The Frog Review: Rich in Character, But Lost in Its Own Chaos

The Frog Review: Rich in Character, But Lost in Its Own Chaos | Leisurebyte

Director:
Mo Wan-il

Date Created:
2024-08-23 12:30

The highly anticipated South Korean psychological thriller series The Frog has finally made its debut on Netflix as of August 23. Penned by Son Ho-young, this gripping drama plunges viewers into a world of psychopaths and unsettling mysteries. The story is set across two distinct timelines: one in the year 2000, centred around Koo Sang-jun, the owner of a small motel, and another in 2021, where the other motel in the woods is now under the ownership of Jeon Yeong-ha.

As the narrative unfolds, the once-peaceful lives of ordinary people are thrown into chaos by suspicious and mysterious visitors during the heat of summer. This drama masterfully weaves suspense and intrigue, but be prepared for the show to leave you with mixed emotions. The series consists of 8 episodes, each with a runtime of 55-60 minutes.

-No Spoilers-

The Frog Review

This Netflix Korean series promises suspense, drama, and psychological intrigue. It intertwines two timelines, each centred around a motel deep within a forest, and two owners whose lives are upended by a mysterious guest and a brutal crime. But while the premise sounds captivating, the execution leaves much to be desired. This is a show that might captivate some viewers, but for others, it might just be an exercise in frustration—an experience I found myself grappling with.

This drama is the kind of series that will either captivate you or completely turn you off. Personally, I’m still trying to process what I just watched. The show weaves multiple plotlines together, and as time goes on, you start to see how they intersect, particularly through the backstory of a female detective who serves as the connecting thread. However, the episodes could have been more concise instead of dwelling on the grim and melancholic atmosphere, focusing on a serial killer whose actions devastate a motel owner’s family. This part of the plot is undeniably depressing, but I found myself more intrigued by a side story involving a vacation renter and a mysterious, sociopathic woman.

While the idea of converging plots is intriguing, the show’s structure leaves much to be desired. The constant back-and-forth between the two timelines is fluid, yes, but often incoherent, leaving viewers struggling to keep up. The lack of clarity in these transitions can be frustrating, especially when it feels like the show is dragging its feet instead of delivering on its suspenseful promises. The mystery at the heart of the series is intriguing, but the journey to uncover it often feels like pulling teeth, with the narrative dragging out reveals that could have been delivered more concisely.

One of the show’s central themes revolves around the idea that ordinary lives can be thrown into chaos by uncontrollable incidents—a concept that The Frog explores in unsettling detail. The arrival of a mysterious guest in the middle of summer serves as the catalyst for the events that follow, disrupting the peace of the motels and their owners. This premise is rich with potential, but the execution is marred by a narrative that is too fluid and disjointed for its own good.

The philosophical musings that the show employs—such as the oft-repeated question, “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”—add to the sense of unease that permeates the series. However, this thought-provoking question quickly becomes overused, repeated at the beginning of every episode until it loses its impact. What starts as a compelling thematic device eventually grates on the viewer, like nails on a chalkboard.

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One of the most striking aspects of this series is its ability to depict the devastating impact of violence and fear on the lives of ordinary people. The plotline involving the serial killer and the motel owner’s family is particularly disturbing, painting a bleak picture of how one person’s evil can wreak havoc on an entire community. However, this plotline often feels overshadowed by the other storyline involving a vacation renter and a sociopathic woman—a storyline that, while interesting, often detracts from the gravity of the former.

The performances in this series are a mixed bag. Go Min-si delivers a chilling portrayal of a psychopathic woman, her unnerving behaviour dominating every scene she’s in. Her character isn’t portrayed as a mastermind, but rather as a chaotic force of nature—a portrayal that is both terrifying and captivating. On the other hand, Yoon-seok’s character, who is also deeply unsettling, brings a different kind of psychological tension to the series. His portrayal of a man desperately trying to save his motel from the fallout of a crime is both compelling and tragic, capturing the desperation of someone trapped in a situation beyond their control.

EXO’s Chanyeol also makes an appearance in the series, and while his screen time is limited, his performance is noteworthy. As a fan, I was eager to see him take on an acting role, and though his character doesn’t have much room to develop, he manages to leave a lasting impression. However, the same cannot be said for Jung-eun’s portrayal of the police officer. As a veteran actor, I had high expectations for her role, but her character feels underdeveloped and disrupted by the disjointed narrative.

In one particularly frustrating scene, a police officer on vacation is murdered, and the show doesn’t even attempt to depict any search for him until the final episode when his body is finally discovered. This lack of attention to detail is indicative of the show’s broader issues with coherence and pacing, leaving viewers with more questions than answers.

The Frog is a series that I wanted to like. The performances are strong, and the premise is rich with potential, but the execution falls short. The narrative is too disjointed, the pacing too slow, and the constant back-and-forth between timelines too confusing. Even after multiple viewings, I found myself struggling to piece together the story, ultimately feeling that the series was too messy and unfocused to deliver on its promise.

The Frog Review: Final Thoughts

The Frog is a series that will likely divide viewers. Some may appreciate its slow-burn approach and philosophical musings, while others, like myself, may find it too frustrating to fully enjoy. Despite strong performances from the cast, the story is too muddled and disjointed to make the most of its potential. If you’re looking for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this drama might not be the one.

The Frog is now streaming on Netflix.

Also Read: The Frog Ending Explained: Did Jeon Yeong-ha Save His Hotel? What Happened to Yoo Seong-a?