The revenge thriller show revolves around a girl driven by revenge after her father is killed in front of her.
The library of Korean-language content on Netflix is growing steadily. It is a fact that is true even before Squid Game was released and got the whole world talking about Korean content available on the platform and otherwise.
One of the new indications is the platform’s new original in Korean language, My Name. The show is ranked eighth as of 27th October on Netflix India’s list of “Top 10 in India Today.”
Based on an original screenplay, this production is helmed by Kim Jin Min, whose previous works include Extracurricular and Lawless Lawyer, and headlined by Han So Hee, of The World of the Married and Nevertheless fame.
The Grand Bell Award-winning composer, Hwang Sang Jun, serves as music director.
The official description of the show from Netflix reads, “Following her father’s murder, a revenge-driven woman puts her trust in a powerful crime boss – and enters the police force under his direction.”
My Name did absolutely everything that it set out to do; thrill fans from start to finish.
The storyline itself may feel predictable at times, but the pacing of My Name keeps fans engaged as each secret meeting, betrayal and fight only raises the tension episode by episode.
Of course, the star of the show is Han So-hee, who shines as the Korean version of John Wick.
An excellent performance from the very first episode, So-hee somehow makes Ji Woo (her character) feel like the most vulnerable woman in the world and at the same time, the most indestructible force of nature to ever grace the organised crime scene.
Whilst the emotion is there in every episode, the highly technical fight sequences that stand out in My Name. Expert choreography and sound design are complemented by hardly any of the ‘shaky-cam’ that has ruined countless other action dramas.
The credit for the excellent action sequences goes to the action choreographer and the cast themselves in performing the rather complicated and dangerous stunts.
In particular the varied fight scenes involving mixed martial arts movements and knife fights in open spaces as well as cramped indoor settings.
Over the course of only eight episodes running almost 50 minutes each, I did not lose interest or feel bored. The action is breathless, featuring countless fight scenes ranging from mass brawls to hand-to-hand combats involving the use of a variety of weapons.
Despite composing a major proportion of the entire drama, some of the quieter and more poignant moments are interspersed throughout, including an extremely brief romantic interlude in the very last episode.
It is learnt that the cast has done most of the stunts themselves. Han So-Hee, in an interview with Korea JoongAng Daily, said that all her action scenes were performed by her and no stunt-double.
She trained in an action school for four months prior to the shooting of the show.
Han So-Hee, the lead actress of My Name, debuted in 2017 with the show, Reunited Worlds.
Having seen her as a young mistress in The World of the Married and a shy art student in Nevertheless, and now as a revenge driven woman doing all the action scenes herself, Han has impressed viewers with her acting range.
But it’s not only Han So-Hee, it’s also the supporting cast composed of Park Hee-Soon, Ahn Bo-Hyun, and Kim Sang-Ho who elevate the show’s production to greater heights.
Park Hee-Soon as the drug lord and boss of the DongCheon gang oozes charisma, class, and screen presence. He deserves praise for his portrayal of Choi Mu-Jin.
In conclusion, the movie is raw and compelling. It is a worthwhile viewing experience.
