Mysteries Through The Ages

TL;DR (too long; didn't read) at the end of the review

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"Apartment 404" has captivating moments mixed with occasional lulls. The format and whole structure of this show is what actually caused its quality to decline. Every episode, the cast is divided in two teams to compete against one another, but it really makes no difference because every solves the mystery not far apart from one another. The clues given to the winning and losing team are practically the same clues. The show could've added more variety, like make duos or an individual competition instead, but unfortunately, "Apartment 404" continued using the same formulaic, pointless formation.

This was truly such a shame, as I thought the concept was fantastic. Letting the audience — which mostly consisted of international viewers — learn more about South Korea's history and past controversies that would otherwise be forgotten in the depths of history was a fun idea.

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The cast as a whole had terrific chemistry, which I think was achieved by the fact that the majority of the members had previously worked together on other variety shows.

- Yoo Jae Suk : His lack of scenes actually surprised me, as more often than not, he usually faded into the background. I don't believe the staff utilized Jae Suk's "Nation's MC" title to its fullest extent.

- Cha Tae Hyun : It was quite an experience seeing him since every episode, there's usually something from the 90s or 00s that demonstrated his level of popularity back then, such as a drama clip or a commercial.

- Oh Na Ra : She brought competitiveness & fun to the table every time she showed up on screen. Was she the best at solving the mystery parts? Absolutely not. However, she was entertaining and I'm certain that's what matters most in a variety show.

- Yang Se Chan : He played his role well and had a few prominent moments, but I wish I saw more of his wit.

- Kim Jennie : I didn't expect much from her because she didn't really wow me in any of her other tv show appearances, but she killed it here! She shined in every episode's third act/conclusion, she was a strong competitor, she had noteworthy dynamics with everyone, and she genuinely looked like she was having a blast filming.

- Lee Jung Ha : A cutie pie through-and-through; Jung Ha was a great addition to the cast. He brought something new with his "rookie aura," and it contrasted well with the other seasoned members. Plus, he had a memorable personality with a great smile.

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It's very telling that their best episode deviated the most from the original concept. In the last episode, they completely ditched the apartment setting and used a high school setting, which brought freshness from its usual repetitive format. It focused heavily on the storyline, the only aspect that the staff excelled at, and it brought back a compelling guest, Yeonjun. Having well-known, one-off guests with a dedicated fanbase in every episode was something the staff should've incorporated. It boosts recognition and more interaction from viewers who might not have given the show a chance normally. If a season two is made, however unlikely, I hope the producers takes these details into account.

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TL;DR: great concept, mediocre execution, well-balanced cast, and it has potential for season 2

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