Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 Review: Is the Latest Netflix Release Worth Your Time?

Gyeongseong Creature Season 2, featuring stars Park Seo-joon, Han So-hee, Claudia Kim, Bae Hyun-sung, and Lee Moo-saeng, was released on Netflix on September 27, 2024. Set approximately 79 years after the events of the first season, this new installment explores Korea’s journey toward independence from Japan in 1945 and delves into the dark history of Onseong Hospital’s human experiments.

After her mother’s Najin (a parasitic creature) infection, Yoon Chae-ok (played by Han So-hee) returns in Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 as an immortal private investigator. Nearly eight decades post the first season, she investigates a series of gruesome murders, crossing paths with Ho-jae (Portrayed by Park Seo-joon), an amnesiac who bears a striking resemblance to Jang Tae-sang from season 1.

Throughout the seven episodes, the duo becomes embroiled in the sinister activities of Jeonseung Biotech, a questionable corporation that has created the Kurokos, a group of super-soldiers plagued by Najins. They soon realize that they must confront the lingering darkness they initially faced decades earlier, as it was never genuinely defeated.

Packed with exhilarating action scenes and the modern gadgets of 2024, Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 certainly promises an engaging start. However, it loses narrative coherence midway through the series. The well-established legacy of the first season appears to crumble under the weight of a subpar plot, a weak concept, and an excessive focus on a romantic storyline amid a catastrophic crisis.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this series review belong solely to the author.

Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 Kicks Off Strong but Ultimately Disappoints

Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 commences with Jang Ho-jae, who resembles Jang Tae-sang from 1945—both roles portrayed by Park Seo-joon. The intrigue surrounding his true identity—whether he is Tae-sang or merely a lookalike—initially captivates viewers. However, Chae-ok’s (Han So-hee) naïveté soon becomes irksome.

With a powerful Najin within her, inherited from her mutated mother in the first season, Chae-ok’s character feels underdeveloped and relegated to a lovesick girl waiting for her hero. Given the nearly 80-year gap between the seasons, one would expect Chae-ok to use her superpowers strategically against Lady Maeda’s Jeonseung Bio.

Regrettably, she overestimates her abilities, repeatedly confronting the organization solo, resulting in her injuries and near-fatal encounters. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Jang Ho-jae is indeed Jang Tae-sang from 1945, who was infected by a Najin in 1947 under Lady Maeda’s influence.

This particular moment is visually stunning; Tae-sang, severely injured, awakens at home to find the bodies of his friends and associates, Mr. Gu and 20-year-old Beom-o, gruesomely hung from the ceiling. Park Seo-joon delivers a compelling performance as he desperately attempts to rescue the hanging bodies while collapsing to the floor.

Another significant scene follows shortly after, as the Najin inside Tae-sang seizes control of his mind, leading him to attack an injured Mrs. Nawol. Tae-sang battles the Najin with the remnants of his consciousness, urging Mrs. Nawol to flee. However, she tenderly caresses his face for one last moment, granting him permission to end her life.

Aside from these standout moments, Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 falls short in offering substantial content. Lee Moo-saeng shines as the head of the Kuruko army and the chairman of Jeonseung Bio, showcasing the talent expected from such a capable actor. Claudia Kim impresses as always.

However, the entire second season is riddled with inconsistencies. For example, what transpired between Tae-sang and Jeonseung Bio over the 79 years? How did Seung-jo (the son of Akiko, who was infected with the Najin in season 1) meet Tae-sang and build an unexpected bond with him? Furthermore, how did both Tae-sang and Chae-ok manage to survive with Najins inside them without preying on humans?

These unanswered questions contribute to an overall disappointing season. Additionally, the ending suffers from the director’s eagerness to create a romantic narrative, turning Chae-ok into a version of Han So-hee from her drama Nevertheless, focused on a yearning for love.

Ultimately, Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 should be viewed primarily for plot updates, especially since the show has been renewed for a third season, as confirmed in the end credits. Beyond that, the second season fails to live up to the legacy established by its predecessor.

Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 is currently available for global streaming on Netflix.

Source