South Korean entertainment industry is surely taking over the world and there’s no doubt that we all love their original storyline and wonderful cinematography. However, when it comes to remaking the immensely popular La Casa de Papel, more commonly known as Money Heist – it can be a double-edged sword for the show.
With the release of Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area, fans are showing some mixed reactions to this remake of their beloved series. While some are complementing this Korean remake, some are having a hard time getting through this new version. The five seasons original, which aired from 2017-2021, was a huge hit, but will this Korean version with the theme of unification be able to do justice to the original?
Netflix describes the show:
“Recruited by the Professor for a job of unprecedented proportions, eight thieves storm the Unified Korea Mint. Police pull together a task force.”
– Money Heist Korea review does not contain spoilers –
Money Heist: Korea Review
Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area starts off in a very attractive manner by using one of BTS’ popular songs, DNA, and by showing Tokyo as a member of the BTS ARMY. We cannot deny that this was, in fact, a very good method of gaining positive popularity for the show because this is one of the biggest groups in the world that is taking up headlines these days.
It is through this K-pop group that we witness the change in time – the before and after of the unification of North and South Korea. The change in lifestyle that especially North Koreans can feel because they’ve gotten the chance to lead a different life they had once dreamt of.
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It is no doubt that director Kim Hong-sun has created this version with an idea that will make waves in the industry. Showing the unification of North and South Korea and connecting it with Money Heist is no easy task. However, Hong-sun has taken up this challenge and has gotten us excited with the trailer release. The unification of the peninsula can be an international headline maker, but what comes next is the big question.
Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area will show you one of the impacts that this unification can have on people’s lives. The creators of this Korean series have definitely given their all to creating the city of the future that would stand at the centre of this divided peninsula. The set is a wonderful creation and the locations they filmed are very eye-catching too. But what really caught my attention was the depiction of capitalism and the attitude of the people living in this new reality.
We also cannot forget that while the unification has been put through, the minds of the people are still finding it hard to accept this change. The years of tension between the two countries cannot be forgotten overnight and this can be seen throughout the Korean series. The mindset of the public is so bad that it is very easy to pit the North and South Koreans against each other.
The Korean adaptation is very similar to the original series, however, I would call it to be a more filtered version. Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area will not give you any steamy scenes or anything that would violate public sentiments in South Korea. While it sticks close to the original plot, you will find the Korean element throughout the series. From the masks to the reference made by Tokyo when she selects her name, Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area is a version hailing from a different country with a history that cannot be forgotten.
It was the many historical references that I really loved throughout the show. I cannot help but appreciate the thoughtfulness the creators had towards showing that the peninsula might be separate, but they share the same history. The currency, the food, and the freedom that they fought for were all the same, and this is something that they cannot forget.
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While these were some of the good points, I have to admit the actors may not be able to display the chemistry between the various love interests as intensely as it was in the original. Also, it may be a little predictable for those who have already seen the original. And this can get some viewers to be impatient when watching Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area.
Final Comment
Money Heist: Korea- Joint Economic Area is a good watch for Kdrama lovers, but may or may not be the same for the original adaptation lovers. However, we would recommend this show for the history of the Korean peninsula, and what the effects of its unification can be in the future. It has a lot when it comes to the Korean culture and gives the viewers a good confrontation with North Korea, which we don’t usually get to see in Kdramas. The heist is always loved by the fans and this version has also done a good job.
Watch it here.
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