Review | K-drama review: Dr Brain – Apple TV+’s slick sci-fi action noir series winds to thrilling finale

Lee Sun-kyun, who appeared in Oscar-winning film Parasite, stars in this series from director Kim Jee-woon which is equal parts Mary Shelley and Philip K. Dick

The story of a neuroscientist with autism, who taps into dead people’s brains to get their memories, Kim ramps up the emotional energy for an exciting ending

Reading Time:3 minutes

Lee Jae-won (left) and Lee Sun-kyun in a scene from Dr Brain, Apple TV+’s slick sci-fi action noir series. Photo: Apple

Published: 4:00pm, 10 Dec 2021

This article contains spoilers.

4/5 stars

Kim Jee-woon’s mind-melding Dr Brain, Apple TV+’s first Korean show, comes to a strong and action-packed conclusion this week, capping off a season that has slalomed between thrillingly executed set pieces and occasional dramatic lulls.

Based on the webtoon of the same name, the show came out of the gate strong by presenting an intriguing sci-fi/noir mystery that was equal parts Mary Shelley and Philip K. Dick, but as this story of a neuroscientist engaging in “brainwave synchronisation” to untangle a web of murders unfolded, it soon settled into a more conventional path.

While the show’s sci-fi leanings turned out to be a touch superficial, the project is carried off with such visual aplomb by director Kim, who commands what appears to be a generous budget from Apple TV+, that its aesthetic delights largely make up for any narrative shortfalls.

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