Disney Plus has been a leader in debuting quality dramas in 2024. Now the hit platform is set to release the new comedy thriller Unmasked starring Kim Hye Soo and Jung Sung Il.
The drama follows the exploits of investigative journalists and is directed by Yoo Sun Dong, known for The Uncanny Counter. After the trailer was released and being Disney Plus’s opening release for the year, all eyes are on whether Unmasked will achieve strong results.
The story is radical and lively from the beginning as investigator Oh So Ryong displays her quirky mannerisms from the get-go. She is the host of ‘Trigger,’ an investigative reporting program that investigates cases that the police and prosecutors are unable to solve – and most of these cases are gruesome, sexual, and very out there. Like Director Yoo stated in an interview, the drama creates a psychological thriller atmosphere with realistic cases reminiscent of old-school disaster films in a modern-day setting. Check out the exciting trailer here.
Compared to typical K-Dramas investigations, the series doesn’t shy away from anything paranormal, sexual, or corrupt and has a lot of scenes that may be too graphic for sensitive viewers who are more used to Korea’s censored storytelling. Each episode features a rather dark crime that piques the viewer’s interest. Right from the gates, Unmasked starts with a racy love scene with two lovers discovering a dead body. Made to look like the work of sinister demons possessing a body, it was quite the jump scare to see the gruesome body – with many more scenes like this in future episodes.
The acting is enjoyable to watch and Kim Hye Soo has been likened to Ahn Gwi Ryeong due to her outrageous performances, such as staring down the barrel of a gun and shouting, “shoot me”, and more throughout the series. She has a strong sense of justice and always remains diligent in her conclusions and convictions – very reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes or Conan. The other cast members have very realistic tones and characters that serve a purpose rather than just being plot devices helping the storylines progress without seeming too far-fetched.
The Glory star Jung Sung Il has an excellent character, Han Do, that often steals the spotlight from the eccentric team leader Oh So Ryong. His character is reclusive yet charming and is friendly to kids but rude to adults. Han Do has a habit of acting outlandish and getting himself into precarious situations that provide a sense of comic relief. Jung Sung Il may be a mature actor but he’s talented at portraying the antics of Han Do effortlessly and seems to find a new sense of youth in his role.
However, with hits like Fiery Priest, which had two successful seasons on Disney Plus, raking in views for Disney, many wonder if Unmasked will hold a candle to its predecessor. The drama may have intense fictional stories but sometimes the pacing can feel a bit slow because some character dialogue is not as entertaining as others.
The action scenes usually end in some sort of comical fashion as well so viewers shouldn’t anticipate anything like Bloodhounds for example. Although not as comical as Strong Woman Do Bong Soo it is on par with the intensity of some cases. The action lies heavily in the story and the character plots go beyond the crime show ‘Trigger’ itself and, like many dramas, takes a darker turn and gets more personal. However, the main story remains fluid and enjoyable from start to finish. Although it is easy to compare the drama to many others it does maintain its own sense of style within Korean crime series and fans can certainly enjoy this drama’s light-hearted air mixed with wit and Korean humor. (7.5/10)
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