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| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-08-12 10:00:29
SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- A covert faction within the National Intelligence Service (NIS) has been secretly advancing the "Tyrant" project, aiming to create human weapons through body modification. As they near success, the NIS leadership decides to hand over the project to the United States, sparking a fierce battle for control over the crucial samples.
"Tyrant," the first series directed by Park Hoon-jung, known for the "The Witch" film series (2018, 2022), was unveiled at a press screening on the 9th. The story kicks off when Choi, the head of the NIS's secret faction (played by Kim Seon-ho), loses the samples to the NIS. He then orders Yeon Mo-yong (Moo Jin-sung), a disgraced former NIS agent, to retrieve them. Yeon, in turn, enlists the help of Cha Ja-kyung (Jo Yoon-soo), a killer and safe-cracker.
Ja-kyung successfully steals the samples from the NIS after a fierce shootout, but Mo-yong betrays her, taking the samples for himself. The samples return to Choi’s hands, but now, Paul (Kim Kang-woo), an agent from a U.S. intelligence agency, steps in to recover them. Ja-kyung, presumed dead after being dumped in a reservoir, barely survives and begins her quest for revenge against Mo-yong. Unbeknownst to Choi, Ja-kyung still holds the samples.
Meanwhile, Lim Sang (Cha Seung-won), a retired assassin hired by Choi, is tasked with eliminating Ja-kyung.
The essence of "Tyrant" lies in its action sequences, which are straightforward and allow viewers to focus entirely on the dynamic combat scenes. The story is secondary, serving primarily to showcase the action. While the series shares a similar concept with "The Witch," viewers do not need to be familiar with the films to enjoy "Tyrant," as there is no overlap in characters.
The action scenes, however, do evoke memories of "The Witch," with superhuman strength and destruction being prominently featured. Characters easily smash through concrete walls and send people flying tens of meters, emphasizing extreme power. Unlike the "The Witch" series, which took its time building up to the action, "Tyrant" delivers intense fight scenes from start to finish, ensuring a constant visual spectacle.
Early and mid-series action sequences featuring non-superhuman characters, Ja-kyung and Lim Sang, stand out for their realism, contrasting with the more fantastical superhuman battles later on. The show also features frequent brutal scenes and a transformation process that hints at a monster movie, with these moments often depicted in low lighting to tone down their intensity.
The action in "Tyrant" is driven by two actors: Cha Seung-won and Jo Yoon-soo. Cha’s character, Lim Sang, is a slow-talking, polite assassin who lulls his targets into a false sense of security before unleashing rapid gunfire. Cha masterfully balances a seemingly pitiful demeanor with a cold, relentless pursuit of his targets.
Jo Yoon-soo's character, Cha Ja-kyung, is uniquely portrayed as harboring her twin brother's personality, leading to a dual-personality performance where she frequently switches between the two. Jo captures attention with her quick, precise action scenes, often using handguns or small weapons to swiftly take down her opponents. The series also features Kim Seon-ho and Kim Kang-woo, whose tense rivalry as leaders of opposing factions heightens the drama.
"Tyrant" is not without its flaws. The plot surrounding the superhuman project and the process of stealing the samples can feel disjointed and poorly explained. Additionally, some action scenes rely on common clichés, like bullets seemingly missing the main characters. The exaggerated destruction in superhuman battles might come across as childish to some viewers.
Despite these shortcomings, "Tyrant" offers refreshing action that can help viewers beat the summer heat. The four-part series is set to be fully released on August 14.
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