Death's Game (2023) 이재, 곧 죽습니다 — Part 1
Literal title: Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon
Directed by Ha Byung-hoon, starring Seo In-guk as Choi Yi-jae, Park So-dam as Death, Go Youn-jung as Lee Ji-su.
Watched 22 - 26 November 2025 — 4 episodes (KISSKH)
*This fantasy series was never high on my watchlist, as I'm not really into reincarnation stories, but it has favourable reviews and high ratings online. The story premise did pique my interest and I was curious what the fuss was all about. With only 8 episodes of about an hour each (the show is divided into 2 parts), this isn't a big time investment anyway so I checked it out.
*The story: Choi Yi-jae (played by Seo In-guk, whom I'd never seen in a series before) decides to take his own life. Death (Park So-dam) feels insulted and gives him the punishment to experience death 12 times more through different bodies/reincarnations. In case he survives, he gets to live the life of his reincarnation. This show is laudable for its creativity. The story is masterfully crafted, and probably many well-known actors wanted to be a part of it because the list of cast members is impressive. Some actors I know from previous series: Lee Do-hyun (from The Good Bad Mother, as the 7th reincarnation), Oh Jung-se (from Mr. Plankton and Good Boy, as the 9th reincarnation, Part 2), and Kim Won-hae (as the 10th reincarnation, Part 2). Well-known actor Lee Jae-wook also plays a reincarnation (number 5) — this is the first time I've seen him play.
*Though the show is fast-paced and gripping, I have to say that I had to get into it initially. The first reincarnations are small segments, the characters die quickly, and they seemed to be unrelated at first. But once the series progresses, it becomes clear that the stories are interconnected. When Choi Yi-jae gains knowledge as one reincarnation, he can use that information while being in the next body.
*My favourite episode of the drama's first part is episode 4. Lee Do-hyun plays the 7th reincarnation and he is a character we can relate to and feel sympathy for. It would have been nice if he could have stayed in that body and live a long life. But alas ... Go Youn-jung plays a big role in this episode as Choi Yi-jae's girlfriend Lee Ji-su. I really like this actress.
*The relationship between Yi-jae and his mother runs like an emotional and warmhearted thread through the series. Kim Mi-kyung gives a great performance — as usual — as the mother.
*While writing these review notes, I had already watched Part 2 and finished the entire series. Part 1 only gets better with every next episode and the same goes for the next round of four episodes in Part 2. So stay tuned for my notes for Part 2!
*The series has great visuals, with a graphic depiction of hell — which is a bit eerie. The crystal ball containing memories and abilities for the new body is a nice device.