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Adamas

A Gripping Mystery Thriller : Adamas Review

Episode 1-7 Review

Seven episodes into the drama, Adamas has to be one of the best mystery thrillers in the K-drama scene. It is all top notch. Right from the production, to the acting and the execution, the drama gets almost everything right. It is slow paced, yet is extremely intriguing. Adamas is all that a mystery thriller should be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7HsPEd7CD0
Source: Disney Entertainment Studios YouTube Channel

The opening shot shows a man walking in dark, wearing funeral clothes. We know we are about to witness something very serious, dark and gloomy and yet thrilling. Five minutes into the first episode, we already learn about a death. The tone of the drama is set immediately. There is absolutely no delay in setting the atmosphere and Adamas is a murder mystery right from the first shot.

Choi Tae Kang’s screenplay is so solid and we notice this especially in characterization. Each and every character is something that we have not seen before. Even some minor characters linger longer than expected and each character seems to have a purpose. Director Park Seung Woo has done a brilliant job in executing this superb screenplay well. The production design is top notch, especially of the mystery mansion. It is highly detail oriented and applaudable.

The Cast

Ji-sung does most of the heavy lifting because the actor plays the role of twins here. He is, as always, brilliant. The actor makes the twins so distinct that sometimes we forget that it is the same actor who plays these roles. He is perfection in Adamas. Seo Ji-hye as Eun Hye soo is phenomenal. She looks alluring, maintains the enigmatic charm of the character and delivers without blinking. Lee Soo kyung stands shoulder to shoulder with seasoned actors and she too is brilliant.

Adamas Stills
A Still from Adamas (All that a Mystery Thriller Should be) Hwang Jung Min as Mrs. Kwon Source: Mydramalist.com

The Supporting cast needs a special mention. Adamas would not be this good if not for the incredible supporting cast. As I said, every character here is unique. Heo Sung Tae, Oh Dae Hwan, Lee Kyung Young and Hwang Jung Min are commendable in their roles.

The great thing about Adamas is that how well the makers have succeeded in keeping the audience on their toes. Each episode comes off as a surprise. It is all that a mystery thriller should be. Some might complain about the pacing but it works well for a series of this duration. It is one of those rare series which you would watch till the end because it is so good. There is a lot of unveiling that has to happen but the drama is definitely worth a week long wait.

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