Notes on small town murders and some horror kdrama recommendations
Lesson learned from "Behind Your Touch": Never ever, EVER judge a book by its cover. *cries in kdrama tears*
So! October! How are you all doing? Fine and dandy, I hope. (Who even says “fine and dandy” nowadays? My throwback self needs its update to catch up with the current modern trends.)
August started out really promising in terms of kdramaland. It has given me so much joy when it gave fresh drops in the form of “Moving”, “Behind Your Touch”, “Mask Girl”, and “Destined With You.” Now that only two are being aired (the other ones are complete), I fear that my kdrama slump is going to come back and haunt me this month.
I’m watching: “Behind Your Touch” — a serial killer, a psychometric vet, and a willful detective stirs a quiet and gently small town called Mujin
Note: If you haven’t watched this kdrama yet, please skip this newsletter since it contains spoilers. I have other issues (the newsletter kind; not daddy issues) you might want to read, like the one about “Happiness” and “Jirisan.” But if you’re cool with spoilers… Well, then. Onward, march, my fellow kdrama addict!
As I write this down, I am gearing up for the final episode of this current favorite of mine. My heart is broken for Kim Sun Woo. Did I think he was the killer? Sure, but I also wished he wasn't. I got my wish on episode 15, but it was a trade off because the killer – the real killer? Sun Woo died in his hands. I haven't been this heartbroken over a character for a long time. (The last time was the male lead of “Uncontrollably Fond.”)
“Behind Your Touch” is that quirky and funny show that would bring laughter every weekend since it launched last August 12. In this series, the small town of Mujin is where Bong Ye Bun, our not-exactly-fearless but pretty reliable female lead, accidentally acquires the power of psychometry, while doing a house call for a farm owner’s cow. It’s a neat superpower, seeing or learning things about a person (it even works on animals!) simply by touching them. Except that with Ye Bun, she has to do so by touching their butts. *cue howls of laughter*
Small-town Mujin has been peaceful for a long time, until people start turning up dead. Now everyone is on their toes trying to figure out who. Is it one of the people who just moved in? Is it actually one of them? gasp Enter Seoul detective, Moon Jang Yeol, who begins to follow the serial murder case. His methods aren’t police-friendly and he’s not really Mr. Congeniality, either. He’s rough and can be brash, but he does care and he wants to catch the killer as much as his fellow colleagues. Also, he’s pretty convinced that Sun Woo is the culprit, much to Ye Bun’s disappointment, because she and Sun Woo are actually getting to know each other each time they cross paths. Plus, she really likes him. She’s convinced that Sun Woo can’t be the killer. However, Jang Yeol is determined to prove his gut instincts to be true and relentlessly pursues Sun Woo when his other suspects turn up dead.
Let’s rewind and pretend that episode 5 hasn't happened yet. In each episode of “Behind Your Touch”, I had a list of usual suspects: Assemblyman Cha Ju Man, Kim Sun Woo, Ye Bun’s grandfather, and Gwang Sik. Then they started killing all of my suspects. I was ready to throw my hands in the air because I don’t even know anymore. Until… until that heartbreaking episode 15. Sun Woo, I’m sorry for ever doubting you. You were misunderstood and all this time, you were really the one who cracked the code. You were the one who figured out the serial killer and even gave Ye Bun the one clue that would point to that evil, sick serial killer. Run free in the afterlife with the brand spankin’ new sneakers that Ye Bun bought you.
(Side note: Can those EXO members not die in their kdrama roles next time, dear writers? 제발.)
“Behind Your Touch” is a kdrama that lulled me into thinking that everything is going to be all right, what with their hilarious antics and witty dialogues. Sure, there’s a serial killer on the loose, but as far as kdrama goes… It can’t be all that bad, right? I mean, these kdrama writers have given us much worse, like “Mouse” and “Beyond Evil.” This one is pretty tame. Plus, all those cute animals in Ye Bun’s veterinary clinic!
HAHA. Joke’s on me. More than the first half of “Behind Your Touch” revealed new plot twists, but it was always with humor. Then the last few episodes happened and, well, I wasn’t prepared for them. The final episode drops tonight and while I hate that the serial killer still managed to pull one more trick, I’ll be waiting. I want to see justice served, no more deaths, and Ye Bun finally being happy because she’s just such a soft cinnamon roll and I think that she’s suffered a lot throughout this series.
I give this kdrama 4 out of 5 ramyeon.
You asked, I answered: What are some Korean dramas about ghosts or demons?
October is here and it’s the month of trick or treating, of ghosts and the supernatural getting their much deserved spotlight. I’m a horror fan, in case I forgot to tell you.
I was going through questions in Quora because I thought I’d bring back the old “You asked, I answered” section of my newsletter. Then I saw that question posted and thought the timing couldn’t be more perfect. As a kdrama and horror fan, I am more than happy to list down my answers:
Revenant - Evil spirits. Possession. How cruel humans can be.
Hand: The Guest - This one actually scared me silly. Jump scares? Not really. But I would advise you to buckle up for demons and possession.
Possessed - To be honest, this is more sad than scary for me. But is has ghosts and demons, so I thought I’d include it here.
Priest
Tale of the Nine-Tailed - You get supernatural creatures rather than ghosts and demons, but it’s still creepy enough so I thought I’d include it here.
Hellbound - A cult’s presence is enough to make you worry. Throw in supernatural creatures who are out killing people and you’ve got one interesting, intense, and creepy series. (Season 2 is coming, so they say.)
The Cursed - Shamans. Evil spirits. Showdown of shamans and evil spirits. Possession. Scary, creepy, intense. I love it! Definitely one of the best horror kdramas. (It also has a movie, “The Cursed: Dead Man’s Prey.”)
Cheo Yong - A cop who sees ghosts. A troubled and depressing past. Ghosts and more ghosts! This one was a satisfying watch and it’s not just because of ghosts. The storyline is pretty good.
The Master’s Sun - Yes, this has ghosts. It also has well-timed humor. Watch if you want something light and fluffy from the horror genre.
Hotel del Luna - Reincarnation. Past lives. A hotel for ghosts being run by a soul bound to Earth until she completes what’s wanted of her. There’s found family trope here, first love, some funny scenes, and interesting supernatural characters.
Sell Your Haunted House - Ghosts and exorcism. Also a real estate business. Our two main leads here squabble like Tom and Jerry, but they need each other so for several episodes they meet different ghosts, solve mysterious cases, and eventually overcome their own demons
And that wraps up today’s newsletter. I hope you enjoyed it! If you have any comments or suggestions, please let me know. I’d love to hear your thoughts.