Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama The Girl Who Sees Smells, which combines supernatural abilities with intense criminal investigation in a unique story that blends romance, mystery, and sensory superpowers in unexpected ways.
The Girl Who Sees Smells premiered on April 1, 2015, and concluded on May 21, 2015, featuring 16 episodes with an average runtime of 60 minutes each. This supernatural crime drama series is currently available on Viki, Apple TV, and Prime Video. Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, the series stars Park Yoochun and Shin Se-kyung in a story that explores how extraordinary circumstances can create unusual partnerships. The drama successfully combines elements of romantic comedy with serious crime thriller aspects, creating a viewing experience that keeps audiences guessing while developing genuine emotional connections between characters.
The series stands out for its creative premise of synesthesia as a crime-solving tool and its exploration of how trauma can both take away and give extraordinary abilities. The Girl Who Sees Smells manages to balance lighter romantic moments with darker criminal investigation plotlines without losing narrative coherence.
Oh Cho Rim’s Journey from Tragedy to Supernatural Gift
Shin Se-kyung delivers a compelling performance as Oh Cho Rim, a former aspiring comedian whose life changed forever when she became the sole survivor of a brutal family massacre. After awakening from a coma, she discovers she has developed synesthesia – the ability to see smells as colorful visual patterns. This supernatural ability in The Girl Who Sees Smells becomes both a blessing and a burden as it helps solve crimes but constantly reminds her of the trauma that created it.
Shin Se-kyung’s portrayal captures the complexity of a character who must rebuild her life while dealing with extraordinary circumstances. Cho Rim’s evolution from victim to active participant in criminal investigations showcases her resilience and determination to use her unique gift for good, even when it puts her in danger.
Choi Moo Gak’s Loss of Senses and Emotional Healing
Park Yoochun portrays Choi Moo Gak, a dedicated police detective who lost his younger sister to the same serial killer who attacked Cho Rim’s family. The trauma left him unable to taste, smell, or feel physical pain – a condition that mirrors and contrasts with Cho Rim’s enhanced sensory abilities. His character arc throughout The Girl Who Sees Smells involves learning to trust again, both professionally and personally, while pursuing justice for his sister’s death.
The chemistry between Park Yoochun and Shin Se-kyung creates a believable partnership built on shared trauma and complementary abilities. Their relationship develops naturally from professional cooperation to genuine romantic connection, with both characters helping each other heal from past wounds.
The Hunt for the Barcode Serial Killer
The most intense moments revolve around the ongoing investigation into the barcode serial killer, Chef Kwon Jae Hee, whose methodical murders have created a pattern that only becomes clear through Cho Rim’s unique visual interpretation of scents. These investigation sequences in The Girl Who Sees Smells blend procedural elements with supernatural mystery, creating tension that builds throughout the series as the killer becomes aware of their unusual investigative methods.
The cat-and-mouse game between the detective team and the serial killer escalates dangerously, forcing both Moo Gak and Cho Rim to confront their fears while using their combined abilities to prevent future murders and bring closure to past cases.
Supporting Characters That Enhance the Mystery
The ensemble cast including Namgoong Min as the chillingly intelligent Chef Kwon Jae Hee and Yoon Jin-seo as Detective Yeom Mi provide crucial support to the central investigation and romantic storylines. Each supporting character brings specific skills and perspectives that either aid or complicate the main characters’ pursuit of justice and personal healing.
The police station dynamics and secondary relationships create a realistic work environment that grounds the supernatural elements in recognizable human interactions and professional procedures.
Success on Viki and Streaming Platforms
The Girl Who Sees Smells achieved moderate success with viewers on Viki and other streaming platforms, where international audiences appreciated its unique supernatural premise and the chemistry between the lead actors. The series averaged decent ratings during its SBS broadcast run and found renewed interest through streaming availability. The drama’s creative use of synesthesia as a crime-solving tool set it apart from typical procedural shows, while the romantic elements satisfied viewers seeking emotional development alongside mystery. The Girl Who Sees Smells demonstrated that K-dramas could successfully blend supernatural concepts with realistic criminal investigation, creating a subgenre that influenced future productions.
A Unique Sensory Experience for Mystery Lovers
If you love supernatural crime dramas and unique investigative partnerships, The Girl Who Sees Smells is the perfect series to binge on Viki. The drama offers an original take on the detective genre while delivering satisfying romance and character development that makes the supernatural elements feel believable and emotionally resonant.
Why This Sensory Mystery Deserves Your Attention
Positive Points:
- Creative and unique premise using synesthesia as a crime-solving supernatural ability
- Strong chemistry between Park Yoochun and Shin Se-kyung that develops naturally
- Well-executed blend of romantic comedy and serious crime thriller elements
- Engaging serial killer mystery with genuine suspense and psychological depth
- Beautiful visual representation of the synesthetic experience through special effects
Negative Points:
- Some supernatural elements may feel too convenient for solving cases
- Romantic storylines occasionally overshadow the criminal investigation aspects
- Pacing issues in middle episodes where mystery development slows down
- Supporting character relationships could have been developed more thoroughly
- The premise requires significant suspension of disbelief from viewers
The Girl Who Sees Smells succeeds in creating a memorable viewing experience that combines heartfelt romance with genuine thrills, proving that the most unusual partnerships often produce the most extraordinary results.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 16 episodes (completed)
- Platform: Viki, Apple TV, Prime Video, Plex
- Release Year: 2015
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Genre: Supernatural Crime Drama, Romance, Mystery, Fantasy
- Production Type: K-Drama (South Korean Drama – SBS)
- Status: Completed series based on webtoon adaptation
- Main Protagonists: Park Yoochun (Choi Moo Gak), Shin Se-kyung (Oh Cho Rim)
- Antagonist: Namgoong Min (Chef Kwon Jae Hee – the Barcode Serial Killer)