Director Han Jae Rim’s first series, The 8 Show, has premiered to polarizing reactions from viewers.
On the 17th, Netflix released all eight episodes of the new K-series The 8 Show. The story follows eight characters trapped in a mysterious building where they compete in a high-stakes game where time equals money. Based on Bae Jin Soo’s webtoons “Money Game” and “Pie Game,” the series blends thriller and black comedy elements. The cast includes Ryu Jun Yeol, Chun Woo Hee, Park Jung Min, and more.
Real-time reviews poured in on the chat platform, reflecting the show’s immense popularity. Within three hours of its release, the series drew over 70,000 viewers, peaking at around 100,000 by midnight. The mixed reactions continued into the following morning, with opinions split from the beginning to the end of the series.
Early episodes received praise, especially for Ryu Jun Yeol’s performance. Chun Woo Hee’s transformation into a highly unlikeable character also garnered positive reactions for its novelty. Some viewers reminisced about her previous strong performance in the movie Sunny. However, the series itself drew mixed reviews, with comments like, “It’s a lot like ‘Squid Game’ but lacks mainstream appeal,” and “It’s realistic and satirical but feels like something we’ve seen before.”
The divergence in opinions became more pronounced by the mid-series episodes. While some appreciated the brutal yet darkly humorous tone, saying, “It’s brutal but oddly funny. I can’t stop watching,” others expressed disappointment. Comments included, “The early episodes were decent, but it’s getting worse, so I’m fast-forwarding,” “It doesn’t compare to ‘Squid Game,’” “The characters are flat,” and “The game could have had more complexity, but it’s too one-dimensional.”
This stark division persisted through to the ending. Consistently, Ryu Jun Yeol and Chun Woo Hee’s performances were praised, and comparisons to Squid Game were frequent. Overall, the series elicited extreme reactions regarding its quality. Some viewers were enthusiastic, stating, “I stayed up all night watching it,” and “It’s great to see such an artistic work from Korea. The direction, color, and acting were all top-notch.” Others were less impressed, saying, “A total waste of time,” “Episodes dragged on with repetitive twists,” “No fun. Doesn’t compare to ‘Squid Game,’” and “The worst thing I’ve watched in the last three years.”
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