[Mar 11] “The Midnight Studio” Ep 1: Rating, Recap, Review

“The Midnight Studio” has started competing in the Monday-Tuesday TV show rankings. It’s a new show on ENA that began with a viewership of 2.1% across the country.

This show tells the story of a photo studio that takes pictures of people who have passed away. The main character, Seo Ki-Joo, is a grumpy photographer played by Joo-Won. He runs the studio. Kwon Nara acts as Han Bom, an energetic lawyer who ends up helping the spirits that come to the studio.

“The Midnight Studio” episode 1: Recap, review

This scene is hilarious! I feel for Kijoo, though. :))

In the first episode, Ki-Joo, shows a man around his studio and takes his picture with an old camera. The man then turns into a ghost. Ki-Joo can see ghosts and capture their final memories in photos.

The story then goes back to when a curse started. A long time ago, a man took something from the Grim Reaper, which was a camera said to bring people back to life. He tried to use it to save his sick son, but the Grim Reaper got mad. The man asked the Grim Reaper to take his life instead of his son’s. The Grim Reaper agreed but said the son and his family would only live for 35 years and always see ghosts. This is why Ki-Joo can see ghosts.

Ki-Joo runs the studio with 2 ghost helpers. In the first episode, they have to leave their apartment because of a problem with an angry ghost. While looking for a new place, Ki-Joo meets many unhappy ghosts. One tries to attack him, but he’s saved by Han Bom.

Ki-Joo moves into a building where Han Bom lives. They meet again when they both help a ghost couple take one last photo together.

At the end of episode 1, Han Bom, who is struggling with money, sneaks into a room that’s been rented out. She finds a secret passage and is surprised by what she sees. Ki-Joo sees her leaving the studio and is shocked, asking if she’s a ghost.

"The Midnight Studio" shows great potential. It shares similarities with "Master's Sun", "May I Help You", "Hotel Del Luna" and "Delivery Man," yet it stands out with its own unique, pleasantly chaotic style. The question remains: Can Ki-Joo overcome the curse, or is he destined for a brief existence like his ancestors?

(Source: Nielsen Korea)