The Killer's Shopping Mall (2024)

UNIQUE UNIQUE UNIQUE

this drama was a puzzle but the thing is you didnt know what pieces were missing until they told you about it themselves like i knew what was going on but i had no idea about anything at the same time and this is what made this drama so unique.
im sure there are many dramas that show many flashback scenes during each episode but i dont think i was ever impressed this much by the way they tell you the story.
this drama is about both "what has happened" and "what is going to happen" and everyone knew the answers of both questions except us and the female lead and we were on the same side trying to figure out.

the cast did their job portraying their own characters so well and its kinda funny but this was my first ever drama of lee dong wook even though i have watched +200 kdrama so far but this was the first time i watched him on my screen and ngl he is so good at his job and the female lead !!! she nailed her character and sth that attracted my attention was how both actors they chose for the fl for her childhood era and her adulthood era looked so similar to eo i could easily believe they are the same person.

i cant put it into like one word and say this drama is about this and this is it because many things were going on at the same time but generally speaking you deal with killers ( both legally and illegally ) , a shop for these killers , dark web and family..
the last word seems a bit off topic but i never knew how much i needed to see a relationship between an uncle and his niece like it was obvious he was not her father but he couldnt help it he was still caring about her and this was the sweetest thing i could ever witness..

everything ive said so far were all compliments but about why im not giving this a 10 even though i loved it this much is that i was actually bored sometimes while watching and this is sth so important to me that how much a drama can keep me seated but this kinda failed to keep me seated for a long time many times but at the same time im glad this was a short 8 ep drama so i could ignore this flaw comparing to many others things about this drama because although i was bored i couldnt pause and still wanted to know what is going to happen next and this is sth good i guess

this was probably my longest review till now ( well i dont write reviews alot to start with ) but i guess its obvious how much i loved this drama and its got a new topic you might not just choose a random drama and face with it maybe its not the first tho it might just me who is not aware but whatever if you read till here i hope you give this drama a try and i hope it doesnt let you down just like it didnt me <3

Lire davantage

Accidently Developed An Obsession

I don't like the categories for rating on here. My 4 categories are Acting/Cast, Writing, Direction/SFX/Music, Entertainment Value.

I was excited for this one. Lee Dong Wook (이동욱) is one of my favorite Korean actors because of his ability to play all kinds of characters. I loved his role as a villain in Strangers From Hell. In A Shop For Killers, he's playing a darker role too, although not exactly a villain.

Acting/Cast: I love the cast and their acting. I think Ji An, the main character, has become one of my all time favorite K-drama characters. Min Hye is badass, too. I also like Brother, Pasin, and of course Jin Man. The only casting I didn't like was Ji An's childhood friend. I'm glad he didn't have much screen time. 9/10

Writing: I love the plot and the characters. I like the way that the story unfolded using the "잘 들어 정지안" (Listen well, Jeong Ji An) pattern. It gave the drama a certain kind of charm. I normally hate flashbacks, but these flashbacks were done in a way that felt artistic -at least the Ji An flashbacks did. There was a portion of the drama that had long flashbacks that I felt were unnecessary. They were scenes that the audience had already experienced, but more detail was being added in. I didn't need the extra detail. I liked the mysterious vibe that the scenes originally had. It was as though we were in the same boat with Ji An not knowing what the hell was going on and we were uncovering the mystery with her. But, because of these 'retracing our steps' scenes, I felt like I was watching the same scenes twice and I got bored. 8/10

Direction/SFX/Music: The best thing about the drama... This is how I accidentally developed an obsession. The camera work, the production value, the weapons, the choreography, the MUSIC - it's all so good. It was a bit reminiscent of John Wick (and John Wick is one of the greatest things to exist in the world of artful cinematography). I finally got all the songs I wanted from this drama on my mp3 player. I haven't been this into a soundtrack since...maybe Strangers From Hell? Well, the Doona! soundtrack was pretty good, too. By the way, the music played during the gas mask scene is called Minhye Action. I was looking for that one for a while. 10/10

Entertainment Value: This obsession really snuck up on me. I didn't think I was enjoying it that much. It was because of those repeated scenes that I mentioned earlier. I just wanted to get back to the action with everyone at the house. Don't keep me holding my breath. After the drama ended, I couldn't get it out of my head. I liked it more and more as time passed. This is the same thing that happened to me years back with Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. I gave it a 6 or a 7 upon finishing the drama, but I missed it so much once it was gone that I ended up putting that drama in my top 10 and increasing its score to 9.5. Anyway, I'm not usually one for sequels, but this drama needs one. I actually think that not having a second season will hurt this drama in the long run (unless the second season is terrible of course...Sweet Home...Strong Girl...send help. 8/10

Overall, I ended up increasing this drama's score from a 7.5 to a 9/10.
See, this is why I don't write reviews immediately after completing a drama. I have to give it some time to sink in so I can sort out my feelings.
By the way, I made a YouTube Short featuring Ji An. The title is "Ji An | A Shop For Killers | Little Girl Gone" and my channel name is The Enablers.



murthehelp

Lire davantage

I need a season 2 right now

Wow I genuinely really enjoy this show! I started watching it after seeing Lee Dong wook was in the cast and every show I’ve seen him in never disappoints- and this show wasn’t an exception!

The story was super entertaining and kept me hooked till the very end and got me emotionally attached to character even if they were only on screen for only a few minutes (Honda).

It has been a hot minute sense a show had me ugly crying as much as this one did. The story is so heartbreaking but that’s what makes it so entertaining.

If you are debating watching this show please do! The cast were amazing (10/10 acting), the story was amazing- ugh a lot about this show is amazing just trust me and check it out if you haven’t yet!

Lire davantage

LDW did it again!

I really love the casting! I gotta start with LDW 1st since he's why I even click watch here

I've seen him in lots of action, but boy...I've never thought that LDW as a mercenary is sth I needed to watch in my life. LDW wearing that vest, shooting and fighting, and talking with his deep voice, he is hot af! I'm glad they let him has those glorious scenes, because for the rest of the show, they make him look like an uncle who never sleep or bath, LOL.

At 1st when I see it's a high school girl, the image of the FL in Goblin came over and I got worried. Thanks God she is totally not anything like that! FL here is smart and strong, and really just cool to watch.

I also love Minhye. She is super badass with her action scenes and I find her really sexy too. Pasin, Honda and Brothers are all amazing casts too! Even the wicked robot is pretty cool, until it's not...lol

As for the show, it has pretty unique style of storytelling where it jumps timelines, but it's not confusing at all. It's just a little draggy in the middle when they are telling the story....But, i just skipped those parts then lol...

I'd love S2 just to have closure because im so curious over so many things. But, even without it, I personally am okay with the ending. Sometimes, we don't need to know every detail, just the overall would do.

I really enjoyed the show, kept me on edge for most part. As usual, LDW totally nails it!!

Lire davantage

LISTEN CAREFULLY...

I LOVED THIS DRAMA! What a tight plot with brilliant direction and script.

I stan every single character who was out there protecting Jeong Jian. Epsiode 2 was very triggering and heartbreaking to watch but the same episode made me want to stick around and see this drama to the end and seek justice. Jung Jian was frustrating at so many episodes that I wanted to yell into the screen to just get a grip and take action. She was brilliant in the initial episodes but towards the second half, I felt like she was second guessing and making it hard for other to protect her. But it's understandable that she would be doing the guessing work and not trusting anyone since she doesn't know what the hell is going on. Like us viewers she is also learning at the same time what all the fuss is about. And mind you, its all happening in a day. The entire 8 episode is a day's log. Though there is many flashback to support the story it never felt like we were diverted from the urgency of the present. All the flashbacks gave me answers which had me questioning in a previous scene or episode. So it was amazing to follow along where the show was taking us. I do have a question in the end, wondering why JJ faked his death!? Also, its understandable that he recovers in a day, but that one day is enough to make the whole world upside down.

Lee Dong Wook was insanely good. His cold mercenary uncle character was just captivating to watch on screen. I also have a girl crush on Minhye. Her fight and action scenes were briiliant and it was shot so well making it look so badass.

I dearly hope there is a season 2. I mean considering how Bale is still walking around freely there had to be. I hope it doesn't take long for season 2. I can't wait for the rest!

Rating: 9.9/10

P.S. Would've been a perfect 10 if Uncle had remained dead or someone gave an explanation as to why he faked his death. Not that I am complaining for him being alive but where the hell were you when you were most needed?!!!! A call would've been nice...sheesh!

Lire davantage

Worth watching for the characters.

Listen up, jeong jian. (*opinions are bound to be biased and subjective.)

A Shop for Killers is a character driven action thriller with a melodramatic tone. It is a non-linear narrative, focusing on a slow reveal of intentions, secrets and character. I find the premise very dark, where basically multiple groups of middle aged men, who are professional trained killers, are hunting down a seven/twenty one year old orphan girl to kill her.

I loved the part where the show heavily focuses on the characters and their backstories, immersing us in their experience, hardships and dilemmas. The pace slows down and it feels like a gloomy melodrama. I love how there are minimal cringy dialogues and scenes(except for a couple characters) and the lack of much dialogue in the flashbacks really leaves the viewers to put themselves in the characters shoes and guess what they're feeling, instead of endless monologues where the characters just put all their thoughts out and make cringe expressions. *cough* moving *cough* I LOVED the backstories of both jian and jinman and especially related to young and mute jian.

What do you do when there are trained killers after you, parked up in front of your glass wall, ready to shoot you in the head the moment you're in sight? You crawl past that wall and act surprised when they shoot you.

And what do you do if multiple drones surround your windows and shoot at you non-stop? You stand in the centre of the room, frowning and act surprised when your window is blown up.

And what the heck do you do when someone tells you that your friend who's right next to you killed your uncle and there's proof of it in the computer right next to you? You go to that computer, put your finger over the mouse and stop. Don't open that file. Instead, tell that person to leave and go help your friend up. And act surprised when that "friend" suddenly ties you up and tells you how they killed your uncle and are going to kill you next. For f*ckʼs sake, jeong jian!

I got attached to all characters except for jian. I was excited to see jian in the first couple episodes, where she's shown as this badass girl who knows how to defend herself. She even fights off some boys s*xually assaulting her friend alone. But when she has to actually defend herself, she's brainless and starts crying. It happens all the time. The "strong female lead" is Always a facade to attract viewers. With time you'll know that it is every other female lead, the one who makes the stupidest decisions, the FL that's been written, played and seen a hundred million times. Jian is no different, and finding this out was very disappointing. Poor writing.

Many plot holes and illogical things like jinman taking his shirt or whatever it was off to give it to minhye when right behind them are a bunch of clothes hanging. Jian & Co. doing stupid shit left and right, not to mention the ending where the main antagonist hasn't even been seen in a while, less alone defeated.

The antagonist is... very dark. He kind of creeps me out, which means the writing and acting was good. Something about a man who is a sadist, who likes inflicting pain on others and simply loves to kill is very disturbing to me. I hope there's a season 2.

i love the character of jinman. The only time i felt he acted out of character was when he just listened to a recording of jian and easily took his own life, which too turned out was a scheme of his. Jinman truly thinks before he moves and he moves fast. And i love him for that. All the other characters like minhye, pasin and honda were very beautifully written and acted. 10/10 for all these characters and their stories.

OST... was there any? I do remember hearing some drums so that was good.

Lire davantage

Solid action with suspense, left on a cliffhanger

Popular actor (Tale of the Nine-Tailed, Goblin) Lee Dong-wook shines in this gripping thriller drama as he smoothly transitions from a morally gray character to a man of ethics and family. He might have been killed off in the first episode, but the use of flashback sequences is enough to influence his magnetic presence on the screen. 
With multiple villains and arch rivals, A Shop for Killers begins with chaos and a slow pace but quickly piques the interest of its audience with a flashback monologue. Despite some vague sequences, loose ends or unexplained actions by the characters, this suspenseful drama is well rounded and executed when it comes to intense drama and vengeance. The dynamic uncle-niece relationship reflects a deep bond of trust and unspoken love between two lonely family members as they fight back the unscrupulous killers in their own way. Whether it’s the fight scenes or emotionally driven main characters, this thriller will keep you hooked and wanting for more even when it concludes Season 1.

My Rating : 8/10

Lire davantage

PERFECTLY EXECUTED THRILLER!

I love how the story is about things happening in a day. Jeong Jian (Kim Hyejoon), niece of Jeong Jinman (Lee dongwook), getting a call from police station informing about her uncles's death. The story then proceeds on Jian being revealed of what her uncle, Jeong Jinman, did for a living and how she has to survive all the fights caused by the consequence of Jinman's action.
Now that her protector Jinman was no more, she is being bombarded with bottles of information and is running to survive.
A survival thriller with amazing fight scenes and a fully packed cast. Both Kim Hyejoon and Lee Dongwook understood their assignment. The mix of past and present but still perfectly separating them made the series real good.
There was no beating around the bush, no romance. Just pure thriller!

Only thing i personally felt as a drawback was that, there was a lot of repeated scenes in episode 7 which was unnecessary and could have been easily incorporated in the previous episodes.

In general, personally, the series was a great watch and if given a chance to watch the series again for the first time i gladly would! :) (PS: would still rewatch nevertheless)

Lire davantage

Pim pam pum tengo una pistola....

8 capitulos,pero menudos capitulos. Debo de admitir que me he quedado mas por la historia y los recuerdos que tiene del pasado que en si, como sobrevive a semejante armagedón. Me ha gustado mucho el personaje del tío y su historia. He echado en falta mas escenas con su sobrina pero quiero pensar que con ese final hay una segunda temporada y tendré esas escenas que tanto quiero. La chica a veces me desesperaba con sus decisiones pero luego pensaba que yo sería igual e incluso peor porque me hubiera muerto ya.
Necesitamos una segunda temporada para conocer que pasó con Bale, el jefe , Jinman, Minhye , Rasin y bueno en si ver mas de la tienda y como funciona.
Me ha hecho gracia como una escena ha podido modificar tanto la puntuación que iba a dar, ese regreso en taxi de Jinman , ha sido espectacular.
Me ha dado pena perder al hermano de Brother.....

Lire davantage

Unique Story-telling That Fell Off

Will start off by praising the Writer's creativity and bravery in attempting a drama that is mostly focused on one setting (The raid of JJM's home). This isn't commonly done in KDramas as it's not easy crafting enough content to keep viewers engrossed without getting bored. Flashbacks were mostly appropriately spaced out in between the spectacular action scenes to provide some change of pace. Personally, I enjoyed the backstory and dynamics of JJE & Pashin - it was more relatable to me then the inexplicably strained(?) relationship btw JJE & JJM. As aforementioned, the action scenes are definitely the highlights of this drama despite some of the obvious plotholes/troupes that were haphazardly patched over (such as the miltary exercise cover, bad guys going 1-by-1 to die etc.).

Not surprisingly, the Writing is also the Con that let down this drama. In my opinion, too many side characters were introduced without a proper/believable backstory or use such as the Shadow Organization's Director, a random deaf "Brother", and the taxi driver... Many of the subplots were also not well-covered such as JJM's fake death, escape path that led back into the house (?), Bale's incredulous survival and decision to get revenge after many years etc.

The main gripe I had was how obvious it was that JJM wasn't really dead. I mean he is listed as the ML but only appeared spottedly in the first 5 eps in flashbacks... I found myself constantly awaiting his "heroic return" and thus felt episodes drag as it whiffed into the 2nd half. In general, the plot did not deviate from common expecations - no real plot twists (I'm not counting JJM's "revival").

Overall, I still think it is a very watchable drama - just based on the action scenes alone. Casting & Acting was also superb esp for JJE - she always looks so vulnerable. Just temper expecations and watch with an open mind (:

Final random thought: The repeated usage of "Listen Up, JJE" was seriously cringe for me. Felt they overplayed it way too much...

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