Netflix’s latest Korean drama, The Frog, dives deep into the world of psychological terror mixed with the gritty intensity of a serial killer thriller. Spanning over two decades, this series weaves a complex story that keeps you on your toes, balancing between excitement and confusion.
If you’re into Korean dramas and need something to binge this weekend, stick around for this review to see if The Frog is worth your time!
A Tale of Two Timelines: A Mystery Across Decades
The story unfolds through two main characters, each caught in a tangled web of violence and mystery. In the present, we follow Jeon Young-ha (played by Kim Yoon-Seok), a lonely widower who runs a luxury vacation rental. His quiet life takes a sharp turn when a mysterious woman (Go Min-si) and a young boy show up, only for the boy to disappear, leaving behind some eerie clues.
As Jeon tries to figure out what happened, the series takes us back 20 years to focus on Gu Sang-jun (Yoon Kye-sang), a motel owner who finds himself drawn into the dangerous world of a serial killer. The connection between these two timelines and the lives of these characters forms the core of the series, with detective Yoon Bo-min (Lee Jung-eun) attempting to solve the puzzle that links them.
At its core, The Frog is a psychological exploration of how trauma and violence can ripple through time. The show’s title serves as a metaphor for the gradual buildup of terror, similar to the classic tale of the frog in boiling water that doesn’t realize the danger until it’s too late. This theme plays out in the lives of Jeon and Gu, as they slowly become engulfed by the darkness surrounding them.
Visual Mastery in The Frog
One of the standout aspects of The Frog is its visual storytelling. Director Mo Wan-il brings a cinematic flair to the series, blending the peaceful beauty of the Korean countryside with the underlying tension of the plot. This mix of serene landscapes and creeping dread creates a haunting atmosphere, reminiscent of the eerie vibes in Parasite and Squid Game. The non-linear narrative and choppy editing only add to the sense of disorientation, keeping you on edge as the story unfolds.
Kim Yoon-seok shines as Jeon, portraying a man weighed down by loneliness and sorrow with quiet intensity. His performance grounds the show, even as the plot becomes increasingly tangled. On the other hand, Go Min-si’s portrayal of Yoo Seong-a falls a bit flat. Her character is crucial to the series’ mystery, but she doesn’t bring the chilling presence needed to make her truly memorable. This is especially noticeable when compared to iconic female antagonists like Amy Elliott Dunne from Gone Girl or Annie Wilkes from Misery.
Yoon Kye-sang’s portrayal of Gu Sang-jun is another highlight, showing his character’s shift from a well-meaning motel owner to a man whose life unravels after encountering a serial killer. His dynamic with the cold-hearted murderer, Ji Hyang-cheol (Hong Gi-jun), is one of the series’ most gripping elements, capturing the clash between innocence and evil.
Where The Frog Falls Short
However, The Frog isn’t without its flaws. The plot often leans into ambiguity, sometimes leaving viewers more puzzled than intrigued. The pacing, especially in the first half, might test your patience as it takes its time to pick up speed. Additionally, the character of Yoon Bo-min, the detective trying to crack the case, feels underdeveloped and only really comes into her own in the latter half of the series.
Conclusion
The Frog offers a visually stunning and atmospherically rich experience, with strong performances from Kim Yoon-seok and Yoon Kye-sang anchoring its intricate narrative. However, its tendency toward ambiguity and slow pacing might leave some viewers feeling a bit frustrated, especially as some key plot points and character motivations remain hazy.
While the series has moments of intense psychological intrigue, it doesn’t quite deliver the fully satisfying thriller experience. Fans of Korean dramas and psychological thrillers may still find it worth watching, but it doesn’t quite hit the same high notes as other standouts in the genre.