Story: The story was amazing. It's about a special crimes unit solving past cases and how it affects the past and future. The cases are also very interesting to see as to how they solve it and how it actually affects the past. And also future.
Acting: The acting was AMAZING. I give props to Lee Je Hoon because of his acting skills. Oh my gosh his acting skills were ON POINT. Just by watching him, it gave me so many different emotions and feelings like they were everywhere as I watched the drama. Kim Hye Soo's acting was also very good because some of the scenes that she was in made me very annoyed but if they let the watcher get annoyed that means the acting was amazing. Jo Jin Woong's acting was also very good because of the way he showed the character's emotions and stuff. Like he developed the character so well.
Music: I didn't really pay attention much to the music because of how good the scenes were and all, but when I did hear it, they were very good. The music made the scenes look even realer and much more feel in the action parts of the drama.
I highly recommend this drama to anyone who LOVES suspenseful dramas, action dramas, crime dramas, or even just a little bit of romance in them too.
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Its plot is unpredictable. As viewers we've seen enough dramas to try and predict what would happen after a certain development of an event. But the drama plays to none of the usual plot trappings. In a way, its storyline takes on a concept that is extremely unique to its own.
Granted the fantastical element of the story leaves you pondering about the logical conundrums of such a scenario. But the drama makes no apologies for it, in fact the characters themselves recognise the absurdity of the situation. What the drama does well is not overexplaining how it came to be, but putting out the premise for the viewer to accept it as it is, and then utilising the walkie talkie seamlessly as a plot device.
The drama draws you in with the storylines and all its characters. Acting was absolutely fantastic. Even Jang Hyeon Seong, the great dad in TROS, plays such a convincingly despicable character he was thoroughly repugnant. All in all, I would say this is an extremely well executed drama, ties up everything it's supposed to tie up without it feeling rushed. (I for one feel the ending was appropriate for a 16 episode series, though I also do entertain the possibility that they could have extended it to 20 episodes and truly conclude the entire story once and for all, but of course we don't know what the writers' intentions are). You can't really stop watching once you start, so brace yourself. Will really like to commend the scriptwriters and actors for such a great job done. It was very a enjoyable ride indeed.
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It was beautifully executed from the filming to the script to the attention to details. It never left you leaving an episode without wanting to come back.
The cast my god the entire cast was brilliant. The leads the good and the bad were exceptional in their roles.
The side characters were never just written in as fillers they made the story what is was.
It teaches us so many lessons the top two I learned were
- Never give up ever, you can change the future and that you can't change everyone's fate you can't save everyone.
It definitely had many other touching quotes like every handcuff is worth 2.5 liters of tears.
It showed that through corruption there are those to succumb and become dogs to the ones in power and there are those who fight back so that the innocent won't be hurt.
I highly recommend this drama for those of you who are in a drama slump or are into crime and mystery dramas.
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First this is my 3-4 korean drama that I watched so I was blown away to say the least! The cases were real cases the script was made with the bereaved families in mind that is something that all the people that watch this drama should have present because this is what makes this drama great!
Acting- The acting was surreal for me. I could relate to the main characters meaning when they were angry,happy,sad I had the same feelings that in itself is something an actor should aspire to make the audience feel like a part of the story only then they will never forget that story! They did that and then some!
Script- The script as I said above was made on real cases of course that doesn't mean that the drama is real but that the scriptwriter wanted people not to forget the past and to learn something from that. I have no words in my vocabulary to describe the script for all of them will fall short!! I can only encourage you to watch the drama yourself!
Directing- The directing kept the scriptwriter's wishes to make the drama bearing in mind the families of those that died and it was an incredible ride of emotions! Again no words can describe it!
Music- I will be very honest I was so engrossed in the drama that I could barely hear any music at all only when the episode ended I could hear it! So I rated it 9,5 because of that!
Overall- UNBELIEVABLE!! But even that is not a good enough word!
I truly hope you watch this drama!!!
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Signal is a very good drama, the kind of drama you feel compelled to recommend to a non drama viewer. Not because it's seems American, but because its "goodness" it's beyond nationality or language.
In short:
What I liked:
-Most of the acting and their script is great, you feel the characters, and they feel like real human beings; with real human reactions.
-The plot; and how all the sub-plots connect into one big story which slowly unfolds.
-How the fantastic element is inserted, the "rules" they come up to (you'll understand this when you see it), but it doesn't feel "cheap" and it could've been.
-The direction and production is very good for a TV product.
What I didn't like:
-Sometimes the editor/director feels like he has to over-explain some things that are pretty clear, so you'll find yourself re-watching some scenes from time to time (it's not a big problem, but it's something to mention).
-The acting overall is very good but, OMG Kim Hye Soo "surprised face" is... well, very bad =P
If you're looking for romance, there's almost none, so this is not the drama for you. But, if you're looking for a good story, with good and unexpected twists, good characters and acting with high production values, this drama is for you.
Also, the violence is there, but it's not excessive, and for those who complain about the ending; let me tell you that it's consistent with the rest of series, you'll not feel disappointed.
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I strongly recommend this series to all.
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No really. I savored this thing. I started watching May 19, 2016 and dragged it out until November 10, 2016. Yes, Signal was so good that I did find myself binge watching episodes numerous times, but it was so fabulously wonderful that I would gain control of myself control so that I could savor.
The writing. Oh, my gosh the writing! Never have I given (especially now that I've got my rating scale down) a first episode a 10. Ever. Not even my favorite shows like Healer, Faith, I Hear Your voice, and etcetera. They've always had to work to lead up to that 10 rating. Signal nailed it on the first episode and I still have no words to describe that absolute bliss that accompanied such heights of writing. I don't think I'll ever be able to explain it. Though here is what I titled my episode one review: "One of the best first episodes I've ever seen."
The writer perfectly balanced the small arcs of crime cases to the larger arcs. We're introduced to the concept of these walkie-talkies (aka radios) connecting two cops through time. Using a seemingly inconsequential kidnapping case to pull them together and start them working together. There are some real life events pulled in and given their own twists. Most known is the famous Hwaseong serial murders, which I had heard would be the focus way back when word of the initial concept had dropped. So I was a bit baffled as to where the show would go, and stay strong, without the case. The writer is so confidant and amazing that the arc of the Hwaseong serial murders is epic! Holly cow amazing, but the other cases and the bigger arcs never falter after. In fact, the big arcs—sorry guys I'm trying not to spoil a thing especially if you haven't seen Frequency—are never far away. They're constantly being hinted and developed. So by the time its the forefront and focus of the show I was practically foaming at the mouth.
Even better is that the actions of the characters have consequences. Big ones. Even if they're willing and strong enough to try and change the past, lives are altered in the present and past. People who lived before die, others who died lived. Would that have happened if they hadn't intervened? There are many scary moments when you don't know if things will actually be changed, and moments of hope when you pray that they will be.
The actors did a wonderful job. Hands down some of the best acting I have seen in a drama and the proof of their abilities is in how many dramas these actors have landed since Signal. Performances by the leads and supporting characters never faltered. Their interactions are so real. Even the guest roles to play the victims and criminals did flawless work. If you asked me about any of the characters I'd probably have nothing but praise for them, even if it was the old lady collecting card board and garbage in one scene. All three leads did such an amazing job that I don't have words for them. They're just awesome.
The set designer and wardrobe/makeup people hit it on point. You didn't need the years flashed across the screen to know whether you were in the present day or the past. It was so consistent that I hope Signal wins tons of awards for that alone.
The music is well done and I really love the opening OST for the drama—even if it smacks heavily of another shows OST from America. Hey, it fit Signal perfectly. I thought the OST was well done and fit the show well. A nice balance for a show that spanned two time periods.
Signal's biggest ambition is that addresses the corruption of not just cops, but society. Addressing that those with power and money do get away with things, but if the people stay true and never give up justice can be served. There's many other topic addressed here as well. The blaming of rape victims, the emotions of the criminal and the victim. The consequences of actions and many more ideas.
The emotional impact and cleverness of the Signal still astounds me looking back and I made sure before I even finished it that I owned it for future rewatching. Director Kim Won-Suk truly surprised me, and I look forward to future dramas. Writer Kim Eun-Hee is officially on my stalk list! Future dramas will be a must and I've already started looking into the older ones. Overall I would say that Signal is a drama everyone should see. Especially if you've been starved for something that isn't just another stereotypical K-drama. Even if you are one who only likes the stereotypical drama fodder, try this! Because Signal is not only one of the best dramas I've seen, it's one of the best TV shows I've seen.
My review/words will never be adequate enough to describe or praise Signal. But I had to try.
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You hardly see dramas that keep you going from episode to episode to the end before you know it. This drama does just that! I think this drama is a gem in the hidden mine, waiting for those to discover it, to know it's true beauty.
I rarely watch psychological and suspense crime dramas that are not top-rated. I am always afraid to be disappointed by the time the end episode is released. This is where I normally drop the dramas and cannot go back after a long period of time, if lucky. However, this series left me on a note wanting more. I have to tell you all, you will not be bored with any of these episodes and you will feel like each episode in this drama feeds your craving "just right". Not the Got7 way.
If you find the first episode not intriguing, do not let go of this drama. I guarantee you that by the next try, you will be forever hooked and on-edge.
BEST KOREAN SUSPENSE CRIME DRAMA OF 2016!
Nothing more, nothing less.
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Signal is a detective/suspense drama that focuses on a newly created police department “the cold cases unit” and how its profiler suddenly finds an old seeming less useless radio (walkie talkie) but starts getting these weird transmissions from that radio. Then he discovers the transmissions come from a detective of the past, who strangely has a connection to the cold cases the unit is investigating. The profiler keeps the transmissions of the radio a secret but uses them to solve the cold cases. But soon he’ll discover there is more than meets the eye. These transmissions are only the beginning of uncovering a big conspiracy and all the secrets involved in it.
It really is a well made suspense drama, the cases are well planned and they interconnect very well with the scenes form the past. Overall the stories from the past and the present are well connected, at first you get a little confused because they change from past to present from one scene to another. But all the old scenes are filmed with this sepia color that helps you identify which is which.
The main 3 actors of this drama are all new to me this is the first time I’ve seen them act. They did an amazing job, their characters were well developed and all the emotions portrayed were believable. I only had a little problem with the female detective’s acting on the past, she was the exact opposite of the strong and reliable detective from the present.
The only bad point for me is the paradox of changing the past and the repercussions it could have in the present, I was ok with the explanations and the way they handled it until the final episodes where I think they kind of contradict the premise they were using in the previous episodes.
As many others had done I’m also recommending this drama, watch it and write your own conclusions on the cases and the time paradox. And by watching you will also wonder how can a boy eating omurice can make you cry so much!
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Mind-blowing crime thriller with a twist of time warp
This is one of the most outstanding crime, detective series I have watched. I love how there different stories told within the story itself. The cases actually has more depth than usual and actually stirs emotions. Unlike, most crime dramas, Signal didn't revolved around corruption only but more on the story of its characters so very good job on that.Most of the times I find shows which has vintage feels to it confusing or boring but here I really appreciate how it takes us back to 1989 when I wasn't even born. The cinematography added that vintage feels that it won't be hard to tell which is the past and the present. The OST also complements the overall mood of the show. The song has 90's feel to it which I surprisingly get addicted into.
My mind is still blown on how the story went and I admit although the ending is a bit confusing for me, I really enjoyed the journey of watching each drama. All characters are really interesting and their chemistry on screen is superb. My time is definitely worth it. Thumbs up to the Kingdom screenwriter who wrote such an amazing story. The elements of the story like the time warp, the cases, the slight humor, the emotions, it was risky to be put together because it can end up a disaster but this one stayed consistent from start to finish.
I don't really re-watch heavy dramas and crime thriller because the excitement is no longer there 2nd time around as I know what happened already. But if there's one thing I can assure, the story is really worth it. If you're a crime thriller seeker and loves emotional dramas, this a very good recommendation. Heads up to those who doesn't like vague ending though as this drama has an open-ended finale.
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