Some of The Fangirls (cough*TheMaknae*cough) have been excited for this webtoon adaptation since they saw the first trailer. Come see if this tale of ordinary humans with extraordinary gifts meant for fighting off demons is living up to our expectations!
Our lead
Jo Byung Kyoo is playing what feels like a very different character for him — So Moon is all sweetness and protectiveness, not like the snarky chaebol or juvenile serial killer Byung Kyoo has taken on before. And yet the sincerity just pours off of him. So Moon was very easy to fall in love with from the beginning.
Karie the Maknae: I really like Jo Byung Kyoo, and I didn’t realize just how many dramas I’d seen him in until I looked him up. He’s got some range! He’s also got the personality of So Moon down perfectly — cannot WAIT to see where the story will take him!
Kmuse: I don’t know if I have seen him in anything before. However, he has really got me engaged with his character in Uncanny Counter. I can’t wait to see how he progresses throughout the drama.
Drama Geek: I LOVE his character! (I do wish Kdramas would stop making someone have a disability and then magically fix it. That’s not how life works, and it makes representation seem tropey.)
The oddball crew
Yoo Joon Sang, Kim Se Jeong, and Yeom Hye Ran have a good group chemistry — it feels natural for them to have been working together for a long time, and Yeom Hye Ran’s warmth brings the group together and keeps them together. Their initial interactions with So Moon are hilarious.
Karie the Maknae: I’m such a sucker for a found family, and that’s what the Counters feel like. There’s the mom of the group, the weird uncle, and the excessively capable and prickly sister. I don’t know if I’m hoping for a romance between Ha Na and So Moon, but they’re all so interesting I don’t care one way or the other.
Kmuse: These are such great characters right from the start. I agree that found families have been one of my favorite tropes in the last year. And this looks to be a great example of that trope. I also love that they all have different abilities that make them a great fighting unit.
Drama Geek: I was a goner once I realized they were this group of misfits fighting demons. Totally had my heart, and I love watching them work as a team.
Are they really fighting?
The initial encounter with the first evil spirit didn’t make the Counters feel all that special — they were getting thrown around and making dents in walls and cars. But then they interacted with more normal humans, and their abilities were shown in greater contrast.
Karie the Maknae: I wasn’t totally sold on the Counters’ superstrength at first — the evil spirit defeated them way too easily. But the writing has been strong so far, and the directing might have been what confused me at first, because after Ha Na lifted four huge water cooler bottles like it was nothing, I could see how strong she was.
Kmuse: I am fine with having to use my imagination a bit when it comes to their special abilities. I am just enjoying the butt-kicking for justice vibe I’m getting so far.
Drama Geek: They made sure we knew a level 3 was a big deal, so I wasn’t surprised when it kicked their donkies. I’m sure they’ll regroup and bring him down eventually. In the meantime, I enjoy the feel of their fights and the actions scenes.
Is this story believable?
For being based on a webtoon, The Uncanny Counter is filmed very realistically. It’s not slapstick, there aren’t in-your-face punchlines, and the special effects are restrained. This is a drama that takes its story seriously.
Karie the Maknae: I love that this is so down-to-earth instead of cartoon-like. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon felt like a cartoon from the beginning, complete with an illustrated origin story. The Uncanny Counter feels more organic, and it’s compelling.
Kmuse: I am a huge fan of anything within the superhero genre, so The Uncanny Counter is right up my alley. The only problem I am finding is keeping myself from hunting down the webtoon and reading ahead.
Drama Geek: I’m with Kmuse. I love a good superhero story.
Final Thoughts
Karie the Maknae: I AM SO EXCITED! The opening scenes were tragic and mysterious, and it just got better from there. The storytelling is already top notch — instead of dumping a lot of information on us from the beginning, the drama went right into the action just fast enough for me to keep up. Everyone has a little — or a LOT — of mystery attached to them, and I’m intrigued by the whole situation. Add to it So Mun’s personality and general adorableness, plus Yeom Hye Ran playing a warm character for once, and I’m in.
Kmuse: The slow build is really working for me. I am a big fan of shows that develop the story surrounding the characters and events. So the fact that this drama is putting in the time to build the world all this happens in is a huge plus. I can’t wait to see what happens this week.
Drama Geek: I’m loving all the characters and this year the character driven dramas have my attention. It doesn’t hurt that there is some supernatural action in the mix.
Until the next demon hunt, we remain —
The Fangirls
Dramas with a Side of Kimchi