OTT: Money Heist's Korean adaptation on Netflix mints mixed reviews

In good news for all Money Heist fans out there, Netflix has released the series’ Korean adaptation, Money Heist: Korea-Joint Economic Area. This comes just six months after Netflix decided to conclude the Spanish hit series, in December 2021. It is among the OTT channel’s most watched series, and won the Emmy award for Best Drama Series in 2018.

The adaptation’s main plotline remains similar to the original series. However, Money Heist: Korea- Joint Economic Area, takes viewers to a time when the two Korea’s – North and South – are about to unite. They thus establish a Joint Security area with the Unified Korea Mint in order to introduce a common currency and enable smooth functioning of the economy. The rich benefit from this, resulting in an unequal society.

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Anyone with an active Netflix subscription can now watch the series which has a total of six episodes, of an hour each. One can also watch the official trailer on Netflix.

The characters are played by some popular faces from the Korean industry. The character of Professor is played by Yoo Ji-tae, who has been part of projects like Seven Days and Svaha: The Sixth Finger. Berlin’s character is played by Park Hae-soo. Viewers remember him from the Netflix series Squid Game. Jun Jong-seo, who won the best actor award for the thriller The Call, plays the character of Tokyo.

Mixed reviews

Netizens however, hold mixed reviews of the show. Some viewers admire the new cast, while others argue the show has nothing new to offer, is quite predictable. Many were aggravated by the opening music which didn’t meet the expectations set by Bella ciao.

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The most lauded character was that of Berlin, played by Park Hae-soo from Squid Game. Some viewers opine that Denver and Tokyo’s characters are played better in the remake than the original series.

A viewer, @BenedictaaLL, said on Twitter: “Is it me or #MoneyHeistKorea seems really off. Can’t say much yet since I’ve only gone through the first ep… but I didn’t expect they’d go like nearly 100% similar with the og so I can’t help but compare them both. Also, the music doesn’t work at all for me.”

The unified Korea Mint, the Korean traditional Hahoetal masks, however, add a unique element to the adaption, say viewers.

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