Netflix series 'Mole' has garnered attention by reaching 5th place on the Global TOP 10 Non-English Shows in just 3 days of its release week, and the production has now unveiled behind-the-scenes stills and action stills that capture the passion and vitality of the set.
The tracking thriller 'Mole' (directed by Kim Hong-sun), which tells the story of novelist Moon Jae, who has had his name, face, and life stolen by the mysterious being Mole; loan shark Noh Ja, who seeks to recover lost money; and detective Sun-yong as they pursue the identity of Mole, has recorded 2,000,000 views since its release on August 28th and has climbed to 5th place on the Global TOP 10 Non-English Shows list. Additionally, the series has made the TOP 10 lists in a total of 13 countries including South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and Qatar, demonstrating its explosive popularity.
The newly released stills capture everything from the actors' exceptional passion for their craft and the warm atmosphere on set to intense action sequences, drawing attention.
First, the image of Ryu Joon-yeol, who plays Moon Jae, and Park Yun-ho, who plays Yu-min, reviewing scripts together brings to mind the impressive performances they delivered and the sharp confrontation between the two characters in the film. The sight of the actors listening intently to director Kim Hong-sun's direction and exchanging opinions reveals their deep consideration for the characters and story, and their sincere passion. The stills showing Seol Kyung-gu, who plays Noh Ja, sitting in a tunnel covered in dirt, and Lee Gyou-hyung, who plays Sun-yong, holding a flashlight during night filming, suggest the passionate performances displayed on set.
Meanwhile, the image of actors posing with V-signs and smiling brightly presents a contrasting charm to the tense scenes in the film, conveying the warm atmosphere of the filming set intact. The images of Moon Jae wielding a knife as if threatening someone, Noh Ja rushing in fiercely with an axe, and the two engaging in hand-to-hand combat bring to mind the thrilling action sequences that unfolded regardless of location or props. In particular, Seol Kyung-gu's precise coordination with the action director adds anticipation for his distinctive action performance completed through seamless movements.
'Mole' is receiving praise from both domestic and international media and viewers with its intriguing setting based on folklore, powerful character ensemble, and unpredictable pursuit and confrontation surrounding the mysterious Mole.
Domestic media praised Ryu Joon-yeol's dual role for heightening the immersion of the narrative, and his acting prowess that makes the same face appear as completely different characters, along with the seamless development where all foreshadowing is resolved without gaps. Reviews have also followed noting that the process of various characters with different objectives investigating the same target generates multifaceted tension, and that the adaptation successfully completes a three-dimensional narrative by adding thrill and entertainment value to the original's contemplative atmosphere.
International media also praised the series for vividly conveying the tension felt by a man whose identity has been stolen, and for successfully reinterpreting the chilling aspects of identity theft through a meticulously plotted mystery, intense action, and solid twists with a contemporary sensibility, without rushing.
Domestic and international viewers alike have left enthusiastic responses to the precise development that makes audiences guess between real and fake as the story progresses, and the perfect harmony of gripping background music, direction, and performances. Positive reactions continue regarding the fresh setting where one must prove one's own identity, the continuous truth-tracing that keeps audiences guessing, and the originality of successfully reinterpreting traditional folklore into a contemporary and dark thriller.
'Mole,' an intriguing and intense mystery tracking thriller inspired by the folktale 'The Mole That Ate Fingernails,' is currently streaming exclusively on Netflix.
