Just Watched "Copycat Killer" (Taiwanese Version) On Netflix


I'm not too keen on newer series except if said series catches my interest. It's pretty much not about if something is old or new - it's that something delivers the results I WANT. I checked out the Taiwanese series Copycat Killer. It's based on the Japanese novel by Miyuki Miyabe. In 2002, there was a movie with the same English title. The Japanese title is Mohou Han. The Chinese title is Mófǎng Fàn. (模仿犯). Very similar titles now, aren't they? Watching this one, I was getting ready for possible nightmare fuel. I was also ready to be kept awake because of how Miyabe's novel gets brilliantly adapted. Did Miyabe coordinate with the Taiwanese company, Greener Grass Production? Interestingly, Greener Grass Production was also responsible for the crime drama Mind Game.

Granted, I've been sweeping between Chinese (either from China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong), Japanese, and South Korean stuff. I've enjoyed dark South Korean crime dramas. Now, it's time to watch this one. It's hard to talk about this one and not spoil anything big. There are a lot of spoilers because this show just wraps in so many mysteries that unwrap within the 10-episode walk. Each episode is about an hour long so binge-watching it may not be a good idea. Blink and you may miss several details especially in trying to figure out who Noh really is. Noh is pretty much a huge Walking Spoiler so it's best to watch the show to find out. A warning is that this is NOT A SHOW for children. So better watch it only with older people due to how BRUTAL this can get. 

Chris Wu portrays righteous prosecutor Guo Xiao Qi (also spelled as Guo Hsiao Qi). Guo is pretty much a victim himself. Cammy Chiang is Lu Yi Zhen, a woman who's also a reporter. Ko Chia Yen plays a criminal psychologist named Hu Yun Hui. Jack Yao plays Chen He Ping, an unscrupulous reporter who's only after his ratings. Ruby Lin-Huo has the guest role of Yao Ya Ci, a reporter. The revelations for the events can be rather dark and grim. Be warned that it's very difficult to review this show WITHOUT Massive Spoilers.

I think this Noh is pretty much a mysterious person. There have been crimes done by people wearing the mask. There's also a case of child abuse that led to a person's crazy behavior. There's also this club called SODOM where women are beaten up as a form of entertainment. There's so much heavy stuff thre. The show also discusses the ethics of ratings vs. the truth. A lot of events here have ambition or ethics when it comes to journalism. There's also the question if you can combat evil without becoming evil yourself.

I suggest watching this show to find out. I enjoyed every mystery the show has to offer. Every relation can either be surprising or not. It also explores the cruelty of criminal psychology. This show would be good for anybody who enjoys mysteries. Meanwhile, I recommend avoiding this show if you're too squeamish as there's a good amount of blood. Fortunately, torture scenes are rather cut short so it might be tolerable for some. 

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