~ This review covers both seasons ~

Season 1 (War for Survival) : ~ Hell came on the day the rain of lies fell ~
Season 2 (Resurrection) : ~ Born again from lies ~

(Posters translation)

First things first, it has to be your kind of crazy, so that you can embrace it all. It's basically the definition of excessive art, as it presents drama in its purest form. Therefore the drama introduces viewers to a world where logic takes a backseat to spectacle. Epic, endlessly and effectively pushing boundaries to a new level where anything is possible, making the immersion simply divine. Outlandish, exaggerated and absurd, yet meticulously crafted in style and tone, perfectly serving the narrative. One thing's for sure, you will either find the drama fascinating, impressive and imaginative or simply unwatchable.

Another thing I deeply appreciate is the diversity of the characters.

Inspirational References (Official):

Dante's Divine Comedy: From the very first episode, the drama evokes the atmosphere of Dante's work, especially with its theme of a 'bloody revenge resembling divine punishment.' This connection is fundamental to the premise of the story.

The Count of Monte Cristo: The drama draws from this classic work, adopting the framework of a modern picaresque narrative.

The Avengers / Marvel / The Boys: Lee Joon once mentioned that the drama felt like a comic book, and I completely agree. There's a distinct sense of a vast, interconnected universe, much like the Marvel or The Boys franchises. If you look at dramas like Penthouse and The Last Empress, you can feel that same grand, epic scale. The mention of Marvel within the drama itself only adds to the sense of it being larger-than-life. While I didn’t see this explicitly noted on Namu Wiki (perhaps I missed it), there's no doubt that the parallels with The Boys and The Avengers were intentional. If you're familiar with The Boys, you’ll immediately recognize the comparison, especially when considering ‘The Seven’. (You can explore this further in this article: https://www.cbr.com/the-seven-vs-avengers). The playful self-awareness and creativity in the drama are palpable. Thor, perhaps, could even be considered a hidden main character.

On a side note, the number "Seven" could be an allusion to the Seven Deadly Sins, tying in with the larger thematic elements of sin and retribution.

More potential references are incorporated into the work, enriching it with even more layers.

The initial concept of the drama centers around seven villains, whose fates are intertwined in a cycle of condemnation. Their lives become dramatically entangled with that of a girl, whose life turns into a living nightmare before she disappears from the world. Bound together by life—or rather by death—the journey of the Seven begins.

To top it off, you even get to witness a real-life battle royale. Talk about greatness. In fact, it is even greater as it offers such a fresh and unique experience that completely blurs reality and our own vision along with that of the characters.

The first episode alone is enough to determine if this drama is for you. While Penthouse may appeal to many, 7 Escape is on an entirely different level. The plot is raw, brutal, and ruthless, offering an intensity that I found utterly gripping. The drama dives deep into themes of survival and psychological extremes, making it an exhilarating experience.

In terms of social status and backgrounds, 7 Escape is already different. The characters aren't meant to be rich like in Penthouse, and it's not the same kind of very classy drama. Look at the posters, compare this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/eYlLlY_4) to this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/p3ZzD_3) and this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/QJdAJ2_4) to this (https://mydramalist.com/photos/ENb8O_4). It's obvious right? You can also click on my profile, I have all posters displayed.

Anyway, I want to clarify that your opinion of Penthouse doesn't necessarily matter. I had a hard time getting into the latter, but this one immediately had me hooked. There is also my friend who watched 7 Escape with me who didn't make it past the fifth episode of Penthouse, but I knew he would love this one.

Advices: Always watch the intro, the end-of-episode visuals accompanied by the music and the closing logo, and the credits at the end of each season. The only thing you can skip is the preview for the next episode. In addition, I’ll share some links in the comments. A cool detail to note: the logo features a dual design, with one side displaying the title of the first season and the other side showing the title of the second season. I discovered this neat touch in a video, the link is included. Also, don’t miss the bonus scenes in Season 2. (They do not appear after the previews, of course.)

Do I need to talk about the biblical and mythological references in S2's opening? Simply insane.

Regarding the soundtrack, it's a brilliant blend of classical and modern music—much like the drama itself—which makes it easily one of my favorite OST albums.

The introduction presents a very intriguing foreshadowing, followed by an incredibly fast-paced, event-packed, and dramatic narrative that embraces the chaotic nature of its own creation along with every aspect of the production. The way the characters are introduced is already one hell of an experience. In fact, the entire journey is so cinematic and immersive that you'll want to be prepared for it. At least for me, it was ecstatic. It’s the definition of incredible, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

The sets and costumes also deserve commendation, as they splendidly reflect the drama's grandeur and extravagance. It is interesting to note that the drama has an impressive world-building, too.

One point worth mentioning is how it differs from its predecessors, Penthouse and The Last Empress. While both adopted a huit-clos-like setting, 7 Escape moves beyond that, yet still maintains the same oppressive atmosphere. Additionally, the drama sets itself apart with its distinctive twists and turns as well as its characterization of the protagonists. I’d say that, of the three, this one stands out as the most distinct and serves as a magnificent conclusion to the trilogy.

If the Seven aren't your cup of tea, you will most likely not enjoy the drama, or not to its full extent at least. The drama has such a strong aura, but you either savour it or hate it.

I respect Kim Soon Ok a lot, and I wish I could thank her in person. Extremely creative she is, even the most creative, but also extremely sensible and spiritual. I could tell by the script that she's a really fun and witty individual more than I could in Penthouse. If I were to compare the dark humor and comic relief characters in both dramas, my preference would strongly lean towards 7 Escape—as it does with everything else. I don't have anything against Penthouse though, I also think it's a masterpiece.

Be warned, Season 2 is more serious and less fun than Season 1—I was in tears. Yet, that's what makes it so refreshing, and it feels like a natural progression given the ending of Season 1. The new season adopts a more somber tone, contrasting with the first, while introducing different vibes, new dynamics, a new main character, and plenty of cool scenes to explore. Naturally, with a poster like that—hands down the best ever made (after the ones for S1)—the aesthetic is bound to be top-notch, on top of everything else.

I'm not great at explaining technical details, but you'll definitely notice a difference in the writing, screenplay, cinematography, and sound design. Pay attention to how everything, including the characters, has evolved. Season 1 is vibrant, colorful, and flashy, while Season 2 is mystical, vivid, and visually stunning in its own way. Overall, it creates a cold and mysterious atmosphere.

Theatrical, chaotic yet intelligent, psychotic and toxic, twisted—dynamic, modern, and even futuristic with a dystopian edge. It's relevant, meaningful, complex, and unconventional, offering limitless, provocative, and unpredictable elements. The production, the writing, the acting, it's absolutely mind-blowing. I barely could handle so much goodness from the start. There's just so much passion put into this rollercoaster. Expect the beginning to be particularly chaotic, there are a lot of characters and storylines. Besides, the out-of-the-box storytelling (like the premise) only made me fall in love more with the drama.

The story is so huge and complicated, I don't know how Kim Soon Ok wrote that but she did anyway. The pacing is also terrific. All I can say is genius. Even more so because managing to write the most inhumane and humane, soulless and soulful, hopeless and hopeful plot all at the same time is certainly something to achieve. Hence, while it may be the ultimate escape from reality, it also brings you back to it in the most powerful and impactful way, and that's where all its beauty lies. Indeed, if there is one thing that's realistic, it is the overall psychological aspect, as well as other themes, even with the over-the-top nature of the piece.

Maybe you need to be unhinged and sadistic to truly and fully enjoy this... I mean, I do feel bad for fictional characters, but here it's not the same and I can only say that I had a blast. I loved these villains from the start and the first episodes were already a delight to watch.

As entertainment, it definitely serves, but it is so much more. Like my favorite reviewer said, if you are not afraid of diving into the abysm of the human species, 7 Escape is right here for you. Moreover, in a world where the truth is increasingly an abstract concept, the drama does an excellent job at conveying that.

For its innovation, originality, and boldness, along with its clear passion for art and creativity, 7 Escape proves itself as a thoughtful, transcendent work that goes beyond realism or mere entertainment. It is truly interesting in a way that has never been done before and won't be able to be recreated in the future. If you expected a simple thriller, you will be proven wrong. I see it as a true tribute to artistic freedom and expression.

Overall, it has some of the coolest concepts I have ever seen, and I am personally in love with the execution. Everything seemed to be designed for me including the characters and that's why this drama is now my 2nd favorite and a dream come true. I was not that shocked at the madness because this is what I wanted and always dreamed of, I was more like shocked at how good it was because it kept exceeding my expectations. Sincerely the best gift that I could've had.

7 Escape is, in conclusion, Korean dramaturgy in all its glory. I'm sorry if you don't feel the same way as I do towards it, but if you enjoy it that's enough for me. And if you love it, almost or as much as I do, I'd be the happiest.

Before finishing, I would like to say that in terms of content, it is the richest drama ever made. From the themes of justice, technology, societal decay, revenge, to so much more.

Final words: In the end, can you escape your sins?

Thank you for reading!