The Frog (2024)

Ultimately the plot is a pile of rubbish.

I really wanted to like this limited series on Netflix, I really do. It promised a korean thriller and started off looking really good, both production quality and the cinematography. But episode 4 onwards the plot is so damn nonsensical I knew I wouldn't be looking anything higher than a 2/10 for this particular series.

First of all, the present MC makes the most bloody nonsensical and stupid decisions ever, and continues making them for 80% of the series.

Second of all, the plot develops in a way that is so unrealistic I'm almost sure the writers are trying to tilt the viewers on purpose.

The only 2 reason to watch this pile of whatever it is? The cinematography is really quite good, the vacation home is absolutely gorgeous. The 2nd reason? Go Min Si is absolutely STUNNING in here, and if I were to put aside the ridiclous storyline that is happening in the background? She really can act as a psycho.

Lire davantage

"The Frog" is a hauntingly atmospheric Korean drama that weaves together a tale of mystery, loss, and the eerie passage of time. Set in the present day and the early 2000s, the series skillfully intertwines two timelines, drawing viewers into the enigmatic events surrounding a secluded vacation cottage deep in the woods.

One of the strengths of "The Frog" lies in its ability to maintain a chilling atmosphere throughout the series. The setting of the vacation cottage, isolated in the woods, is the perfect backdrop for a mystery that spans two decades. The cinematography beautifully captures the eerie, almost otherworldly quality of the place, making it feel like a character in its own right. The sound design, too, is impeccable, with every creak of the floorboards and rustle of leaves heightening the sense of unease.

The performances in "The Frog" are commendable, particularly those of the leads. Jeon Youn Ha is portrayed with a quiet intensity, his peaceful demeanor hiding a deep well of emotions. Yoo Sung A, on the other hand, exudes an air of mystery and sadness, her character's motives remaining unclear until the very end. Yoon Bo Min's character is a refreshing addition, bringing a sense of determination and resilience to the story.

However, "The Frog" is not without its flaws. The pacing can be slow at times, with certain episodes feeling drawn out as the plot unfolds. While the slow-burn approach adds to the suspense, it may test the patience of some viewers who prefer a faster pace. Additionally, the dual timeline structure, while effective in building tension, can be confusing if not followed closely.

Last but not least, the cast did amazing. I had only dive into this because of Go Min Si but I ended up adoring all the MC specifically RYS character as JES. She was badass. And I also really enjoyed PCY character as Gi Ho.

Lire davantage

what matter's is the story not the roles..............

The Frog is a captivating and delightfully macabre K-drama that recently premiered on Netflix. This series masterfully blends psychological horror with a chilling thriller, creating a unique viewing experience.

The story revolves around two parallel narratives set twenty years apart. In 2001, a motel owner, Gu Sang-jun, encounters a mysterious guest who turns out to be a serial killer. Fast forward to 2021, Jeon Young-ha, who runs a rural holiday rental, faces a similar eerie situation when a woman and child disappear from his property, leaving behind a trail of suspicion. These two timelines are intricately connected by a detective, Yoon Bo-min, who is determined to uncover the truth12.

The series stands out for its cinematic visuals and artful direction. The contrasting settings—dreamy, romantic scenes juxtaposed with bleak, grim environments—enhance the show’s eerie atmosphere. The performances by Kim Yoon-seok and Go Min-si are particularly noteworthy, with their characters’ intense dynamic driving much of the show’s tension1.

While some critics have noted that the series borrows elements from Western serial killer thrillers, it still manages to carve out its own identity with its unique storytelling and character development

Lire davantage

BEST THRILLER WITH « YOUR HONOR » in summer 2024 for me !

AT FIRST GLANCE, THE TRAILER PROVED PROMISING, BUT I AM ALWAYS ON MY GUARD AGAINST THIS TYPE OF PROMISE. OFTEN, ONCE IMMERSED IN THE STORY, EXPECTATIONS COLLAPSE, FAILING TO MATCH THE ENTHUSIASM AROUSED BY THE TRAILER. YET, HERE, REALITY EXCEEDED MY CRAZIEST EXPECTATIONS.

AFTER BEING INTRODUCED TO THE OWNERS OF BOTH ERAS, WE QUICKLY ENTER A HOT SCHOOL ATMOSPHERE, WHERE A PROVOCATIVE AND ENIGMATIC "GO MIN SI" EVOLVES. THE PLOT IS REVEALED WITHOUT DELAY, AND IT BECOMES OBVIOUS THAT SHE IS NOT THERE TO HAVE FUN WITH MEN, BUT RATHER TO FREE HER TORTUOUS SPIRIT. IT IS AN UNJUSTIFIED EXPRESSION, A PSYCHOLOGICAL FACET OF ITSELF THAT REACHES PEAKS OF PARADOX. SHE PAINTS, STRUTS IN A LUXURY CAR, LIKE A SPOILED HEIRESS, WHILE POORLY HIDING HER BLOODTY NATURE.

THE HEAVY ATMOSPHERE, THE AMBIENT SOUNDS, THIS ALMOST LOCK-UP INSIDE THE SUMPTUOUS HOTEL OF MODERN TIMES, AND THESE STRIKING METAPHORS ON FROGS THAT HAVE NOT ASKED FOR ANYTHING, ALL THIS ENCOURAGES REFLECTION. WHY COULD SUCH HORRORS FALL ON US, WHEN WE HAVE NOT REQUESTED ANYTHING? BY A WHIM OF KARMA? BY AN EXCESS OF BENEVOLENCE? OR SIMPLY FOR CLOSING YOUR EYES AT THE WRONG TIME?

KIM YOON SEOK HAS DONE A REMARKABLE JOB ALONGSIDE GO MIN SI. TOGETHER, THEY WERE ABLE, THROUGH THEIR CHARACTERS, TO ESTABLISH A CLIMATE OF HATRED MIXED WITH COMPLICITY, DESTINED FOR THE WORST. THE PALPABLE TENSION BETWEEN THEM, AS WELL AS THE MOMENTS OF ACTION, WERE OF SUCH AN IMMERSIVE INTENSITY THAT I FOUND MYSELF, CAPTIVE, WONDERING WHO WOULD WIN UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. THE FIRST OWNER DID NOT MARK ME, BUT THE YOUNG SNIPER IN SEARCH OF REVENGE WOULD HAVE DESERVED A GREATER PLACE ON THE SCREEN.

OVERALL, I WAS CONQUERED BY THIS THRILLER, WHICH WAS ABLE TO AVOID SLOWNESS, OR AT LEAST, IT PROVED RELEVANT. ONE OF THE STRENGTHS UNDENIABLY LIES IN THE INTERPRETATION OF GO MIN SI, WHOSE SCENIC EXPRESSIONS ARE OF STRIKING DEPTH. HOWEVER, I CANNOT HELP BUT POINT OUT A SLIGHT DOWNSIDE: THE MOTIVATIONS OF HIS CHARACTER REMAIN OBSCURE, AND HIS ACTIONS, IN A CERTAIN WAY, ESCAPE ANY FORM OF PUNISHMENT.

I WARMLY RECOMMEND THIS KDRAMA!

19/20

Lire davantage

Spatter-Fest

I'm not the least bit squeamish, but I really don't want to watch a K-drama that's a violent bloodbath from beginning to end. I can watch the news for that, and I've had enough murder, violence and gore from American TV. The acting in this drama is great, no problem there, but the first few episodes were extremely confusing. After three episodes I gave up, watched another drama, and was searching for something else. Since there were only five episodes remaining, I decided to finish this one. A waste of my precious time! I fell in love with K-dramas because they were SO different from American TV, but not this one. If you enjoy thrillers with murder, intrigue and suspense, watch The Kidnapping Day instead. It's a MUCH better series than this one, and Yoon Kye Sang stars in both. Maybe you'll like The Frog, but it wasn't my cup of tea.

Lire davantage

Two dramas in one, done halfheartedly

Cop fl was sooooooo good, ahjumma was the mvp, so was the daughter and my chanyeol
everyone acted greatly even with the ridiculous traumas the three leads caused and overreacted

One would assume there’s a connection between the two plots, since the drama keeps editing back and forth between the timelines
but soon it was obv it’s not really related, so it goes to the question, why make two stories in one? Even if they had that metaphoric theme, why not just make two 4eped dramas, as pt1 then later pt2

I didn’t find the time jump confusing but I did find it annoying, one would barely get into the scene and next one is a totally different one
beside their two timelines, each one kept showing a scene, and the explanation later...

And thus both lacked, one had illogical pain and suffering, it was a misfortune, like witnessing a hit and run, and being the person who owned the car, the drivers actions aren’t reflected on the car owner
And they didn’t call first, cuz they didn’t see it

So, instead of moving on and healing, they dragged themselves in deeper and deeper, son was bullied, mom couldn’t live with the guilt, so she kills herself and makes it even harder on her husband and son



While the other, had a super illogical psycho, even worse than the serial killer, this random hot chick kills a child, the owner of the place chooses to ignore it, cuz he had his own problems, and this psycho comes back and makes it “hard for him”
Like yeah if you choose to ignore murder, you deserve the trauma xD


In ways, glasses ml staying silent made crazy fl think he cares about her, cuz she was so neglected, obv cuz she was crazy

And I guess she was crazy cuz she was rich and spoiled, it made sense how she didn’t fear consequences
But literally she was so skinny, like ml’s daughter hitting her was so refreshing and fun, and crazy fl did show fear once in a while, so like she should’ve been a bit more afraid cuz anyone was stronger than her. and she wasn’t as smart and manipulative as she thought

In the end, ml didn’t want anyone else to get dragged into the same mess but it was obv done in ways to make it seem like he cared for her



In the end, if you talk, or don’t, you’ll feel regret, and you can either drag yourself down or move on

Lire davantage

Muito bem, maratonei The Frog! O enredo é muito intrigante e entrelaça duas histórias separadas no tempo em 20 anos, mas com um elemento em comum: uma hospedagem que acaba se tornando cenário de um assassinato brutal e as consequências que isso acarreta para os proprietários.

Incialmente fiquei totalmente chocada com a atitude do proprietário no caso que se passa no presente, porém conforme vamos conhecendo o que aconteceu no hotel do passado, comecei a entender (embora não concorde) porque Yeong Ha omitiu suas suspeitas.

Também achei bem interessante a crítica a espetacularização desse casos de assassinatos brutais por parte da mídia e da população que torna famosos esses assassinos cruéis dando espaço para eles falem sua história, enquanto as vítimas são esquecidas. E achei a vingança do filho do proprietário do hotel bem inteligente, não pela parte da violência, mas por destruir as memórias do assassino. Impedir que a autobiografia dele fosse publicada foi uma interrupção desse ciclo da espetacularização dos monstros.

Quanto a atuação dos atores, Go Min Si mostrou mais uma vez porque é uma das minhas atrizes coreanas favoritas, entregou insanidade e o arquétipo de femme fatale como poucas. Arrasou muito!

Enfim, gostei bastante do drama, da vibe de suspense, a fotografia impecável, a trilha sonora. Tudo digno de telona. Recomendo muito para os amantes do gênero suspense.

Lire davantage