Gyeongseong Creature (2023–2024) – Monsters Born from Colonial Horror
Seasons: 2 (10‑17 episodes total)
Genre: Historical Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy
Platform: Netflix
Main Cast: Park Seo‑joon, Han So‑hee, Claudia Kim, Wi Ha‑joon
Writer/Director: Kang Eun‑kyung, Chung Dong‑yoon & Roh Young‑sub (S1), Jo Yeong‑min (S2)
🧛 A Monster Echo of Japan’s Unit 731 Atrocities
Set in 1945 Gyeongseong (occupied Seoul), the drama reveals secret human experiments at Ongseong Hospital. These experiments unleash mutated monsters believed to be weaponizable by the occupiers.
🎭 Human Drama Overshadowed by History
Jang Tae‑sang (Park Seo‑joon), a pawnshop owner, and Yoon Chae‑ok (Han So‑hee), a disappearance specialist, team up to investigate horrors tied to the hospital. The creature symbolizes colonial brutality—humans often scarier than monsters.
✅ Visual Splendor vs. Reception Divides
The series earned praise for its exceptional production design, creature CGI, and score. Season 1 holds a 92% Tomatometer rating. Yet, critics and viewers criticized Park Seo‑joon’s casting, weak romance, and slow pacing in early episodes.
⚡ Divided Opinions from Fans
- “First 5–6 episodes were great… ending was a huge letdown.”
- “Top-notch acting from leads, stunning cinematography; CGI okay.”
🕰️ Season 2: Time Jumps, More Action, Still Many Questions
Season 2 leaps ahead 79 years. Tae‑sang (now Jang Ho‑jae) runs a detective agency while Chae‑ok, now immortal, grapples with her existence. The tone shifts to a faster pace—but many mysteries remain unresolved.
⭐ Final Verdict
Rating: 4/5
Ambitious and symbolic, Gyeongseong Creature mixes supernatural horror with painful history. Despite pacing issues and underdeveloped romance, the series delivers unforgettable visuals and emotionally charged storytelling.
✅ Recommended If You Like:
- Creature horror grounded in real history
- K‑dramas like Sweet Home, Hellbound, Kingdom
- Stories about oppression, power, and revenge through fantastical lenses