Signal (South Korean TV series)
A walkie-talkie connects two detectives across time.
Signal is a South Korean television series written by Kim Eun-hee and directed by Kim Won-seok, starring Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, and Cho Jin-woong. Inspired by real-life criminal incidents in Korea, including the Hwaseong serial murders, it aired on tvN from January 22 to March 12, 2016. The series is one of the highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television history, with a peak audience viewership of 12.544%.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Crime
- Police Procedural
- Serial drama
- Sci-Fi
- Thriller
- Mystery
- Creator
- Choi Jin-hee, Park Ji-young
- Writer
- Kim Eun-hee
- Director
- Kim Won-seok
- Starring
- Lee Je-hoon
- Kim Hye-soo
- Cho Jin-woong
- Opening theme
- "I Will Forget You", Jung Cha-sik
- Ending theme
- Various songs
- Music
- Kim Joon-seok
- Park Sung-il (season 1)
- Hwang Sang-jun (season 2)
Facts from the source article.
Plot
In 2015, criminal profiler Park Hae-young finds a discarded walkie-talkie that connects him to Detective Jae-han from the past. With Jae-han's help, Hae-young solves a 15-year-old kidnapping and murder case, leading to the formation of a cold case team led by Detective Cha Soo-hyun. As they solve other cold cases, Hae-young becomes drawn into the mystery of Jae-han's disappearance in 2000, with unintended consequences in the present.
Cast
Lee Je-hoon plays Park Hae-young, a jaded criminal profiler who uses a walkie-talkie to connect with Detective Jae-han. Kim Hye-soo portrays Cha Soo-hyun, the first female police officer in the Special Task Force and leader of the Seoul cold case squad, who has searched for her mentor Jae-han for 15 years. Cho Jin-woong plays Lee Jae-han, a socially inept but virtuous detective from the past whose timeline spans 1989 to 2000. Supporting police officers include Jang Hyun-sung as corrupt superintendent Kim Bum-joo, Jung Hae-kyun as morally gray section chief Ahn Chi-soo, Kim Won-hae as comic relief Kim Gye-chul, Jung Han-bi as colonel Oh Yoon-seo, Lee Yoo-joon as forensic scientist Jung Han-ki, and Kim Min-kyu as junior officer Hwang Eui-kyung. Extended cast includes Kim Hyun-bin as young Park Hae-young, Kang Chan-hee as Park Sun-woo, Yang Dae-hyuk as detective Hong Won-seo, Lee Moon-soo as Jae-han's father, Seo Ju-hee as Soo-hyun's mother, Lim Hwa-young as Soo-hyun's younger sister, Lee Do-yeop as Kim Jung-jae, and many others in episodic roles.
Reception
The series attracted attention for weaving actual cases into its plot and attained high ratings, with a finale rating of 12.54%. It received praise for its solid acting, tightly constructed plot, and detailed direction. Signal won several awards, including Best Drama, Best Screenplay for Kim Eun-hee, and Best Actress for Kim Hye-soo at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards. Cho Jin-woong won the Daesang at both the tvN10 Awards and the 1st Asia Artist Awards.
Adaptations
A Japanese remake starring Kentaro Sakaguchi aired on Fuji TV from April 10 to June 12, 2018. A Chinese remake titled Unknown Number began airing on Tencent Video on October 23, 2019. A Japanese film of the same name, continuing from the Japanese television series, was released on April 2, 2021. A Thai remake titled 23:23 aired on True4U from January 20, 2023. An Indian remake titled Gyaarah Gyaarah premiered on Zee5 on August 9, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Signal (South Korean TV series)?
Signal was created by Choi Jin-hee and Park Ji-young.
Which network aired Signal (South Korean TV series)?
Signal aired on tvN and AXN.
How many episodes of Signal (South Korean TV series) are there?
Signal has 16 episodes across 1 season.
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