A Shop for Killers is a violent revenge tale from South Korea. This action-packed K-drama series is set in a remote rural area, where the ex-soldiers violently fight each other.
This thrilling mystery show is based on the novel “The Killers’ Shopping Mall” by Kang Ji-Young. He also wrote and released its sequel “The Killers’ Shopping Mall 2” novel in 2023.
Trailer of the “A Shop for Killers” (S1/2024) Series
Synopsis of the “A Shop for Killers” (S1/2024) Series
Jeong Hi An (Kim Hye-jun) is a girl who tragically loses her parents. Jeong Jin-Man (Lee Dong-Wook), her uncle, who runs a shopping mall, raised her.
When she was little, her mother was murdered by her father, and he took his own life on the day of her grandmother’s funeral. When she was left alone, her uncle took her in and they started to live together until she went to university and lived alone. One day, Jung Ji An hears that her uncle has suddenly passed away, and returns to the house where they lived. She then learns the true identity of the mall that Jung Jin Man managed.
Rating of the “A Shop for Killers” (S1/2024) Series
| FM Rating | 4.00/5 |
| FM Short Comments | We loved the key characters – Uncle Jeong Jin-Man and his niece Jeong Hi-An (both as a kid and as a youngster) in the show. The acting performance by its ensemble cast is good too. This thrilling show boasts of an original storyline along with its twists, turns and mysteries. We were thoroughly entertained. |
Spoiler Free Review of the “A Shop for Killers” (S1/2024) Series
The storyline in brief
So, in the opening scene of the show, amid a house and an Internet shopping mall warehouse, the first season unfolds. Jeong Hi-An (Kim Hye-Jun), a young woman who lost her parents and was raised by her uncle Jeong Jin-Man (Lee Dong-Wook), takes centre stage as the protagonist. The tale commences with the sudden and unexpected demise of Jeong Jin-Man, leaving Jeong Hi-An to shoulder the responsibility of managing the shopping mall warehouse.
As she dutifully informs her uncle’s customers and clients about his passing, a series of dubious characters start appearing, one after another, to loot the warehouse. The mysterious secrets surrounding the warehouse and Jeong Hi-An’s uncle become intertwined in a grand scheme of robbery.
An action drama in which a niece who lost her parents and grew up in the hands of an uncle who runs a shopping mall, faces a new truth after her uncle’s sudden death.
To maintain the mystery, and keep the viewers hooked, they have used flashback smartly. Its absorbing story has quite a few surprises up its sleeve, so watch out for them.
Unique Selling Point (USP) of the show
The two sets of heavily armed and highly trained people are involved in the fast-paced action thriller. So, one of the unique selling points (USP) of this series is that we get to see, all kinds of modern war gadgets, viz., various types of drones, battle-ready robots, multiple types of arms and high-calibre ammunitions. In addition, the traditional knives and swords are also around. Not to forget the usual fist-fights and the Asian martial arts sequences.
A lot of imagination has gone into making different kinds of pulsating action scenes in it. It has hand-to-hand combats, the knives-fights, the gun-battles, and so much more.
What else did we like in this K-drama series?
The use of drone shots and other cinematographical techniques has added to its innovative cinematography. We liked the way they have incorporated machines in its tale too.
Not to forget, it delves into human emotions rather well. Besides the protagonists and the good people, this show has given us memorable antagonists and the bad people. Another plus point is the way it depicts the chemistry and complicated relationship between Uncle Jeong Jin-Man and his niece Jeong Hi-An; both as the kid as well as the youngster.
With a few exceptions, almost all the characters in the show are very well etched out. We liked their background stories too. The ensemble cast has done well to keep us engaged.
We found the stories of Uncle Jeong Jin-Man and his circle of friends interesting. Even the negative characters are stylish in their own right. There are quite a few layers to this tale.
The action sequences are choreographed fascinatingly. However, sometimes, the blood, gore, carnage and cruelty were too much for us. Perhaps, that is a new-age phenomenon.
The conclusion
This show has managed to keep us hooked for three weeks with its pacy action-thriller and compelling K-drama. We liked the first season’s ending too, as it suggests that we might have another season. The second novel is already out. So, to be honest, we cannot wait to see its upcoming season in the future. Keeping our fingers crossed. Meanwhile, go ahead and watch this, if you like Korean action drama. You might be in for a pleasant surprise.
Key Details about the Season One of 2024 Action K-Drama
| Genre | Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller |
| Original title | 킬러들의 쇼핑몰 (in Hangul) “Killeodeul-ui Syopingmol” means “The Killers’ Shopping Mall” |
| Original language | Korean (South Korea) |
| Released | 17 January, 2024 to 7 February, 2024 |
| Season | One (1) season |
| Episodes | Eight (8) episodes |
| Cast | Lee Dong-Wook (Jeong Jin-Man), Kim Hye-Jun (Jung Ji-an), Jo Han-sun (Bale), Park Ji-bin (Bae Jeong-min), Seo Hyun-woo (Lee Seong-jo), Kim Jun-Bae (Master Kim), Min Kim (Pasin) |
| Network | Disney+ |
Posters of the “A Shop for Killers” (S1/2024) Series
Spoilers Alert – Episode Summary and its possible Season Two tale
A Peek into the Eight (8) Episodes of the Season (1) One
Murthehelp (S1, E1) | January 17, 2024
Ji An, who is helplessly attacked in her own home, dodges the flying bullets.
Jeong Jin-Man, Jeong Jin-Man, Jeong Jin-Man (S1, E2) | January 17, 2024
Jin Man receives an unexpected call; Ji An, who is alone at home, is pursued by unidentified men.
The Strong Don’t Howl (S1, E3) | January 24, 2024
Ji An finds herself in danger as she searches for a rescue phone in the mountains to save Jin Man.
The Shopping Mall (S1, E4 | January 24, 2024
Ji An and Jeong Min flee from the killers and meet Brother in the underground shopping mall.
Babylon (S1, E5) | January 31, 2024
Ji An gets angry as she watches Jin Man on the screen, and Jeong Min points a gun at Ji An’s head.
Jeong Jin-Man (S1, E6) | January 31, 2024
Jin Man, who was once a mercenary of a large company, Babylon, suffers from the truth he learns.
Trap (S1, E7) | February 7, 2024
Bale, who was presumed to be dead, begins his revenge, and Jin Man fights back to protect Ji An.
Listen Up, Ji An (S1, E8) | February 7, 2024
Killers close in on Jin Man’s house. Ji An prepares for the final duel on her own.
What could be the second season of “A Shop for Killers” about?
What is “The Killer’s Shopping Mall 2” novel about?
In the year 2023, Kang Ji-Young, the author, published the second instalment of her noir series titled “The Killer’s Shopping Mall.” This volume continues the narrative from the first volume, delving into Ji-an’s story. In the second volume, Ji-an is transported back to her days at university.
During this time at the University, she stumbles upon a trading application designed for the exchange of second-hand goods and services. However, the tranquillity is shattered when an individual begins advertising illicit services such as assassination and terrorism. Shockingly, someone even requests Ji-an’s murder. Faced with the menacing presence of anonymous killers, Ji-an embarks on a quest to unravel the truth behind this disturbing incident and its underlying cause.
If you like this kind of action-packed K-drama, then read about the Vigilante (2023) Series and the Bloodhounds (2023) Series, too.
Featured Image & Poster of A Shop for Killers (2024) Series | Pics. Credit:- Disney+