El asesino mediático

Was introduced to this show when looking to fill the post-show blues after watching Light the Night.

The storytelling was a little confusing in the first few episodes when characters were introduced one after another and the plot of each episode seem to be quite siloed. The timeframe of the show was also confusing as there was little to done to suggest it was the 90s. (Some parts of modern Taiwan does resemble the 90s.) This was complicated by the non-linear timeline at the beginning which shuffles between different years.

However, the plot took a turn in the second half when the storylines start to weave together to form an engaging plot. Relationship between the media, the judiciary and the serial killer becomes clearer.

Overall, the pace and level of detail was just right. It is well-balanced between dialogues and action. All the characters were pretty well-developed for a short 10-episode drama, except the lead himself. A stronger link between his personal story and his career as a prosecutor could have added more dimension to his character.

I can't help but compare it with Taiwan's top Netflix series from a year ago which happens to be of the same genre - Light the Night. In my two cent, Copycat Killer pales in comparison as the plot was much simpler with less suspense build-up. Pacing was probably the only aspect it had triumph over Light the Night. Nevertheless, one thing I noticed and appreciate about Taiwanese mystery thriller is the way it contextualise to their local culture and societal issues. Looking forward to Taiwanese films and series making a comeback!

No Spoilers GRIPPING CRIME SERIES COPYCAT KILLER NETFLIX

PLOT: A serial killer takes advantage on the media interest over his murders, manipulating their victims, police and the media, turning the murders into a spectacle.

I don't always say "drop everything else and watch this" but this is one of those rare gems.

Based on a book by a Japanese author, this Netflix series from Taiwan is 10 episodes long and with eah episode the tension mounts.

Just when you thought you had figured it all out, it completely throws you off and you will have t55o reassess your theories on who or what.

The best part of this series is you will feel like you are reading a book and not watching a commercial adaptation made in a hurry.

The nuanced storytelling and the excellent background music really stand out as you binge through the episodes.

This is one of the best crime series out there at the moment and it's gripping from start to finish. No melodrama no modern day gimmicks in this 90's story.

It's a dark, violent and gritty thriller nominally focused on the hunt for a sadistic serial killer. Although based on a Japanese novel and set in Taiwan, the dour tone and deliberate pace are reminiscent of Scandi-Noir. Genre cliches abound and the show doesn't shy away from depicting brutality. It's also guilty of the same thing as virtually every other streaming series in padding the run time with extraneous subplots and overcooked melodrama. That said, this show is nevertheless well-done and engaging, with good performances, slick production, and enough twists and turns to keep things interesting.

This Series Left me speechless by the end, with multiple twists and turns shifting the expectations again and again. Chris Wu being the lead is what truly solidified my rating as his character was much different from what I'm used to. In a role where the director would apply more pressure for sympathy, Hsiao-Chi Kuos Traumatic past takes a backseat while still being prevalent. Where other titles would make this character very vulnerable Copycat Killer Lets Hsiao-Chi Kuo be a more stoic and stable character throughout the majority of the series. Every Character is given the opportunity to grow and learn from the experiences in the series that makes you care about them. The killers motives were very unique as well with Jia-Wun Shens Character being particularly heartbreaking. By the end every characters story ended at the perfect time with the right outcome leaving no extra weight for an unneeded cliffhanger.

Superbly shot. Excellent attention-to-detail on old equipment; CRTs and analogue equipment of the late 1990's. Superb acting. So reminiscent of 'Memories Of A Murder' and a lot of voyeuristic viewing.

The build-up play is full-on Hitchcock suspense. It's extremely sleek and professional with a good budget but also it's done to a very high standard.

There's probably a bit of troll-rating happening as it's 6.8 but it only dropped to Netflix very recently so there's clearly bogus reviews. Anything Asian+Murder+Gore gets trolls it seems.

The sequencing of each episode and how the story is set is excellent. It's proper storyboard-to-series. I love how artifacts from the era are in pristine condition despite now being 25 years old!

Actos are great. I feel at ease with them and Cammy Chiang is a future star. Wu Kang-ren is astounding. The way he acts like a cop more than a prosecutor is refreshing. There's a bit of Triad crackdown involvement which is true to history after a Google search found a 1997 article in the Indiependent about that.

The style is very like the artistic leadership of 'Memories For Murder' (Director of Parasite) which the creators deserve huge credit for. It's glossy and well-produced and a real nugget in SEA TV criteria where there's an incredible amount of choice. Great stuff! More please.