Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Missing: The Other Side, which completely redefined what OCN could achieve with supernatural storytelling, blending mystery, fantasy, and unexpected healing moments into one unforgettable package.
Released in August 2020, Missing: The Other Side delivers 12 episodes of supernatural brilliance, each running approximately 70 minutes. Available on Netflix, Viki, and Prime Video, this fantasy thriller introduces us to Duon Village, a mysterious place where spirits of missing deceased people reside. OCN crafted something truly special here, combining their signature dark mystery elements with unexpected comedy and deeply emotional healing narratives.
The series stands out in the crowded K-drama landscape by tackling the sensitive topic of missing persons through a supernatural lens. Rather than exploiting tragedy, Missing: The Other Side approaches each case with remarkable empathy, showing how unresolved disappearances affect both the living and the dead. Go Soo and Heo Joon Ho anchor this unique premise with performances that balance levity and gravitas perfectly.
The Con Artist Who Found His Purpose
Kim Wook, portrayed masterfully by Go Soo, begins as a smooth-talking fraudster who stumbles into Duon Village purely by accident. His character transformation from selfish con artist to dedicated investigator forms the series’ emotional backbone. What makes Wook compelling isn’t just his good looks and charm, but how his encounters with trapped spirits gradually strip away his cynicism. Go Soo delivers nuanced performance work, showing us a man who discovers that helping others find peace becomes more rewarding than any financial scam he ever pulled.
The Detective Who Never Gave Up
Jang Pan Seok, played by veteran actor Heo Joon Ho, represents the other side of justice, a former detective who refuses to let missing person cases go cold. His partnership with Wook creates the series’ perfect dynamic, with Pan Seok’s methodical police work complementing Wook’s intuitive people skills. Their relationship evolves from mutual suspicion to genuine friendship, proving that second chances can transform even the most unlikely partnerships into something powerful and healing.
When Two Worlds Collide for Justice
The collaboration between the living investigators and the village spirits creates the series’ most innovative storytelling moments. Each episode reveals how spirits can provide crucial clues about their own disappearances, but only when their emotional wounds are properly addressed. Missing: The Other Side excels at showing how solving these supernatural mysteries requires both detective work and emotional intelligence, making every case resolution deeply satisfying on multiple levels.
Crossing Between Life and Death
The series builds toward revelations about the true nature of Duon Village and the rules governing who can cross between the spirit world and reality. Missing: The Other Side masterfully escalates tension as Wook and Pan Seok uncover deeper conspiracies behind seemingly unconnected disappearances. The final episodes deliver emotional payoffs that feel earned through careful character development, proving that the best supernatural stories are ultimately about human connection and redemption.
Success on OCN and Beyond
Missing: The Other Side achieved the highest viewership ratings of any OCN original series in 2020, with its finale scoring an average nationwide rating of 4.8 percent. The series has found new life on Netflix’s international platform, where its unique blend of mystery and supernatural elements appeals to global audiences seeking fresh Korean content. Each 70-minute episode maintains cinematic production values while allowing proper development of both weekly cases and overarching mythology. Missing: The Other Side proved that OCN could successfully experiment with lighter tones without sacrificing their signature mystery storytelling.
A Hidden Gem That Deserves Your Attention
If you love supernatural mysteries with heart, complex character relationships, and stories that treat sensitive subjects with genuine respect, Missing: The Other Side is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. This isn’t just another fantasy K-drama; it’s a thoughtful exploration of loss, healing, and finding purpose that will stay with you long after the final episode.
Why This Overlooked Masterpiece Should Top Your Watchlist
Missing: The Other Side offers everything you want from premium K-drama storytelling: innovative premise, stellar performances, and emotional depth that elevates familiar mystery tropes into something genuinely special and unexpectedly moving.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 12
Platform: Netflix, Viki, Prime Video, Apple TV
Release Year: 2020
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Supernatural
Production Type: K-Drama (Korean Drama)
Status: Completed (Season 2 aired in 2022)
Protagonists: Go Soo (Kim Wook), Heo Joon Ho (Jang Pan Seok), Ahn So Hee (Lee Jong Ah)
Main Antagonist: Various criminals and conspirators behind the disappearances