Summary: A web drama about high school students playing a Mafia game. I clicked it out of curiosity when it appeared on my Netflix homepage without knowing anything about it. The camera work, characters, and acting all had this light, small-studio web drama vibe. But that was its charm. At first, I thought, “What big thing could possibly happen in this atmosphere?” But as the story unfolded, the narrative grew bigger, and the immersion was insane. It turned out to be a completely charming series.  

I’ve had Netflix for a while, but I rarely go out of my way to find new things to watch. I’d occasionally play Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Squid Game, The Glory, or older Korean horror films like R-Point and Whispering Corridors, sometimes even Crayon Shin-chan: The Movie. I just needed background noise that was familiar to my ears and heart while coding. I like things that have a slight eerie tension for that purpose. Why Shin-chan? Because Crayon Shin-chan: The Legend Called Dance! Amigo! is honestly as creepy as a horror film… And Extraordinary Attorney Woo? I kept watching because the harmony between Woo Young-woo’s character and the whimsical music was so beautiful. That one was an exception—it was irresistibly charming. 

I love horror films, but searching “horror” on Netflix didn’t give me anything new. Then one day, Night Has Come popped up in my recommendations. It was a 200% perfect match for my taste. I was literally thinking, “How have I not known about this series for two years?!” and felt hyped the whole time. I was even happy. Knowing that something that fits me so perfectly exists, and that I get to enjoy it all day, made me really excited. I realized my taste isn’t just “horror,” but a mix of thriller, mystery, and horror game vibes—like blending colors on a palette. Recently, I also watched 84m² and Trigger, but in terms of immersion, Night Has Come was unbeatable. 

My Genre Preferences 

If your movie taste is similar to mine, you’ll probably go crazy over Night Has Come. 

• I like the raw human emotions embedded in horror/thriller genres. 
• I don’t really like romance. (Horror leaves no room for embellishment, while romance often feels like a “made-up” emotion to me—not that the emotion itself is fake, but its expression feels inevitably polished because it’s directed toward someone you want to impress.)
• Foreign films are fine, but I’m more drawn to works with a distinctly Korean vibe. 
• I’m not into zombie or exorcism films because their stories and direction often feel predictable. 
• I like it when all the characters are smart (it makes the story flow satisfyingly). 
• Crime films feel too real, so I don’t watch them often—they’re fun, but not obsession-worthy. 
• I don’t like action for action’s sake or flashy direction for the sake of it. 
• I like films that could exist in reality but aren’t overly realistic—they walk that perfect line. 
• I enjoy films with a slight mystery and room for imagination (I like time-loop stories). 
• I dislike films that feel like they’ve pre-set a safe limit. I prefer films that express emotions freely when necessary. 

Similar to These Dramas/Movies (Mild Spoilers)

Personally, I think of it as the Korean version of Detective Conan: The Phantom of Baker Street. What impressed me most about Night Has Come is that it doesn’t get trapped in a single genre. School violence? Horror game? Mystery? Time loop? Sci-fi? It defies definition. When it borrows from other genres, it expands naturally, never clumsy, and keeps the immersion top-notch. It felt like a one-take jazz album—free and alive, yet cohesive without overreaching for prestige. 

Shows and films it reminded me of:

• Detective Conan: The Phantom of Baker Street – Similar overall concept
• Triangle – Slight time-loop vibe
• Cube 2: Hypercube – Unrealistic but plausible in a distant future
• The Glory, Squid Game – School bullying & participant elimination vibes
• Death Bell – Students locked up for revenge, similar concept

Scenes Worth Noting

High schoolers on a field trip. It starts out normal—even boring—but the first gripping moment is the scene where a student accused as the Mafia gets “executed”. No one kills them; they just suddenly slam their head into the floor as a self-execution. Absolutely chilling.

Also, characters who seem plain at first gain huge presence later. The ones who stood out early on ironically fade by the end. Watching the ordinary kids closely makes it more fun. 

There are also mysterious scenes. Even outsiders and seagulls don’t move in some shots. Wondering, “Where exactly is this game taking place?” makes it more thrilling. 

My One-Line Review 

A series that’s fun even if you know the ending. The familiar “Mafia game” setting makes it easy to get immersed. The acting and story don’t particularly stand out, but every element balances precariously yet perfectly, like a house of cards. I never lost immersion for a moment, and it truly felt like I was in that space with them. Seriously good. Highly recommended.