KDrama Review :The Game: Towards Zero

Title : The Game: Towards Zero, The Game, The Game Towards the Final Hour, The Game: Towards Midnight, The Game: Towards 0 o’clock

Episodes : 16

Genre : Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy, Romance, Drama, Melodrama, Police, Crime, Serial Killer, Psychological, Tragedy

Story : 8 out of 10

Characters : 8 out of 10

Cinematography : 8 out of 10

With a slow start, korean drama The Game : Towards Zero managed to build a compelling story.

The antagonist of the Korean Drama The Game: Towards Zero

Story

Tae Pyung has a strange gift: he can see the final moments before someone’s death when he looks into their eyes. He has been using that power to get money from rich people, but his life isn’t easy, as he can see even his own death. While working on another case, Tae Pyung meets Joon Young, a young police officer. Soon, Joon Young will come asking for his help to find a girl who has been kidnapped and locked inside a coffin, buried somewhere where the police can’t detect. So, Joon Young is their only chance, if they want to find her alive. However, that case introduces Tae Pyung to the works of a serial killer, who starts a game with him, counting down to the final ending. And, the more Tae Pyung gets involved, the more secrets of the past he unveils that connect him with the killer and Joon Young.

The first episodes of the drama The Game: Towards Zero, were confusing and a letdown. The viewer is not properly introduced with Tae Pyung’s ability, rather, they are thrown into the middle of the action, and having to put together the information they throw at them in order to make sense of what is happening. On that note, the drama never really explains who Tae Pyung is, how he got his powers, or gives a clear picture of his past.

However, after the main case takes place and the clues start flowing in, the drama picks up. The psychological game between the two main characters was thrilling, entertaining and can keep the viewer on the edge of their seat till the ending. The latter was well managed and satisfying, although, it followed some cliché tropes for some of the plot lines. Still, the rest of the drama was perfect. Quick-paced, with just the right amount of twists to keep things interesting, and a good handle on the fantasy element. Though, the romance was not as good as the main story. Tae Pyung was attracted to Joon Young because he couldn’t see her death, a little Bella from Twilight trop there, but, towards the end, they explained why and it actually made sense. However, he just fell in love with her for no solid reason, as they didn’t really have any good moments, due to the drama’s focus on the case rather than the characters’ personal life. That is not to say that the couple didn’t have chemistry. However, the romance felt awkward and didn’t start well.

The main character of the Korean Drama The Game: Towards Zero

Characters

Tae Pyung was raised by a rich disabled man, who used to have the same ability as him before he got into an accident that cost his sight. Along with him, they use Tae Pyung’s gift in order to earn money from rich people. However, Tae Pyung feels like he could use his power for good, though, he is convinced that he can’t really change the sad outcome of his visions. But, after getting involved with a serial killer case, he is proven to be determined and ready to risk everything for the people he loves. Unfortunately, even though he feels like he has finally found someone to love after a lifetime of being lonely and isolated, he discovers that because of him his loved one will die. Thus, he has to keep away from her. Ok Taec Yeon is good with the action dramas and he had nice chemistry with his partner, as well as his antagonist.

Joon Young is a young police officer who cares about her cases and wants to help people. She lost her father when she was a kid and has been raised in an orphanage, but she never forgot him and his values. Lee Yun Hee was perfect as Joon Young and she did a good job with her performance.

Do Kyung works at the morgue, helping the police to solve cases. He seems always willing to help out and, overall, a great guy, but, in reality, he has a plan. He had a tragic childhood, when his father was accused to be a serial killer and his mother left him after they’ve been terrorized by the media. So, now, Do Kyung wants revenge from everyone who wronged him and his family. Im Joo Hwan is a master of evil characters and you just can’t go wrong with him in the cast. His character was the best part of the drama, well written, with a solid background, a tragic connection to the other two leads, and a human side from time to time, making him an even more dramatic character.

Poster from the Korean Drama The Game: Towards Zero

Cinematography

The drama had amazing cinematography, with nice shots, great editing, and just the right pace.

Overall

My overall rating is 7.5 out of 10. A good melodrama with one of the most intriguing villain.

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