Black Review

Black (2017) 

If your primary reason for watching this drama is for Song Seung Heon, like it was for me, you will end up watching this drama to see how in the world this story is going to end. Honestly, Seung Heon will keep you happy, and this drama will make your nerves go wild. This drama is so full of twists, one can’t help but wonder if everything was well executed or if there were some loopholes left untouched.

Black tells the story of detective Han Moo Gang/Black (Song Seung Heon) possessed by a Grim Reaper trying to solve a mysterious case, and Kang Ha Ram (Go Ara), a girl who can see the shadow of death. These two will partner up to save lives while breaking heaven’s rules.   

The story behind Black and Ha Ram is really simple yet it is sold in such an intricate way, every episode leaves you wanting to see more. It’s not just because she can see the shadow of death and tries to save people and he himself is a Grim Reaper, enough irony there, but it is also about how every character is link to one event. And this have been seen before in other dramas, but it must say it was well executed in Black. Regarding the ending, which is something very important to me, I understand it yet I’m not sure if I am satisfy completely with it. I do know I was okay with it, it wasn’t bad, but I was left wondering if there could have been another way. Also, it seemed so easy for anyone to be killed in this drama, one just worried who might be next. [SPOILER: Following this line of thought, why the hell did they have to kill the dog? I was not happy with that at all!] Considering this, I made sure not to care too much for the characters. Just as I mention how every character was link by the story, they were also link in a performance way.

The chemistry between Black and Ha Ram was on point. Specifically, Song Seung Heon who play two different personalities. These were well defined, seem natural and though they were different, he was just adorable playing both Black and Moo Gang - how is that possible when one character is sweet and the other is dark? Aside from the two leads, Kim Won Hae’s performance as detective Na Gwang Gyun was great as always. In reality everyone did such a good job. Even Kim Dong Joon as Oh Man Soo, though I would have liked to have his character developed a bit more and for him to explore his hacking skills more. Just like with that little detail, there were other points that were lacking.

I will blame the lack of development and explanation of those details to the fast pace the drama was carrying. Another question left unanswered was why Ha Ram couldn’t see the shadow inside Leo’s body? And if Grim Reaper No.416’s (Lee Kyu Bok) body was found, why is he still a Grim Reaper?

Though the drama, specially the last three episode, felt rush, the special effects were beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. The whole shadow effect was clever and the drama kept to its dark theme from visuals to audio. Though the soundtrack is not that memorable, all three songs were beautiful. I would definitely recommend this drama to anyone, because even with its few plot holes, its plot twists will make up for them.   

My rating for this drama is: ♥♥♥