Signal (2016) User Reviews

Absolutely Stunning!

[Atrey_Doury · 9/10 · 20 April 2019]

This is no ordinary series. It demands your unwavering attention and significant exercise from your grey cells.There are multiple arcs and the underlying story is complex and multilayered. The director does excellent job in amalgamating it all into one beautiful seamless narrative. The actors are great with the exception of Lee Je - Hoon (who plays Park Have - Young), who at times seemed laboured. Cho Jin - Woong (who plays Lee Jae - Han) is exceptional, I don't believe I have seen anyone do better in a role. He is the soul of this series. The production values are really high.

Yes, it is at times a slow burn and towards the end seems stretched. Liberties have been taken with logic but with a complex script perfection is exceptionally hard to attain.The shortcomings in the script are generally concealed by the director and skill of the actors.

Excellent!

One memorable TV series with a breath of fresh air

[drrichphil · 9/10 · 29 January 2017]

I watched Signal out of curiosity due to time/science fiction element written in the synopsis but it opened up much further to the excellent acting, plot and story line signal could offer. I wonder if Hollywood would learn a thing or two from this series to produce a different new level of story telling. Will they be releasing season 2 soon? I look forward to it almost anxiously. Will they not do so? I believe with the 16 episodes they aired had made many who watched Signal to expectantly wait if the producers would decide to continue. Its like two parallel earths - one past, the other present. Both worlds connected by a doorway of time. Past changed because of the present and present changes due to the past.

How to take a daft premise and use it to propel tremendous suspense

[wheatley-20230 · 8/10 · 1 April 2021]

This is an exciting and fast paced thriller. Any loss of impetus caused by the plot contrivance setting up interweaving times lines is swiftly compensated for by the deft plotting and fine performances. The whole thing is propulsive, carrying you along willingly for the ride.

I was going to award the series a 9, but found the final episode disappointing. Everything was left in the air, perhaps for a second series, but this was not the problem. It was the loss of pace as the characters resorted to lengthy exposition to tidy up plot loose ends. Still an 8 though, so don't let this reservation put you off!

Outstanding plot

[snoozy_hehehe · 10/10 · 9 May 2016]

Normally, i don't bother to write review, but I need to tell everyone how awesome this TV series is. This is the first TV series that didn't make me bored or sleepy while watching it, it's full of suspense and unpredictable plot. It also plays with your emotion, i fell happy, sad, scared, angry, desperate while watching this series.

It's how good this series is, it's really draining my brain. I need to think while watching signal, even after i have finished watching it, i am still thinking about it. When I cannot move on even though i have finished watching it, then the movie is a really good one.

sorry but i think SIGNAL is better than game of thrones hahaha, you should watch it. Don't miss this great series.

Best K-drama to date. And i have seen tons.

[NeoChrys · 10/10 · 26 March 2016]

This is one of the most well thought/well executed TV-series i have ever watched and not just by k-drama standards. The premise is innovative, the characters and their relationships very well fleshed out and the suspense present from the very first to the very last scene.It just never gets boring and every episode matters. This is a story that seemingly begins in the year 2000 when a young Park Hae Young witnesses a girl getting kidnapped. The case remains unsolved as Park Hae Young's attempts to explain what really happened to the police are met with indifference.That in combination with a case very personal to Park Hae Young are enough to make him mistrust the police and the transparency of their procedures. He grows up to become a criminal profiler and one day he crosses paths with detective Cha Soo Hyun. Cha Soo Hyun has spent the last fifteen years looking for her missing partner Detective Lee Jae Han who was facing criminal charges for bribery/extortion. After 15 years of no trace we finally get a clue of what happened to Jae Han when through his old, non-functioning walkie talkie he communicates with an understandably confused Park Hae Young. Jae Han from the year 2000 reports that this will probably be his last transmission, that the past can still change and that Park Hae Young just has to convince Jae Han from 1989. And that is how a strange partnership who evolves into a caring and close friendship that transcends time begins. I cannot describe properly how much i love this show and the main characters who despite their tragic pasts never give up (which is the main teaching of the story) and continue to fight forward through a system of injustice so that other people will get to have what they themselves had been denied.All three of them were hardened by life but never lost their humanity and their ability to care. Their relationships also make me SO emotional. Especially the unusual friendship between Park Hae Young and Lee Jae Han who until the very end never meet properly and yet they grow to love each other so much.For me the most powerful and downright heartbreaking scene was when (MAJOR SPOILERS) they were both going (again seemingly) through their final moments and we had a flashback to their dialogue when each wished that the other would be happy. Ofc the romantic sl was also beautiful. Very subtle and yet so important. Cha Soo Hyun waiting/searching for the love of her life for 15 years to finally be the one who will motivate Jae Han to fight for his life. Like..kill me now, let them get married and adopt Park Hae Young...or sth. I just want them to be a family, okay? Also the evil guy!Kim Boo Joo. What an excellent casting choice for sb to play the DEVIL reincarnated (like for real, he's evil through and through). Every time i saw him on my screen, i was overwhelmed by the need to beat him to the death with a stick (the show did NOT disappoint me in that part either!). I think this review is getting somewhat incoherent but it's just because i love this so much, i have no words! So forgive me. And watch the show! Which def needs a season 2.

The next level of Thriller

[ashwanibreakingbad · 10/10 · 29 August 2016]

Why do people of South Korea under rate their movies, TV-series so much? Why? Believe me when I say "If this show was made in Hollywood, It's rating would have been 9.5 or above". The amount of thriller provided in just the first four episodes is higher than the aggregate amount of thriller provided by all five seasons of TV series like Breaking Bad. I have watched every good Hollywood movie and TV- series, but I have never reviewed anything, This is my first review and it is coming for a South Korean drama, but the irony is I just don't have words to explain how I feel after watching this show. I am Speechless. I feel so bad when I see that there are not even 500 votes here. These directors, actors and the whole production team needs to be appreciated. They are giving us so much, I can't find ways to thank them. Why the world is living in ignorance? These 18 hours are right here, which can give them a next level thrilling experience. If someone by chance is reading this review, please do yourself a favor and watch this drama.

thrilling drama with a unique plot

[aminifatimaaa · 10/10 · 26 December 2018]

This emotionally rich drama chronicles the life of three individuals whose lives are intertwined. The screenplay which realistically beautiful,especially how the characters interact,allows a smooth flow for the narration. Lonely melancholic characters which are perfectly written and easily relatable is one of the aspects that upholds my emotional connection with the film. Sad to see that it is criminally underrated.

Insanely good

[snowyprecipice · 10/10 · 6 March 2017]

SPOILER: This was an insanely amazing show. From the plot, to the cinematography, to the characters, it was all top-notch. I was hooked and at the edge of my seat throughout all the episodes. The way they weaved the plots from past and present, and used the right amount of suspense to keep us wondering and speculating, were masterful. This is my top series of 2016! (along with Broadchurch, which I only watched in 2016 when it came out on Netflix lol)

I'm glad it ended the way it did too - ambiguous and with the promise of more to come. Even if they don't have a series 2, it's perfect the way it is.

Best Korean series i ever watched

[hani_yassine · 10/10 · 11 September 2018]

If you like movies and series that talk about time travel and full of mystery this series is totally for you to watch.The writer of this series made a phenomenal job with some mind twist ideas every episode hook you up till the last minute all 16 episodes are full of excitement and you don't get bored at all 10/10 would recommend it and i hope to see season 2 for it.

Would Have Been Really Great, But They Lost It

[aggiemanalac · 6/10 · 6 October 2021]

Started out really strong. In fact, up until episode 14, I'd give it an 8 or even a 9. Admirable performances by Lee Jae-hoon, Kim Hye-soo and Choo Jin-woong.

But the last two episodes pulled my rating down.

I get that this has a major fantasy element to it. But there were scenes that were outright impossible and illogical especially when they weren't supposed to be fantasy.

Such as: When Park Hae-young figured out where in the massive hospital Ahn Chi-soo was heading just by recalling background and ambient sounds he could hear at the other end of the line as he was talking to Chi-soo through his mobile phone.

Or how Lee Jae-han figured out where Kim Bum-joo threw that red scarf - out of the many trash bins in the city - by pure deduction.

These guys have got to have supernatural reasoning powers.

The last two episodes were shockingly messy. For 14 episodes one can still follow the "time travel" sequence and logic. But on the 15th episode it felt like the writer could not figure out how to tie things together and decided to throw all sense of logic out the window. It was as if to tell the audience: "Quit trying to make sense of the time because I'm taking all sense away from here on".

The last 15 minutes were a total, absolute, letdown. If it is meant to have a 2nd season, they could at least be more obvious. But to leave too many questions un-answered after 16 episodes was plain cruel.

The best K-drama i have ever seen till now

[tamtaitu · 10/10 · 22 April 2019]

I cannot explain this show just with a few words. So i'm gonna make this short. If you are looking for a K-drama to see or just want have a little tatse. Dont go anywhere far cuz this show is perfect

Crime show with ambiguous end

[leahcubed · 7/10 · 22 January 2020]

A newbie detective/profiler, Park Hae Young (Lee Je Hoon), finds a walkie talkie that is broadcasting through time from Hae Young's time of 2015 from 2000. Hae Young has been assigned to a cold case unit who is tasked with solving crimes where the trail of evidence has gone cold. It is more of a political move than any real attempt to solve the crimes in terms of the "higher ups." On the other end of the line is Lee Jae Han (Jo Jin Woong) who is able to get clues from Hae Young about crimes that "occurred" and change or prevent the events. Cha Soo Hyun (Kim Hye Soo) is a female dectective who leads the cold case team. She knows Jae Han well as she was once a rookie on his team.

I liked this but what slightly ruined it for me was it ended very nebulously. Some like it when it "leaves you to wonder" - I am not one of them. I understand there MAY be a second season but without that being a certainty the ending just didn't do it for me. I liked all the characters, the suspense and cases, but the ending is what really determined how I felt about this overall. Many really liked this - it rates very high. A lot of folks rate this higher than Tunnel. I preferred Tunnel. That had similar intrigue and was based on some of the same real murder cases. However, that story for me was more logically flowing and the ending felt complete. Worth the watch but be aware the ending is not neatly tied up.

Honest review not tainted by star-struck fans

[divemabini · 4/10 · 9 December 2022]

I get it. Folks love the lead actors and actress. And I will admit, they are amazing. I like them too. But loving the leads is no reason to rate this show so high. No way does it deserve an 8.5/10 average on IMDB.

8/10 - BEGINNING - The premise and starting episodes. Not entirely unique, as there are plenty of split across time communication stories out there. But this one has some grit to it, and the challenges the leads face cause a cohesive and very likable team to form. You're thinking, "This may be real good."

4/10 - MIDDLE - And that team dynamic becomes why the choices the characters make time and again just so difficult to fathom towards the middle of the show. It's like a standard Korean Crime Drama show trope: "We have to make sure that our characters stop communicating with each other, start acting alone and erratically, and avoid easy and obvious choices that would make their jobs so much easier!". And I've said it before, this is simply because Korean writers have a VERY hard time closing out stories once they get going. They rely on random chance encounters, overly bad (or good) luck, and the aforementioned unexplainable behavior of the main characters to move the plot along from point A to point B. This show takes these weaknesses to the extreme. To the point you're groaning and rolling your eyes at the screen.

ENDING - 1/10 - Very VERY dissatisfying. Almost like the writers either a) Wanted an artsy stylistic ending that doesn't fit the rest of the show, or b) They were 100% sure they would get a second season...that never came. Unfulfilling to say the least.

Incredible in every way

[lordofawesomeness-10385 · 10/10 · 11 April 2019]

This show is practically flawless! Seriously my favorite TV show ever. I actually learned Hangul just so I could watch it without subtitles! Yes, it's that good.

Plot: 10/10 Characters: 10/10 Acting: 10/10 Feels: 10+/10

One of the best shows ever on tv

[joaosantos20 · 10/10 · 19 June 2019]

I really love korean movies, but this was my 1st korean series. I was blown away by the amazing story, the incredible acting and the pace that keeps you glued to the screen from start to finish. It has everything, love story, drama, thriller, comedy and even some sci fi element. I promise it's impossible not to love.

Best Drama I Have Ever Seen!! (BAD English)

[Vampire-Kid · 10/10 · 1 November 2016]

This is first Korean Drama i watched and i am really glad that i did.. This is my review of any thing. I have watched many English TV shows but after a while they change story or no longer are exited compare to first episodes. but this is on whole another new level..Everything is just amazing story,acting,suspense. Writer just created her own new world.. I could feel, how characters felt for each other in this show.. nothing was forced or dragged too long.. I highly recommend this who is reading this.. Even at the last episodes, last minute i couldn't guess what was going to happen this is masterpiece of thriller genre.. and also soundtracks wow just amazing every music in this was amazing.. i really wish this was longer than just only 16 episodes..

SIGNAL: Intense & Mysterious

[Jinxxa_Wolf · 9/10 · 9 March 2021]

SIGNAL (Sigeuneol) (2016) was such an interesting premise. I really enjoyed this crime series. I'm not sure how to best describe it though. It was such a unique experience. While it was a investigative crime drama series there were also definite amounts of science fiction or possibly even paranormal elements which makes it a very unusual watch for me. I really enjoyed that aspect however, especially blended with criminal investigation aspects. Although a strange mix of genres, it really worked here.

I loved Lee Jehoon (as Park Hae-Young). At first I really didn't think I would like him but he ended up being phenomenal in this. He is far from being a stereotypical lead character. I love the emotional connection he gets with cases. Given his background it really endears viewers to him. I love Kim Hye-su (as Detective Cha Soon-hyeon) and Cho Jin-woong (as Detective Lee Jae-han). They are both great actors and their characters are really cool and likable.

I also really enjoyed the two timelines. I think they did a great job portraying two different eras and overlapping story and cases. The concept is fascinating. Visually and aesthetically it was appealing and very original series. The acting was great, the story was great, the music was great, I loved the three main characters. Everything was really well done.

The main reason I hesitate giving this 10 stars is for a few small reasons. Mainly because of the way it ended. Without giving away any spoilers I will only say the ending felt very open-ended, and hopefully it is open-ended intentionally for the purpose of sequel seasons. Until then, I hesitate in rating it too highly because it felt incomplete and needed so much more. Secondly, while I loved the three main characters so much, many of the other side characters felt a bit flat to me. I felt there could have been more depth and character building. Otherwise this show was so unique and worthwhile.

While Signal is very intriguing and full of heart, it also has a very dark and dreary feeling, with a lot of very sad themes (i.e. Murder, corruption, suicide, rape, etc.) and not a lot of happy moments to balance it. The overall mood of the show is very heavy. A lot of the story revolves around some very depressing, tragic themes and is quite hard to handle at times. Even still, this is one of my all time favorites.

[EDIT: There are rumors there will be a season 2!]

STORY: 10/10 CINEMATOGRAPHY: 10/10 ART/DESIGN/VISUALS: 10/10 MUSIC: 10/10 OVERALL RATING: 9/10.

One of my Top Ten K-dramas

[droche-49966 · 10/10 · 31 July 2018]

A unique spin to time travel. Solid drama with detectives solving crimes in two time periods. With each episode, you learn a little more why it is that those two detectives are the ones communicating through this magic walkie-talkie. When this series ended, I was left wanting so much more!

Captivating plot developments that will have you on the egde of your seat

[cinnahh · 9/10 · 2 May 2020]

I often have doubts about crime dramas due to alot of the unoriginal developments in storylines, but Signal could never. This was a drama that did NOT disappoint from start to finish - in fact, the heart-stopping end to every episode had me wanting more. The artistic camerawork, captivating nonlinear narrative, sophisticated direction, unique plot twists, compelling performance, highly-constructed alternate timelines, and last but not least, the suspense and anticipation was what made a drama like Signal worth watching. The drama was extremely unique and satisfying to watch in that it hinged on one specific object, and that object's ability to dictate the fates of the main characters, including every decision bound by it. Finally, the series also received widespread acclaim from audience and critics alike so what more can I say?

It's only missing 1 star because I couldn't quite grasp how that walkie-talkie ended up sending radio transmissions in the first place, and felt disappointed that those mere last 3 minutes didn't allow the audience to really get a taste of satisfaction (despite the great outcome being deduced). Extending to include just some couple more scenes to see everything tie in (so I could finally exclaim with joy and satisfaction the words: "FINALLY/YES") would have really been the cherry on top.

Storyline -- original screenplay, highly engaging, well-developed script

Cast (supporting included) -- remarkable performance by each actor's ability to convey characters emotions and thoughts through eyes and body language effortlessly

OST -- adapted from pre-2010 Korean OSTs was a daring but genius idea, and only gave the drama way more character and flavour

Enjoyable series with conflicted pacing.

[Glue2Screen · 7/10 · 13 September 2022]

Writing a review for Signal is a bit hard. I am conflicted between loving it and hating it. I found it at times to be so amazing but an episode later so terrible. Let me break it down:

THE GOOD: The series from ep 2 to 13 was just amazing. It had a good pacing, well weaved story spanning timelines & superb layering of mystery that keeps one glued to the screen. There's also sub-plots that builds itself along side the main-plot that helped to drive the overall plot.

Kim Hye-Soo's performance also made the series worthwhile and engaging. She did such a great job portraying the development of a character who went from being awkward shy newbie to a determined stoic detective. I feel what made her performance so great for me is the fact that Kim Hye-Soo is not afraid ugly crying and being super awkward. I appreciate her willingness to just be ridiculous in front of camera as it cut the tension and gave the series some comedic relief moments.

THE BAD: I almost gave up on this series, as episode 1 felt rushed to fit everything possible into it. Introduce all the characters, complete a sub-plot, present the entire mystery and wrap it all up. It felt very disjointed and should have been done a bit slower.

The irony is that towards the end of the series, it had the opposite problem. I would have given this higher rating if it wasn't for the extreme slow and pointless episodes 14 and 15. I kept hitting the fast forward button as these episodes became such a bore. These episodes were just a long repeat of previously shown scenes, endless slow overlapping shots of characters (especially Park Hae-Yeong) looking depressed/bewildered & a drag of pointless dialogue that doesn't progress the story. I started to find Park Hae-Yeong to be an extremely dreary character who seems to only have one emotion. It honestly felt as if I was watching Eeyore try to solve a crime. I found the acting Lee-Je-hon a bit bland as he seems to only have one default emotion and, thus, one expression the entire show.

The series does end on a cliff hanger, setting up for a season 2. I am a bit sceptical of how good the second season would be as the later episodes of the first series didn't seem to have a lot of story left.

Mind blown

[momomomoko · 10/10 · 4 March 2021]

Wowwwwww this series is a must watch for anyone who like thriller series with exceptionally well stories plotting. I highly recommend this series. I enjoyed every episode and never got bored even for a second. Highly highly highly recommend this series.

Well, if you live for fantasy stuff...

[emortland · 6/10 · 30 August 2020]

Yikes. The one plot device everyone raves about is the one thing that bored me silly with this: Present day detectives are communicating through time & space with a counterpart from their past. Oh Lord. I'm sure there's all sorts of metaphors & mysticism I'm missing here, but the bottom line is it just wasn't believable to me and I quickly lost interest.

I dunno, if you enjoy the Marvel/DC world where characters have some kind of superhuman power that you & me will never have, then this contemporary Korean police series may be right up your alley. I was trying to compare this our with Law & Order SVU, but it's apples & oranges - Benson & her squad figure stuff out, in Signal Cha and her staff wait for the supernatural to tell the what to do.

Lost the plot

[cheowtk · 5/10 · 11 September 2023]

The main lead's reaction is ridiculous, portrayed as smart, calm and collected profiler who ends up losing his sense of reasoning and collectiveness towards the end of the show. Lead actress's acting isn't that great either. I feel that they shouldn't drag to 16 episodes but rather keep it short and sweet like other drama (12 episodes on average).

Time travel logic don't make sense after episode 14, extremely weird ending which doesn't make viewers looking forward to season 2 (if there is).

Would have enjoyed the show if they actually shorten the series and skip the extreme stagnant plot twists.

One of Korea's finest series

[AJ_McAninch · 9/10 · 23 May 2021]

Stellar cast, script, direction, and OST in a great series.

This will make you cry alot!

[ernasetyan · 9/10 · 1 September 2019]

The best of this drama is the acting of Jo Jin Woong and the character he plays. I would be very touched if in this world there really are people like him. Let's set aside a little less detailed storyline, we will be taken back-forward-then back again-and more backward, but that will not confuse you at all. This is precisely the point of this drama, take your concentration. This drama will also play your emotions, angry, sad, alarmed, funny, but I'll give a little leak that you have to prepare your tissue when you find the skeleton of Lee Jae Han. I really can't help it. 9/10 for him. I planned to give point 10/10 when I was in episode 15, but the last episode was very unclear, the story hung with many questions, a poor ending.