Son: The Guest (K-Drama) Review

Full List of Bromance Recommendations

The year 2019 was a great year.

I chanced upon 3 of the best bromances that I have ever encountered.

The Guest happens to be one of them.

Seriously though, this drama checks off every single tick on my personal requirements for a perfect bromance show. I mean, you don’t see a bromance that exudes this angsty, intense, beautiful, and above all, i’ll-sacrifice-my-life-for-you aura on a daily basis. Not to mention, the show itself is literally gold.

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Detective, Supernatural, Horror/Exorcism, Drama

Year: 2018

Featuring: Kim Dong-wook, Kim Jae-wook, Jung Eun-chae

Synopsis (taken & modified from MyDramaList):

Twenty years ago, Yoon Hwa Pyung, a young psychic born into a shaman family, learns about a powerful demon called “Son” (Guest). The demon has the power to control other demons and allow them to possess weak people. The possessed people then go mad, kill their families, and stab themselves in the eye. Hwa Pyung, Choi Yoon – a young boy born in a religious Catholic family, and Kang Kil Yeong – the daughter of a detective, fatefully meet when their families get interwined in the killing spree of this mysterious demon.

Twenty years later, the demon killings starts again. Hwa Pyung is now a taxi driver who uses his power to seek out possessed people in order to help them, Yoon is a Catholic priest who is talented in exorcism, and Kil Yeong is a detective who doesn’t believe in ghosts. The trio meets again and tries to work together to defeat “Son”.

Length: Complete – 16 episodes, 70 minutes each

Personal review:

➕ The bromance.

This is the kind of bromance that I’m always begging to see in every fictional material I consume. Chemistry that grows naturally and believably – checked; Characters going through life-and-death situations together – checked; A duo consisting of one that is calm & reserved and the other hot-tempered & reckless – checked; Protective of each other from beginning till end – checked.

Bonus: A couple duo that bickers and fights all the time, then through those conflicts, they come to understand and cherish each other – also checked.

Also, when was the last time you saw two characters literally racing against each other to see who could die for the other person first?

And have I told you about that ‘underwater’ scene in the finale? Beautiful is an understatement. Period.

➕ The story: Captivating, haunting and solid. The Guest had me rewatch the whole thing (with better definition and better sound system!) immediately after I finish it the first time, no joke. Packed with great plot twists and a praise-worthy mystery, the show effectively uses this whodunit formula to have you keep guessing “who is the real villain?”. Also, it would be easier to appreciate it if you don’t mind horror and some minimal, ‘well-censored’ gore. After all, this is a show about exorcism.

➕ The cast: The main cast is a trio of a taxi driver, an exorcist priest and a police officer (this combo sounds like it comes from a fanfic…) who are closely connected to each other through a tragic encounter. Let me guess what you are thinking: “There is a lady in the poster so one (or both) of the male leads gotta fall in love with her and mess up the plot with their cheesy romance!”. I am here to assure you: There is zero romance in this show. Among the trio is pure teamwork to defeat a common enemy. Their dynamic is brilliantly developed, with oh-so-natural transition from strangers to acquaintances to demon-fighting comrades, then nicely to best friends (or so I’d like to believe).

Trust me also when I say this: I freakin’ love the female lead (as much as I do the male leads). She is strong, hard-headed and a total badass. As impossible as it may sound, her role in the team is to protect (yes, she protects the 2 male leads lol) and to mediate the guys whenever they quarrel (which is all the time, as mentioned above (￣▽￣)).

I’d also like to take this chance to declare my adoration for Kim Jae Wook who took on the role of the priest. I have officially signed up to be his loyal fan now. Sir Priest, you are too handsome to be real and your legs are unworldly. Are you sure you didn’t pop out from some shoujo manga?

Just look at the beauty of this main cast and the exploding chemistry among them. Surely this is good enough a reason to watch the series.

Overall, I can say that Korea once again does their wonders with their casting choices. Every single actor and actress – main and supporting – does their job remarkably and adds so much life to the story. Bravo, just bravo.

➕ The filmography: Surreal lighting, gorgeous angles, excellent colour palettes. 11/10 score – I rest my case.

➖ Negative point? What negative? I’ve met a Korean drama that completely engulfed my heart and soul – what makes you think I have anything bad to say about it?

Very important advice: If you are giving this a go-ahead, watch it in the highest definition you can possibly afford to. You’ll thank me later.