I came to know this series from someone in my Kdrama circle. It was so underrated (at least outside Korea) that I haven’t heard of it even once before. Intrigued, I checked the first episode out but maybe because I don’t know any single actor/actress from the cast, I deemed it not something I really want to engage myself into that time. I was then watching like more than five dramas all at the same time. To cut the story short, I dropped this series right after Episode 1.
Finally, last month, I got the time to finish all the series I’ve been watching and apparently, all I need is a few more episodes to get hooked (not really super hooked, but you get it). I finished watching Episode 2 to the last in a span of two days.
Recently, seems like I’m more into dramas that tackle sensitive issues in the society, be it corrupt political officials, justice favoring the higher-up’s or even tension against foreign invasion. I love how they are being an eye-opener especially to members of younger generation (who happen to love watching Korean dramas ?). They promote good morale and sense of nationalism. And yes, Signal is one of those.
The story starts off with criminal profiler, Lt. Park Hae Young receiving a radio signal from Detective Lee Jae Han telling him about the location of the suspect of a cold murder case. Because of this information, Jae Han and his team were able to apprehend the criminal, finally closing the case. The next evening, Hae Young received another transmission from Jae Han through the same radio he picked up the other night. The detective said it might be his last transmission but it will happen again and that Hae Young must convince the 1989 Lee Jae Han. Before Hae Young heard a gun shot from the other side, Jae Han said don’t ever give up as things can still be changed.
Basically, it’s your legal/crime drama with a touch of fantasy/time travel.
I don’t have much to say about the cast as I’ve mentioned above, this is the first time I saw most of them act. However, for some reason, I can’t help but see Kim Soo Hyun (his character in The Moon that Embraces the Sun, to be specific) in Lee Je Hoon. Maybe because they both have the tendency to over-enunciate their lines. It’s effective on intense scenes but somehow I find it a bit bothersome and unnatural most of the time.
Also, I see that they wanted the viewers to get the 1990’s feel by switching to non-HD resolution on all retro scenes but I don’t agree with the idea. I mean technicalities shouldn’t be part of the story, right? They could get those decent ratings without having to sacrifice the video quality. But anyway, no biggie. I get used to it after three episodes or so.
Is it like that there too? If you have money and power, you can get away with everything no matter what horrible thing you do? It’s been twenty years, after all. Something must have changed, right?
Even though I can’t say the series ended the way I wanted it to be it’s the kind of drama that will still leave a mark on you and inspire you to be a better person. A job well done for the writer on conveying their message through this series. ?
