Dr. Brain

Brilliant sci-fi suspense drama which takes elements of supernatural, super-hero, crime-thriller, horror and martial-arts genres and mixes them together Korean style to form a punchy, addictive and at times emotionally exhausting piece of television.

The series takes you on a six episode journey with the main character 'Dr Brain' as he develops from spineless and emotionless super-geek to courageous, fully-enlightened hero, at the same time blasting through almost every ethical no-no in order to save his family.

I think as westerners we sometimes find it hard to accept just how good Korean filmmaking is. Dr Brain is no exception and has top-notch cinematography, great acting and almost perfect scene construction from the first frame to the last. Sure, the Korean formula of heavy suspense, intense dialogue and a healthy dose of blood-splattering violence in every episode is not to everyone's taste but as we've discovered with the like of Parasite and Squid Game it's a formula which, once tuned in to, awakens your emotions and leaves you feeling you've really watched something.

I watched this in Korean with subtitles along with my 15 year old daughter and we gasped in disbelief as ethics evaporated, gleefully wished a painful, bloody come-uppance on the villains, clawed in despair at the Korean police failing to keep up with the protagonists and giggled incessantly at Dr Brain's side-kick whose exasperated reactions reinforce just how bonkers Dr Brain's actions are.

FWIW we accidentally watched 5mins of one of the episodes with the imbecilic English voice-over ... hilarious ... but no, don't even go there.

Highly recommend, in Korean with subtitles all the way!

First 5 episodes had some flaws but I was all in..

Often a show rests on where it lands and the finale went super B movie to a point that was head scratching..did the production schedule get squeezed or was the ending not fully written when they started filming...Rather disappointing since again was such a compelling piece up until the disastrous finale..My wife and I looked at each other so confused..

Maybe there's a behind the scenes creative squabble that will never see the light of day? Maybe they lost the budget the last week of filming, crafty canceled, and they were forced to fast work in 16 hour shifts? Who knows...

Anyway enough was there that I hope to see Apple TV continue to invest in filmmakers/storytelling from around the world and see more non English content if nothing else..

Look.. i liked it even thou its nothing new, and it dares to impress you, but its done in such a manner that it reminds you of one of those black mirror episodes but for grown-ups, that truly shines only if you give it some time.

• You will be connected to this series from episode one

Acting 10/10

• Not only the lead hero, but you will feel the emotions of supporting actors too.

Direction 10/10

• You will find some scenes which are a combination of Mystery and thriller, which will be better than many horror movies.

Background Score 10/10 Background music will give you goosebumps

• Camera-man makes you feel that you see every frame in 3d; all shots are tough, just like a parasite; yes, while watching this series, you will think of parasite, and I think this first Korean-language series on Apple TV+ is going to be a big hit like a parasite.

Terrible pacing. Storyline is not succinct in any way. Lens flare during every "happy" scene is played out. Man supposed to feel no empathy at times absolutely does. Feels as though they had an idea, execution is forced and insists upon itself.