Seoul Busters Review (Eps 1-4): Bizarre Crime Comedy That Has Its Moments

The highly anticipated Disney+ comedy K-drama Seoul Busters has finally released its first four episodes. This series is a comedic crime investigation drama that follows the journey of the country’s worst violent crimes unit as they team up with a top-tier elite detective. Together, they navigate their differences and work to become the strongest crime-solving team.

The comedy series is directed by Ahn Jong-yeon and Shin Joong-hoon and written by Lee Kwang-jae and Lee Young-chul.

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Seoul Busters Recap (Episodes 1-4)

Seoul Busters Episode 1 opens with the introduction of Kim Dong-wook’s character, Dongbang Yu-bin, a brilliant academic with an impressive career who unexpectedly turns down a permanent professorship abroad to lead the bottom-ranked homicide squad Unit 2 at Songwon Police Station. Yu-bin’s decision is a mystery in itself, but his unorthodox leadership style quickly becomes apparent as he challenges the team’s laid-back approach.

We meet the bumbling Unit 2 members—Mu Jung-ryuk, Jung Jung-hwan, Seo Min-seo, and Lee Seung-woo—who manage to botch an undercover mission in the first few minutes, leading to their team leader’s departure. Their new office? A closed daycare centre, complete with tiny chairs and toys—a fittingly absurd setting for this ragtag group.

The team’s first case under Yu-bin involves a reported suicide. While the forensic team is quick to close the case with a suicide note, Yu-bin isn’t convinced and points out discrepancies, turning it into a homicide investigation. Initially resistant, the team follows Yu-bin’s hunches, which lead them to a celebrity who had harassed the deceased driver. Things get more complicated when the celebrity himself turns up dead, prompting a deeper investigation. Yu-bin’s sharp mind zeros in on the actor’s management company head, and with the team’s reluctant help, they solve their first case.

By Episode 4, we get a peek into Mu Jung-ryuk’s past as a boxer, adding some emotional depth to the character. During a team dinner at a restaurant run by his former coach, a fire breaks out the next day, injuring the coach’s daughter. As the team investigates, suspicions arise around the coach, but Jung-ryuk, tangled in his emotions, refuses to believe his old mentor could be involved. The episode ends on a cliffhanger with evidence that may change everything.

Seoul Busters Review (Episode 1-4)

Seoul Busters kicks off with a humorous and somewhat chaotic approach to crime-solving. The series stands out for its lighthearted and unconventional handling of serious crime cases, reminiscent of popular sitcoms like Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The comedy stems from the bizarre setting of a daycare centre doubling as their office, where the team is often seen trying to navigate their workspace on tiny children’s chairs. This ridiculous setup is one of the show’s most endearing qualities.

The characters, while amusing, lack depth and are difficult to take seriously until they’re suddenly solving a crime. The comedic elements are more cringeworthy than funny, especially with the absurd setting of a daycare centre as their headquarters. Watching grown detectives squirm on tiny chairs does have its moments, but it feels like a cheap gag stretched too far.

In terms of performances, the cast does a decent job with what they’ve been given. However, there’s nothing groundbreaking or particularly memorable about their portrayals. It’s as if they are aware of the bizarre premise and are just along for the ride. The biggest issue here is that the show doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be—a serious crime drama, a parody, or something in between.

Overall, Seoul Busters is a show that doesn’t take itself seriously, and that’s both its strength and its downfall. While the quirky setup might attract viewers looking for something different, the lack of originality and depth makes it hard to stay invested. If it continues on this path, the only saving grace will be its commitment to being absolutely bonkers.

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