Review-Mouse (2021)

Original Air- (3 March to 20 May 2021) 

Episode duration- 60-85 mins

The series is set in modern day Republic of Korea, and begins with Dr. Daniel Lee (Jo Jae Hoon) discovers the method of testing genes and predicting the nature of the fetus, by knowing a particular (monster/psychopath gene) his idea is proposed in assembly and gets rejected. Story dwells into the life of his friend Dr. Han Seo Joon (Ahn Jae wook) who is well settled and rich, along with his wife Sung ji-Eun (Kim Jung Nan) who is pregnant with child. The deeper the story goes with time it is revealed that Dr. Han is only a single side of his personality. 

Serial murders have taken place during the period of 1990s in which a family is victim with two survivors, young sibling Goo Moo-chi (Lee Hee Joon) and  elder Ko Moon Won (Kim Young Jae). Moo chi later on with the police force for giving justice to the people and his hatred towards murders and Ko turns for forgiveness and works as a father for catholic church. 

20 years later the events of 1990s the serial murders begins with strange methods and symbolism the challenge lies on Goo-Moo Chi and his police department and in this mission he teams up with young cop Jeong Ba-rum (Lee Seung Gi)  will they able to catch the convict is question yet to be answered? 

The series brings into question such as-

1. Does God exist and if it does why is there suffering around? 

2. Does the birth of someone decide the life he/she leads?

3. Abortion of fetus a crime or not? 

4. Motherhood a burden for women? 

5. A crimeless world, a utopian concept? 

These are few major things broadly which we can grasp during the whole show and is present as symbolism or metaphor for idea behind why this show came into existence, with such rich and intriguing themes this show takes on journey for us to decide that on which side we stand, yet it refuses to answer take sides while presentation. 

The shows draws heavily from Catholic idea of religion, God, and forgiveness with classic quotes from Bible on justice-

Is punishment only a mode of justice? Or boundless forgiveness which can even melt rocks and mountains? 

With multiple plots and a complex storyline (Mouse) is an absolute treat to watch. This thriller drama has everything a mystery lover likes. The acting from all lead actors is absolutely brilliant, especially actor Lee Seung Gi who brilliantly captures the dilemma of his character along with him Lee Hee Joon also delivers his best as a police officer with a troubled past. Female lead and support have shown their presence throughout the show and with full of emotions, Mouse is good kdrama of recent times it and especially for those who like and enjoy crime thrillers, at certain points it may remind you of hindi web series (Asur, starring Arshad Warsi) with also has some ideological parallel with this series. 

Finally as my own verdict I would give it 7.5/10 rating, I enjoyed the show and liked the idea and metaphors that it draws from, certainly negatives could be bit slow placing and long episodes which may bore the  regular viewer, apart from that show suffers from lack of good sound score which I missed in this show..few can ignore few negs this show is definitely worth watch. 

Review by Kartikey Mishra signing off.. Bye till next review.