It’s a rare phenomenon for us when a K-drama becomes an instant obsession, less than five minutes into the first episode. That’s exactly what happened with “Jirisan,” the iQiyi Original Korean drama series starring Gianna Jun and Ju Ji-hoon. Here are some of the reasons why you should not miss this drama.
1. ‘Jirisan’ Will Leave You Breathless
“Jirisan” episode 1 is fast-paced and filled with adrenaline-pumping scenes from the get go. We see the national park rangers risk their lives as they search for a missing child in the mountains. They leave no stone unturned, race against time, even facing a storm to save a life. A lot of things are happening simultaneously, but the masterful editing ties everything together.
2. Gianna Jun as a Grown-up ‘Sassy Girl’
OG Hallyu fans will always see Gianna Jun or Jun Ji-hyun as her character in the 2001 film “My Sassy Girl.” “Jirisan” writer Kim Eun-hee did not exaggerate when she said that her character Seo Yi-kang is a grown-up version of Gianna’s role in “My Sassy Girl.” She’s a daredevil yet behind that feisty personality is someone who cares a lot without showing it. Gianna definitely nailed those action scenes.
3. This Mystery-Suspense Drama Will Keep You Guessing
The vast mountains of Jirisan or Mt. Jiri provides the perfect backdrop for the mysterious plot of this series. As previously mentioned during the “Jirisan” press conference, Mt. Jiri is not just a setting for the drama but it is one of the characters as well.
The overarching mystery has to do with the disappearances and deaths in Jirisan, which may or may not have something to do with the paranormal or the supernatural. Adding to the mystery is Kang Hyun-jo (Ju Ji-hoon), who possesses the ability to see people in need. Watch out for that episode 2 cliffhanger, which will surely give you the creeps.
4. A-List Support Cast
“Jirisan” is a star-studded production with two of the most popular Korean stars at the helm. However, what makes this drama even more enjoyable is the leads’ chemistry with the supporting cast. Oh Jung-se and Cho Han-cheul provide welcome comic relief to the show. Meanwhile, there’s an air of mystery surrounding the role of Sung Dong-il as the head of the park rangers. We can’t wait to see his backstory!
5. ‘Jirisan’ is a Masterfully Shot Drama
The production of “Jirisan” took approximately one year and seven months to complete. The crew’s dedication to capture the magnificence of Mt. Jiri in all four seasons are rewarded by that beautiful opening scene. If the reason for allowing the drama to be shot in Jirisan is to promote tourism, then the crew did an excellent job. Jirisan is now on our travel bucket list!
New episodes of “Jirisan” are up on iQiyi every Saturday and Sunday.