Blind

Coincidentally, I watched "Blind" right after "Mouse", and in direct comparison, the former one lacks in plot development, pacing and character building. It's starts intriguing, the main leads are interesting, and a lot of plot points keep you engaged throughout the whole series, which isn't an easy task for a 16-episode-K-drama. Still, if you just have time for one of these two thriller dramas, I recommend "Mouse", even though the story is different, of course.

"Blind" is a thriller with a dark and, unfortunately, realistic theme. All events in the present started in an orphanage twenty years before, where children were abused and tortured. I don't know if the story is based on real life events, but things like that happened, not only in South Korea, or may still be happening in some parts of the world. The present story line is a serial murder case connected to these past events and the lead characters. Some things are easy to guess, a lot of them are not, and therefore the story keeps you hooked. Still, I feel like some misdirects are too obviously misdirects, a few details don't really make sense or aren't explained well, and some minor characters are underdeveloped. In the end, one or two major elements of the drama are not believable in my point of view.

Apart from that, "Blind" is an engaging thriller drama with lots of twists and turns. It doesn't go that deep psychologically, and it leaves you feeling kind of empty in the end, but that's the point of the whole story. If you like darker thrillers, it's definitely worth the watch, even with its flaws.

Just focusing on the story, this is chilling, well-made, and all too real. It's a sad commentary on humanity that this type of thing happens with depressing regularity. However, as one of the show's themes underscores: abused children may want revenge, but they seldom turn to life-taking.

The lack of continuity was disappointing. Characters disappear and reappear, as needed. We don't know what happened to some of them and for some, we don't know their backstories. Clearly, the focus was meant to be on the main plot. Rather chilling to think secondary characters were used only to drive it - rather like the main character confessed to doing, using and discarding people to drive his revenge plot.

Production values were a bit off. Scars appear on one side of the face in one scene and the other side, the next. The first murder happens in January - a notoriously cold time in Korea, yet there's no snow on the ground and everyone is wearing light jackets or open coats. The story gives no sense of pacing; we don't know how much time passes between scenes. However, scars disappearing from one frame to the next suggests quite a while passed.

This doesn't deliver a message, like Mouse did. It's not thought-provoking, as that show was. Still, if you don't look too deep at it, it's a decent watch.

Really excellent mystery/crime drama. I love that I couldn't figure out who the 'culprit' was until the writers were ready for the audience to be sure. That doesn't happen often. The acting is superb, especially the lead actor. I can't figure out why Ok Tacyeon isn't a bigger name in K-dramas. Even in something light like "Bring It On, Ghost", he was magnetic. It's no different here. I felt so sorry for him as the show went on--it was just blow after blow for him. The bad guys are seriously bad in this one, and there aren't many good guys. I thoroughly enjoyed this show, from beginning to end.

Taecyong is brilliant as always. Ever since I watched this young man as a villain in Vincenzo, I started seeking out his other dramas and am chuffed by his natural acting, his wonderful English - so far the best English speaking K-actor, his demeanour and smiles. Then I found out he also sings and dances - such talent, great looks, wonderful acting skills. He has got it all.

In Blind, he is Sung Jun, the adopted son of a judge with an older brother who is also a judge and a mum who is about to become an assemblywoman - no pressure, kiddo. He becomes part of the Violent crimes Unit which investigates a recent spate of murders. When a so called perpetrator is caught, he points his finger at Sung Jun and says he is the murderer.

The suspense begins as SJ tries to clear his name - not only with the public, but with his team mates and his upright family.

Scenes are shown at the beginning of each episode of a group of young boys being physically abused by a group of military men. The abused kids try to escape several times and are beaten almost to death. How that past abuse affected the future is slowly unravelled.

I really liked the Director/writer's style of tying the stories this way. It was horrifying watching young kids being tortured and beaten, but in reality, there are children and adults both men and women who are subjugated to such abuse and even worse. This is what I like about Korean dramas and movies, such horrific human behaviour is put out there without any of the western style touchy feely sentiments. Watch this! !

Taecyong has not even unleashed his full acting abilities in this. I am still watching you, young man. I hope to see you rise even higher.

The complex plot links together perpetrators and victims in a sometimes harrowing and ultimately tragic tale of abuse in an orphanage and revenge and murder 20 years on. You have to concentrate but it pays off because all the characters are linked to the crimes of the past. Quite a storytelling achievement. You will be amazed how many villains there are.

The cast is watchable and likeable. Ok Taecyeon with a terrible hair style is earnest as the detective. The clean cut Ha Seok Jin plays his brother the judge. Jung eun ji is right for the part as a sympathetic social worker.

I wish there had been some way for the victims to have had some happy ending given all they suffered but there was none. There is a lot of story to tell but one or two hours and some twists could have been cut.