The Uncanny Counter (2020)

August 20, 2023

Our Take: A heartfelt story about an ensemble team of demon-hunters.

The Uncanny Counter tells the story of a team of demon-hunters called Counters who hunt down evil spirits that have escaped from the afterlife and returned to Earth seeking immortality. These malevolent spirits prey on humans in the city of Jungjin who have committed murder or have a strong desire to murder. They possess them and encourage their hosts to kill people so they can consume their victims' spirits and grow stronger.

The Counters are previously comatose patients. After a spirit from Yung, the border between the afterlife and Earth, possessed them, they regained consciousness and developed superhuman powers. Together with their spiritual partner, they investigate and fight against paranormal threats while posing as employees at Eonni's Noodles, which also doubles as their hideout. 

The team includes Ga Mo Tak (Yoo Joon Sang), Do Ha Na (Kim Se Jeong), Chu Mae Ok (Yeom Hye Ran), and Jang Cheol Joong (Sung Ji Ru). Ga Mo Tak is a former police officer who lost his memory 7 years ago from an accident. He joined the counters after Gi Ran possessed him, granting him superhuman strength and psychometry. Do Ha Na is the sole survivor after she and her family got poisoned. She joined the counters after Woo Sik possessed her and developed the ability to sense evil spirits and read and enter people's memories. Chu Mae Ok previously ran a photography studio until the death of her son Su Ho. After his death, Su Ho's spirit possessed her, giving her healing abilities. 

One day, as the team fights against a powerful "Level 3" spirit, the fourth Counter, Jang Cheol Joong, gets killed. His Yung partner Wi Gen (Moon Sook) escapes to find a new human to possess and stumbles upon high school teen So Moon (Jo Byeong Kyu). Drawn to his strong sense of justice and responsibility, Wi Gen successfully enters his body. She heals his limp caused by a car accident, and he becomes the newest member of the Counters. In the process, he gains superhuman speed, psychometry, and the ability to sense evil spirits. 

The team is led by Choi Jang Mool (Ahn Suk Hwan), the oldest Counter in Korea. He is one of the richest chaebols in the country and manages the Counters' expenses. While he's now retired, he continues to support their cause. Together, they battle against evil spirits and uncover the truth behind one of Jungjin's major redevelopment projects. 

The Counters are true underdogs, and you can't help but root for them and their success. Each person undergoes significant character progression from start to end. From their traumatic backstories to the present day, they showcase a range of emotions and each has their own flaws and strengths.

In particular, So Moon stands out for his versatility and heart. He undergoes a compelling personal quest from being a victim of bullying to a superhero who protects those around him. As a high schooler and the youngest team member, he sometimes appears immature, irrational, and angry. But he is humble and kind and always does his best to do the right thing. So Moon takes great care of his grandparents and friends and extends that care to the other counters, who gradually learn to trust and rely on him.

As Ga Mo Tak and Do Ha Na get to know So Moon more, they become somewhat like mentors to him, though they may occasionally come off as cold and aloof. Chu Mae Ok balances them out as a nurturing mother figure. She is caring and kind, serving as the team's advisor and pillar of strength. 

While they may frustrate you sometimes, their love and affection for each other is genuine and overflowing with heart. Initially, they seem like a mismatched team, but their dynamics truly live up to the drama's name. The Counters become a surrogate family, sharing their pain and happiness with each other.

The Uncanny Counter has a superhero feel that isn't particularly groundbreaking. But, the writers manage to nail the tone and overarching story well enough to distinguish the drama from others of the same genre. The show's premise, overarching story, and character arcs all tie together perfectly, creating a seamless experience that doesn't feel tacky or overly serious. 

There is also a good mix of suspense, humor, and heart. While there is a sense of familiarity with the plot and characters, the cast tugs at your heartstrings and brings enough to the table to make the story feel fresh and exciting.

The concept of evil spirits and heaven weaved in directly with bullying, political corruption, and greed. It really makes you think about the deeply rooted flaws in our society. Even in a world with supernatural beings, the scariest monsters are the corrupt and greedy humans around us. 

However, The Uncanny Counter abruptly switches screenwriters mid-season following a disagreement between the original screenwriter and the production staff. As a result, the pacing of the show's second half lags. Some of the small details and inconsistencies end up creating loose ends that don't fully tie together within the overarching story.

Final Thoughts

The Uncanny Counter successfully meanders between supernatural elements, comedy, action, politics, and family. In particular, what makes the drama stand out are the Counters. They all shine in their own ways and truly become a tight-knit family. By the end, the Counters remind us of the power of our relationships with our family and friends.