Bing-ui (2019) User Reviews

Such a strong start, yet such a weak end

[kwsilverdragon · 7/10 · 2 May 2019]

The first half and the second half are almost different shows, and I so wish I could review them separately because I'm so conflicted over this.

First half was 10/10, honest-to-goodness great. There were some good twists, some creepy psychotic grins, some incredibly fun characters that were either charming from the start or naturally grew on me. It was suspenseful at one moment, surprises at every turn, then ten minutes later my face hurt from smiling at these cops on a picnic or the budding romance in the background or just how proud a dad the Chief is. A wonderful mix of genres that had me rushing home from work to watch.

If only it were just ten episodes. If only. Because after episode 9 or 10, it just falls apart. No more than a 5/10. It becomes repetitive, sappy, and heartbreaking - not because of the drama, but because now it felt like a chore, like I was only watching the last episodes in order to finish this show I once loved. Shock factor only works so many times, so rather than continue to get emotional over these events, after a few episodes of the same old, I was numb to it. A right shame. I can't say much without spoiling stuff, just don't expect an ending nearly as strong as the beginning.

Is it worth a watch, though? Yeah, I'd say so. The first half was just that wonderful, and maybe you'll like the ending more than I did. But if you lose interest and it becomes a chore to watch, don't bother; the ending isn't that gratifying. Just go back and rewatch the cops try to teach an adult to ride a bike or when they go scare high schoolers instead. The good times.

From Terrific to Trainwreck in 16 Episodes

[nishera · 6/10 · 17 January 2020]

Regrettably, I can't recall another film that caused me as much entertainment whiplash as this one. Which makes me really sad because the beginning had so much potential... If only it had been consistent from start to finish, I wouldn't have gotten so invested, then been so disappointed at the disaster it devolved into (and I don't believe that's an exaggeration).

There are too many problems in the last 4 episodes to attempt listing. Even the script and acting, which IMO were initially excellent, turned contrived and melodramatic. And the last time I saw a film with so much pointless death and needless tragedy was when I saw Seven in high school (yep, I'm old). This was all the more frustrating because I could see where the director was trying to go, but that only made the failure to get there even more unbearable. And while the ending itself does offer a sliver of closure, it pales in comparison to the irritation you have to suffer to reach it.

ROMANCE RATING: 6/10 While I thought Ko Jun Hee and Song Sae Byeok did have a certain chemistry on screen, it didn't feel like romantic chemistry. It was more like the rapport of partners who have worked together for a long time. So needless to say, while I could buy into their attachment to each other, their kisses looked more like friend kisses (even though they were clearly supposed to be lovers).

In summary, if you are fine with creating your own viewing experience, I can recommend the first 12 episodes (which were interesting and suffered minimal melodrama), then skip to the last 10 minutes of the show if you want an official "ending." But if you need to see how everything gets to that ending, be warned you are in for a frustrating ride. Sorry, I can't recommend this show.

Could have been better

[BarryJ · 6/10 · 28 September 2019]

Less of a disaster than the typical Netflix Original production, and it started very strong. However, the way the story unfolds in the back half of the season is just excruciating. Some strong actors, good production values (although crazy to see all the GM vehicle product placements in a Kdrama), good characters. They just really needed to do something less abusive to the viewers for the way the season wraps up.

OKAY...then

[pjkblue-35926 · 7/10 · 24 December 2021]

The writers killed off one of the best "evil" villains: Hong Seo-jung played by Jo Han-sun. One thing about Korean crime/detective/horror series and movies, they get the most creepy characters. I think the series fell off after he was killed off. The original serial killer: Hwang Dae-du played by Won Hyun-joon was just as creepy and evil. The last "possessed" person was okay, but not as grotesquely nasty. Still, the last few episodes were written poorly and all the good characters are killed. Why they did that is a totally bad move. Viewers want to see an ending that has a positive aspect. I guess they tried to do that with the two "reincarnated" kids at the end.

I still have a problem with the way a lot of Korean series/films end. The sentimentality, romance is there during the series, then that entire good, uplifting feeling is gone at the end.

Not one of the better Korean crime shows, but not bad

[qck1 · 7/10 · 19 October 2021]

There was just something about Jun-hee Ko I really liked. I know at times here height gave her a real presence, and she did a really good job. With so many very tall Korean actors, why she is not more in demand I do not know why this woman does not get more work. Extremely slim, maybe a little too much so, but that can add to her character. Hope she gets a lot more work.

Mature Genre-Mixed Series that Pulls No Punches

[AJ_McAninch · 10/10 · 20 April 2019]

One of the best casts and one of the most charming couples in one of the darkest series ever made. If that's off-putting, don't watch it, but if not, you will find it a mature and great series that pulls no punches regarding the power of evil, but also the stronger power of righteousness--and love. This is a rough, gritty crime series-even shocking-but it is also a tender, loving story about two warm, strong, good people trying to make things right for others who include characters viewers will also love. The writing, direction, and acting from a brilliant cast are superb. Strongly recommended.

Good then something happened

[bironautoo · 6/10 · 6 April 2023]

The story line is good loved the chemistry between the two cute lady and awkward detective. Nevertheless the lady's shamans powers are not evident, she plays powerless basically almost all through and the detective who spends a day in silence while death is around him ruined the story line. The 13 & 14th episode were a real drag. They allowed the villain too much winning power that as you watch you get tires waiting for a comeback.

The main characters are weak....like who wrote this script! No crime is solved by the way 😂 and what's the purpose of the ladies mother in the story line 😂 l.

The story line was good until the bad guy stayed in control too long.

Brilliant

[gstrongheart-22158 · 10/10 · 13 April 2019]

This is a great show the over all concept us brilliant. The chemistry between the characters are sublime. Love the humour the writer/s have done it justice. I like the fact your on the edge of your seat atmosphere while watching this fresh new show. Love it.

Wished I read the reviews.

[dragan-68 · 6/10 · 14 June 2023]

Just watched upto episode 14.

Will not be watching any more.

This show started of good, but by the end it just became frustrating that I wanted destroy my TV.

The two main characters. Just frustrating watching them sitting back and hiding, watching the mass slaughter of everyone around them. Who ever wrote the last 4 episode should be seriously investigated. I believe he must have some mental issue. Just death after death, it's like the writers where getting there fetishs off watching innocent people being killed of for no reason.

For people looking for a happy ending to this show, PLEASE dont, watch something else.

It will suck you in at the start and at the end will leave you SAD, MAD, FRUSTRATED, CONFUSED.....

Strong beginning becomes a weak second half

[genkstaz · 4/10 · 6 May 2019]

What turn out to be a really strong and promising beginning falls flat and drags in the second half of the show. I love the suspense and the eerie feeling that the first four episode presents. The story started to spiral into a love story that makes the main character unbearable, weak, and selfish. I felt he neglected the duty of his job and became the most slappable person in the world by trying to chase his love story no matter who becomes the sacrifice. I'd watch probably 12 episodes if you decide to give this a try but be warn the last 4 episode would probably make you want to throw yourself off a bridge because of the frustration from the main character.

Love it!

[sadiqm900 · 8/10 · 18 April 2019]

I didn't expect much but it is well done and amazing show but it should only have been 10 episodes because second half of the season is very bad like they didn't have anything left to tell!

Gets very dark later on

[mickholmshaw · 7/10 · 13 March 2024]

There are killings throughout the series but, despite this, there is a level of humour and things are kept relatively light. But then around Ep 13 it turns very dark with terrible psychological choices having to be made ...: who will die? Who will survive? The scenarios set up are truly horrific and are not in line with the earlier episodes. I would rate this a 7+ for the earlier episodes but struggle to rate the later ones. I feel I was conned - the last few episodes we're not what I signed up to. I have watched a lot of Korean drama and they are usually consistent throughout - this one switches direction so severely it's almost like there's a different director for the last part.

First half is good but does not end well

[leahcubed · 5/10 · 25 November 2020]

5/10 is the rating. This is a 2019 Soth Korean supernatural crime drama. There are 16, 60 minute, episodes.

Detective Kang Pil-sung (Song Sae-byeok) is a very unlikely detective Ashe is fearful and has not had a lot of success with catching criminals that is until a chance encounter changes things. Hong Seo-jung (Go Joon-hee) often scares people with her deep soul searching stare and it could be due to the fact that her stare is literally soul searching. When she crosses paths with Pii-sung it feels a lot like fate to her as she senses a kindred spirit. A run in with a virgin ghost opens up Pii-sung's hidden ability to see ghosts and he is drawn to Seo-jung for help. Meanwhile it seems a serial killer who was executed 20 years ago may have possessed a man and is now completing what he felt was unfinished business.

Spoiler ** I did not finish watching this one because my daughter indicated that this was very sad. She said all of the supporting characters, who were friends of the male lead, wound up dying and the two lead characters even died in the end. I do not like sad at all and I particularly do not like sad endings. I enjoyed the four or five episodes that I watched but it would not have been worth it to watch the rest for such a tragic ending.

Strange series

[elenakamili · 6/10 · 4 December 2020]

A surrealistic mixture of thriller, comedy and drama and I prefer the comedy. But strange as it is, it's a more realistic version of life than any other straightforward kind of filming. Interesting.

Supernatural thriller

[alaningle7 · 8/10 · 8 May 2019]

Serial killer possesses a serial killer which leads to some amazing twists and turns. The heroes, a detective and a shaman have to fight the protagonist whilst sorting out their feelings for each other. Well acted with some interesting side characters

Only those who have preseverance

[paperpunch · 10/10 · 23 June 2020]

I started watching this drama once it comes out and just finish today. It takes a year for me to finish this, right? On the first episode i had a hard time accepting the main lead since i've been spoiled so much by visual in any other KDrama, so i protested why i have to face a reality in KDrama. I come here to escape it lol.

Watching this is so frustating, i laugh a bit, smile a bit, cry alot, feeling regret, annoyed, so many emotion untill episode 12 and i stop watching. Where are my fantasy like, superheroes, magic KDrama or at least a little bit pity from the writer to all the characters? Why so cruel? But once again it makes sense, it is life in this drama, it offers you what reality could bring. Have you watch arang and the magistrate? It has that kind of vibes. Or you can a bit compare it to The Guest Kdrama.

Watching this again is a very big decision, because i will feel frustate but this is something i have to finish. Untill the last episode i feel very frustate. But at the end i just can say "this is very make sense"

Interesting beginning, unsympathetic lead

[writetopcat · 4/10 · 14 September 2020]

The story of an immature, irresponsible, and incompetent detective named Kang, and a girl with psychic abilities who team up to pursue a serial killer, who becomes possessed by the spirit of another serial killer. I've seen other Korean shows I enjoyed very much, Signal, and Tunnel, and A Man Named God. But this show is becoming difficult to watch. Det. Kang has his psychic abilities awakened through his love interest. He has some good instincts, but he makes awful errors in judgement, and has virtually no control of his emotions. This isn't the first show to glorify a detective who wants to arrest a bad guy without any evidence of his guilt, but Kang takes this stupidity to new heights, or lows. Do the writers think this appeals to viewers? This trope of a detective who is so sure of a person's guilt that he insists on arresting him without evidence is so banal. After fouling things up so spectacularly, Kang plays the victim and never acknowledges his errors or the predicament he puts his teamates in. I am seriously questioning whether I should finish this series.

Truly enjoyable

[eclaridge · 8/10 · 21 May 2022]

From the cover poster and through the first two episodes it seems you are getting a standard romantic comedy ghost story. Then it turns very dark and the comedy gets sidelined. I applaud the cast and crew for their attempt and I really enjoyed it. I am surprised it gets rated so low. The leads are excellent and the story is a Rollercoaster ride. Go in with an open mind and I don't think you will ge disappointed. 8 seems a little harsh .. I wokd have liked an 8.5 but I have to be honest or else this site is pointless. I can surely say I recommend this but be aware... you are going on a roller coaster.

Do not start this you will regret it!

[karcia_tony-97256 · 1/10 · 8 March 2021]

I was liking this show all the way up to episode 13. From that point it was just as bad as the last season of Game of Thrones. Whoever director/writer thought episode 13 and onward was a good way to end the show, you need to stop writing. Go a find a new profession. Studios never hire these people again. None of this is on the actors, to bad you got stuck with a garbage ending

A downward spiral into darkness and madness.

[gullkaktus · 8/10 · 4 January 2021]

If you are looking for funny, romance or romcom - this is not it. It has some funny moments in the beginning but the series soon take a turn to the dark and keep spiraling down into madness and horror. The ending was a surprise and not a happy one. It's a different show well worth watching.

Great, uncompromisingly brutal, romance horror

[Steve L · 10/10 · 15 September 2023]

Perhaps its physical and emotional brutality is partly what has lead to it being so brutally under-rated.

I watched this a few years ago. It had a great impact and I remember it as one of the best shows I have ever seen. I would refute every point made against it in the many negative reviews, and support every point made in praise of it. It has both the grittiest horror and one of the most moving romances I have seen.

The story reaches its logical conclusion. The later episodes get incredibly brutal both physically and emotionally, because that's where the story takes us. Any other course would be a pathetic compromise, and the writers deserve credit for following the central premise to its bitter end.

There are better ways to spend your time

[gorgihow2000-314-703059 · 1/10 · 23 March 2021]

At the beginning of the first episode a serial killer has a woman at death's door. The detective shows just in time to save her . Now for the spoiler . He fires his weapon, giving warning shots twice. Only to stand there and watch her be hacked to death and now he shoots the killer but not lethal shots. In the shoulder and leg . He hit her 5 to 7 times with an ax . After he sees she was hacked to death. He proceeds to beat him up. What a lame.

Enjoyable

[eamonn-23668 · 8/10 · 20 August 2021]

It's a good series with an adorable leading lady. Like all korean series that I've seen though it needs the fat trimming. 16 episodes is far too many and it becomes a slog by the end.

Epic horrors in diabolical honor

[dominicchanwenshun · 4/10 · 18 September 2019]

The amount of dialogue, eating and slurping noodles, driving endlessly in suburban Korea just take up the unnecessity of times to come out with 16 episodes.

And then, there's the unnecessarily amount of time spent on soap opera romanticism. We get it serial killers lack love and good sustainable environment.

On that note, my question to the director is, is this a series about psychopathy and sociopathy or about shamanism, or about a bad spirit wonders desperately in such of destruction as blood vengeance?

Is this the reflection of the South Korean police force when in the face of evil and difficulty, they started running away?

Good show that took a dark turn

[foxjlyn · 8/10 · 29 October 2022]

This was a really good show with everything in it. Detective vs serial killer, sweet romance of opposites attracting, light humor among detective buddies, and a dash of paranormal. I looked forward to watching an episode every day. There are a lot of characters and we get to know and enjoy them all. Then, towards the end it takes a very dark and disturbing turn. This wasn't the show I signed up for. I honestly don't know what they were thinking. Did the writers change? It was suddenly a completely different show and tone. And it didn't make any sense. I don't want to spoil anything but weren't there any other healers around to help? Towards the end the story fell apart and I watched just to get to the ending. It kind of made me mad that they spoiled a good show. So why did I give it eight stars? Because the majority of it was good. I liked these characters, I looked forward to finding out what was going to happen. Watch the first half and walk away and make up your own ending. It will make more sense.