Playing Ep 17

What people are saying

• HotViola72

  Overall 4.5

  Story 3,  Acting 5,  Music 5,  Rewatch Value 7

  Once upon a time, there was a TV series that seemed like an experimental work. It had a complex story with difficult yet meaningful messages to convey. The team responsible for creating this drama put tremendous effort into it, and I admired their dedication. The process of bringing this series to life, from plotting to filming and editing, was a challenging task. It wasn't just the story that was complex; the entire production required a lot of hard work.
  
  However, despite their best efforts, the series...

  fell short in certain areas. The plot had numerous loopholes that left me scratching my head. It felt like the writers tried too hard to be clever but ended up struggling to connect the dots logically. The time constraint may have played a role in this, as the writer seemed to have solid ideas for the main plot points but lacked the ability to bridge them in a cohesive manner. As a result, the resolution felt messy and relied on cheating the audience.
  
  There were two major ways in which the series cheated the audience. Firstly, they created their own conditions within the story, disregarding universal laws, just to conveniently resolve conflicts. This felt like a lazy approach to storytelling, as they couldn't think of proper solutions without resorting to these contrived conditions. For example, they had two police officers guarding a criminal in a hospital, but when another police officer called for backup, the two guards left their post immediately. It was unrealistic and undermined the credibility of the story.
  
  Secondly, the series manipulated scenes to deceive the audience. They would show the wrong occurrence in crucial moments, only to later reveal the true twist. This kind of manipulation felt like cheating rather than clever storytelling. Instead of providing the same information to both the audience and the characters within the story, they intentionally hid parts of the information to mislead viewers. It was a pretentious move that lacked storytelling finesse.
  
  Throughout the series, there were numerous loopholes that made it hard to suspend disbelief. Unrealistic portrayals of media, human behavior, and decision-making in society were crucial to the story's development. Without these surrealist elements, the plot wouldn't progress as written, showcasing a lack of creativity on the production team's part. It felt like they needed these artificial conditions to make their narrative work, rather than finding more organic and logical solutions.
  
  The series also suffered from flawed character actions and illogical situations. Motives seemed absent, and events occurred without a logical flow. It felt like the characters and situations were programmed in a video game rather than a thoughtfully constructed story. For instance, a TV producer inexplicably takes a person into her car without any clear reason. These inconsistencies and illogicalities grated on my nerves and pulled me out of the story.
  
  Moreover, the series depicted police officers as generally unintelligent and made the media break laws and ethical boundaries without any consequences. It painted a picture of a society that blindly believes everything they see on TV and lacks independent thinking. These flawed portrayals did a disservice to the real world professions they were meant to represent.
  
  In terms of acting, there were some shortcomings as well. The older police officer often overacted, undermining the believability of his performance. Additionally, the female producer of the TV program lacked nuance in her expressions. It felt like she was merely going through the motions without truly embodying her character's emotions.
  
  The script was undoubtedly another weak point of the series. The conversations between characters felt forced and blocked, as if they were playing an RPG game. The characters would stop and talk to witnesses or interview people in an artificial manner that lacked authenticity. They asked strange and rude questions, yet everyone answered willingly and without hesitation. There was no flow to the conversations, and it all felt unnatural.
  
  In the end, this series had its merits with a complex story and meaningful messages. However, it was let down by its messy plot, numerous loopholes, and a lack of logical storytelling. The cheating tactics used to manipulate the audience further added to the frustration. Despite its efforts to be clever, it fell short of its ambition and left me feeling disappointed.

• SmartUnforgiven

  Overall 7

  Story 5,  Acting 9,  Music 5,  Rewatch Value 1

  Once upon a time, there was a highly anticipated drama that had everyone buzzing with excitement. People were intrigued by the premise, which revolved around a world where psychopaths could be identified before birth. It was a concept that captured the imagination and promised a compelling storyline.
  
  As the drama, let's call it "Mouse," began, it quickly became apparent that there were some issues with the portrayal of psychopaths. The show relied heavily on the idea that all psychopaths were serial killers, which was not an...

  accurate representation. This bothered me, but I held out hope that the drama would challenge these biases and present a more nuanced perspective.
  
  Unfortunately, that didn't happen. The drama reinforced its initial opinions throughout, failing to explore the topic in a more balanced way. Despite this, I still found some enjoyment in the early episodes. The suspenseful moments reminded me of a campy horror movie, adding a fun and cringe-worthy element to the story.
  
  However, as the drama progressed, my lukewarm feelings intensified. I couldn't connect with the characters, who felt more like caricatures than fully fleshed-out individuals. Their past traumas defined them, but their actions didn't always align with their experiences. It felt like they were existing solely to serve the plot and lacked genuine interests or depth.
  
  One character, Moo Chi, was an alcoholic detective with anger issues. While his tragic past justified his struggles with depression, there was little beyond that. It was as if catching criminals was his sole purpose in life, leaving him devoid of any real personality. Similarly, Bong Yi, a victim of sexual assault, had a temper and knew how to fight, but her character relied on tired tropes rather than presenting a fully developed female lead.
  
  Then there was Ba Reum, a seemingly kind person who cared for animals. However, his kindness was so exaggerated that viewers predicted his true nature early on, making the drama's attempt at a twist fall flat. It was disappointing that his genuinely kind persona wasn't explored further, as it would have been a more intriguing development than the predictable reveal.
  
  The story itself had potential, but it became cluttered with unnecessary subplots and an inconsistent plot progression. The inclusion of a government conspiracy felt forced and detracted from the main focus on the serial killer. If the drama had remained streamlined and focused on that core storyline, it could have had a greater impact.
  
  As Mouse reached its conclusion, I found myself disengaged from the characters and the events unfolding on screen. The last episode tried to tie up loose ends but failed to elicit any emotional investment from me. The ending left me questioning whether the show intended the passing of a law to abort fetuses with the psychopath gene to be seen as a victory or a negative outcome. It was a murky conclusion that left me with mixed feelings.
  
  Despite its flaws, there were a few bright spots in Mouse. The concept was interesting, and I appreciated that the drama took a different direction by revealing Ba Reum as the original killer instead of the expected twist. The ending, although not perfect, was an improvement compared to the writer's previous work.
  
  In the end, Mouse was a long and somewhat disappointing journey for me. It served as a cautionary tale not to let my excitement for a drama's premise cloud my expectations. While there were moments of enjoyment and the performances were solid, the overall execution left much to be desired. Mouse may have its fans, but it ultimately fell short for me.

• sleepynatalie48

  Overall 6.5

  Story 8,  Acting 10,  Music 10,  Rewatch Value 2

  The TV series under review features excellent acting and a well-written plot. However, it suffers from creating too many unanswered questions, making it difficult for the audience to stay engaged. It's not until the final episodes that all the questions are finally answered and everything falls into place. Although the early episodes are thrilling, the series becomes draggy and boring as it progresses. While the reviewer enjoyed the show to some extent, they didn't feel strongly about it. The romantic relationship between the characters Ba...

  Reum and Bong Yi was not convincing. Considering the amount of time invested in watching the series, with the final episode being almost an hour long, the reviewer felt as though they had aged years while watching it. As a result, they do not plan to rewatch it or recommend it to others.
  
  In summary, the TV series boasts great performances and a well-crafted storyline, but its excessive use of unanswered questions hinders the overall watching experience. The slow pacing and lackluster romance also contribute to the reviewer's lukewarm response. While the final episodes provide satisfying answers, the time investment required, coupled with the dragging middle parts, make it an unappealing choice for a rewatch or recommendation.

• hotgiraffe

  Overall 7.5

  Story 7,  Acting 8.5,  Music 8,  Rewatch Value 5

  Get ready for a rollercoaster of twists and turns! This TV series is like a firecracker that starts with a weak spark but quickly ignites into an explosive first half. It's riveting, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you try to guess the identity of the elusive serial killer.
  
  Now, I have to be honest, the middle of the series felt a tad silly with its filler episodes focused on the daily escapades of the serial killer. But fear not, my friends, because...

  the latter half picks up the pace and brings us back to the heart-pounding main storyline. We're finally able to connect the dots and dive deep into the mystery.
  
  However, brace yourselves for a slightly disappointing ending. They tried to wrap things up too quickly, resulting in an anti-climactic finale. It felt a bit too easy, leaving some loose ends untied. But hey, it's not all bad because leading up to that point was a wild ride that had me fully engrossed.
  
  One downside, though, is that there's simply too much happening in this series. Relationships, characters, and plotlines multiply like rabbits, making it a bit challenging to keep track of everything. I found myself jotting down notes to stay on top of it all. Plus, the timeline can be a bit messy and confusing, leaving us scratching our heads over when a certain character became a parent.
  
  But let's not dwell on the negatives, shall we? The acting in this series is top-notch, with the entire cast delivering standout performances. Personally, I'm a huge fan of Seung-gi, so his presence alone made this journey worth it. If you share my love for thrillers or have a soft spot for Seung-gi, then I think you'll find enjoyment in this drama.
  
  So buckle up, my fellow thrill-seekers, because this suspenseful series will keep you guessing until the very end. Just be prepared for a few bumps along the way, but don't worry, the journey is well worth it!

• RoughMeryl33

  Overall 6.5

  Story 6,  Acting 9,  Music 6,  Rewatch Value 7

  Man, let me tell you about this show I just watched. It's called Mouse, and boy does it have a lot going on. I mean, I'm all for a good mystery with some unanswered questions, but this one takes it to the extreme.
  
  First off, there are just too many plotlines to keep track of. And they love leaving us hanging with cliffhangers and fake outs. I'm all for a little suspense, but this show takes it too far. Instead of making me think and come...

  up with my own theories, I'm just left confused and questioning the writers' choices.
  
  Now, I will say that the actors in this show are top-notch. They really bring their characters to life and keep you engaged. And the music, while mostly atmospheric, fits the vibe of the show.
  
  But here's where things go downhill. The first half of the show had me hooked. The plot was paced well, and we actually got some answers and insight into what was happening. But then, it all went downhill. They started relying too heavily on gimmicky plot devices and not giving us the answers we were craving. It got to the point where I just stopped caring about the big reveals and cliffhangers because I knew they would just be misleading us again.
  
  And don't even get me started on the number of characters in this show. It's like they wanted to introduce the whole town or something. I couldn't even keep track of who was who. Most of them didn't get enough screen time for us to really get to know them, which made it hard to care about their fates. They all just became interchangeable murder victims in my eyes.
  
  Oh, and let's not forget the editing. There were so many jump cuts and supercuts that it became disorienting. I would barely have time to register what was happening in one scene before it would cut to a completely different time or place. It really took away from the viewing experience.
  
  In the end, Mouse is carried by its talented actors, but unfortunately, that's not enough to save it. It started off strong, but the excessive plotlines and lack of answers left me feeling disappointed. I just wish they had focused more on developing the characters and giving us a satisfying resolution.