Connect (2022) User Reviews

Started disconnecting after 3 episodes

[dseemalhar · 6/10 · 10 December 2022]

This a psychological mystery thriller based on webtoon.

Started great, intrigued me.

But after that writer forgot to develop the story. So dissatisfied me at the end.

Main character Dong-soo is very bland. Doesn't uplift the story.

Antagonist is good but there isn't any mystery remain because it revealed initially itself.

Female lead has good character with shades. It would have more fun, if she was the main character in the series.

Cinematography is good, set the mood perfectly. CGI is okay.

Gory element is good.

There are many plot holes n outlandish things in the series. Not a typical kdrama.

Series end with a cliffhanger, might come back with another season.

Waste of Time

[mikkiparker · 6/10 · 16 December 2022]

Just finished the show. Originally, I was looking forward to watching this as the cast of this one is really promising. The fact that it's a Disney+ original added another alluring feel to it.

However, it was a disappointment.

The acting was okay, but the storyline felt lackluster and incomplete; it had potential but something was definitely missing. The visuals were great though, some of the scenes were mesmerizing. But the lack of depth and character development was glaring. I wish the writers had done a better job with the plot.

They could have added more twists and turns and made it more interesting. It felt like the story was barely touched upon in the time given and could have been a lot more enjoyable if the writers had gone a little bit deeper into the characters and the story. All in all, it was okay, but nothing extraordinary.

It was more than I was expecting

[Snownoise · 8/10 · 20 December 2022]

I didn't have a high expectation for this show, but based on the trailers and the big names, I thought this would be an interesting show. However, It was actually more than what I was expecting. First, CGI is surprisingly well done. CGI on TV shows in general has a certain generic quality, but this show certainly surpassed the bar, and has convincing quality. The story is also very unique and well scripted. It shows more complicated story with deeper layers.

The downside is as some pointed out, it looks like it's rushed, or shorten the overall story. I felt there are at least two episodes missing. One between episode 3 and 4 and another one between 5 and 6. Also special effects have a wide room for improvement. They seemed to have focused on CGI a lot, but focused less on props such as severed limbs and blood.

I think people are giving this show lower ratings because of its gory scenes. I know not everyone has a stomach for it, but in my opinion, we actually saw less of Takashi Miike and more of Kdrama. Hope I can see more of Takashi Miike on season 2 if there is.

Original effects and great acting by Jung Hae in

[phd_travel · 7/10 · 15 October 2023]

It's worth watching this series for two things. Firstly the special effects and unusual powers are fascinating and different - he can heal and won't die but isn't extra strong. Secondly the usually sweet Jung Hae In in such a horror sci fi setting does a great job. Can feel his pain. The villain played by Go Kyung Pyo is quite effective as well. There are a few faults. The violence could have been toned down - it's a bit sickening. Secondly it's not over yet. When is Season 2? Thirdly it actually seems rushed in that some connecting explanatory scenes seem to be lacking. This is one of the few series that should have been longer. I felt I had to guess what happend sometimes. But at least it wasn't draggy.

Average but good!

[Misss25 · 7/10 · 9 December 2022]

The story is about a man who is immortal (which is called connect in this drama). Once he caught the eye of organ traffickers and they removes his eyes and started to collect other organs of his body.

As we already know, he is immortal, he escaped the scene. However, he left one of his eyes. He begins having a vision of someone. But,he didn't know who the person is. Moreover, the person whose vision, he is having, a corpse artist (serial killer). Will he able to find the killer and get his eye back?

The story is kind of different that's why I loved it. It's a short and can be binged within one day.

Must watch series directed by Takashi Miike

[sundayboobee · 10/10 · 10 December 2022]

I binged watched the entire Connect series with 6 episodes in 1 sitting.

Director Takashi Miike did a great job. The acting is perfection most specially Jung Hae In. He acted so well considering this is his first time doing CGI work.

The visual effects and cinematography are also well done. It is a must watch.

I especially like how they used music to interweave each storyline. It is a welcome enhancement to the webtoon. Jung Hae In's voice is so soothing that I end up contantly listening to it in spotify.

I just wish that they will have Season 2 very soon as episode 6 is such a cliffhanger.

Start wasn't bad, there's a lot of holes in story

[alimish-84346 · 3/10 · 19 December 2022]

The start wasn't that bad, bit rushed but ok. There's wierd police investigation, some facts getting from video records but the crucial ones are being ignored. Even more strange situation is with gang and the writer. At the begging you can overlook this but later you'll get frustrated.....

Bit strange is also the whole killer situation, he's going around unseen with complicated "statues", preparing sofisticated traps in public areas, seems to have much more time than anyone around and see everything. On the other hand he doesn't leave a single clue or trace - either by witness or recording from public cam. Getting from the roof is another story.

Connect: Watch for Acting, Craft and Insights

[windsong-84213 · 9/10 · 11 December 2022]

I watched Connect on Hulu in one sitting, as I had planned to - it was a much awaited Jung Hae In series.

Jung Hae In's acting as an isolated and bullied humanoid, who still retains hope and innocence was excellent, to the point of heartbreaking in some scenes. The way he controlled that one eye, and his body to show loss of perspective made me think - "so, this is how one eyed pirates of Hollywood should have played it." The slanting slouch that he assumed to convey his lowly stature in society was remarkable - contrast it with how Lim Soo Hoo of Snowdrop carries himself, or the lilting, half dancing step of Jun Hee in SITR . The utter loneliness and invisibility of the urban outsider, is clearly a main theme that both the director and Jung Hae In want us to see and take away.

What surprised me though was how the overall graphic novel like aesthetics and color palette, invites the viewer in, and makes even the most gruesome scenes watchable. It somehow conveys that the director is somewhere close by, and we needn't be too scared. All kudoes to Director Miike who takes us to the brink of the macabre and then quickly pulls us back to the everyday world.

While the story pits Ha Dong Soo who resists using his super power against a pathetic Oh Jin Seopp who craves to be immortalized, there are other contrasts that are delicately presented. Yi Rang and Dong Soo are Connect, but they are not really alike. Yi Rang, the Connect is in some ways similar to the human Jin Seopp, in that both believe in their own superiority. Dong Soo on the other hand is akin to Detective Choi who understands him, and his vulnerability. His art is healing, and endears him to the musician Z. It seems to me that these are Director Miike's metaphors for contradictions in today's polarized world. Like the red tendrils that are the motif of the show, these interplays run through each episode and foreshadow further development in Season 2.

Kim Hye Joon plays the role of the confident Lee Yi Rang impressively - she is strong, smart and ambitious, and unfettered. And, she does it without overshadowing Ha Dong So who is outwardly diffident. Go Kyung Pyo is an actor I like a lot from Reply 1988 and Strongest Delivery Man. But the way he played the psychopath didn't strike any fear in me, must be because the previous images are still strong in my mind.

Choices that didn't work for me: 1. Too much air time for the organ hunters trope. Time that could have been used to strengthen the backstory and depth of the main characters, or to introduce the pharma company- they would have added menace, and more intrigue for Season 2.

2. It is logical and biological for I Rang and Dong Soo to reach for each other. However, the whole scene seemed half-hearted on the part of the director, and the actors.

3. I honestly did not understand the point of Gideun. He may well be a Season 2 foreshadow.

All these are minor issues. So my overall rating is 9/10.

Disney+.... No wonder it's bellow average

[loloimdb · 4/10 · 12 December 2022]

I didn't know this series was produced by Disney, I knew about it after watching it. Well, it makes so much more sense.

Connect is not a bad series. I haven't read the webtoon, but I guess there's more to it than just 6 episodes.

Disney is used to make few episodes series, I don"t know why. But compared to the usual Korean series than have 12-18 episodes, this one feels really rushed and underdevelopped. There's very little things that made sense and the plot, after a strong pilot, got lost in a chaotic writting and screenplay.

Also, I don't understand why you would get Miike (who I find totally overated) to direct it, there are so many great Korean directors.... Even without knowing that Disney was involved, watching Connect, it really felt like it was made out for an Occidental audience, just like Squid game for instance (and it's all but good...).

Please Korea, don't sell your soul and your style to Occidental people and to companies which have absolutely no respect for the series nor the audience.

A K drama like no other.

[lanceoliverm · 10/10 · 9 December 2022]

This is not a regular K drama that we watch. It is something new . I enjoyed watching it. Congrats Connect team. Acting was superb. Cinematography was great. This is my first time to watch a Takeshita Mike work and I love it. He definitely has a brand of his own. He was able to make the three characters that of Jung Haein, Go Kyungpyo and Kim Huejun shine. They are so lucky that they are in this series. This drama is a breeze or a rest from the regular k drama that I watch. Jung Haein has added another feather in his cap. This work has broaden his acting prowess. Acting really is his forte. He was able to make me cry because of this monster thing. Kyungpyo , oh I hate his character here , proof that he was able to give justice to his role. And of course Hyejun, she deserves a nomination for her portrayal here. She's so good that every time she appears on screen, you cannot help but feel her presence.

Didn't captivate me

[janstue · 5/10 · 11 January 2024]

While the story sounds extremely intriguing, something about the execution of this show didn't work out for me. After a couple episodes, it was sometimes a drag to keep watching. It's not a bad show at all, but it definitely did not leave me longing for more. It's good quality but of the recent K-Dramas I've watched, this one is certainly the weakest.

That's all I wanted to say, but I have to stretch it out a little more since the required characters are not filled yet. I am glad this show was made, as it has quite a few nice touches and unique elements. I do not regret watching it, neither would I easily recommend it.

Amazing 👀

[nevermindd-89468 · 10/10 · 15 December 2022]

It's one of the rare series that I finished in one sitting, the production or something was great, the visuals were incredible and also gripping, the actors are very good. Season 2 is definitely a must. Also, if there is a second season, the plot will be more, everything is very doubtful, it was definitely very good, it is obvious that the director did her job very well. There is already an appropriate age limit, so watch it, they carry mystery genres, I recommend it. The subject that I liked the most is that when the protagonist realizes her abilities, she does not become a superhero all of a sudden.

Dramatic, not Sci-FI, Emotional, but not a bad serie.

[rikudouensof · 8/10 · 17 December 2022]

I watched this series hoping to get the feel of "Ajin" or "The Strain". I however got an emotional drama about art and horoscope.

The main character did not really develop, nor did it make sense how he keeps becoming dramatic with each event.

The main Villan is not even hard to track, everything he needs to get the information has always been there, but he did not utilize them. Eg: Read some lips, lookup some names...

For a tv series, I would say that the CGI is not bad, but the sound effect would suit, if he is another creature disguising as a human. It almost went full on "Marvel Venom"/ "Species", with a touch of "Kill bill's blood spilling".

The actors did good, I am impressed, but the way the story is told, forces the audience to think that the general IQ of the people in this movie is actually lower than average.

If you are here for some action, this series, has no real action, if you are looking for some story about the strong struggling, here you are.

Most importantly, the Woke-culture here is not as heavy as the west.

Interesting but...

[danielromero-43591 · 11 June 2023]

Interesting, but could not keep watching after the first episode.

It is very interesting to see this "monster" they are talking about, but there are just so many things in the first episode, and none of them seem to be important enough for me to keep watching and find out what the explanation to all of that was. A person who is kidnapped, literally opened up, his organs removed, and yet he is able to survive and escape, but is not smart enough to take BOTH of his eyes before he leaves!? Sorry, but it is just nonsense to me. He seems to have supernatural powers, is definitely a monster, but feels bad for being one??? No, thanks, I'm not going to empathize with that, not in a thousand years.