The Frog – Series Review | Netflix

THE FROG on Netflix is a new South Korean thriller series about murders. With 8 strong episodes and a character-driven plot, I absolutely adore this limited series. Read our full The Frog (2024) series review here!

THE FROG is a new Netflix series from South Korea (org. title: Amudo Eobsneun Supsokeseo / 아무도 없는 숲속). To be honest, I want to check out any Netflix production from South Korea. And also, I tend to have great expectations of it.

Fortunately, this new 2024 thriller series about serial killer murders and the way they impact many lives, is simply brilliant. The series has eight episodes, which is definitely manageable. The problem will be to avoid spending a whole day binge-watching it.

Continue reading our The Frog (2024) series review below. Find it on Netflix from August 23, 2024.

A tight and intriguing serial killer tale

We first meet Sang-jun (Yoon Kye-sang) and Young-ha (Kim Yun-seok) as they are running their motel. They’re simply going about cleaning and managing their motel, and all seems nice and quiet.

Sure, they are tired, but they pride themselves on keeping the place very clean and offering excellent customer service. Unfortunately, their peace is abruptly interrupted when it turns out a serial killer has been at their motel.

Another place (and time), another rental place accepts unexpected guests who also end up bringing chaos with them. Whenever you think a situation is safe and fine, get ready for something strange and sinister to happen!

All of this is also teased by the Netflix cover art for the series. The posters simply carry the rather cryptic message of “Dear Guest, you are not welcome” which is just perfectly creepy.

A gorgeous ensemble cast

The cast of The Frog on Netflix will be familiar to some, but whether you know their faces or not, they will be making an impact.

Especially someone as Go Min-Si (or Ko Min-si) from Sweet Home as “Seong-a”. A young woman, who seems simply mysterious and a bit cold at first, but with a decidedly sinister vibe as well.

Another tough woman is Lee Jung-Eun from Parasite as police chief Bo-min. Someone who has a gift for solving big cases. Also, we see Ha Yoon-Kyung as the younger version of the officer. Back when she was a rookie.

Fans of K-pop will spot EXO’s Park Chan-yeol (usually goes by just Chanyeol).

Leading the cast, however, are seasoned actor Kim Yun-seok (The Yellow Sea, The Chaser) as Yeong-ha, and Yoon Kye-sang (The Outlaws) as Sang-jun. The two own a rental property and a motel respectively – in different decades.

What does “The Frog” title refer to?

The international English-language title of this South Korean limited thriller series is The Frog. A trailer for the series may reveal why, as it describes a situation and asks the following:

“A frog got hit by a stone thrown carelessly. Who threw the stone? Why’d it have to be me? Do you know what they call people like us?”

When you watch this series, the title should make perfect sense. By episode one to some degree, and certainly to a much larger degree by the second episode.

What you’ll also notice within the first episode is the time jump. One story plays out in 2001 and the other in the present. Even if you miss the clues (dates shown and how modern the cellphone or smartphone is), it will become very clear by episode 2.

What’s in a title?

However, the title of The Frog isn’t the original title translated. Instead, the original title is “Amudo Eobsneun Supsokeseo” (아무도 없는 숲속). This translates into “In a forest with no one” which is how the episodes tend to open.

With a narrator asking the age-old question:

“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

Paraphrased somewhat, but still the same essence of the question.

Both titles essentially refer to a similar situation: When something happens, does it matter if there are witnesses who can answer questions about the event? Did the event even happen, if no one saw it?

Of course, the frog was still hit by a stone and the tree has still fallen, so I suspect they will think it’s important. Whether there was anyone around to witness it or not.

In the case of The Frog, the victims of a serial killer are also still very dead.

Watch all episodes of The Frog on Netflix now!

The Frog (org. title: Amudo Eobsneun Supsokeseo / 아무도 없는 숲속) was directed by Mo Wan-il and the limited series is written by Son Ho-young.

From the characters to the actual serial killer storyline, I was completely mesmerized from the very beginning. The entire world-building is breathtaking. I want to move into the house and play Bobby Bland’s “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City” on repeat.

The series has eight episodes (each around 45 minutes long, give or take) and the episodes tend to end with new reveals or cliffhangers. I expected this series to be good, but it’s even more than that.

If you enjoy iconic South Korean productions such as the Oscar-winning Parasite or even The Wailing or I Saw the Devil, then you really do not want to miss out on this one!

The Frog limited series premieres on Netflix on August 23, 2024.

Details

Director: Mo Wan-il
Writer: Son Ho-young
Cast: Kim Yoon-seok, Yoon Kye-sang, Ko Min-si, Lee Jung-eun