‘The Uncanny Counter’ Is The Unexpected Fantasy Series K-Drama Land Needed
Jan 15, 2021 • Andy Flores
There’s a reason why The Uncanny Counter keeps winding up in Netflix’s daily Top 10—the show is darn awesome!
Based on a webtoon of the same title, it follows four grim reaper-like spirits’ human partners called “Counters,” whose mission is to hunt down and banish evil spirits that wreak havoc in the mortal world.
Starring up-and-coming actor Jo Byeong Gyu as So Mun, an orphaned cripple who suddenly gains superhuman speed; Kim Sejeong as Do Ha Na, a hot-tempered Counter with psychometric powers; Yoo Jun Sang as Ga Mo Tak, an amnesia-stricken Counter with super strength; and Yeom Hye Ran as Chu Mae Ok, the mother-figure and healer of the Counters, the series has become one of today’s most talked-about K-dramas, so much so that its network OCN responded to the rumors of a second season by announcing that they are in the process of turning the drama into a seasonal series!
With 12 out of 16 episodes aired, The Uncanny Counter is heating up the viewers’ anticipation for the finale. Now, if you think you’re late to the party, don’t worry! You can still catch up with the show’s first season before it ends in two weeks. We rounded up eight reasons why you should watch The Uncanny Counter ASAP:
It’s got a kick-ass squad
The demon-hunting squad of The Uncanny Counter is not your average group of mismatched heroes. To conceal their identities, they run a successful noodle shop, which they close whenever they sense trouble looming somewhere. They’re not related by blood, but they might as well be called a family, as they rediscover belongingness and live their second life in each other’s company while saving the fictional city of Jungjin one day at a time.
The cast has perfect chemistry
Chemistry shouldn’t be limited to romantic pairings in shows, and the cast of The Uncanny Counter can prove that. Our red tracksuit-clad team with their dapper sugar daddy Ahn Suk Hwan as business tycoon Choi Jang Mul exhibit great synergy onscreen despite their age gaps and senior-junior relationships. Off-cam, the group looks somewhere between a close-knit family and a mixed-age circle of friends. Watch them have fun in their special holiday video above!
The OST is ~amazing~
What’s a K-drama without a good OST to go with it? Unlike other currently-airing South Korean dramas, The Uncanny Counter doesn’t boast a lengthy soundtrack—in fact, it features only two original songs (so far, that is). But both perfectly capture the mood of the scenes in which they’re played. “Close Your Eyes” sang by Isaac Hong is a powerful rock ballad, while “Meet Again” is a mellow and emotional track written, composed, and performed by none other than Sejeong.
The action scenes will keep you at the edge of your seat
If you love action, The Uncanny Counter will give you that and more. The fight scenes and stunts are impressively choreographed and so well-executed, you can tell that the actors and their doubles spent a great deal training for their direct combat sequences. The action in this show is so fun and thrilling to watch, it’s hard to take your eyes off the screen.
The villains are legit terrifying
Villains are ought to be bad to the bone and that has never been truer with The Uncanny Counter. From the cunning humans to the demons and their hosts, the villains of this show are absolutely despicable and the actors are doing a great job at portraying their roles! Just the devious and bloodthirsty smiles of Lee Hong Nae as hitman Ji Chung Sin and Ok Ja Yeon as money-obsessed Bak Hyang Hee are enough to send chills down your spine.
It’s full of heart-tugging scenes
For a fast-paced series that’s mainly about catching evil spirits and sending off souls to the afterlife, The Uncanny Counter is surprisingly heartwarming. Be it a scene of So Mun with his grandparents and childhood friends or flashbacks revealing the past of the counters, this show sure knows how to play with your emotions, so grab a box of tissues when you watch—you’ll need it.
Those red tracksuits
The Uncanny Counter did away with the fancy superhero costumes or the traditional black grim reaper outfit and went with what’s practical—tracksuits. We’re not quite sure why the tracksuits have to be red, but hey, the color exudes power and makes the team stand out in every fight scene.
It’s a record-setting show
The 12th episode of The Uncanny Counter, which aired on the 10th of January, hit the average viewership rating of 10.6% peaking at 11.4% nationwide, making cable TV history for OCN as the network’s first show to earn a double-digit rating. Well-deserved! No wonder a second season is now in talks!
Are you watching The Uncanny Counter? What are you excited to see in the final episodes of the show?
