show is very heavy. A lot of the story revolves around some very depressing, tragic themes and is quite hard to handle at times. Even still, this is one of my all time favorites.

My Take – An excellent series!

 

Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter – Came in 2024. Documentary. A tenacious mother unravels the complex mystery surrounding the 1989 disappearance of the daughter she had placed for adoption.

A review from IMDB...

Brilliant documentary.

This is how all documentaries should be. It's a story that appears to be more fiction than fact and at times I was literally gobsmacked at the revelations and the dedication of this mother to find out what happened to her daughter after she gave her up for adoption at the age of 9 months so she could give her better opportunities with the encouragement of her own mother. Cathy., the mother, is only 16 and the pressure applied was immense.

The twists and turns of the story starts when Cathy receives a letter from an Adoption Agency, outlining that her daughter went missing years and years before and requesting a DNA sample..

From then on Cathy goes on a relentless mission to find her daughter. Her courage and stamina is amazing.

At no point does this doc falter or swerve its focus. The uncovering of all that happened is complete dog work and my only curiosity lay in where Cathy's financial resources lay as she had to pay many of the investigators who did not come cheaply.

I won't lay down any spoilers as even the slightest one would reveal too much.

Suffice to say and with relentless police work on a "dead file" the shocking truth is revealed and justice, though far too late, prevails.

Gripping and well paced.

Hat tip to Neflix.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

Gyarah Gyarah – Hindi adaptation of Signal reviewed on top😊! Came in 2024. Investigative drama following events in 1990, 2001, 2016. Intertwining storylines blending mysticism, science and mystery across the decades.

A review from IMDB...

A Captivating Remake that Hits the Mark

Gyaarah Gyaarah is an exceptional remake of the Korean series Signal, which originally starred Lee Je-hoon, also known for his stellar performance in Taxi Driver. The series has done justice to its source material, successfully adapting the gripping storyline for Indian audiences without losing its essence.

Raghav delivers a top-notch performance, perfectly embodying his character and driving the narrative with intensity and depth. The supporting cast is equally impressive, creating a well-balanced ensemble that keeps you engaged throughout.

What stands out about Gyaarah Gyaarah is how it avoids the common pitfalls of remakes. Instead of diluting the original plot, it stays true to its core, all while incorporating subtle changes that resonate with the Indian context. The serene locations used in the series add an extra layer of authenticity, making it not just a visual treat but a thoroughly immersive experience.

In short, Gyaarah Gyaarah is a must-watch for both fans of the original and new viewers alike.

My Take – Also worth a watch!

Adios till next time😊!