Edited by Young Jun Yang
Translated by Yu Jin Kim
It’s the familiar style we’ve come to expect. Dark, intense, and intense. Last week, Disney Plus released The Tyrant, a new series that embodies all the elements of the renowned ‘Park Hoon Jung Universe.’ This latest work, a spin-off of The Witch series, has been highly anticipated. But did it successfully expand the universe while maintaining the director’s unique touch?
Director Choi (played by Kim Seon Ho) of the National Intelligence Service is on the verge of losing the “Tyrant Project” to the American intelligence agency. After obtaining the transport information for a safe containing the final sample, Director Choi enlists safe technician Chae Ja Kyung (played by Jo Yoon Soo) through former NIS agent Yeon Mo Ying (Moo Jin Sung). Ja Kyung successfully completes the mission, but instead of receiving the promised large sum of cash, she is betrayed by Mo Ying. Barely escaping with her life, Ja Kyung sets out to seek revenge on Mo Ying. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of the sample become a point of contention among Director Choi, American intelligence officer Paul (Kim Kang Woo), the NIS and hitman Im Sang (Cha Seung Won), all of whom join the fray.
The unique charm of Park Hoon Jung’s works shines in The Tyrant. The cold and dark tone further enhances the noir elements of the piece, while the spectacular action scenes and captivating characters add a visual thrill to the drama. The humor, which sometimes felt forced in his previous works, has been toned down and is used more effectively to lighten the atmosphere. Since it shares the same universe as The Witch series, it offers various delights for fans. At the same time, it stands out as a spin-off because viewers can enjoy it without needing to have seen the previous films.
Just like in his previous works, there’s a lot of excitement in seeing fresh new faces. Director Park Hoon Jung’s eye for casting seems to have hit the mark again with Jo Yoon Soo as the lead in The Tyrant, much like Kim Da Mi and Shin Si Ah from The Witch series and Kang Tae Joo from The Childe. Jo Yoon Soo shines in her portrayal of Chae Ja Kyung, a hitman with a split personality. The character could have been a bit cringy, but Jo Yoon Soo brought a unique depth to the role by skillfully executing the film’s complex action sequences.
Other actors also deserve mention. Kim Seon Ho showcased a new side of himself through the cold-hearted character of Director Choi, who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Kim Kang Woo, continuing his villainous streak from The Childe, adds energy to the drama with his cunning and manipulative role. In particular, Cha Seung Won leaves a strong impression with his portrayal of Im Sang, a former agent turned ruthless assassin who is excessively polite yet incredibly brutal.
Despite being an intriguing piece of work, it’s hard to shake off a sense of déjà vu. The characters who are out to steal something and those who are trying to protect it, the innocent protagonist with superhuman abilities (or something the villains are chasing), and even the comedic side characters—all feel familiar. Since the elements seen in director Park Hoon Jung’s previous works are repeated in The Tyrant, it’s challenging to find anything truly fresh. While some might see this as “sticking to what he does best,” others might view it as simply repeating himself.
The pacing of the story is also disappointing. Except for the final episode where all the characters gather in one place, each episode focuses on introducing characters, which makes the show slow and boring. Especially considering that the first episode is crucial for a drama, it’s likely that many viewers dropped out before even getting attached to the characters. It’s also disappointing that it’s only in the third episode out of four that the outline of the Tyrant Project becomes clear. While fans of the Witch series could easily guess that the Tyrant Project is about ‘cultivating superhuman beings,’ for those who don’t know, the work can be difficult to understand or appreciate.
The Tyrant successfully introduces intriguing new characters and settings to the existing universe. Elements like the connection between the Tyrant Virus and the “Original” from previous installments, as well as the potential showdown between Goo Ja Yoon and Chae Ja Kyung, are sure to excite fans and heighten anticipation for the next chapter. However, this excitement is mainly from a fan’s perspective. It’s also fair to be concerned that the recurring flaws from previous works haven’t been addressed and that the storyline seems to be repeating itself just to expand the universe. The real question is whether the next installment will bring not just “new faces” but also a truly “fresh story.” For now, all we can do is wait and see.
(6/10)
>> Disney Plus’s ‘The Tyrant’ Takes Viewers by Storm, Climbing the Charts Just Hours After Release
Editor Yang Young Jun: There is at least one good part in every movie or TV series. A media geek who isn’t picky with genres.
