Resembling the experience of hiking a mountain, Jirisan gave viewers a few moments of contemplation whether to endure the sedated arduous ascend of the story.
At the end of it all, upon reaching the drama’s peak, it interestingly echoes the feeling of admiring the summit view, while savoring the drama experience.
- Main Cast: Gianna Jun | Ju Ji Hoon | Oh Jung Se | Sung Dong Il | Jo Han Chul | Joo Min Kyung | Go Min Si | Jun Suk Ho | Lee Ga Sub |
- Streaming Site: iQiyi
- Thrill/Addictive Meter:
- Overall Rating:
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- Appeal To General Audience:
- Dramas of Similar Vibe: Missing: The Other Side |
abbyinhallyuland watched Jirisan on iQiyi
Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 | 04 | 05| 06 | 07 | 08| 09| 10| 11 | 12 | 13 & 14 | Finale Week + Review |
Jirisan Finale Week Quick Recap *Spoiler Alert
Unable to save the innocent, Yi-gang, Goo-young and Il-hae approach a man who used to live at Black Bridge village. Even when telling about the recent murders involving people from that village, the man remains to deny nothing went wrong in the village at that time.
To make her batchmates believe that a part of Hyun-jo is in the mountain, she showed them the video that Da-won took. She also attests to how a few witnesses, Da-won and even she saw him there.
A flashback from the past reveals Yi-gang and Hyun-jo about to meet on the latter’s rest day. However, when Hyun-jo heard of the approaching snowstorm on Mount Jiri, he takes a raincheck. Upon learning he might go to the Black Bridge village, Yi-gang follows him. From there, the ill-fated accident that caused Yi-gang’s legs and Hyun-jo’s insentient state.
The three work together on catching the culprit with three of the villagers still alive and might be the next victims. They visit the people that could provide enlightenment to their goal. Chief Do reminds Yi-gang how she knows the mountain well and that to catch the culprit she should use that advantage.
It turns out the redevelopment project in 1991 which caused Kim Sol’s parents’ death left a mark on the young boy’s mind. Serving vengeance for the tragic death of his parents, he worked his way to kill all the people involved in the project and his parents’ deaths.
“You said you don’t remember because you were too young. That’s not true. You remember everything. The selflessness of people who gave up coexisting with the mountain. Because of that selfishness, the village community fell apart.”
Confronting the real murderer, the events in 1991 revealed traumatic experiences that befell the young Kim Sol. When the beehives his father was taking care of were destroyed through the villagers’ ploy, he set forth to give the agreement paper that he signed by stealing his father’s stamp.
However, he has overheard all the atrocious deeds of the villagers to seal the deal on the redevelopment project that can’t happen if not decided unanimously. He also learned of what they did to his mom. All the troubles the greedy villagers planned came to drain as the cable car project did not push through.
In the present timeline, Kim Sol challenges Yi-gang to prove her claim with hard evidence. Leaving his place unscathed, she managed to put a tracker in his rucksack since she assumed he will make a move to destroy evidence hidden on the mountain.
The next day, Il-hae and Goo-young follow Kim Sol. However, the two lost him as the clever Kim Sol realized he was being tracked. Just in time, Chief Do is freed from detention and mobilizes all the rangers to look for Kim Sol.
Spirit-Hyun-jo also figures out his wrong deduction and meets Kim Sol who was about to destroy the tokens of all the people he killed. At that same moment, Hyun-jo is about to be let go by his family.
Chief Jo and Yi-gang go to a spot where Hyun-jo left his last clue leading the team to look for Se-wook’s phone.
Through it, the digital proof of Kim Sol’s crimes mobilized the local police to catch him. However, he sensed it right away and seeks Yi-gang for vengeance. Miraculously, on the brink of being killed, an onslaught of mountain rocks stops and kills Kim Sol for good.
A year later, Team Haedong branch meet on top of the sunrise viewing point to facilitate the hikers. Hyun-jo is also seen taking pictures of the hikers while exchanging meaningful gazes with Yi-gang.
Jirisan Quick Plot Recap
Joining Haedong Branch Mountain rangers, Kang Hyun-jo (Ju Ji Hoon) embarks on a mission to uncover the mystery of his cryptic visions. He teams up with star ranger Seo Yi-gang (Gianna Jun) and she later supports him in unraveling the mysterious connected murders disguised as accidents happening on the mountain.
However, an unfortunate accident caused Yi-gang to become paraplegic. Still, she returns to her old job after cryptic signs seemingly coming from Hyun-jo, who fell into a coma in the same incident. Connecting the past and present investigations, the two together with fellow rangers, unearth the remorseless murderer.
Jirisan Series Peak Points
Appreciation to the Mountain Rangers
Anyone who has finished watching Jirisan would see mountain rangers in a different light. More than that, emphasizing the amount of care for the mountains was also imparted in the story. Something that we have been taught since young. For aspiring and regular hikers, may the discipline to follow established national park rules be kept at all times.
While navigating the mystery of the mountain murders, the series inserted ample awareness to natural disasters and man-propelled accidents happening on the mountain range. Tightening the camouflaged killings as a core element of the plot, also ensured significant curveballs that maintained the page-turning vibe of the story.
Standout Character Portrayals
As vast as Mount Jiri, we were introduced to a slew of characters from the past and present while playing Sherlock with Hyun-jo and Yi-gang. We couldn’t ask for more about how the lead cast carried their roles well decorating their characters with the right emotions.
Nailing the drama and comedic moments alone and together, propelled the hard-to-turn-down offer to root for Team Haedong. Inherently capable of owning their characters, Gianna Jun and Ju Ji Hoon surely did not disappoint. Special mention to Oh Jung Se for always being amazing to the characters given to him. Expectedly, character actors Sung Dong Il and Jo Han Chul delivered convincingly.
A Taste of Thrill In Unhasty Narrative
Leaving viewers on tenterhooks with the series-long guess-the-killer mood, Yi-gang’s brave confrontation finally revealed the real killer. Unfortunately, it was not as Hyun-jo previously perceived. That climactic scene wins in the calmest villain face-off this season, to be honest. While the heroine of the story recaps all the villain’s wrongdoings, it can’t be helped to fear for her life by inviting herself into the murderer’s lair.
Interestingly, Jirisan has this spirited demeanor of not minding if viewers struggle with the shifting timelines. It was dead set on taking us on a journey, discussing patiently the story, and closing it happily. And viewers weren’t given a chance to negotiate. *chuckles
Mimicking the mountain traversing experience, we got doses of surprising turning points while almost suspecting all of the characters to be the real villain. It was like a multi-level marketing skill, without realizing it, we hit the finale week albeit the borderline languid pacing and challenging storytelling.
A Nagging Message on Human Greed
Somehow, Jirisan delineated fairly the harrowing anguish of what the main villain had to sustain at a young age for him to commit those crimes. Nevertheless, his motivation still cannot warrant him to be absolved of the sins of the lives he took. His situation posits how traumas inflicted on children can evolve into a menacing point of no return because extreme pain carried for a long time often leads to the thirst for revenge.
Underlining how selfishness often springs when people hit rock bottom of their lives, we saw how a whole village experiencing the same predicament can quickly decide to eliminate people against their desire.
Taking the easier route instead of making an honest living to resolve financial problems is a prevalent situation. Black Bridge villagers taught us to be diligent in confronting concerns, no matter how long it will take.
Jirisan Series Musings
Undoubtedly, the unhurried pace of Jirisan would not keep the interest of viewers who prefer a thrilling mood in quick story movement. The series literally took its time in presenting the elaborated cast and timelines.
I was honestly prepared for a not-so-happy ending. So, I was really glad Hyun-jo survived and Yi-gang got to claim her favorite job and place back. Even though it appeared to be K-Drama fan appeasing, the series at least knows how to put a salve on all the heartbreaks it caused the viewers.
My only gripe about Jirisan was how the fantasy element of Hyun-jo’s visions and spirit wandering sometimes felt disconnected. Also, I was hoping Yang-sun to come back to complete the happy-ending conclusion.
There was a time when I ruminated if the series would have been nicer if it took a more dominant healing route. After the finale, I realized the charm of the series was the extraordinary connection forged by the fictional Team Haedong branch rangers.
The hooking factor extends to glimpses of familiar situations the lead characters have shown that viewers can relate to. Especially their heartfelt friendship, dedication to their career, and utmost drive to live with integrity.
Therefore, the incorporated murder plot scenario and the comforting life lessons projected to the characters are only supporting flavors that helped in the integral messages of the series. Compassion to your community, heartfelt love for nature and learning to accept not to wait for some apologies you won’t ever get.
Key Takeaways From The Characters
Yi-gang’s special affinity to the mountain reminds us of that one special passion we can never give up. Her belated showing of love to her family is a proverbial scenario common to adults of this generation. In pursuit of a fast-paced life that is seemingly hard to balance with work and other personal issues, we tend to overlook our family.
Admirably, her loyalty to people who showed her genuine care like Hyun-jo and her Haedong branch batchmates also expounds how we only need a small functioning and relevant circle in our life.
Meanwhile, Hyun-jo became a ranger because of his earnest heart to help. Realizing he was given a strange and dangerous mission to help, he didn’t hesitate to commit. In this time, when everyone wants to be careful and keep business at a personal level, Hyun-jo pinpoints how benevolence needs to thrive.
Jirisan, just like climbing a mountain, gifts a unique thrilling, and healing drama experience. Interestingly, it will give you a time of wanting to give up. But the same yearning of wanting to reach the peak would push you to finish it.
Relive the music and moments of Jirisan below.
Photos/Videos: iQiyi | Astory | tvN
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