Resembling the experience of hiking a mountain, Jirisan gave viewers a few moments of contemplation on whether to endure the sedated arduous ascent 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:
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- 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 took 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 would 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 meets 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
Kang Hyun-jo (Ju Ji Hoon), a former army officer turned mountain ranger, joins the Haedong Branch with a mission—to make sense of the eerie visions haunting him. Partnering with the legendary Seo Yi-gang (Gianna Jun), he soon finds himself entangled in a string of suspicious deaths disguised as mountain accidents.
Tragedy strikes when an accident leaves Yi-gang paralyzed, and Hyun-jo falls into a coma. But when strange signs begin to appear—seemingly from Hyun-jo—Yi-gang returns to the field, determined to solve the mystery they once pursued together.
As timelines merge and old clues resurface, the two—along with their fellow rangers—begin to unravel a chilling truth: a cold-blooded killer has been hiding in plain sight, using the mountain as cover.
Jirisan Series Highlights
Salute to the Unsung Heroes of the Mountains
After watching Jirisan, viewers are bound to see mountain rangers through a new lens—no longer just guardians of the trails, but quiet heroes who risk their lives to protect both nature and people. The series doesn’t just tell a mystery; it beautifully underscores the deep respect and care these rangers have for the mountains—values many of us were taught but often forget.
For both seasoned and aspiring hikers, Jirisan serves as a gentle reminder to uphold the discipline of following national park guidelines and respecting nature’s boundaries.
Amid the suspense of the mountain murders, the show weaves in awareness of natural disasters and human-triggered accidents that often go unnoticed. As the narrative tightens around the mystery of camouflaged crimes, it also delivers powerful twists and turns—making the story not just compelling, but thought-provoking.
Standout Performances That Brought the Mountain to Life
Much like the sprawling terrain of Mount Jiri, Jirisan introduced us to a rich ensemble of characters spanning timelines—each adding depth to the unfolding mystery alongside Hyun-jo and Yi-gang. The lead cast delivered performances layered with emotion, effortlessly breathing life into their roles.
From heart-wrenching drama to well-timed moments of levity, Gianna Jun and Ju Ji Hoon showcased remarkable chemistry and range, making it all too easy to root for Team Haedong. Their portrayals were both grounded and gripping—further proving their star power.
A special nod goes to Oh Jung Se, who once again shone with his nuanced performance. And as always, veterans Sung Dong Il and Jo Han Chul brought strength and authenticity, making every scene they were in all the more compelling.
A Slow-Burn Thriller with Peaks of Excitement
Jirisan keeps you perched on the edge of your seat from start to finish, sustaining that “who’s the killer?” tension until Yi‑gang’s fearless face‑off finally unmasks the true culprit—who isn’t who Hyun‑jo suspected. That showdown, played out in serene stillness, ranks among the season’s most unforgettable villain confrontations. As Yi‑gang rehearses every crime in the killer’s hidden lair, you can’t help but fear for her safety.
Remarkably, the series never apologizes for its non‑linear storytelling. Instead, it confidently guides viewers through shifting timelines, patiently unfolding the mystery and delivering a satisfying conclusion—no negotiations allowed!
Much like a challenging mountain trek, Jirisan surprises you at every turn. You’ll find yourself eyeing every character as a potential villain, only to be led up another twist. Despite its deliberate pace and complex narrative, you won’t notice the episodes slipping by until you’ve already reached the thrilling finale.
A Stirring Reflection on Human Greed
Jirisan offers a haunting exploration of how deep-seated trauma and unchecked greed can spiral into darkness. While the series sympathetically unveils the tragic past of its main villain—giving viewers a glimpse into the pain that shaped him—it never excuses the atrocities he committed. His path reflects a chilling truth: unresolved childhood trauma can fester into vengeance when left untreated for too long.
The drama also paints a sobering picture of collective desperation. As the Black Bridge Village storyline unfolds, we witness how an entire community, driven by poverty and frustration, can rationalize morally corrupt choices. In their desperation, they chose the quickest fix—eliminating those who stood in their way—rather than facing the long road of rebuilding their lives through honest means.
In doing so, Jirisan reminds us that when selfishness takes root in despair, the cost can be irreversible. But it also offers a quiet lesson in perseverance: true healing and justice require patience, integrity, and the courage to take the harder path.
Jirisan Series Musings
There’s no denying that Jirisan moves at its own pace—one that might test the patience of viewers expecting rapid-fire suspense and constant thrills. Instead, it chooses to take the scenic route, carefully unfolding its layered characters and timelines like a well-worn trail map.
Personally, I braced myself for a bittersweet or tragic ending. So, seeing Hyun-jo survive and Yi-gang return to the mountain and reclaim her role felt like a warm reward after a long, emotional climb. While the resolution may lean into fan-pleasing territory, it offered a welcome balm to the wounds it opened throughout the series.
If there’s one hitch, it’s the sometimes loosely tethered fantasy element—Hyun-jo’s visions and wandering spirit didn’t always blend seamlessly with the grounded realism of the show. And yes, Yang-sun’s absence in the final moments left a small but noticeable gap in an otherwise heartfelt ending.
At one point, I even wondered if a more healing-focused storyline would’ve served the show better. But in hindsight, the real strength of Jirisan lies in the deep bonds among the rangers of Team Haedong. Their camaraderie, emotional grit, and unwavering integrity gave the series its soul.
Beyond the murder mystery and supernatural intrigue, Jirisan is ultimately about human connection—the friendships that carry us, the love we pour into our purpose, and the quiet strength of choosing to do what’s right. It touches on truths we all face: how to let go of unspoken apologies, how to love a place deeply, and how to serve something bigger than ourselves.
Those are the lasting footprints Jirisan leaves behind.
Key Takeaways From The Characters
Yi-gang’s deep bond with Mount Jiri mirrors the kind of passion many of us hold onto—the one thing we can never quite let go of, no matter how far life pulls us away. Her quiet, delayed expressions of love toward her family reflect a relatable reality for today’s adults, who often get swept up in the chaos of career, expectations, and unresolved personal struggles—sometimes at the expense of those closest to us.
Yet what makes Yi-gang even more admirable is her unwavering loyalty. To Hyun-jo. To her teammates at the Haedong branch. To those few who truly saw her. Jirisan reminds us that in a world overflowing with noise, all we really need is a small, genuine circle of people who matter.
Hyun-jo, on the other hand, embodies pure-hearted service. He didn’t become a ranger for glory—he did it because he wanted to help. Even when faced with a cryptic and dangerous calling, he chose commitment over comfort. In an age where detachment is often mistaken for strength, Hyun-jo’s selflessness reminds us that real kindness still has power.
Much like scaling a mountain, Jirisan is a unique blend of thrills and healing. There are moments when the weight of the story—its slow burn and emotional depth—may tempt you to pause. But just as in hiking, the desire to reach the summit pushes you forward. And when you finally get there, the view is unforgettable.
Relive the music and moments of Jirisan below.
Photos/Videos: iQiyi | Astory | tvN
