IRIS (2009) 아이리스
Directed by Yang Yun-ho and Kim Kyu-tae, starring Lee Byung-hun, Jeong Jun-ho, Kim Tae-hee, Kim So-yeon and Kim Seung-woo.
Watched 7 - 16 April 2024 — 20 episodes (NETFLIX)
Two elite National Security System (NSS) agents, Hyeong-jun (Lee Byung-hun) and Sa-woo (Jeong Jun-ho), who were sworn blood brothers, both fall for fellow agent Seung-hee (Kim Tae-hee). Sa-woo attempts to suppress his feelings for Seung-hee and wishes the couple the best. Hyeon-jun is then sent off on a solo mission to Hungary. In Hungary, Hyeon-jun accomplishes his mission and while in escape mode becomes wounded. Shortly later, Hyeon-jun finds out that he was betrayed by fellow agent Sa-woo. Seung-hee attempts to help Hyeon-jun escape, but a car explosion separates the two and both are misled to believe that the other person is dead. Hyeon-jun is then saved by an unknown voice and learns of the secret society "IRIS". One year later, Hyeon-jun returns to Korea to seek revenge. During this time, the two Koreas are set to reunify, while the group "IRIS" is intent on stopping the reunification. (Synopsis: AsianWiki)
Directed by Yang Yun-ho and Kim Kyu-tae, starring Lee Byung-hun, Jeong Jun-ho, Kim Tae-hee, Kim So-yeon and Kim Seung-woo.
Watched 7 - 16 April 2024 — 20 episodes (NETFLIX)
Two elite National Security System (NSS) agents, Hyeong-jun (Lee Byung-hun) and Sa-woo (Jeong Jun-ho), who were sworn blood brothers, both fall for fellow agent Seung-hee (Kim Tae-hee). Sa-woo attempts to suppress his feelings for Seung-hee and wishes the couple the best. Hyeon-jun is then sent off on a solo mission to Hungary. In Hungary, Hyeon-jun accomplishes his mission and while in escape mode becomes wounded. Shortly later, Hyeon-jun finds out that he was betrayed by fellow agent Sa-woo. Seung-hee attempts to help Hyeon-jun escape, but a car explosion separates the two and both are misled to believe that the other person is dead. Hyeon-jun is then saved by an unknown voice and learns of the secret society "IRIS". One year later, Hyeon-jun returns to Korea to seek revenge. During this time, the two Koreas are set to reunify, while the group "IRIS" is intent on stopping the reunification. (Synopsis: AsianWiki)
*Finished this show yesterday, and like it but didn't lóve it. And .... WHAT'S WITH THAT FREAKIN' ENDING?!!!!?? Normally I don't shy away from using spoilers (I have a spoiler alert on my blog, and at times I put an alert in the post itself in case of a major spoiler), yet I won't put the ending spoiler here since it could ruin your appetite completely for wanting to watch this series.
*The show is full of action and violence. I mean, there's a LOT of it. Though it doesn't get boring with so much going on, at one point the continuing action — set in different countries (love the Budapest setting and also the snow location shots in Japan are gorgeous) — and surfacing conspiracies became a bit too much for me. I was almost craving a slow-burn simple story without violence. I was losing interest a bit around the midway point and thought the plot got a bit convoluted. Somehow I also got impatient, wanting to know what would happen next, and I did something I normally never do: reading the synopses on Netflix of the coming episodes.
*Lee Byung-hun gives the show's best performance, he's great. He displays so much emotion on his face. I felt for him when he got betrayed and abandoned, his hurt was palpable. He looks good, especially with the longer hair. He has good chemistry with the female lead Kim Tae-hee but I didn't find her performance noteworthy. She's pretty, though.
*It's evident the more interesting female part is reserved for Kim So-yeon as the North Korean agent Kim Sun-hwa. I saw this actress before in Two Weeks and didn't think much of her performance there, also her character was a bit dumb. But here she gives a good performance and I love her character. Hyeong-jun finds an unlikely ally in her and the relationship they develop with each other is great. I liked how they helped each other, two people who feel they have nothing left to lose. Sun-hwa is clearly in love with Hyeong-jun, him probably being the first person in a long time who treats her with kindness. I wouldn't have minded if they would have ended up together, to be honest.
*It's evident the more interesting female part is reserved for Kim So-yeon as the North Korean agent Kim Sun-hwa. I saw this actress before in Two Weeks and didn't think much of her performance there, also her character was a bit dumb. But here she gives a good performance and I love her character. Hyeong-jun finds an unlikely ally in her and the relationship they develop with each other is great. I liked how they helped each other, two people who feel they have nothing left to lose. Sun-hwa is clearly in love with Hyeong-jun, him probably being the first person in a long time who treats her with kindness. I wouldn't have minded if they would have ended up together, to be honest.
*The most heartfelt scenes are between Sun-hwa and Hyeong-jun. I love the scene where she tells him sorry for not telling him Seung-hee (Kim Tae-hee) is alive. When he asks her why she didn't and she looks at him with tears in her eyes, he understands and pulls her in a hug. Also the goodbye scene where she tells him he never called her by her name made me teary-eyed.
*I like how Hyeong-jun went from an agent who was left to himself and abandoned by everyone (and then getting help from a North Korean agent and a sweet Japanese girl, and becoming part of a terrorist group) to the only person trusted by the President. It was so nice to see how he wasn't alone anymore and got support. Also North Korean agent Park Cheol-yeong (played by Kim Seung-woo) was on his side. Cheol-yeong would have made a nice romantic couple with Sun-hwa, by the way. He probably was in love with her.
*I like how Hyeong-jun went from an agent who was left to himself and abandoned by everyone (and then getting help from a North Korean agent and a sweet Japanese girl, and becoming part of a terrorist group) to the only person trusted by the President. It was so nice to see how he wasn't alone anymore and got support. Also North Korean agent Park Cheol-yeong (played by Kim Seung-woo) was on his side. Cheol-yeong would have made a nice romantic couple with Sun-hwa, by the way. He probably was in love with her.
*I hated Sa-woo (Jeong Jun-ho) but also felt sorry for him in the end. I was glad that he came around in his last moments and sided with Hyeong-jun to get rid of the bad guys. The scene where he dies (this is nót the spoiler I was talking about at the beginning of this post) and says he's sorry is heartbreaking.
*The forensic specialist at the NSS office is over the top and a bit of a caricature. He's supposed to be here for comic relief but I didn't find him funny, just annoying. He really extorts his face in unnatural expressions.
*The forensic specialist at the NSS office is over the top and a bit of a caricature. He's supposed to be here for comic relief but I didn't find him funny, just annoying. He really extorts his face in unnatural expressions.
*With 20 episodes this show outstayed its welcome. The long runtime allowed for great character development, though, and it's what sets this show apart from similar American action series.
*Great OST with a beautiful recurring instrumental melody.
*But THAT ENDING!!!! Sorry, but I can't get over it!
*Great OST with a beautiful recurring instrumental melody.
*But THAT ENDING!!!! Sorry, but I can't get over it!