"The Frog" K-Drama Review: Netflix's 2024 Series Delivers a Dark and Unsettling Tale
Why Netflix's New Series is a Must-Watch for Thriller Enthusiasts
When it comes to crime and mystery-themed series, I find shows about ordinary people whose lives are turned upside down due to unfortunate encounters and bad decisions much more intriguing than those centered around ruthless serial killers or characters who are inherently evil.
These kinds of stories, where characters trying to live virtuous lives suddenly find themselves entangled in dark secrets and horrifying events, give viewers the chilling sense that ‘this could happen to anyone.’ And I believe, that while this spine-tingling empathy makes the series much more unsettling, it also makes it equally captivating.
Netflix's new original Korean series, The Frog, captures this perfectly, presenting a gripping and compelling narrative about how the lives of everyday people are shattered by unfortunate encounters, and how a single decision can unravel all the values one holds dear.
The eight-episode series follows the parallel stories of a family and a man—living in different time periods and both run vacation rentals. Their lives are thrown into chaos by the strangers they encounter, leading to life-altering consequences.
The series features a star-studded cast, including Kim YunSeok (Noryang: Deadly Sea, The Chaser), Go MinSi (Sweet Home, Youth of May), Yoon KyeSang (Chocolate, The Kidnapping Day), Lee JungEun (Parasite, Miss Night and Day), and EXO’s Chanyeol. The script is written by Son HoYoung and directed by Mo WanIl (The World of the Married).
The Frog Plot
Koo SangJun runs a modest vacation rental with his wife and son in a small town. Although business isn’t going great, he does his best to provide excellent service to his guests.
One rainy day, he comes across a man sitting in his car and, assuming he’s a visitor, invites him to the rental. However, what he doesn’t know about this man will soon turn his life upside down.
Jeong YeongHa, an elderly man living two decades later, operates a charming vacation rental. His only family, his daughter, lives in the city, so YeongHa spends his days enjoying nature, spending time with friends, and looking after the guests at his rental.
On another peaceful day, as he's returning home, he encounters a woman and a young child stranded on the road. Unaware of what’s about to unfold, he offers to help them, unknowingly stepping into a dark and dangerous journey.
Spoiler Alert: The Frog primarily unfolds in the present day, despite spanning two different periods.
After helping the woman and child, Jeong YeongHa encounters them again at a friend's vacation rental, which is similar to his own. Although YeongHa wasn’t expecting any guests at his rental, technical issues at his friend’s place led to the mysterious visitors moving into his home.
On the same day, while the woman goes shopping, leaving the child behind, YeongHa and his friend prepare the house for the guests and enjoy a few hours with the young child. When the woman returns, she goes back to the house, and YeongHa returns to his cabin.
Sometime later, YeongHa returns from shopping and finds the guests’ house empty. He notices that the woman, whom he had briefly seen on the road earlier, has left the keys and payment on a table.
Realizing the guests have left, YeongHa begins his usual routine of checking and cleaning the house. However, certain details and discoveries during the cleaning process spark a disturbing suspicion.
As YeongHa pieces together these clues, he is driven to make a decision that will irrevocably alter his life and set him on an irreversible path.
The Frog Kdrama Review: Is it worth watching?
The Frog offers a deeply unsettling and dark narrative, exploring ethical and moral values and the concepts of right and wrong.
The series features morally ambiguous characters and numerous ethical dilemmas, which can sometimes make it challenging for viewers to connect with them. However, it effectively poses the question, "What would you do in their situation?" leading viewers through a disturbing and profound exploration of the consequences of actions, making it a far more intriguing watch.
The series presents two different time periods simultaneously, which can be initially confusing, but it quickly captivates viewers and keeps them on the edge of their seats.
While some viewers feel the first half of the series is a bit slow, I find it compelling due to its eerie atmosphere and the gradual unfolding of the story. The increased pace in the second half does enhance the viewing experience, but both halves contribute to a gripping narrative.
The Frog K-drama cast delivers an outstanding performance, and the series concludes successfully.
The star-studded cast delivers extraordinary performances, significantly enhancing the story and overall viewing pleasure.
The Frog may end differently from how this type of thriller usually concludes, but it wraps up the story effectively and offers a satisfying conclusion. If you enjoy eerie, gripping, and mysterious tales about ordinary people whose lives are turned upside down, Netflix's 2024 series The Frog is worth watching.
Kdramas similar to “The Frog”
If you’re looking for a similar series after watching The Frog, you might want to check out the following:
A Killer Paradox
Strangers From Hell
The Glory
Somebody
The Frog kdrama genre: thriller, suspense and mystery
The Frog kdrama how many episodes? 8
Wow, I am speechless. It was a perfect summary of the show Ayten, please keep us updated with new series!!
I loved the series and finished it recently, but after your excellent review, I wanted to watch it again. Thanks for sharing. I will eagerly await your other reviews. ^ ✓ ^