[Gyeongseong Creature Review Netflix] A Korean supernatural Creature series that delves deep into the inhuman brutality of Japan!

Gyeongseong Creature The supernatural series, adapted from a webtoon, consists of a total of 10 episodes. However, Netflix has released the first 7 episodes earlier, and the remaining 3 episodes are scheduled to be available on January 5, 2024. The story is set before Japan’s defeat in World War II in 1945 when Japan had control over Joseon (the Korean name at that time). During this period, they were experimenting to create supernatural beings in Gyeongsong Hospital, hoping to use them as a biological weapon to turn the tide of the war. However, a mistake occurs, leading to the escape of these supernatural beings.

 

 Gyeongseong Creature Review Netflix (No Spoilers)

The important thing for viewers to be aware of in order to prevent confusion is that the events in the series are based on significant real historical references in Japan. One such event is the Manchurian Incident in China, where Japan invaded and occupied the region, establishing units to research and develop biological weapons for the Japanese military. They conducted experiments on humans, known as Unit 731, and abandoned these experiments before the end of the war. This is a true story but has been modified to serve as the origin of the supernatural beings called “Najin” in the series.

The narrative then shifts to the city of Gyeongsong in Joseon, where, after March 9, 1945, Japan was bombed by the United States, resulting in a catastrophic event with hundreds of thousands of casualties, marking the deadliest bombing targeting civilians in the world. However, there is no memorial anywhere, unlike Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which had fewer casualties. This event becomes a catalyst in the series, as it accelerates Japan’s attempt to experiment again with creating supernatural beings to turn the tide of the situation.

The main characters on the anti-Japanese side see this event as the collapse of Joseon’s rule after 35 years. The resistance group makes a concerted effort to unite and fight against the occupation, with a large and diverse group of people coming together to resist. In this series, all the main characters naturally speak Japanese because they are governed and forced to speak Japanese throughout. However, Japanese characters almost never speak Korean, This difference may not be immediately noticeable to viewers watching the dubbed version.

The creators of the series pay meticulous attention to every detail and seamlessly integrate these historical events from the Manchurian Incident, connecting them throughout the narrative. Viewers will witness various gruesome scenes inspired by the real experiments conducted by Unit 731, such as live dissections without anesthesia to observe the internal organs. While these scenes may seem harsh and portray Korea as intentionally harming Japan, this is the reality of history. The only embellishment is the inclusion of supernatural beings in the narrative.

 

The series tells a story in two parts: one set in the city of Gyeongsong and the other in the hospital. In the city, it depicts the atmosphere of oppression by the Japanese police and residents who have taken over the city, cohabitating with the locals in Joseon. However, those of higher status and the police turn a blind eye to any assistance. This part of the series portrays a cruel psychological torment. While there are no direct killing scenes, it is almost indistinguishable from the actions of the Japanese military, such as beating and imprisoning people or sending them for experiments. The clear division of power between the police and the military is evident, with the police governing the city, and the military having authority only within the hospital’s boundaries, inaccessible to the police.

The main storyline in the hospital revolves around the struggle for survival against the supernatural beings that occasionally wreak havoc. A group of protagonists infiltrates the hospital to search for a missing woman, the secret mistress of the chief police who has disappeared. The narrative also involves the search for other missing individuals within the hospital. The hospital scenes go beyond mere survival from supernatural beings; they include helping other important people in the facility who are subjects of experiments. The story unfolds various mysteries, such as the disappearance of the protagonist’s mother, the hierarchical divisions among Japanese soldiers, the conflict between Japanese doctors and soldiers conducting experiments, and the testing of the characters’ trust in a situation where they must survive.

This series is detailed and explores various aspects deeply. It alternates between the past experiences of different characters, providing motivation for their actions. While it may seem brutal, it becomes understandable as it reflects the hellish reality of every minute of life in those circumstances.

In the section featuring the main creatures of the story, most of them are created using CGI, and the results are quite impressive. While there are a few scenes that may not look perfect, the overall depiction of the creatures is not entirely groundbreaking (similar to the T-Virus strains in Resident Evil). have a many scenes showcasing depicting brutal chase and kill scenes, and paying attention to detailed design. For instance, when a creature is incapacitated, it has the ability to defend itself by releasing an anthrax-like substance that spreads out to kill humans. This substance behaves realistically, differing only in terms of immediate symptoms. The process of creating these creatures involves using small parasite in water, highlighting this as a highlight in Part 7 before moving on to Part 2. These elements are used to create a more exciting narrative beyond just escaping or finding ways to kill the creatures.

One downside from the writer’s perspective that might disappoint Korean drama enthusiasts is the abundance of unnecessary romantic scenes between the male and female leads. Indeed, it becomes a crucial plot point that forces the male protagonist to follow the female lead into a hospital after falling in love with her unknowingly. However, despite the plot events being constantly pressured, the series quickly rushes into using the classic “love at first sight” trope, with the characters falling for each other after just two encounters. The main character, played by Park Seo-joon, is the owner of the largest pawnshop in the city, holding significant power and having connections with Japan. He is portrayed as someone who survived and thrived during the wartime turmoil, making him a character detested by many.The decision to create such a detestable main character and then have him change due to falling in love with a woman he just met, even though the actress Han So Hee is exceptionally beautiful, creates a significant conflict. Despite the attempt to inject successful romantic scenes, However,the writer does not seem to resonate with those emotions.

overall, the series is a high-quality drama that is definitely worth watching.

 

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