Beyond Evil – Full Review
Welcome to Beyond Evil -Full Review. Two detective in a small rural town try to solve a series of murders that started 20 years ago. If you haven’t watched this drama yet, I recommend checking out my unspoiled review here.
Beyond Evil
♥ Aired: February 19 – April 10, 2021
♥# of Episodes: 16
♥Where to Watch: Netflix and Viki
♥Genre: Crime Thriller
♥Starring: Shin Ha Kyun and Yeo Jin Goo
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The Story
Two skilled police detectives go to extreme measures to solve a series of serial killings in a small, otherwise quiet, town. For Lee Dong Sik, the case is very personal, as it seems to connect back to the mysterious disappearance of his twin sister 20 years ago. Han Joo Won recently transfered from Seoul and is partnered with Lee Dong Sik, who is hot headed and impulsive. If they are going to succeed in catching the murderer, they will have to set aside any pre-conceived ideas about the killings and examine the hearts and minds of everyone involved in the case, including their own.
The Leads
Shin Ha Kyun as Lee Dong Sik
Lee Dong Sik is a police officer in the small town where he grew up. 20 years ago, he was the prime suspect in the disappearance and presumed murder of his twin sister, Lee Yu Yeon. Although Dong Sik was released due to lack of evidence, many in the community still suspect that he was responsible. So when a current murder case leads police back to a string of cold cases, ending with Yu Yeon’s disappearance, Dong Sik will stop at nothing to find out the truth about what happened 20 years ago. But investigating these cases will cause him to doubt all those he is closest to, and the truth may prove just as painful as the loss of his sister.
Lee Dong Sik is an impulsive hot-head, but he also knows the members of his community well, which gives him insight and empathy. He has spent his life trying to solve the mystery of what happened to his sister and who was really responsible. Shin Ha Kyun is amazing in this role. Shifting between crazed madman and calculating investigator at the drop of a hat, his facial expressions and body language convey a wealth of emotions. For Lee Dong Sik, the focus of his character rests in his interactions with the people around him. Whether he is acting like the rebellious son or the sullen childhood friend, his character development revolves around his relationships.
Yeo Jin Goo as Han Joo Won
Han Joo Won’s father is about to be named the Commissioner of the National Police Agency. Hoping to avoid his father as much as possible, Joo Won applies for a transfer to the small Munju Police Department. Upon his arrival, he is not thrilled when he is assigned to be Dong Sik’s partner. Together, the two of them throw themselves into solving the murders and trying to bring the truth to light, but Joo Won still wonders whether he can trust Dong Sik. He also wonders whether his father, who was at Munju Station around the time of the original cases, knows more than he is letting on.
Due to his troubled relationship with his parents, Han Joo Wan is cold and socially distant. As an outsider, he offers the audience a fresh perspective on each of the potential suspects without any personal history to cloud his judgement. He has a firm view of right and wrong and an unwavering desire for justice. Yeo Jin Goo has become one of my favorite actors, and I love the unique twist he brings to each of the roles he plays. With this character, Yeo Jin Goo portrays Joo Wan’s detached personality without seeming flat and emotionless. Whereas Dong Sik’s character development is relational, for Joo Wan it is all about personal growth and self-reflection.
Supporting Characters
Choi Dae Hoon as Park Jung Je
Park Jung Je has been Dong Sik’s best friends since they were in school. His overbearing mother is a local congresswoman. Jung Je works at the Manju Police Department as an investigative lieutenant. Although he grew up in the community, Jung Je seems to be hiding some secrets about his past. 20 years ago, Jung Je lied about being with Dong Sik the night of his sister’s disappearance so that he could be his alibi.
Kim Shin Rok as Oh Ji Hwa
Oh Ji Hwa also grew up as friends with Dong Sik and Jung Je. She is the team leader of the Dangerous Crimes Division. She was married to Lee Chang Jin, who is the former gangster turned CEO of JL Construction. She is straightforward and brutely honest, but she is also a loyal friend who believes unswervingly that Dong Sik is not the one responsible for the crimes.
Choi Sung Eun as Yoo Jae Yi
Yoo Jae Yi is the owner of the local restaurant and butcher shop. Her restaurant is the place where all of the local police gather after hours for food and meals. She and Dong Sik share a bond because like Dong Sik’s sister, Jae Yi’s mom also disappeared without a trace and she isn’t sure whether she is still alive or another victim in the murder case.
Things I Liked
♥ Misleading Scenes
The writing on this drama is so tight and everything is done with purpose. Using misleading scenes taken out of context as a method to enhance the twists and turns is a fascinating technique. No character is free from doubt and suspicion, as we slowly watch each piece of the puzzle drop into place. I loved trying to guess how a certain scene might be interpreted from a different perspective.
♥ Push and Pull Chemistry
We’ve all seen the infamous rom-com push and pull used to keep the chemistry of a lead couple alive, but I have never seen it used so well in a non-romantic relationship. The chemistry between Dong Sik and Joo Won was so well done. I looked forward to every minute the two shared the screen. The energy and emotion that flowed between the two of them was palpable and very believable.
♥ OST
Wow! The music for “Beyond Evil” was unique and fit beautifully with the cinematography to weave a spell of mystery and suspense. This background soundtrack managed to heighten the emotions of the scenes without detracting from the overall intensity. The jazzy songs infused with a kind of classic film noir feel was the perfect backdrop for this psychological thriller.
Things I Didn’t Like
Dating Story
Because Yu Yeon’s whole disappearance hinges around the fact that she and Jung Je were secretly dating, I would have liked to see Jung Je and Dong Sik have a heart to heart about their relationship. Just a chance for Jung Je to confess that he may have loved her and that if life had been different, they could have been brothers-in-law, would have been a nice closure to that part of the story.
Joo Wan’s Motivation
While I feel like we got to know plenty about Joo Wan’s character and motivations through the course of the drama, I still don’t know that I understood what brought him to Munju in the first place. He seemed convinced that Dong Sik was guilty from the beginning, so did he come to investigate that hunch? Or was he suspicious from the start that his father had more to do with it than he let on? Or was his placement just an attempt to get away from his dad, no matter where he ended up, and the connections were all random? It just left me curious.
Lee Chang Jin
Lee Chang Jin’s character was probably the weakest from my perspective. I’m not sure that he was really needed. It seems like Congresswoman Do and Chief Han could have pulled it all off without his help. Also, his connection as Ji Hwa’s ex-husband was a bit weird. She seems too smart and independant to have fallen for such a con man, and there didn’t seem to be any romantic chemistry from her side.
The Ending
“Beyond Evil” ends on a high note, bringing all the storylines to a neat finish. The “trifecta of doom”, Lee Chang Jin, Congresswoman Do, and Police Chief Han, finally turn on each other, and all of them end up serving prison time for their individual crimes. Jung Je asks Dong Sik to arrest him, and for the first time in a very long time he isn’t forced to live with the weight of the lies he told or the crimes he committed. He will also be serving some time in prison, but his sentence is less than the others. Dong Sik and Joo Won finally close the long and difficult case of Yu Yeon’s disappearance, and in an emotional scene, Dong Sik says he is finally ready to accept his punishment for the wrongs he committed during the investigation. Joo Won’s eyes fill with tears as he handcuffs him and bows with deep respect. Unlike Joo Won’s father, Dong Sik is willing to admit his mistake and repent for his actions. The drama ends with a short time jump of one year. Dong Sik has served his time and been released and the gang is gathered at the Butcher Shop, as usual. Joo Won has left the department but he joins everyone for the first time since the case ended to welcome Dong Sik back. Everyone is happy to see him and they laugh and eat together. The closing scene is a perfect mirror to the end of episode 1, with Dong Sik and Joo Won face to face, but the smile that once masked their distrust and anger is now full of respect and affection. An amazing ending to an amazing drama!
Should I Watch
“Beyond Evil” is a smart, slow-burn crime drama, so if any of those words scare you, you should probably just skip this one. Similar in style to other crime dramas like “Stranger”, “Beyond Evil” depends more on the psychological elements of detective work, rather than the action, so if you are looking for something fast-paced and exciting, this is not your drama. The plot is complex and purposefully misleading at times, so you should be prepared to spend at least a little time going “Wait. What just happened?”. It’s all part of the ride! The cast of “Beyond Evil” is amazing. The chemistry between the leads and strong character development were the drama’s greatest strengths. Although the theme revolves around a series of murders, the drama manages to be thrilling without being overly dark or violent. I give “Beyond Evil” a 10 out of 10 ramen.
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We read your remarks very carefully…The analysis was thorough…You helped us realize the value of the series..we will watch it to the end..We thank you for your intuitive thinking and your sharing it with us and for your οξυδέρκεια…with respect from Athens Greece..