Run, dont walk fellow beanies because this is excellent.
LWD with a fabulous cast.
So. Much. Tension.

I think this is something I would have to binge after it is completed because I was just left with questions such as why the niece (as well as her parents) were targeted. Even if Jinman is/was involved in the shady underworld, his relatives weren't.

It seems some kind of like established rules were broken and I'm gonna guess it's out of greed. I think I'm developing such a hatred for greed as motive (despite it being one of the most common things in the world).

I thought she was gonna hit the bully with the food tray so I was surprised she went for the chair instead. Honestly, I was kinda like "yeah! Good for you" cause kids can be just evil little jerks (putting it nicely). Just cruel and vile and people will justify and rationalize it as "kids being kids", "they don't know better", "they're just playing" but that's total b.s. especially when talking about 10 year olds. You're telling me a 10 year old doesn't know that it's wrong to lock someone in a shed, overnight no less? Or to drop milk over them or hit them with a carton of milk?

This is probably why I like webtoons like Weak Hero. The bullied fights back and wins. This would also be my draw to this show; a seemingly disadvantaged girl taking on all these bad guys who caused her alot of trauma and loss, fighting back and winning. At least that's what I think this show is supposed to be heading towards.

I guess on another level, it's probably learning more about her uncle.

I watched The Killer's Shopping List because I thought this show was spun off of it but I don't see how that could possibly be the case.

Then I thought maybe it was in the same universe but not directly connected to that drama. I thought that's why the same actor is in both projects though he plays different characters.

The word that comes to mind — bear with me here — is restraint. In contrast to some of the promotional material — this poster included — the opening two episodes were not about violence for the sake of showing how much blood, guts and high-tech weaponry the show creators could get away with. Instead, we saw the toll and impact of this violent business on the individuals caught in its path. Listen to the fights along with young Ji-ah as her childhood innocence comes to an end. Witness the lengths she’ll go to in order to survive, even when she’s not clear why she’s a target. And then when an episode of action does break out, it’s that much more effective thanks to the tension-building and character development that preceded it. Show is off to a gripping start! 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼

Along with not showing us the obvious violence, and so creating tension, LDW’s incredible little flashes of love, humor, and affection for his niece are all the more amazing from his restraint otherwise. That chuckle when stole the meat from him the first time she meets him to the proud happiness when she starts talking again suddenly (also over pork belly, I am just realizing.) The child actress is so amazing!

Interesting and curious to the point I don't even know if I should draw attention to it but why does Disney+ air 2 episodes while Hulu airs 1 episode each week?

Ep 3 and 4 were as fabulous as the first two episodes. They are maintaining the momentum and the "Min Hye" character was such a kickass. Loved her tackles during the gun/knife fight. The action choreographer/stunt master deserve a special mention. Another equally interesting character was "Pasin".

The uncle niece relationship in the flashbacks is so precious that I wish LDW's character would spring back from death and tell his niece with a straightface that "Remember Jian, You never know when you will be attacked, from which siee and by whom. So, it is good be prepared"

Is it weird that I wanted her to master the slingshot over learning how to use the gun? Haha

I did like that he seemed to take a responsible approach to teaching her how to shoot a gun though. I think oftentimes, more "point & shoot" is shown or mentioned.

First, the positives. I am really enjoying the actual story and how they have introduced the back story aspects, including how Ji-an was trained to protect herself and the probable reason why her parents were killed. The fight choreography is great. I hope the final 4 episodes continue this way.

Now, the negatives. For me, there is too much time spent re-hashing scenes. Examples include the issue around the initial attack and the rifle; did we need to see Ji-an go through the whole remembering about blind spots and then finding them a second time in episode 3? Then, the shoot out in the warehouse was just too long, with too much recap.

Finally, why do we have the long-time, computer-geek friend turning into the "baddie" who can inject drugs? Are we going to find out next week, that he has been a "plant" for all this time? Or is he going to turn to the right side?

I will watch to the end but I fear that the final thought will be "could have been just 6 episodes".

All the Listen Jian quotes are perfect. The criticism against the Moving parents that they didn't train / empower their children to effectively use their powers and protect themselves and others is beautiful addressed here.

My god LDW, I’m falling in love with him again. He keeps doing this. This show is excellent, fun, gritty, with amazing acting from uncle and niece. It was a mistake starting it now, should have binged it once all episodes came out. Dammit! Now I gotta wait!

Once upon a time on an episode of The Penguins of Madagascar, it was said "don't try to make sense of revenge, it cheapens it!" And that's exactly what came to mind after watching Jinman's backstory.

I was *so* frustrated watching things play out and a part of me keeps feeling like Jinman can't really be dead. It must be some elaborate fake out because it just *feels so wrong that all of this is happening when NONE of them deserves it. Jian's parents were clueless. Jinman's mom was sick. Jian was just a child the first time they came after her and now she's clueless and in mourning yet is thrust into this world and all for what? Because a murderous psychopath had a grudge when *he* was in the wrong! Their showdown was inevitable but it still sucks things played out the way it did. The whole organization seemed to turn on Jinman.

It's weird and hard to talk about "right and wrong" when talking about mercenaries but *sigh* you would think there's *some* kind of rules in place and yet nope, it's just let's all listen to the psycho. (Which to be fair makes sense because survival instincts and greed are real but still)

Am I the only one who is more than a little annoyed that we spent the best part of an episode and a half (of only eight) on the past history of a sociopath/psychopath classmate and the revenge arc for the uncle? In a series of 16 episodes, I would accept such lengthy and detailed explanations of how/why things had happened, but not in this one.

My impression so far is that the fundamental story could have been told over 4 episodes, and everything else is filler.

This week's episodes are just as tight as the previous weeks. We get the back story and the return of a supporting character in the nick of time. Hopefully they can stick the landing or at least have season 2 ready if they can't wrap it up nicely.

Also, being hit in the visuals out of the left field by a shirtless Lee Dong-Wook has left my mouth hanging open. OPPAAAAAAAA!!!!

How many Beans all want the samchon to come back after having faked his death. 🙋‍♀️

this show does so many things right that it’s hard to know whatcontributed most to the fact that I binged all 6 episodes today in what felt like zero time flat. I want to put a plug for the score and the sound mixing. absolutely phenomenal. I would rewatch simply for these two reasons, honestly.

And I have never been a LDW person but I am an officially convert 🥰

Off the bat, I have to start with "is there supposed to be a second season?"

Next is "what the hell?"
What did I just watch? How am I suppose to feel?

This gave me Vagabond flashbacks and once again I even watched the credits in case there was a post credit scene because seriously what the hell?

I have to say it three times.
Jeong Jin-man
Jeong Jin-man
Jeong Jin-man!!!

Hum...

I don't like Jeong Jing-Man. He chose a mercenary job, he knew people he worked with were bad, he was completely naive, made his family killed and instead to stop it as soon as possible, he chose a long-term plan involving his poor niece who didn't ask for anything. For what? His house is completely destroyed, Ji-An survived only because it's a Kdrama, his friends were almost killed, he did nothing and Bale is still alive...

I kept being like, should she go outside, where’s Bale? Then that… considering how the show spent so much time going back and showing us what happened, it seems that a season 2 is in order. But I also really liked the ending with that last look between uncle and niece.

So many dead bodies, blood and gore and Jian had a few opportunities to kill her tormentor but hesitated. I got frustrated watching this and regretted it as there were so man flashbacks and mindless killings.

I couldn't stop laughing as I read the director's comment that "Jin-man, is actually a very heavy-built, bald man in the original novel and there wasn’t an actor who could portray that in terms of looks
". 🤣

He said that "Unlike in the novel, in our show, we wanted to showcase the backstory of the character, and a lot of the series is dedicated to the past of Jung Jin-man. So I wanted a good-looking, fierce guy who had that combative spirit. For me, I also wanted the character to have an ice-cold demeanour so I thought Dong-wook was the perfect fit." 🫰

I don't usually ask for S2, but this drama needs it. There were few missteps, but overall I enjoyed it. I liked all the characters on Jinman's side. The action sequences were interesting to watch, but blood spill was a bit too much to my taste. It is a shame that DB did not have regular recpas for this, but anyone reading this, do give it a try.

Said it all here lol
https://www.dramabeans.com/members/sicarius/activity/1532209/

I loved the early episodes so much I am willing to forgive the later missteps more than I normally would. It was an interesting idea to review the early events from the uncle’s perspective but then it was mostly fight scenes that became repetitive. It’s then frustrating that they skip over everything that happened to him since his fake death. I didn’t need the hanging boy to come back as a threat. Cut that and give me more uncle. Pasin lightly rejects Jinman when he shows up at his house. How does he get reeled into best friend status? I loved this character and Min Hye too. I am surprised that Min Hye and Jian would have never met before. So many plot holes! The early dynamic between Jinman and Jian was so great and the closing shot of Joan’s expression at seeing her uncle was brilliant. I liked the moral ambiguity of Jinman’s character. His failure to testify against Bale was bad, but felt authentic as did his regret. This conflict was representative of the larger tension of Jinman’s role as mercenary and estranged family member. I would love a second season that more quietly explores these issues and main characters.

I loved the early episodes so much I am willing to forgive the later missteps more than I normally would. It was an interesting idea to review the early events from the uncle’s perspective but then it was mostly fight scenes that became repetitive. It’s then frustrating that they skip over everything that happened to him since his fake death. I didn’t need the hanging boy to come back as a threat. Cut that and give me more uncle. Pasin lightly rejects Jinman when he shows up at his house. How does he get reeled into best friend status? I loved this character and Min Hye too. I am surprised that Min Hye and Jian would have never met before. So many plot holes! The early dynamic between Jinman and Jian was so great and the closing shot of Jian’s expression at seeing her uncle was brilliant. I liked the moral ambiguity of Jinman’s character. His failure to testify against Bale was bad, but felt authentic as did his regret. This conflict was representative of the larger tension of Jinman’s role as mercenary and estranged family member. I would love a second season that more quietly explores these issues and main characters.

ahhh i loved this SO MUCH. I reeled my cousin into watching, and we settled on the best description for the show: immersive. it's been a long time since a show hooked me in the way this one has. i can't explain it but time flies. i am locked in from the moment i press play, which rarely (if ever) happens when i'm watching a show. i can't put my finger on exactly what makes it so engaging (but do want to shout out the sound mixing and score again! so good). of course there are open questions, and i would love to see more, but i feel satisfied if there is no season 2 (vagabond burned me so no expectations here). i hardly ever rewatch shows, but i almost want to rewatch the whole thing again. i hope more people will watch this!

I binged all the 8 episodes and really loved it. The twists were amazing. But I got disappointed that they didn't show how uncle was alive. Also Bale being alive was unrealistic. We need more episodes!

Just finished the final two episodes 5 minutes ago and:

1. I liked that Jian had to handle the showdown with Bale and the mercenaries herself... and won because she used her brains and wits.

Writer-nim and PD-nim made the right choice to have Jinman only come back right at the end otherwise it would've been too much deux ex machina.

2. Jinman coming back at the end and Pasin and Minhye disappearing also sets things up nicely for season 2.

3. Overall a very satisfying watch. Like I said before - it's a great cross between JOHN WICK and LONE WOLF & CUB.