Agents of Mystery Review: Netflix’s newest variety TV series is a thriller in which multiple people come together to solve some truly shocking mysteries. The series, much like Prime Video’s Apartment 404, will make cast members and audiences question the truth while enchanting us all with the interesting and expansive sets that add to the mystery and intrigue.
- The series is created by Jung Jong-yeon.
- The agents include Lee Yong-jin, John Park, Lee Eun-ji, Lee Hye-ri, Kim Do-hoon, and Karina, all well-known entertainers from the industry.
- The series will have 6 episodes, each with a runtime of around 40 minutes.
- The series is also known as 미스터리 수사단.
Agents of Mystery Review
Netflix’s Agents of Mystery is the streaming platform’s latest addition to its Korean content and a genre of show that we have sort of become accustomed to watching, like Apartment 404 and Crime Scene. The director of the show himself is well-known for his previous works like The Genius, Society Game, The Great Escape, Girls High School Mystery Club and The Devil’s Plan, so it’s no wonder that we have another one to keep us invested.
Featuring some of the most prominent faces of the Korean entertainment industry, the 6-episode series feels more like a children’s show than anything else and although there are moments when it does come up with interesting twists and turns, the genre itself is so saturated with similar shows that it’s impossible not feel a little underwhelmed after a while. The simplicity of the stories might be the reason why you like or hate this show, to be honest. Watching it without any expectations and keeping expectations surface-level, the variety show does have its merits and will entertain the entire family thoroughly, especially younger audiences.
However, the mysteries are too simplistic, especially for a 6-episode show. There’s not a lot to unfold, and the simplistic but expansive sets add to that feeling as well. Although things look great, you can easily make out that these are sets and not places remodelled for the quests. There’s also this odd feeling of being in an escape room sometimes that makes things feel a bit childish and doesn’t make you feel thrilled at all.
The series, as a whole, consists of two stories, told over three episodes each. The first, about a cult which is into shady stuff, starts strong and eventually becomes unbelievably stupid in the third episode because it veers away from reality and into the supernatural. It’s clearly not real, and the series doesn’t try to mask the special effects, turning this into a silly show that you can watch if you’re bored or for the cast.
I think the biggest issue I had with the show is that it tries to play off the situation as the truth, instead of a simulation. With Apartment 404, for example, the series was very much aware that this is clearly not something playing out in real time. However, the fact that this variety show showcases these sequences with a straight face and with utmost seriousness takes viewers right out of the experience because, clearly, Karina and gang are not getting letters from a dead man’s spirit.
I also feel like, at 3 long episodes, the series loses steam in the last one, as the stories and situations start to feel repetitive in the last episode. Quicker and tighter stories would’ve worked better.
The cast, consisting of well-known names from different spheres, adds some smart insights and brings forth interesting observations. Everyone has something that they are good at, and everyone does a great job of putting that forth. However, there’s a little lack of camaraderie that I felt, and it’s sometimes clear that they are in a show with a clear goal, but there’s not much warmth or humour there. It’s also not a serious show per se, putting the vibe of the show somewhere in the midst of jokey and serious. That being said, the cast members on their own have a lot of personality to add to the show and will be the favourite part for everyone to watch.
Final Thoughts
Something is missing in the series – it might be the simplistic plot and sets or the cast who, despite being sharp and witty, seem not to have that warmth among themselves. Either way, the Netflix variety show is simplistic, fun and quite childish and tries to be nothing more. You cannot take anything seriously because the series takes unnecessary turns for no reason whatsoever.
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Acting terrible they are acting stupid, it’s a a theater show, taking room by room,
Complicated puzzle that the mostly wivers don’t get at all,
Why are they dressed in expensive clothes, the could be dressed in more adventurous chlotes something cool…
Horrible and slow show, the actors looking and acting stupid, please no more of this, action no excitement, no pressure on any puzzle, no fighting no action,
If this was me I would off some off them, the cult people, defendet my life, fuck I rater watch Romeo and Juliet the theatre thing than this make falling to sleep and die….