Mouse (2021)

Questionador Moral

Tenho que alertar que há gatilhos, obviamente de violência, abuso sexual, violência infantil e também tratos a animais. Uma coisa que não posso deixar de falar é que contém ficção científica, não espere tudo super realista, há muito hipérbole sobre a psicopatia.

Em um primeiro momento me perguntei por que tem este nome, vendo tirei a conclusão que é uma comparação de psicopatas com ratos, nos induzindo a caçar o rato, descobrindo quem é, entrando no jogo de gato e rato e por fim transformando tudo uma experiência.

Ele também questiona “Se pudesse detectar a psicopatia ainda no ventre, o que faria?” O que fez lembrar sobre uma questão que foi publicada no New York Times há mais ou menos cinco anos, “Se pudesse recuar no tempo, mataria o bebê Hitler?”, então há todo momento há o conceito moral.

A sinopse deixa impressão que o dorama é nada mais do mesmo de investigação, mas na verdade há tanto para assimilar e teorizar. Por isso é importante ver os especiais, aliás são quatro. O primeiro é um documentário, se chama Mouse: Restart, uma recapitulação com entrevistas com elenco e saber como os atores se sentem. Achei interessante eles dizerem como se sente após as filmagens e como afeta suas vidas, o que mostra o quão imersos estão em seus papéis. O segundo se chama Mouse: The Predator, aqui vemos o lado do assassino, há mais dois, mas ainda não vi. Como tem uma segunda fase a partir do episódio dez, indico ver os dois primeiros, entre o episódio dez e doze, assim ajuda no entendimento.

O primeiro capítulo foi eletrizante e agonizante, talvez o mais forte que já vi, grande responsabilidade para o elenco infantil, aliás eles arrasaram, são super talentosos, especialmente Kim Kang Hoon. Com certeza é uma futura promessa para as telas. E o que falar de Lee Seung Gi e Lee Hee Joon? Levaram nas costas toda carga do dorama, eles foram monstros em suas atuações. Amo atores que diversificam em seus papéis.

Se fosse para escolher uma cena marcante, seria difícil, mas me esforçado muito escolheria a cena do final.

Até agora está entre os melhores do gênero do ano junto com Beyond Evil, mas estou na espera por Voice 4.

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They got me....over and over....

Man....the first time they really got me in this show was in like episode 4. It's really hard to get me, usually I am like 500 miles in front of any plot twist. But, they are suuuuper mean in this drama and intentionally mislead you at the end of almost every episode, so you spend like 80% of your time watching the drama like WTF IS EVEN HAPPENING OMFG I AM SO LOST. There are a lot of moving players in this drama, so it's difficult at first to keep track of everything. Those mean suckers use it to their advantage and at the end of Episode 4 they make you think Ba Reum has the little boy hostage. OMFG...I was SO PISSED. I was like...nooo why you take this sweetheart and turn him into the bad guy in episode MF 4?!!? I should have known then that I was in for a bumpy ride. They bring it all together as the drama progresses....but everything gets a lot more sci-fi than I had expected.

Its still taking me some effort to get past the major gimmick of this drama. I won't spoiler it for you, but I was like....this some serious sci-fi BS right here. Except... nothing else in the drama is sci-fi at all. So like...it doesn't mesh well in my brain to only have that one weird "technological advancement" that the entire drama is centered around when it's so far outside the realm of possibility in the modern world setting. I think fantasy/sci-fi dramas work best when they have multiple outside-of-reality plot points.

I will say this....maybe skip this drama if you are soft hearted about pets being brutally murdered. Like ok, they put a disclaimer that it's not real and the pets are fine...but you can only watch so many puppies and kittens and birds and mice be slaughtered and still be ok, even knowing they're CG. I had to cover my eyes a few times so only the subtitles showed because I just didn't want another dead puppy in my brain. It's weird right? Like you could show me piles of dead bodies on TV and I'll be like...oh so it's a murder show. But show me one dead puppy and I'm like... YOU GD MF BASTARDS HOW TF YOU KILL A CUTE LITTLE PUPPY WTF. Aside from the general human gore, the only other disturbing thing I saw in this drama is that Lee Hee-Jun (older detective lead) has one nostril like SIGNIFICANTLY larger than the other. ....there were a lot of up-nose shots of the poor dude.

Overall, if you can tolerate the gore, this was an exceptionally well done crime thriller drama. The acting was across the board well done (except that one weird scene from the past with english speaking actors who were all so bad it made me physically cringe...the valley girl they had in the wheelchair who was supposed to have CP delivered some of the worst acting I have seen in my entire life...that whole segment should just be axed it was so hard to watch). The writers and directors did a super great job stitching together such a compelling twist filled narrative that managed to keep multiple plot threads all woven together without any significant plot holes or tangles. Definitely one of the better detective crime thriller K-dramas I've watched. Masterfully coordinated.

I'll probably rewatch this at some point, in a year or two after I've forgotten most of the finer plot points so that I can relive some of the anxiety induced WTF IS GOING ON HERE moments.

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Complexa ratoeira

Mouse foi em 2021 o melhor que assisti em matéria de suspense criminal, em segundo indico Belive Begin também coreano, ambos trazem uma atmosfera de arrepiar os ossos com as mortes mostradas e todo o raciocínio dos vilões nós crimes cometidos com fartura de ideias horrendas, cada um com uma justificativa das mais loucas , que na real não justifica nada.
Mas enfim, toda a trama diz ser baseada em um faz de conta, mas me fez duvidar no fim que esse tipo de experiência possa ou já esteja sendo realizada, uma estória muito louca e de fato engenhosa.
Será que seria possível irradicar futuros criminosos diretos dos ventres de suas maes? Se sim, será que não estarias sendo como Hitles do século 21 em busca de uma raça perfeita?

Só assinto do cada um terá sua conclusão ou ficará com mais dúvidas.

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This story is a vendetta against psychopaths or killers?

I was excited about the show as a fan of this genre and I did enjoy the first couple of episodes but then it got frustrating. it had too many plots running parallelly. some of it was quite unnecessary and was just put to just keep the story dragging and to keep the audience at the edge of their seats. it felt like the writer hated psychopaths and was hell-bent on portraying them as monsters or evil things. Like every psychopath is born with a heavy desire to kill. This story is a vendetta against psychopaths or killers? I know the story is inspired by a true case but what was the writer trying to focus on? the heinousness of the crimes committed by psychopaths and their psychology or the suffering of the victims and their families? Well, for me it failed to do both. This show contributed nothing to this genre. It was purposefully made complicated with so many backstories and plots within plots to make this story have some meaning. The first half of the show felt like it was bait for the audience and the other half failed to deliver what we were promised.

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uma história recheada de plot twist.

mouse foi um dorama que simplesmente me surpreendeu, a cada episódio eu recebia um choque diferente. mas o final foi uma das grandes surpresas que recebi... não, na verdade o que eu não queria aceitar.

ver personagens queridos morrerem realmente dói, mas ver a verdadeira face dos personagens é um baque gigantesco que ninguém quer. e mouse entrega isso com maestria, tanto que eu quase defendi o 'errado' e julguei o 'certo'. o final é triste, porém é que mais condiz com a história merecia: um arco de redenção e um final merecedor para o criminoso.

e falo com propriedade: esse dorama merece todo o reconhecimento do mundo. ASSISTAM.

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A Psychological Thriller of Redemption

"No man can walk so long in the shadow that he cannot come again to the light."
— Robert Jordan

It's been a long time since a drama made me feel so much. I feel drained, literally because I'm sleep deprived having binged this in 3 days while keeping up with work. Emotionally and mentally too because this was a well written drama that explored some scary ideas about the human condition through an intriguing thought experiment. The question isn't new, it's been around since the mid-1800s when Francis Galton coined the phrase "nature vs nurture" in a discussion about the influence of heredity and environment but history has shown us that our tragic flaw has been our ability to rationalise violence under the guise of humanity. Popular science fiction films like Gattaca and Minority Report had similar themes of free will vs. self determination, but what I think this drama does better is it's ability to demonstrate the nuances and implication of the debate and the various manifestations of our hubris through a very raw examination of how our humanity is nurtured, tested and proven in the way we experience pain, guilt and forgiveness.

I really liked Ba Reum's trajectory and ending. His emotional and spiritual journey was heart wrenching and Lee Seung-Gi did an excellent job of terrifying me one moment and making me weep for him the next. That ending, "He died in extreme pain as he repented for his sins. Did the deity do that to punish him or to save him?" I really love it not only because we see him get a redemptive arc and finally at peace with himself and with God but this idea that even "monsters" are extended grace is a challenging concept to accept spiritually but reflects an important characteristic of unconditional love.

Lee Hee-Joon's portrayal of his character's vengeful anger cloaking grief and shame was really well done. I really like how it explored his journey of forgiveness, learning to forgive himself and those who've wronged him. Forgiving is hard, but not forgiving hurts us even more.

At almost every critical moment we will see people given very similar choices make very different decisions, and what this writer did so well was you could genuinely understand where they were all coming from. Ironically this is also where I feel she dropped the ball with the ending. Specifically by having the people vote in favour for the abortion of foetus with the "psychopath gene" and the bill passing, while a realistic outcome, seems to undermine some of the thematic ideas being challenged through the narrative, made even worse by the idea that the schemer behind this devastating plot got what she desired - to see the bill passed and society enforcing a very dangerous doctrine.

On a lighter note, did you know that South Korea has a population of 51 million people and half of them are in this drama? And by the 4th episode a quarter of them are dead. I challenge anyone to find a historical with this many characters and deaths. The key difference here is unlike wuxia's and sageuk's where you can usually just go with the flow until things fall into place, this is one drama you do need to pay attention to every character's connection to get the most out of it.

Also somebody please cast Kwon Hwa-Woon in a rom-com, my shallow ass couldn't stop thinking what a cutie he was even while I thought he was a psychopathic killer.

Thanks to @Joerin who got me intrigued about this drama and @TheButterfly whose post got me motivated to start it.

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A town of Mouse?

I have just finished watching all 23 episodes. This is a first for me, to watch a series where everyone is either a killer (either by inciting the killing, or purposefully or coercively take part in the crime), a victim or both. For those who have not killed, there is at least one person they passionately wish to kill and it does not matter if they are mothers/gov leaders, detectives, family friends....

So many serial killers all living in the same area, crossing paths as if the whole town was made of killers. There is also very little to explain how does THE MAIN killer/predator gets to know his victims well enough to apply his version of the deadly sins judgment (Some of them are shown as if the killer is prowling/ stumbles upon them, follows them and then kill them right then and there--if that is the case, for example, how does he know if they are lazy or not?).

Episode 2-12 episodes were very frustrating as I could not find one decent person. The brain story was too much for me, they should have used something less dramatic, like a bone marrow transplant which actually changes the DNA of someone.

No one is really relatable or likable, the only normal person seems to be Park Jun Hyun's character. Also, despite his flaws, it is really not possible to dislike Le Hee Joon's character (his story line is quite compelling and his acting is really top notch). The first episode and the last 5/6 episodes were the most captivating for me.

And all that said, I was so moved by the acting of both the main characters and the supporting cast, that I would recommend others this series.

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lee seung gi i luv you

thoughts i had while watching: 

- i want mu chi to father me 
- ba reum pls pls pls give me one chance pls pls pls (even after the time skip…it’s ok we all have our ups and downs) 
-nahhhhhh why’d they have to murder the geriatric 
-these children are more terrifying than the adults. free birth control ig
- don’t blame hong ju i would’ve fallen for the hot murderer too ( i did ) 
- that headhunter guy is so goofy i laugh every time he comes on screen 
- ba reum babe look at me this isn’t you. you’re better than this (NAHH CAUSE WHY DID HE HAVE TO KILL THE CAT) 
- bong yi i <3 u
-honestly everything that ba reum has done (besides the cat) has been a real W (BRUH NVM) 
- who tf is this lee min soo guy…….been here for 5 min and already ruining shit……put him on the hit list ig 
- mu chi pls be my father figure and tell me you’re proud of me pls
- ba reum is so stupid but so smart and i will giggle at anything he says idc if he’s a killer i’m romantically in love with him 
- OH EPISODE 15 WAS CRAZY I HAVE BEEN GAGGED WTF. not my bbg hottie bf. i can fix him i promiseeeeeeeeeee (maybe not. it just keeps getting worse… damn we lost a good one) 
- poor bong yi was getting played this whole time. don’t worry bbg i’ll treat you better than that weirdo pls i’m rich and not a murderer pls
- i get that it’s a thriller but damn can these bitches stop dying it’s saurrr tiring 
- poor sung yohan 
- this show is too smart for me. i need this wizard of oz stuff explained to me like a child pls. 
- ba reum has gotten hit in the head more times than i can count like DAMN let the man breathe for a second plsss
- BRUH FUCK YOU FOR MAKING ME FEEL BAD FOR BA REUM
- yo han is a VICTIM. 
- NAUR NOT PO PLS ANYONE BUT HIM
- nahhhhh the rich girlie with the bob was in charge the whole time???????? bitch????
- pro-death ig??
- that whole ep 19 rain fight……….hahahahahah…..kmn
- choi hong ju and go mu chi. mother and father!!!!!!
- uh bong yi my ass fuck you fuck you fuckyyou
-still confused i think i need a rewatch. 

took me five months to finish and got so attached to every single character at this point idc if ba reum is a murder i want my bbg back.

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Interesting drama Indeed.

I would say that Mouse was able to reach the expectation that I have set for it though there are some parts where I wish its much more unique rather than predictable. This drama is definitely something that is worth watching though sometimes felt dragging, due to its theme and the serious nature. Regardless, it was a very solid drama, where the acting is on point, the plot was somewhat predictable (e.g. Bareum being the killer) but I really like the concept of integrating the "Lab Mice" concept to people and obviously it is not morally acceptable but its a fresh concept in a K-Drama given that the theme of murder and serial killings is common.

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THIS IS A MASTERPIECE

Everything about this drama is perfect! Amazing acting skills and perfect casts! The cinematography and the music are soooo good! THERE'S NO BORING EPISODE. I LOVE THIS DRAMA SO MUCH!1 A MUST WATCH!!
The acting is so fucking good bro !!!
I'M SO GLAD I WATCHED THIS!!
While watching the drama I created a lot of theories and most of it are right! I was able to predict some things but the main twist I WASNT ABLE TO THINK OF THAT WOAH
THIS DRAMA BLOWS MY MIND
SO GOOD
THE ONE WHO MADE THE STORY I LOVE YOU SO MUCHHH
THIS IS THE FIRST DARAMA THAT MADE ME CRAZY

THE PLOT TWIST WAS SO CRAZY

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