Disney+ has released its newest series “Blood Free,” a unique k-drama about the genetically engineered cultured meat market, a 1st for a k-drama, so how were the premiere episodes? Let us dive into it!
Note: this article is a first-impression review, it doesn’t mean this is the writer’s final thoughts on the drama. This is a spoiler review.
The combination of Ju Ji Hoon and Han Hyo Joo is enough for most to want to tune in, but not only that, they’re joined by some of the biggest and brightest talents such as Lee Mu-Saeng and Lee Hee-Jun, to name a few.
Truthfully, its such a star-studded kdrama because its supporting cast includes some of the best in the industry.
I have noticed that Disney+ has been casting more and more huge figures in its kdrama lineup, across the board. Meaning, they’re not only casting Hallyu actors, but also expensive, super talented supporting actors. At times, their casting level surpasses that of Netflix. so that’s something.
So let us talk about the drama.
Its penned by Lee Soo-Yeon, who wrote “Grid,” one of the 1st Disney+ original kdrama productions. She also wrote the famous series “Stranger.”
I remember not liking “Grid” and thinking the script was a bit messy, but since she wrote “Stranger,” there was enough confirmation for me that she could be up to something.
The idea is super intriguing and who could have known cultured meat could be so controversial, but you begin to understand why almost as soon as it airs.
So, Han Hyo Joo is supposed to be this enigmatic distant CEO shrouded in mystery but determined to uncover the truth of who wants to wreck her empire. We do not know whether to root for her or not, because there seems to be more than meets the eyes with her.
So far, in terms of introductions, they were done interestingly but feel quite distant which comes at a slight detriment to the project.
I believe the director-screenwriter deliberately approached this from a cold angle. Every episode feels like a separate movie and the quality of editing, cinematography and directing is top notch, it feels so well made.
Circling back to the script, everything seems to be so tightly written so far, every line appears to have been meticulously thought of, and every scene seems to hint at an important event. It feels so tightly woven together so far.
It will have a total of 10 episodes which could explain this approach.
Saying this, the drama feels quite cold, and some details feel also hazy as in foggy and not quite delivered correctly which also seems to be intentional on the screenwriter’s side.
I understood Ju Ji Hoon’s character is supposedly married and has a child which I found to be a bit of a letdown, I wanted to see a slight romance between the two of them, but it seems this will play out as a friendship, not unless the screenwriter surprises us.
So far, I am intrigued, but I feel the cold approach could distance some kdrama watchers who prefer warmer characters, especially on the female part as it seems it will center quite heavily on Hyo Joo’s character.
I can see this approach slightly backfiring depending on how the script plays out, but its too early to tell.
Can’t wait for the new episodes, but I feel I might let them accumulate before binging at once.
So what did you guys think of the new drama? did you like it?
