Review | Netflix K-drama midseason recap: The Uncanny Counter – characters shine as fantasy story takes on familiar elements
- So-mun, Mo-tak, Ha-na and Mae-ok, the series’ central characters, are wonderful creations who complement each other on their demon-fighting missions
- Mo-tak has had the most interesting trajectory in the show’s midsection, but it is probably time we learned more about Mae-ok
The “counters” of Eonni’s Noodles burst onto screens in late November, and as we reach the halfway point of The Uncanny Counter, this ragtag group of demon fighters have steadily wormed their way into our hearts.
In the first run of episodes, we got to know So-mun (Jo Byung-gyu) and his tragic backstory, and watched him as he weighed the pros and cons of becoming a “counter”. Once committed, we also saw him use his new powers to help his bullied friends at school – all the while learning about the unique and colourful world of demon-fighting.
Following this thrilling intro, we return to the story with So-mun very much a part of the team and we seem to have wrapped up the school bullying storyline – though the evil mayor is hinted to return later on as a demon; this was a simplistic but enormously effective and cathartic part of the mix.
Starting around episode 5, the show turns its focus to the main plot lines: how did So-mun’s parents (and Mo-tak’s partners) die, how is it all connected to the mayor of Jungjin, and who is Ji Jeong-sin (Lee Hong-nae), the demon from the first episode who has been working as a contract killer for the villains?