67

Joseon X-Files: Episode 1

I was really, really hoping that cable sci-fi period drama Joseon X-Files (aka 기찰비록, or Gichalbirok), would be good. To my relief/happy pleasure, I thought it was a solid start, and it appears the audience agrees — it scored a solid 1% premiere rating*, which is quite respectable given that it’s a cable program that airs on Fridays at midnight.

I was hooked on the premise — UFOs in 17th-century Joseon Korea! — but wary that this could all go wrong. Thankfully, I thought the first episode captured the right tone of intrigue and mystery, with a hint of creepiness that wasn’t too much for a horror-wimp like me. It’s a difficult thing to present the topic of UFOs and alien life through the eyes of Joseon inhabitants because a modern audience immediately knows what’s going on, so it’s to the drama’s credit for maintaining a level of suspense. Some slick cinematography helps.

(*Technically the overall household rating was 0.88%, though it peaked in the minute-by-minute ratings with a 1.72%. Shortly after airing, the drama also occupied the No. 1 slot for internet searches in various portal sites.)

SONG OF THE DAY

Yellow Monsters – “Late” [ Download ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 
EPISODE 1: “Secret Light”

We begin in the year 1609, the first year in the reign of Gwanghaegun (Prince Gwanghae), a time characterized by political tensions and frequent occurrences of “bizarre and mysterious phenomena that cannot be explained.”

It’s August 25 in the eastern province of Gangwon-do (adjacent to Gyeonggi province, which is home to capital city Hanyang), where a man is given a death sentence. He begs for someone to listen to his words, but the governor remains unmoved and gives the order. The accused is forced to drink from a bowl of poison, although he fights back and spits it out, prompting the officers to make another attempt.

It’s at that moment that the earth begins to tremble and the skies light up with an unnatural light. An ominous, low sound fills the air and everybody gapes to see a huge mass zooming through the sky, seemingly toward them, speeding over their heads.

The enormous UFO flies over the village marketplace, sending people scurrying for cover while goods overturn in its wake.

A narrator reads from an excerpt of the official royal record (which is purportedly real and serves as the inspiration for this drama), which describes the mysterious object. After the large UFO is out of sight, a brief shot captures a small round object whizzing through the air — it’s the size of a tennis ball, metallic with flashing lights, and perchance a satellite of the larger vessel. It zooms away and leaves one person staggering in a daze.

In the Gangwon-do government building, the governor holds a secret meeting with other officials. The governor is of the opinion that they should alert the king, but the others protest that nobody at court would believe them, and this could create trouble for them. Dare they risk their own credibility?

Against some strenuous objections, the governor solemnly makes his decision, and stamps his seal on the document.

In Hanyang, this document is delivered to a high-ranking minister. His reaction is grim but odd, as it appears he means to cover this up.

Now we meet KIM HYUNG-DO (Kim Ji-hoon), who is gambling at in a crowded gaming den. At first glance he fits right in with the other uncouth gamblers, although we know better (mostly ’cause we’ve read the character description, heh).

A dispute arises at his table; Hyung-do loses a hand and accuses the winner of cheating. A quick look proves he is right, and the man has been playing with playing pieces up his sleeve. A third man intervenes, speaking with authority, and tells Hyung-do to step back; he’ll take care of it. He presents himself as an investigator for the ministry of justice, but Hyung-do won’t back down. In fact, he knows immediately that this dude isn’t an investigator but is a petty criminal himself, operating with a fake badge.

Now Hyung-do reveals his position — he’s a government official and investigator.

That night, Hyung-do is assigned a new case and summoned to a secret interrogation presided over by the royal guard and a high-ranking minister. An older man sits silently, battered from torture and about to endure some more.

Hyung-do observes the proceedings, and his eyes widen in recognition when the elderly man speaks. This is the governor from Gangwon-do, the man who sent the king his official account of the August 25 sighting of the UFO.

The man is accused of spreading false rumors, but he says weakly that he saw it clearly with his own eyes. Why would he lie to the king?

The minister replies that everyone else present at the execution denied the story. He believes that the governor is up to foul deeds and demands to know who his co-conspirator is. More torture is applied. Hyung-do is sickened.

A break in the proceedings allows Hyung-do a moment alone with the captive — who recognizes him and calls him by his first name. Hyung-do bows in respect with tears in his eyes, then leaves the room.

The minister asks an official for information on Hyung-do, who was recommended to him. Hyung-do has been at his post for about a year, and is known for being tight-lipped and by-the-book, which are considered assets.

The minister tells Hyung-do to wrap up the case quickly and rule for impeachment. He expects immediate obedience, but is a little taken aback when Hyung-do speaks up to respectfully say that it’s too early to impeach with the judgment still pending. The minister agrees smoothly, although it’s apparent that there will be no fair investigation, since he has already decided the outcome.

The other official says warningly that Hyung-do should play along and do what his superiors want.

A lone masked horseman rides through the woods, just as that metallic flying ball whizzes through the air. When the rider approaches, we get a glimpse of his face. We aren’t given an introduction to him yet, but he is Ji Seung (Kim Gab-soo), a mysterious man who heads a shadowy organization under the king’s orders.

A group of noblemen hold a secret meeting and discuss the disappearance of some people. Among them is Heo Yoon-yi (Im Jung-eun), a bookshop owner who is also a member of this group.

Yoon-yi presents the fruits of her research, which are Japanese records of a strange flying vessel that they call utsuro bune. There are drawings of the UFO, all from different locations and sightings but characterized by similar details. It’s possible that the drawings were all of the same UFO, but Yoon-yi surmises that based on other records, there appear to be more than one. There are even similar sightings from Ming China.

As for the imprisoned governor… Hyung-do kneels before him, this time addressing him as “Teacher.” He asks if everything is true, desperate to understand.

The governor is resigned to his fate and tells Hyung-do to let this matter drop, for his own good.

Yoon-yi looks over the UFO records, and when she rises from her table to exit, she bumps into Hyung-do. That sends her papers to the ground, and he kneels to help pick them up. He freezes when he sees a drawing, and there’s a curious moment when she looks for his reaction that makes me wonder if she planned this encounter. (I’m only speculating, but I hope she did. It adds another flash of intrigue to her character.)

Demurely, Yoon-yi picks up her belongings, thanks him, and leaves him staring after her in surprise.

Hyung-do sets out with his sidekick Jang Man (Jo Hee-bong) to continue his investigation in Gangwon-do. The two men have an appealing dynamic together — Hyung-do’s the dry, sardonic one while Jang Man is the nervous ‘fraidy-cat.

That evening, they set up camp in the woods to avoid paying for an inn, and settle down for the night. As they sleep, a UFO can barely be seen in the sky — it’s much farther away than before, barely a speck against the moon’s backdrop, but there. Flying. Watching?

They next day, the two men arrive at their destination, where an official (the new governor?) is awaiting him. Jang Man waits outside while Hyung-do has his meeting, where he goes over the records of that August 25 sighting. This official is firm in his belief that it was a meteor. Hyung-do counters that the other man clearly saw the machine flying in the sky.

The official presents written statements from four other locations. They all conclude the same thing — that it was a mere meteor. He says a bit patronizingly that it’s understandable that a man might mistake a meteor for something else the first time he sees one.

Hyung-do doesn’t believe this explanation — what about the sound, then? Again an explanation is offered, but from the way the man takes a moment to react to Hyung-do’s protest, it appears he may be in on the cover-up.

Hyung-do notices police rope cordoning off a section of the building and asks about it. It turns out to be the accused governor’s rooms — the area was roped off at the orders of the royal police force, to search for evidence of a conspiracy.

Knowing that it’s best to act uninterested, Hyung-do lets matters drop, and then sneaks out that night to do some snooping.

He slips into the roped-off room, and it’s to his benefit that the majority of the police force is occupied with some secret task of their own; they set up the proceedings while Hyung-do reads a book — his teacher’s diary. It’s filled with descriptions of things he saw, as well as records he had researched, accompanied by drawings.

Jang Man joins him and together they read of an account of five UFOs flying in formation. This is no comet or meteor.

Neither man sees that they are being watched — by Yoon-yi. They are too preoccupied reading of the various boats, round saucers, and other strange flying objects. There was even a curious case of a village whose entire population simply disappeared.

Hearing a sound, Hyung-do grabs the diary and leads his sidekick outside quietly.

There’s an almost-funny moment when the two men come face to face with a guard and freeze, expecting to be in trouble. Thinking fast, Jang Man pretends they saw someone else passing by, and the dim-witted guard accepts this explanation.

The guards have bigger worries on their minds, because a prisoner has escaped. The officers scatter in pursuit, and our hero and sidekick are advised to retire to safer areas.

As Hyung-do walks along, he hears the escaped prisoner, hiding in the dark. He assures the man that he’s not going to call the guards, and tells him to show himself.

The man who steps out is the same one who had almost been executed by poison on that fateful August 25. He pleads for help, insisting that he did nothing wrong — all he did was tell the truth of what he saw. Sensing that this has a correlation to his old teacher’s wrongful accusation, Hyung-do is immediately alert, intent to hear the man’s explanation.

The scared prisoner cries that “they” will come drag us all away — those in that silvery fireball. The man has seen the mysterious beings several times, in fact. Now desperate for details, Hyung-do asks where one can see these things, and the man opens his mouth to reply…

Alas, neither man sees the governor standing in the distance, armed with a bow and arrow, who lets fly his weapon at the crucial moment. The arrow lands in the prisoner’s throat with a sickening squish (eww), and Hyung-do’s face splatters with blood.

Hyung-do exclaims in frustrated fury, “How could you just kill a person so carelessly?!” He was so close to finding out critical information…

Of course, that was exactly the point. The governor explains that this is the man who was slated for execution tomorrow anyway, so no loss in getting it done a day early.

This only makes Hyung-do more intent to find out the answers to his growing list of questions, and he heads to the dead prisoner’s home. Cowardly Jang Man protests, fearing the haunting of ghosts, but those appeals fall on deaf ears.

Inside, he finds that the place has been ransacked. But even creepier is what they find affixed to the ceiling beams —

— drawings of aliens, UFOs, and other strange beings.

Grabbing his teacher’s diary, Hyung-do compares the book to the ceiling. They match, and one drawing in particular captures his attention. It’s a saucer-like vessel hovering over a mountain with five peaks.

Again we see — but they don’t — that they are being watched. This time the third party doesn’t appear to be a person, however, and from its perspective we see the two men through a red-tinted lens. Curiouser and curiouser.

Hyung-do sets out to find the five-peaked mountain, ignoring Jang Man’s violent complaints all the while. Jang Man doesn’t see why their recent discoveries must require confirmation, but Hyung-do knows his teacher would never say such things if he didn’t truly mean them. He has to at least check up on things.

Deeper into the woods, they finally come to the spot that allows them the view of the five peaks — though no UFO — and a dead dog with a charred side. Continuing along, they find a village. Except that nobody is there. It’s not a ghost town in that it doesn’t appear to have been deserted for a long time, but there is no person in sight. The only sign of life is a snake, which freaks Jang Man out.

Hyung-do inspects the various huts, noting the details like hanging laundry and dinner tables set out as though mid-meal. All the clues lead Hyung-do to deduce that everyone disappeared at the same time. This must be the village his teacher had written about in the diary.

Jang Man is eager to be off, but Hyung-do decides they’ll have to camp in this village overnight — it’s too late to descend the mountain before dark.

Two separate beings watch from a distance. First, a man trains a rifle on the pair, his finger on the trigger, about to shoot. Second, another flying silver ball hovers in the air behind them.

Hyung-do and Jang Man see the flying ball, jerking back in alarm. Hyung-do grabs a sword and holds it at the ready. When the ball swoops at him, he takes a few desperate swings, but misses.

From the flying ball’s point of view, the world is tinted in dark colors — which explains the red-tinted view in a previous scene. The ball takes a few fierce dives at the men, who duck out of the way. And just as Hyung-do is poised to take a mighty swing at it, time seems to stand still and the ball flies away.

The two men, frozen in position, flicker where they stand. And when time resumes, they’re standing in different positions, and it’s daylight.

Not only do these UFOs seemingly have the ability to mess with people’s heads, they can somehow shift time, because the two men come out of their frozen stupor to find themselves at the entrance of the village, as though they had just arrived. They blink and come to their senses slowly, not sure what happened but knowing this is wrong.

Jang Man spots a shoe on the ground, just like when he first arrived, and another snake. He rears back in fright, and exclaims the exact same words he’d exclaimed earlier. This sense of deja vu freaks them both out.

Hyung-do is first to gather his wits — admirable feat, since he had more to begin with — and decides that those things somehow messed with time. And if time has indeed skipped backward, this means they’ll be able to see that light again.

He arms himself with the sword again and heads out, intent on his mission, rushing down the mountainside. Hidden men throw darts, the first hitting Jang Man in the arm and sending him collapsing to the ground.

Hyung-do gets another dart, and he fights the effect of whatever drug it was laced with. He looks up as a group of black-clad, masked men approach him. As his vision blurs and his consciousness starts to fade, he looks up at the leader, who addresses him, “Kim Hyung-do…”

 
COMMENTS

Yay!

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but this first episode had me leaning forward, thinking hard in an attempt to guess what happens next, breathing just a little bit faster in suspense. The drama isn’t outright creepy or scary, which is a good thing since I don’t do well with those types (one of these days, Hon, you’ll get watched). It does do a very good job building tension and mystery, however, and even though I got sick of myself for using that word (mystery) a ridiculous number of times to describe things in this show, it’s really the best word.

On a surface level, a few things make Joseon X-Files attractive, such as its running time. With 12 episodes at 45 minutes each, the episode is taut and fast-paced. None of that dragged-out sluggishness you often get in long-running series. I did think they overdid the hand-held camera in many instances, but on the upside the shaky-camera effect adds energy to the scenes. That’s better than having the drama be too static, since the very nature of the premise really needs and benefits from that added nervous energy.

The cinematography is nicely done, with sharp contrasts and interesting use of light — the image above is a great example. It’s not the best I’ve ever seen, but it’s very appropriate to the ambiance of the show and complements it well.

Perhaps being a cable program also helps in the grittiness department, because this is the first drama I saw where the torture actually looks painful. It’s not so gory that it makes me squeamish to watch, but at least for once I’m not wondering how that punishment is actually supposed to be painful.

And we can’t leave out one big draw: Kim Ji-hoon! Yeah, that’s my superficial side exulting, although ultimately he is the least of this drama’s appeals given the intriguing story and tone. But I’ve been dying to see Kim Ji-hoon act in something interesting for ages now — my affection for him has often been in spite of his roles, not because of them. (I enjoyed many of his previous dramas, but he hardly played challenging or captivating characters in them.) I’m sure there are other actors who could have done this role just as well or even better, but I’m really looking forward to seeing what HE does with it.

And honestly, the man has such incredibly beautiful features. The camera LOVES him:

RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , , , ,

67

Required fields are marked *

LOL! You. Are. Awesome.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Still feel ridiculously funny when someone comment"yay I'm first", but I want to try the ridiculous one
"Yay I'm first" ho, ho, ho

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh Lily take my place, hiks
But I never did the second, too...
Yay, I'm second....

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is such a fan-friggin-tastic premise. They'd better really be aliens. Because if they cop out, I'll be pissed.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

You and me both, sista.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

i agree :)))

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'd also be able to cope with time travelling, outerspace human descendants, say, 5 million years in the future, who are out to find the perfect Kimchi recipe, because it's the only possible cure for some freaking virus they ran into!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Gah i wanna watch it! but i havent found a place that has the episodes!

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Try looking for "Secret Investigation Record", and check out the usual suspects. ;)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Viikkii (am I spelling that right?) has it.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Nop, it's viikii, Ha!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

after looking at this I feel somewhat proud about my favorite drama, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho....which scores 2-3% in its re-run rating when aired at the cable...

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Haven't read the recap....just so stinkin glad you did one!
Been looking forward to this show since the first mention.

Thank you!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I literally clapped when this episode ended, I was that excited and relieved that it was just as good as I was hoping it would be. I first noticed the camera work as Hyung-do and Jang Man walked through the marketplace, and the blood splattering on Hyung-do's face (and into his eye, ewwww) was kind of awesome. I loved it and can't wait for Ep 2!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

A quesiton:
Do cable networks in Korea allow things the big networks don't on dramas like smoking??
Or no??

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

There are generally more lenient standards for violence, sexual content, etc. for cable than on the broadcast stations.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

JB thank you for your hard work, I am "Totally" sold on this drama, I am an X-Files hardcore fan so this show is my "cup of tea" I really like the fact that they show the actual pictures from the historical Chinese and Japanese and some Korean source material! Also the cinematography is quite good as you mention, I think for being a "Cable" drama is very well done!
This drama has become my favorite weekly drama, thank you again and I hope that you may continue recapping this drama! : O }

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I've really been looking forward to this! I'm just waiting for the subtitles! If this drama turns out well I will definitely buy the DVDs. I'm like Javabeans, I don't like horror shows that are too gruesome but I absolutely love a bit of suspense like "Night Gallery" or the "Twilight Zone".

It does get confusing because one place will have it listed as "Joseon X-Files" and another as "Secret Investigative Record".

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

The main title, "기찰비록", translates to Secret Book / Secret Investigation Record. "Joseon X-Files / 조선X파일" is actually the tagline but is caught on better in English :)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for this fun recap, JB. :)

I have to admit that I'm not that fond of the camera style, because it kind of makes me seasick. :)
And those flying spy balls sort of made me think about Luke Skywalker's Jedi training session flying balls.... now, how about Hyung-do with a lightsaber? ;P

But it's fun to watch, and I'm looking forward very mucht o the next episode.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm not really into the sci-fi genre but was pleasantly surprised by the first ep, not to mention the cool music.

Am very much looking forward to the next episode.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

sounds interesting and for once something different from the typical stories but I am hoping it wont turned out like Lost which is like after all the chasing and the thing is still out there, no conclusion.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

i'm gonna check this out found the raw file in semifly boxnet and WITHS2 is subbing this.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yay, thank you for the recap. I miss the X-files so much so I'm absolutely looking forward to this show. I'll try hard not to compare it to the X-files though, because in my books, nothing compares to the X-files (although KJH may possibly beat out Mulder in the hotness factor).

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I was really pleased with this episode. It inspired my husband and I to watch the X-Files again, which has been really nice.

I gotta say this: the acting in the Korean version is actually better than Mulder's acting in the first couple of episodes of X-Files. I was really surprised on that part.

I like sci-fi, and if they made t-shirts for this drama I would totally be sporting one now!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I haven't even read your recap yet, but as soon as I saw the post title, I wanted to say thank you thank you THANK YOU for recapping this series. When it was first mentioned on your blog, I was thinking that I must...watch...it, but at that time, it also was not listed as a project for any fansub group. I was quite disappointed. But now, not only is it getting subbed by withs2, it's also getting recapped by you! Hurrah!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you JB <3. I was hoping you'd be interested in it enough to do a recap. Just dont watch it alone at midnight with the lights off incase it'll get too scary later lol.

Saeguk, Mystery, Sci-fi...trible treat :). I'm liking the first eps very much. It's been a while since I've seen a sci-fi tv series.
I think the shaky camera adds a little bit of realism when it's used during UFO sightings /suspense scenes. Over using it can be distracting so I hope it'll be kept to a minimum.

Looking forward to the next episode and recap :).

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

your recap of kim ji hoon's facial expessions just make me all nervy again about kim hyung joon's lack of them. :( lol

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

And we can't leave out another big draw: Kim Gab Soo! How sexy is he in that mysterious garb?! :D

Sageuk meets sci-fi: a match made in [my fantasy] heaven. :D

(Oh, and just to note: the man who interrogated the governor isn't the king. He's a court minister. Can't remember the actor's name, though - sageuk veteran.) :)

Thanks, JB! Looking forward to watching the rest of this drama. Rock on!

0
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Did you catch his title? I did a lot of straining to catch everyone's specific title, and it was a pain in the ass. I could've sworn someone called him the king, but in any case I couldn't hear anyone use a minister title.

0
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I didn't catch a title, either, but the king was referred to (in third person) during the interrogation. And the official site only has character descriptions for the 4 main characters. I'm presuming he might be the 형조 판서 (Minister of Justice/Punishment) or head of State Tribunal - whoever's in charge of receiving and investigating such reports for the king. I'm sure the guru would know. ;)

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yeah, the site is pretty skimpy on details. I appreciate that the drama doesn't dumb stuff down in exposition, but on the other hand a little bit more info wouldn't hurt! In any case I edited the post to call him a generic minister.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yea I agree. I dont think he is King Seonjo. I have a feeling that he might be Prime Minister Yu Seong-ryong or a character based on him. /shrug

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Bah! scratched that...Yu died in 1607.

0

Thank you! This sounds great. I am glad of your assurance that it's not too scary, but still, I might rope someone into watching the first episode so I don't have to watch it alone, just to be on the safe side.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

JB, i think the man who received the document sent by the governor and also who present in his secret interogation is not the king. He doesn`t wear the dragon robe. He`s the minister or something (not sure what his title is).

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hm, I thought I heard him referred to as 전하. I'll have to check.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yay! When I saw episode 1, I nearly fell out because I did not dare think you would recap this drama.

Thanks JB!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Wow, I'm sold.
This, after Comrades.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

where did my previous comment go...I said im proud my fav drama My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho got 2-3% ratings even in cable re-run..lol

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Glad you enjoyed it JB! Now I definitely want to see it! Just wondering, I thought that 2 episodes were supposed to air last Friday....did only episode 1 air?

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I for one am glad they only aired one epi because I do not want them to rush this drama's conclusion.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes, at some point they changed their minds and rescheduled Episode 2 for this week instead.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

tnx JB for recap...i saw it also the other night & it was fantastic esp with my no. 1 guy in K entertn. Kim Ji hoon, what can go wrong with him in it? The expression on his face & his convincing acting were more than enuf to stay tuned for the whole series, I didn't sleep till i finished the whole epis that eve. I'm happy too that you're recapping it! Thank you thank you! I'm loving it & wow i miss KJH so much since SFFTS! I hope he does another drama after this b4 heading to his milit. duties! Luv him to da max!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

woah JB u made my day w/this recap page tho i hvnt read it but i watched it the other night & was so impressed already! i can't wait for the next epis & my Kim Ji ssi was just great in any of his roles, that's no surprise is it? Luv him luv him, the expression on his face spoke volumes! Thank you fr the bottom of my heart JB for liking it too & recapping it! You're da best!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

what a coincidence, i'm reading Aug. 25th when this happened & today is Aug. 25th? :)))

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

i just finished the recap JB - wow it's awesome! altho i've seen the whole epi 1 it's still sooooooooo good to read your recap, it's given me more in depth on what i didn't quite see on screen! i may not be a huge fan of sci-fi but this one is an exception bcoz of my idol KIM JI HOON! He rocks! thnx again JB & looking f/ward to ur next epis!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This series looks good. Why didn't any of the three major networks pick this one? I am sure this series would have a higher rating than Road No1.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

this looks intriguing :) glad to see that withs2 is subbing this!! :D

thanks for the recap JB!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm glad someone was able to finish the episode, because I couldn't. I see now I was almost to the end, but the show just couldn't hold my attention any longer. Neither the characters nor the story pulled me in. Dare I say it? Yes, I do - it was boring. Ah well, not everything can be a winner.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for the recap! I didn't think you were going to watch and recap it since it was a cable show. I will definitely check it out. The show sounds exciting! It was definitely breathing faster by the end of your recap.

As for Hon- it isn't scary after the first 2 episodes. There are about two or three very brief scary moments and a few bloody/gory scenes after that- but as a fellow wimp, i managed through it without being really scared.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

hahaha i was scared to watch this drama as i am a fellow "horror wimp" but you're synopsis is getting me really interested in this drama now :)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Where can I download this drama?
I've checked @ aja-aja and they don't have it...

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Try going to AM Addiction (am-addiction.com). You have to register for the forum to get access, but they have MU links of everything. :)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks so much, JB! I'm so happy that you're recapping this one!
I have already seen the first episode and it's really interesting! It makes you want to watch for more!
I don't even watch sageuk but well this is another exemption. :)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

thnx JB for recapping....i'm also not for epic series but with KJH in it, i'll watch 24/7 of his projects!

i hope u continue to recap tho i've watched ep 2 & it's quite interesting but i still want to read ur recaps, i'm addicted to it! :))

thnx again for your sharing so many good things with kdrama addicts like me!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

any recaps yet JB on epis 2 pls? thnx

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Any 720p versions availible out there???:-)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Im also tottaly not the one for horror...but dying of waiting for SungKyunKwan Scandal epi3&4....i decided to read this summary...&i was realli surprised...it was realli realli good...okz the torture part in the beg,the killing of the prisinor &the snakes tottaly creeped me out...[especially the snakes]..but it still makes me want to watch the show..but i think ill read the summaries first to see if it gets gory or something :D but thnx JB
-sadie

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

cool, nice description on the drama.

like the guy since 'wish upon a star'. worth continuing~

thank lot.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hello from io9

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

TBH this kind of drama isn't really my cup of tea and i watch it purely becoz of your rating. i am not completely sold for the 1 ep but still gonna watch it . its a bit hard to understand them too, becoz of the language I think thanks to your recap it helps me to understand them more..and i think I saw girlfriday's comment here?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

haha I just realized the main character is from pick the stars. I don't like historical dramas but I'll take a look.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm watching this only now, having downloaded all episodes two days in a row. Talk about persistent, haha!

The satellite, that blue thingie flying around, reminds of the golden snitch in qidditch, though it has no wings. ;-)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

After two years am just getting around to watching this. I keep thinking Leslie Cheung as I watch Kim Ji-hoon and I'm liking this drama... short and sweet and different.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love the cinematography and editing for this sci-fi show! I knew it's an unusual show that might be totally fictional. I'm looking forward into completed episodes up to the end.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

What a interesting premises! UFOs in Joseon, aliens (maybe?) and time-travel.

I love how gritty and realistic it is. No squeaky clean hanbok wearing noblemen , no beautification and filters. The world looks like lived in not a fantasy version of modern person.

I am quite excited to see how this show holds up to the promises of first episode.

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *