Somebody (2022– ) User Reviews

Nice hook, great cinematography but...

[kuokkaelee · 6/10 · 21 November 2022]

First episode: interesting

Fourth episode: it just gets weirder and weirder

Last episode: Fast forward to the end

The story got my hooked in the beginning but as each episode progresses, the IQ on each character suffer a -10 penalty, so you can imagine how much IQ left at the end of the series. There are a lot of scene that I feel unnecessary and I don't know the reason why. It felt like they have a basket of essential pop culture reference that they can choose from, and each episode they just sprinkle of a few of these formula of successful.

Overall I enjoy good the series looked, but the story and character frustrates me so much I have to come to imdb to find reviews about how others felt and ended up written one.

good show, lack of character development, better if this was a movie

[shanaeklarenbeek · 6/10 · 25 November 2022]

The show was good and bad at the same time. First i want to say that i love the acting, all the actors did a very great job and you could see that they all had talent and knew what they were doing. I also like the storyline but i couldn't watch this show without rewinding it because it was just so slow. There was also a lack of character development especially the serial killer guy they didn't show us why he killed those ppl, they also didn't gave him a backstory like all the other characters. And there were many unnecessary scenes that made the show slow. This show is not everyones cup of tea and that's completely okay but i wish that they just didn't made this show so slow. In my opinion they should've made this a movie but with better character development.

Definitely for somebody, not for everybody

[soeprijo19 · 6/10 · 29 November 2022]

I watched this series back to back with Dahmer (2022). Both series are about psychopath, but they hit different. This Somebody series was really slow and non logical. Almost all characters are non logical and confusing.

The wheel chair cop girl is non logical. How could a cop, especially in a wheel chair one, dare to meet a murder suspect alone without any backup?! Twice?! And our protagonist, Kim Sum, the computer prodigy girl, who knows that his boyfriend is a psychopath, still love him to the very end?! And as a computer programmer, she choose to go to a shaman instead of cop?! The only logical character is the shaman girl. Yeah, you read it right. The shaman girl is the only logical person here.

This Somebody series definitely would find somebody that find it interesting. And that somebody is definitely not me.

Non logical 6/10.

Engaging but morally void

[sophiamarinova · 7/10 · 20 November 2022]

The positives of this series include a strong cast, engaging writing and appropriate though over the top dark atmosphere. The execution is good and I like the psychology/crime genre. The poor lead male actor is given the role of a massive creep though with some human emotions, which makes him slightly less one dimensional. The female lead is morally void but may have a bit of a highly twisted moral compass. I'm not too familiar with Asperger's but here moral ambiguity is highlighted. The police are painted as completely incompetent, which may be true but so disappointing to watch time and again in kdramas. The female police officer is not even recruiting back up when fully aware she's going into a risky situation. Irresponsible and incompetent for a police officer. The motivation of the male lead serial killer remains very obscure because in his first encounter with murder on Somebody he did not initially act with bad intent. For this to transform into a serial killer motivator, something was missing. Last but not least, k entertainment is really good at morally ambiguous characters but at what point do they become morally void? All characters were somewhat watchable and engaging but none was completely appealing or even interesting on their own.

Gosh, please...STFU. Y'all just hating.

[Nevrody · 5 December 2022]

This: A) Beautiful cinematography, top notch. Dark. Very Very Dark.

B) Amazing Main Actor, don't watch this next to your grandma.

C) Risky and different for Korean Standards (in a good way, don't expect for what we see normally in Kdramas)

D) Got a lil boring at the end... but you ca not expect letting it play at the background of you doing something else and think you will somehow understand. You have to pay attention.

E) it isn't for most people, I would say. Still, watch it. Give it a try.

F) the rating of IMBD is totally off, some people just can't comprehend how to deal with the premise of the drama, so they just hate on it.

G) some supporting characters were a lil too dumb in certain moments.

H) I like that they didn't copy, and in anyway made our perception of the MC, with a form of Autism, similar to the kdrama Extraordinary Attorney Woo. (Found it actually better that I saw the MC without focusing on her condition. However, I do understand her being a wannabe murderer doesn't help the public understanding of Aspergers. But still does not make sense that a show like this would focus on her condition, so I am glad it did not.

Interesting show

[amila-selmanovic · 7/10 · 2 January 2023]

First of all, great acting on the Kim Young-kwang part, since I have only seen him act in soapy K-drama. This was a proper psycho performance. Great acting, amazing cinematography, the script and storytelling may be confusing at some instances, but over all, it is a great show. Someone wrote that it was better if they made it into a movie and I think I can agree with that. I would like to see season 2 with totally new characters and a better story. Also, I was not so surprised that people thought the cops were stupid, I think that's usual in Korean movies, they often portray cops as incompetent.

strange plot

[jtping · 7/10 · 21 November 2022]

Well, i don't know how to rate it, actually. Despite its explicit adult content, maybe director wants to reflex reality by bold sexual content ? Dating app is an evil?it 's unlikely such plot that a handsome lunatic drives by mad commits shocking crimes(indeed, i have to say i was shocked by those sexual content)happens in reality. The modern fickleness society is a lure for many young pepole, forces them to bury themself in modern high-tech, Instinct drives them to look at the opposite sex, dating with her or him, have a sexual relatinship. Indeed, it's human nature, i won't comment on this. Finally I like Netflix at least.

Mehh..

[ainiBee · 3/10 · 23 November 2022]

The trailer was so well made that it's probably the best thing about the series. Such a promising storyline with so much potential but ended up being a huge let down.

The cinematography and acting was good but that's it.

I hated the odd pacing of the story. Weird and unnecessary plot lines that ended up being half baked. Most characters lacked depth (the Shaman? Samantha?) and there was not much character development of the MCs either- like I literally still know nothing about the serial killer. The main characters' love story felt very superficial.

So many episodes but so much nonsense and a lot of the important parts that should've been explored, just left out.

It's almost like the main point of the story was the explicit sex scenes (which does not add anything to the story) and the rest are just fillers.

Spoilers at the end, with warning.

[elsamirre · 9/10 · 24 December 2022]

I came here thinking I'd rate ten stars. Imagine how shocked I was when I was saw low the ratings were! After reading the reviews, I had to admit that this show indeed had serious flaws. I'm going to list them first, then I'm going to explain why I still loved it. Finally, I'll provide my own explaination for the plot and ending, as I couldn't find a satisfying one on the web.

Flaws.

1)Slow. Very slow. Like, French-movie like slow. So slow that sometimes, I had to check to see if my screen didn't just freeze.

2)Useless scenes and characters. The whole chamanistic part, event the shaman herself (and her lesbian love story) were useless, should I say, a nuisance. The story would have been better off without them. This is the kind of plot that benefits from keeping the number of characters to a minimum.

3)The police. What the heck were they for? Gi-eun should have been a private detective, this would have explained her stupid decision to meet a dangerous man without certain backup. Which brings me to...

4)...silly behaviour and reactions. Seom aside, most of the characters do dumb things at one point or another. Or things that don't match their background/job.

5)Things left unexplained. Or maybe I missed something. It looked like there were added scenes after every episode, but I didn't bother to watch...

Now, what I liked: The love story, the plot, the scenery, the music, the relentless tension, the acting, the actors, the sex scenes, the gore, the leads' bodies. OMG, that man's body, anyone? And...........the slow pace. That WASN'T BORING! I'm serious here, that wasn't boring for a moment. Better yet, being so slow, it enhanced things like the way the killer moved. Whenever he moved to catch someone, he turned into a panther. He just dropped on his victim and snatched them. That left an impression. In times like that, he really didn't seem human.

Now for the explanation, go watch and then come back.

WARNING SPOILERS! WARNING SPOILERS! WARNING SPOILERS!

Why did Seom kill Youn-Ho?

I read somewhere that this story had nothing to do with Asperger, and that it was a good thing. I disagree. I think it had everything to do do with Asperger.

First, who is Somebody? Seom's body. Seom means island. She is alone in a sea of different and unfamiliar people she can't relate to. Seom's body is the part of herself she created to study people, understand them, the way they think, behave and interact. It is her connexion to society. Somebody says to her "You're the only one who loves me". So, of course, hurting the AI, was Youn-Ho's main mistake.

Gi-Eum was Seom's friend. It's not true that Asperger don't feel. They do. They just have a hard time connecting feelings with body language. Gi-Eum was dear to Seum. Somebody says "You miss her a lot".

Hurting her was another mistake.

And hurting people was the last mistake. Remember the very first scene. Seom says "I'll do anything, as long as it doesn't involve killing people" Aspergers usually have a high sense of justice !!!

Later on, when talking to her friends, apparently protecting her boyfriend, Seom states that "everybody will pay for their crimes". And when she visits that man in prison, he says to her "Didn't you tell me that everyone has to pay for their crimes?"

But how should such a monster pay for his crimes? Seom was the only one who could punish him properly.

He loved her. That tear on his face. I can never forget that. At this moment, he knows only one of them can remain. When she says that she wants to come to the hideout, he knows what to expect. He just wants to pretend otherwise. He wants to hope, he wants to delude himself. He's willing to risk his life for a chance to be with her.

He loved her, and she used that love. We have several clues that Seom is leading Youn-Ho on.

When they last try to make love, she can't bring herself to touch him. He realises that and withdraws. Then she masturbates before him. Do you remember how that scene about how-to-fake-an-orgasm popped over and over? There. She needed to keep him hooked. He seemed to be aware of that too.

Finally, she used his self-blinding love to distract him while she approched him to kill him.

And of course, she was "Fingers". Aware of every single hideous thing he did as a killer, even bringing a kid to the dark side.

THAT was justice. Balance restored. Seom could be at peace again, go back to her "normal" life. Routine is important for an Asperger.

She loved him too, though. She did, I have no doubt. She must have been torn apart doing this. Not because she smiled in the end, she didn't suffer. Remember, issues with body language.

Unbearably sad. In one of the last scenes, we understand that Gi-Eum, after eveything, was still in love with Youn-Ho. I think I would have been too. T_T.

The girl cop - seriously

[mokomoko-95536 · 7/10 · 5 September 2023]

I thought Gi-eun was supposed to be a cop and have some sort of instinct when it comes to shady situations, but getting into it the second time has truly made me angry to my core. She keeps driving through those abandoned corridors, the builders don't help her leave, it's one of the most anger inducing situations I've ever seen on TV. SO STUPID.

The show's fine, it's kinda fun and dark but Gi-eun really made me irritated that I wanted to stop watching at only two episodes left. Kim Young-kwang is a pretty good pick for the role, too, except he only grins all the time. It's not the actor's fault, I'm sure; he is a solid actor overall.

You must be kidding me...

[TristanSilya · 4/10 · 30 March 2023]

Nothing makes any sense in this abomination. Tons of plot armor, gimmicks, conveniences, shock value, fillers, and plot holes.

First and foremost all the characters are one-dimensional, boring, and lack character. There isn't really a character with any real motivation or struggle. They just exist and then things just happen and they go along with it.

Second - the show is filled with degenerate and incompetent people. A paralyzed cop in a wheel chair? Really? A degenerate friend with mental issues and horrible impulse control? A shaman? (the shaman is surprisingly the most normal).

The 'villain' is also boring and lack any appeal. He's not smart or trained in any way. He's just a dude with too much time creeping on girls using an app and steals their phones yet no one can figure out who or where he is.

The pacing is atrocious. At least 75% of the show feels too long. The sex scenes are dragged out way too long and it doesn't accomplish anything. Weird awkward dialogue and meetings between characters don't feel natural at all.

And did they have a budget of $20 for lighting? Half the show feels like Gotham city with the lights out. Hard to see anything.

Somebody deserves a higher score

[ikew222 · 9/10 · 6 December 2022]

I honestly don't understand how this has such a low rating, it is one of the best Korean serial killer thrillers I have seen since the Vengeance trilogy. The acting, cinematography, writing and pace were all excellent. It had me hooked from the first episode. It is shocking in places, so maybe not everyone's cup of tea but to give it a 3 is just unwarranted. It does present some difficult themes so don't watch if you are expecting the typical Korean Netflix show. I hope to see more tv shows and movies of this calibre from Korean cinema as they have a unique feel to them that you just don't get from Hollywood or most European cinema.

I give Somebody a 9 and would highly recommend to anyone that is looking for a good adult Korean show to binge watch.

left me thinking a lot

[richlleroberts · 7/10 · 18 August 2023]

The story itself wasn't so confusing, simple storyline. Just the characters. I found gi eun a little irritating because she hated yun o because of what he did but she was reminiscing about him? And the thing that left me thinking is, isn't sum just as bad as sun o? She killed him then went back to work and played a video game lol. I actually liked this kdrama and i felt a bit bad when sun o died (probs cuz he's fine as hell) but one thing i didn't like was how unnecessary the whole lesbian shaman thing was.. like it was so confusing and the series would've managed without it.. and i didn't like how rushed the ending was. I wish we could've seen how obsessed yun o was with sum. As much as i wish he didn't did and they had this weird ass murderer relationship, i think it was right for him to be killed by sum because he did orchestrate that whole attack and didn't tell her. I didn't want him to die but he needed die and i feel like that's a good enough ending. I liked that it was only 8 episodes just not the pacing. But anyways i'll only be able to think about yun o whenever i see kim young kwangs other dramas. And i hope i see kang hye rim in more dramas because she did this role so well. I will probably still be thinking of this drama in a months time (the same way i do with almost every thriller). The amount of nudity and sex scenes was quite alot for a kdrama but nothing new to me. But sometimes i forgot i was watching a kdrama. Overall it was good, great actors just maybe the plot and all could've been better but i enjoyed and would recommend to people who just enjoy thrillers. (sorry if this doesn't make sense)

Korean series created by Netflix that fall all standards.

[folk_egm · 3/10 · 25 November 2022]

Korean series created by Netflix that fall to the point that it is beyond bearable. The story tries to act like a cult movie. Ignoring every reason, the characters are too stupid to be like the embodiment of stupidity with every character. The subject matter will wear anything. To the point of being possessed by the ghost of a murderer And then the selling point about apps or technology in the story is so-so. The whole story is trying to follow the western footsteps of LGTB same-sex love, with this type of sex scene added unnecessary. And still stuffed more ad-rated scenes than necessary Even the love of the heroine and the killer that is the selling point of the story looks confusingly indie. What do you love? Without understanding or allowing people to watch in at all The heroine's actions always contradict herself. It's not based on any Asperger's as expected. The murderer keeps killing like it seems smart, but in reality it's the role of a policeman in a story so stupid that it seems that the supporting role has almost no more role. Because the test fails all standards.

Animal issue

[amichellecarroll · 12 May 2023]

This movie may have been a really good thriller. It began all nice and dark...and then you actually had to cgi or not, show the a black cat being tortured/killed. I realize this is a realistic step in the path of serial killers, but it was over the edge for most animal lovers. You didn't have to show it - I dropped out for a few days after that episode. Went back and tried to watch the rest, but it literally creeped the hell out of me with all the stalking down the "prey". Dropped out & haven't finished. This almost felt like it could be a bad role model for some twisted folks. (If you know what I mean.). So, not saying this isn't one the darkest chillers I've watched. Just wished Netflix would have eared about the animal bit b/c I can't unsee it now.

Dark thriller with a little bit of everything

[aznidentity · 6/10 · 15 April 2023]

Somebody is a dark erotic thriller that is different than the typical K-drama. It has a little bit of everything, but not a lot makes sense. The shaman did not make sense. The missing police did not make sense. The dialogue is sparse, and did not make sense. The explicit sex scenes did not make sense.

That being said, the series has a unique style that is gritty and dark. The cinematography and editing are captivating. The mystery unfolds in a tense way. The serial killer is demented and convincingly portrays a frightening character. The interactions between the main character and the serial killer are odd, although the mental disorder supposedly explains it. If you are fine with unnecessary sex scenes with a K-drama style, this could be worth a watch.

We'll all be forgotten in time

[alaningle7 · 6/10 · 14 January 2023]

A software developer develops an app called somebody that utilises a.i. To match people wanting to date. A serial killer uses the app to lure his next victims, and becomes involved with the developer. Sadly in my opinion it does not work despite the excellent cast, I think the underlying message is we all need to be understood and Kang Hye-rim who plays the developer turns a blind eye to the killers victims and is certainly an alluring character in the erotic scenes. Slow to start with a little too much dramatic music but the killer played well by Kim Young-kwang is believably ordinary but very sinister man. Probably would have worked better as a movie and not eight episode series.

Runs out of steam like a bad locomotive

[divemabini · 3/10 · 3 December 2022]

And what a horrible take on friendship and mental illness.

I give the first 5 episodes a solid EIGHT stars. The show had promise, a good storyline going, a gradual slow boil of tension. And not too many inane chance encounters to keep the plot moving forward.

Then episode 6 comes along. And 7. And 8...

Those last three episodes I'd give it a ZERO if I could. As is tradition with many K Crime Dramas, it seems that the writers get so excited with their new shiny toy (initial premise) that they totally forget how to close it out. The viewer is left scratching their head at the absolutely DUMB choices the lead characters make, over....and over....and over again.

Serial killer on the loose...people dying...people being left for dead....no problem.... let's just split up, go it alone, and not share any information with our friends, who mind you are in danger. And most importantly, let's NOT tell the cops what we know.... even though one of them IS a cop!

Horrific way for a bunch of lazy writers to close out a show. It's like they said, "We need an ending, be damned with the asinine dialogue, ludicrous decision-making, and gaping plot holes!"

And the behavior of the lead character trying to be explained away by her mental illness? It's like the writers never researched mental disorder at all.

Another huge letdown after a fine start. Unfortunately, seems to be the norm for these modern Korean Crime Shows.

Like Thrillers? Ignore IMDB's Current Rating Then.

[davidcowley51 · 9/10 · 29 November 2022]

I cannot believe the low 5.7 rating for this. As thrillers go, this one is excellent. There is a subtle rage within the bad guy that comes across threateningly on screen, enough to make you wonder what he will do, which is the essence of a good thriller is it not? The cinematography adds to the atmosphere, shadows, darkness and sometimes just the sheer lack of dialogue adds wholesomely to the tension.

I would only criticise a few aspects of a couple of characters but I will not divulge anything more except to say that one character, for her job, does something remarkably stupid. I'll let viewers discover what for themselves.

The music score is very good and almost makes we want to have a listen on Deezer or something similar. The acting is very good, realistically scripted and the bedroom scenes are very risque for Korean shows. Should be more!

Don't pay any attention to the low rating. Give this a go, it's only 8 episodes and it should be well worth your time.

Good writing! Not my cup of entertainment!

[jbmflutist · 3/10 · 22 November 2022]

Now this is going to be my opinion: I tried to binge watch this! Got to episode 5 and had to stop! Ugh! I think the writing was for the person with ramifications of Asperger's Syndrome etc! Very dark, foreboding and depressing! In the beginning episodes it felt interesting enough with a likable plot! Of course I caught on who was killing! I feel this should have been a movie; not a series! Each episode showed the main character get more bold, but in a deranged manner! Morally disgusting! I'm not one to like romance actions but this was written for private words spoken with two people and one of them a killer and the other one knowing it! Yes it's tense! I'm not a prude; just wasn't wanting this type of series!

There are flash backs of the main character with her mother helping her daughter understand facial expressions! I'm still haunted by her practicing them with her mother, especially FEAR! Not sure why the mother couldn't explain FEAR is one thing, but playing to get that feeling is dangerous to her mother! But I'm thinking that is part of how the daughter has kept those expressions in the present! Throughout each episode I watched she got bolder and bolder with death! But not her FEAR!

Of all things the music 🎶 felt like it was for a 50's or 60's love movie! The main circular theme music ruined one of my favorite classics- Mozart piano concerto No. 21!!! Other than that I'm really not sure how the music helped move the moods of the episodes. It's almost as if the music was sarcastic with scenes! Pleasant to hear but not to watch!

Characters were very good! The killer may now be typed Cast! Just a charming looking college grad with wicked desires! The young girl, main character, played her role well with style needed for the Asperger's. All other actors were very good too!

All and all, way too elongated. Maybe 4 episodes! The mood of complicated desires because of ailments and personal issues could have been played in a shorter version! I wouldn't watch this with friends!

Not your average K-Drama

[fifteenpiecesofflair · 10/10 · 30 November 2022]

If you are looking for a feel-good Korean drama, then stop here.

It is one of the most intense, riveting programs that has come from the Korean drama pantheon. Yes, there is nudity, but I couldn't really grasp its story line without it.

I wish Amazon hadn't froze my screen, but the man playing the villain is so detestable. The girl playing Kim Sum plays a convincing person afflicted with Asperger's Syndrome that you as the viewer are brought into her world whether you ask for it or not.

I give it two thumbs up and I recommend it, just be prepared for the ride of your life.

Amazon request 600 words or more so all I can say is "Watch It!"

Excessive and Unnecessary Animal Cruelty

[caitylovet · 1/10 · 10 December 2022]

I don't understand how anyone could forgive the first episode. It's horrible. Anyone who gets past it should probably be on some sort of watch list. I mean the episode is not entertaining at all, and then it brings out the excessive and gory animal torture scene. I guess if you get a ton of entertainment from watching animals suffer, then this is for you.

I understand showing suffering when it is related to the plot or it teaches something, but you aren't even a whole episode in before they go overboard with graphic and prolonged animal cruelty. The scenes also come out of nowhere with 0 warning and are completely not needed for the plot.

Watching a cat who was wrongfully hit and abandoned, slowly die while screaming in pain for no reason is just not ok and a cheap ploy. Generally, shows should want people to be invested in the characters and stories, but before things get interesting, I am forced to watch a horrible scene where a living creature writhes and screams in pain for way too long and our MC's reaction is just unwatchable. She isn't interesting or likeable enough imo. " The show clearly just wants to be gross and disturbing for edgy points. I love dark shows and I can forgive a lot, but yeah...not with this one.

Not Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 3/10 · 1 December 2022]

Korean Drama " Somebody " is a thriller with a mature content.

As an idea, Somebody doesn't stray far from the beaten track and keeps things predictable and, overall, simple. The criminal is known from the start and his crimes are pretty basic textbook, even though he appears to have no pattern as to whom he kills and whom he lets go.

The drama also gets unnecasserily gory and adds some extra scenes more to provoke than to enhance the entertainment value, or, at least, get deeper into the characters' mind.

In the end, along with some other extra plotlines that didn't add up, the drama wraps up everything the way it started things in the first place.

On the other hand, the performances were the best part of the drama.

So, overall, three out of ten.

Very weird but also very interesting.

[kmhlbeavis · 8/10 · 13 January 2023]

It starts with a girl who had no friends in high school but was very smart. She got involved with some shady people to make money and the man was surprised that it didn't even bother her. A lady recruits her at some sort of high school fair because she had developed a program called somebody. Fast foward to her as an adult she seems to be leading a normal life until someone gets killed and the app is involved. She gets involved with the killer and tries to not let it bother her. Then though the killer targets her friend not once but twice and he also broke her favorite chat bot machine that she had in her home. The conclusion was basically predictable as the one who financed her app told her to take care of the situation. She was very good at concealing her whereabouts and her intentions and wound up killing him. Only the shaman who had befriended her knew about it. Why did she kill him probably because of what he did to her friend. And the chatbot that he had destroyed and also jeopardizing her livelihood. The only reason I only gave it an 8 because how can a disabled female cop go after the killer not once but twice without backup or letting anyone else know. That's really unbelievable if you ask me.

Animal suffering

[finneko · 2 December 2022]

Animal suffering. It should have to mentioned same as sexual harassment and such. I hate that tips are given to children to bully animals. You can tell this is Korea, cats have no value (Japanese, don't look). And torturing mices is a product of a sick mind. I didn't even want to go any further in this confusing mess. I hope they happily killed each other in the oven. If cat had been a little poodle, its painful death would hardly have needed to be heard so long and so painfully. I understand that someones do like this kind on thing, but there should be some warning to people that do not accept any bad for animals.