Black (South Korean TV series)

Black follows Han Moo-gang (Song Seung-heon), a detective who is possessed by the Grim Reaper (also named Black) after a near-death experience. The Reaper, who has lost his memory, becomes entangled with Kang Ha-ram (Go Ara), a woman who can see shadows of death. Together, they investigate a series of mysterious deaths linked to a prophecy that the Reaper must find a human who has committed the sin of murder. As they delve deeper, they uncover a conspiracy involving a powerful corporation and a dark secret from Ha-ram's past.

Main cast:

• Song Seung-heon as Han Moo-gang / Black (the Grim Reaper)
• Go Ara as Kang Ha-ram
• Lee El as Yoon Soo-wan
• Kim Dong-jun as Oh Man-soo

Supporting cast:

• Jo Jae-yoon as Detective Jeon Soo-tae
• Jung Suk-yong as Detective Park Won-ho
• Lee Kyu-hyung as Detective Oh Soo-tae
• Kim Won-hae as Detective Na Kwang-hyun

The series was directed by Kim Hong-sun, known for his work on other OCN thrillers such as Voice and Priest. It was written by Choi Ran, who had previously penned the screenplay for the film Memento Mori. Filming took place in various locations in South Korea, including Seoul and Incheon. The production aimed to blend supernatural elements with a crime procedural format, a signature style of OCN's 'tone & manner' programming.

Black received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. It was praised for its atmospheric direction and the performances of the lead actors, particularly Song Seung-heon's dual role. However, some critics noted that the plot became convoluted in the latter half, with pacing issues and an overabundance of twists. Despite this, the series achieved solid ratings for a cable channel, peaking at 4.3% viewership, and was a commercial success.

One of the lesser-known aspects of Black is its connection to the OCN 'Reaper' universe, which includes the 2018 series Priest, though the connection is subtle and not officially confirmed. Additionally, the drama features a cameo by actor Kim Jae-wook, who appears in a supporting role as a coroner. The series also explores themes of reincarnation and the afterlife, drawing on Buddhist concepts that are rarely depicted in mainstream Korean dramas. The character of the Grim Reaper is portrayed not as a traditional hooded figure but as a modern, suit-wearing entity, a design choice that was praised for its originality.

During production, the script was reportedly rewritten several times to accommodate the complex plot, leading to a delay in the broadcast of the final episodes. The drama's title, Black, was chosen to reflect the dark tone and the protagonist's name. In the original script, the character of Kang Ha-ram was written to be blind, but this was changed to her having the ability to see death shadows, which allowed for more visual storytelling. The series was also one of the first OCN dramas to be made available on Netflix internationally, expanding its global audience.

Grim Reaper

A supernatural being who collects souls of the deceased, often depicted as a skeletal figure with a scythe, but in this series portrayed as a human-like entity.

OCN

Orion Cinema Network, a South Korean cable television channel known for airing crime, thriller, and horror dramas.

Possession

The state of being controlled by a supernatural entity, a central plot device in the series.