It is the first time that I find myself in total disagreement with the review. I found The Silent Sea very diasppointing... even embarassing at times. I'm a a big sci-fi fan so I've seen this story told many times. Unfortunately The Silent Sea doesn't bring anything new to it and isn't evene able to add some classic Corean flavour to it. It's just scifi done badly. It's not just the science that is pure fantasy and the script full of holes but also the characters lack any depth. Captain Han is totally useless apart from barking orders and running around. And Gong Yoon is wasted. He barely rises a brow every now and then. Doona can't do much either with such a lame script. The scenery is for sure great and the CGI isn't that bad either, but it's the only thing I can save in this drama. Such a disappointment.

*** SPOILER ALERT ***
(don't scroll down if you don't want spoiler)

i, for one, am hoping for a second season...
: D

if they can raise Neo back from the dead, along with Trinity -- then the george clooney ending in another movie doesn't have to stick... just hoping with fingers crossed... or should i call this Fan Fiction?
; )

I personally enjoyed the series. It kept me guessing and had some interesting twists. I felt like I was in the situation with them: gasping for air (which I can really relate to since I have asthma), trying to piece together what happened at the station, etc. Could the show have been better? Sure, but I think we could say that about many shows, Korean or not. But I think it told its story and conveyed its message in a stylish way that had me going back to watch the show again. I truly hope for a second season and I hope *slight spoiler alert*
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that a certain character's death was a fakeout.

I assumed a fairly low budget on this space thriller compared to what make space believable can cost, and I think that helped me not have terribly high expectations. I was still impressed with some space setting aspects they pulled off fairly well, but as a science loving person with more than a few friends in various science careers there was also a lot of other bits I cringed at too. (Ok, fine, so the shuttle wasn't connected to the 🚀 well, but did they really have to crash land right at the edge of a terrifying drop on top of that? REALLY? 😩) They also tried to cram a heck of a lot of character dev/backstory with a not very small cast both on 🌏 and the 🌑 which didn't really work as well as a show with more eps or at least a smaller crew for the ship might have.

Overall, I wasn't disappointed that I watched it, but I don't think I will rewatch it. I just wish that better quality that was seen in bits had been more consistent throughout to help me forget the overall writing weaknesses.

Silent Sea was a mixed bag for me. To start with the bad - the show had more plot holes than Swiss cheese. I understand now why they say Korea is not good at the sci-fi genre. Sci-fi requires tight and cohesive storytelling, and Silent Sea failed at that. The science in Silent Sea did not work; even if you suspended 75% of your brain in disbelief, it still did not work. The character development was also non-existent. While this was a more plot-driven story, the characters' actions did not make sense given their backgrounds. Gong Yoo's character was supposed to be the equivalent of Seal Team 6/Delta Force, but he was so inept that I dare to say I could've done a better job manning the mission.

All faults aside, Silent Sea still ranks as my favorite Netflix original drama so far. The cinematography beautifully captured the desolation of the Moon and space. The music accompaniment added to the tension and suspension. The ideas were ambitious - doomsday warning of global warming and the ensuing social crisis that would result from it. All-in-all, it was an honest attempt by Korea at the sci-fi genre that fell short due to execution, but I appreciate the attempt.

I was excited when I saw the first episode. The concepts discussed were relevant and thought provoking: environmental disaster, water scarcity, equal access to water, exploring the feasibility of living in outer space. The execution was disappointing. Unnecessarily draggy and slow development. And a plot that threw up more questions than answers. Bae Doona's Dr. Song was my favourite character, followed by the female medic.

I felt unsatisfied at the ending. I guess they wanted to try for a season two.

Overall, not a bad drama but below expectation imo. I was excited seeing the cast and trailer but it is a bit lacking.

SPOILERS ARE ABUNDANT, PROCEED WITH CAUTIONS
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What I like:
1. The concept/premise.
We rarely get science/thriller so I'm happy about it. And the production quality is good. I have no complaint about that. The walking on the moon is kinda funny but I get what they trying to convey. I understand why this is such a big-budget drama since that is quite an elaborate set.

2. The cast. omg the whole assemble is just... *chef kiss* I like it. Idk whether Lee Musaeng and GY have worked together before but I like this duo. Unfortunately, both are dead in the final episode so even if TSS gets a second season, they probably won’t be around. Unless we’re getting a prequel.

3. The mystery part of this drama is good. I have fun trying to figure it out and come out with my theories. But is anyone shocked that the director is the one behind the whole thing. Now and 5 years ago? Nah.

What I didn’t like:
1. The plot and pace
I like the concept but I wish we get better plots. I wish it has better plots and depth. eg: I’m kinda bummed that we didn’t get the whole picture of what happened 5 years ago. honestly, I'm confused about this. Does everyone die after being 'infected' by lunar water like soo chan and kim sun or from (lunar water) flood? How did Luna survive? And why did they decide to kill everyone 5 years ago and decide to extract that water now?
also, I don’t mind the slow pace but I think faster pacing is better for this type of drama. I was hoping the pace picks up in ep5/6 but it did not but at least it is consistent throughout though.

2. Characterizations
I wish we get better characterizations. I was left wanting more background/depth for certain characters. Capt Han didn’t do anything for me. After some point, it is wise for him to work together with Dr. Song but nope. He knows and at some point, he should decide whether withholding info can keep his crew safe. And I need to know more about Ryu Teasuk and his motivation ngl. Why he chose to join hand with RX (presumably, since we really didn’t know if RX is behind him and Gisu). But since they cast such amazing casts, they delivered what’s required and that is great.

TSS (and Dr brain) deal with what is ethical and how far is too far imo. Is human (clone?) testing and DNA combination is necessary for the greater good?

I went in with pretty high expectations admittedly. The cast being so good, with Netflix track record for kdramas set a bar for me internally. I enjoyed The Silent Sea, but it fell a little short for me. The characters were…fine? They had some solid bits to them, but none of it was terribly fleshed out. But with the talent behind it, being ‘fine’ wasn’t enough for me. It reminds me a bit of Jirisan in this regard (though this was much better overall).

The overall story was pretty engaging though. And it had some great moments throughout with interesting threads that could still be pulled if they decide to do a season 2.

I’d much prefer a lot of other netflix kdramas getting a second season before this one though (Sweet Home, Extracurricular, and Hellbound, just to name a few). A solid watch, and probably a 6.5/10 for me overall. Above average, but doesn’t hit the heights I wanted it to (at least for me).

Comment full of spoilers :

I liked the story until Luna. I think until that, I could believe in the story. The moon water was weird but it made the story a little bit scary with the lacking of knowledge. The fact people are fighting for it, could it save the humanity? The experiments on clones, etc. But one survivor with weird powers? Of course a cute young girl (why it's always young and cute girl?). I lost interest in the story.

For the characters, I think there was a lot of useless deaths, overall the last 2... But I didn't have issue with the lack of development, the story happened in a short timeline.

I was pretty happy to see so many familiar faces! I really liked the casting.

I liked the visual of the drama too. I pity the actors who had to wear their uniform during the all the moon scenes...

I already posted my thoughts on my fanwall.
I will just reiterate them here:
I appreciate the foray into something new but it was underwhelming imo. Decent premise but the execution fell flat. I didn’t really care about the characters, who were very bland and underdeveloped (the cast was really underutilised).
I felt the twists were all quite obvious. The visuals were so dull too, which certainly didn’t help hold my attention.
However, all that being said I enjoyed this review. @missvictrix your writing is wonderfully crafted as always.

The reason to watch: duct tape made a glorious cameo in the last ep. it was brief, yes, but it made all the differences.

SPOILERS

Is Gong Yoo dead because I'm not watching a second season without him? Not that the drama needs it since the story is more or less resolved: Luna is the antibody. As soon as Ji-an recovered from her lunar water infection, Hong Doc should've prescribed Luna to bite all of them, which would protect them from drowning and running out of oxygen.

Why did the secret storage flood if lunar water stops multiplying once the host dies after E1 was dead? I was praying "please don't die" when E2 followed Ryu Tae-suk. Freckles was just saved. What happened to the original co-pilot Eun Ji-Young, and why do astronauts even have guns?

I enjoyed it! The cast was awesome. Hoping that GY survived it

I have not watched The Silent Sea yet, but from reviews here I am getting a strong Doctor Who (The Waters of Mars) vibe (or deja vu). Am I mistaken?

INCLUDES SPOILERS - PLEASE DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVE NOT FINISHED THE SHOW.
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Ok, I truly need someone to explain the bizarre ending of TSS to me. I was able to fully suspend my belief/common sense/analytical mind for seven episodes and even until the last 10 minutes of episode 8. But someone please tell what happened after the 2 docs and Luna stepped outside the base??/ Why is the "special child" able to run around without being the space suit? She might have something like gills, but how does that help her roam free in the lunar air? And if she can do that, then actually, this creates more of a problem, no? How can she then survive the earth's atmosphere? Bringing her to earth might make her explode then! And how the HECK did Gong Yoo end up on the surface? Did the water shoot him out through a vest or something??????? The emotions you felt at his sacrifice felt a little comical once you saw him sitting outside by a rock after all that "final goodbye"! this part made NO SENSE whatsoever....couldn't they not have let him be shown being swallowed by the water? What value was added by bringing him outside to the lunar surface again???????? Seriously.....this drama has fallen victim to the same syndrome that ruins so many other k-dramas...the "last episode glitch", I call it. The feelings and whatever few good aspects of the show had been there were all for naught because of the last 10 minutes of the last episode where they ruin everything (think Do do sol sol la la sol, Vagabond, etc.). Sigh......

I liked Silent Sea... I liked the slow pace interspersed with action, and the otherworldly set. The dystopian/science fiction genre is uncommon for Korea; I feel they did a nice job with this unfamiliar territory. It's a start, one small step for Korea...

Like many other viewers have said, I do wish there was more character development. This is one of the things Kdramas do really well and I missed getting to know and care more for the characters. It felt like they were still strangers at the end, I was not able to become terribly invested in their stories.

Two of my favorite actors were here: Gong Yoo and Kim Sun Young. I thought Gong Yoo's role didn't allow him to show the range of emotions he portrays so well, but as always he became his character and gave another great performance. Plus, eye candy...! Speaking of which, Dr. Hong was a wonderful character, suited Kim Sun Young well!

Trying not to give spoilers here so here goes:
The sacrifice made by one of the main characters at the end, I felt was an unnecessary plot device. Though if there is to be a sequel perhaps this person actually survived: bitten off-camera, or, rescued and brought safely but injured outside of the research base by another character with their special abilities. I imagine the survivors bringing what they believe to be a body on board the rescue ship and then that character awakens...

Also, I wondered about the others, numbers 74+, where did they end up? You can't just instantly create each one at the correct age, they would need time to grow, so where are the others?  What a stunningly creepy, inhumane depiction of how evil people might become given desperate circumstances. Also the social class message. And a reminder of the need to better protect our natural resources, our planet home. So many global issues presented in one short drama. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I would love to watch some of the older dramas and movies by actors like Gong Yoo, but I can't find them anywhere in the US. I have Netflix and Viki. Any sources I'm missing? Thx

It was extremely underwhelming for me, especially when you have such stellar actors and actresses! It felt like all that good Netflix money went to the money-shot of the moon (gorgeous, though) and not enough on the writing lol wasted potential really and I hate how all Netflix shows have sequel baits - sometimes a good show can just be good in one go!