Early Access: The Uncanny Counter E1 (Patreon)

E1. Oh my. From what I can tell from just one episode, this show feels like OCN and JTBC got together and made a mystical X-Man baby - and I mean that in the best way.

There's action, danger, death and blood, all of which I consider OCN staples, but there's a great deal more in the way of relationship dynamics and heart, served up in a manner that I feel leans sophisticated, and which I associate with JTBC. And all the super-strength and special powers reminds me of X-Men. I did not know this was what I was going to get, with this show, but I am very happy with what Show is serving up. Moar, please, and soon.

I do think I have a soft spot for parkour in my dramas, since I love Healer, and my heart leaped once our characters started casually jumping from building to building. I'm very pleased about this, and I hope that more leaps off buildings are in our future. On the slight downside, I thought the wire work involving leaps that propel our characters upwards (instead of downwards, with parkour) looked less seamless and polished. I mean, I could almost imagine where the wires were, coz our leaping character did not look in control of that jump. But, I shan't complain too much, because I honestly am digging this show a lot.

I am already rooting for So Mun, because he's an underdog with a hero's heart. He's so sweet and patient with his grandmother even when her Alzheimer's makes her difficult to care for, and he's also so caring, when it comes to his friends. The way he wouldn't look the other way, when his friend Ung Min was getting picked on, even though he's disadvantaged himself, and wouldn't have a way to truly protect Ung Min, really endeared him to me. He will stand up for people and do whatever he can to protect them, without calculating his position or the danger to himself. To him, it's a matter of principle, not of odds. I love that about him.

In my eyes, he deserves the super powers that the Counters are offering him. I feel like his heart's in the right place.

It also really tugs at my heartstrings, to hear So Mun's reason for declining the opportunity to be a Counter. His empathy for his grandparents is so great that they're all he thinks about, when it comes to weighing the opportunity. The minute he realizes that there's a chance he might die while doing the work, he decides against it - not for his own sake, but for his grandparents. He just can't let them risk losing him the way they lost his parents. Augh. So much pathos.

I really, really like the noodle shop crew, so far. First of all, there's Yum Hye Ran, whom I love. I think it's just awesome that she's a Counter, and I held my breath while she raced around and did her thing this episode. I have never seen Yum Hye Ran be so active onscreen, and I think it's great.

The only other Counter I'm familiar with is Kim Se Jeong, whom I found just ok in School 2017. However, it does seem like her character leans more deadpan, so this could work well within her limitations.

This is my first proper introduction to Yoo Joon Sang, and so far, I find him pretty promising. The wild hair, the mad knife skills, the lean, wiry, lithe frame, and the slightly savage gaze, come together to make him pretty intriguing indeed.

I also just really like the idea of these powerful demon hunters who just happen to make delicious noodles that draw long lines and enduring crowds. That concept tickles me. What a multi-talented crew we have.

As our crew fought the Level 3 demon this episode, I was expecting Show to either make it a fast and snappy victory, to showcase just how good our team is at what they do, or make it a major challenge, which will spill over to other episodes. I'm actually pretty happy with Show's decision to make this a bigger arc, because I find this Level 3 demon quite badass and fierce, and therefore really quite watchable. Also, Lee Hong Nae looks good with the shaved head, heh.

So far, this show feels like a superhero - well, X-Man - origin story in the making, and I like it a lot. Our closing scene of So Mun, suddenly finding speed and strength in his fist, while trying to save Ung Min from the bullies, completely thrilling. YES. I'd love to see him take down this bunch of bullies, while shocking them with his brand new badassery. Surprise badassery, I'm realizing, is one of my favorite drama things, and I am certain Show is going to give me a lot of that. Yes please, and thank you.