Back in 2023, Disney+'s 'Moving' set the bar incredibly high for Korean-style superhero content. In response, Netflix finally unveiled its ambitious contender, 'Cashero.' With a strictly capitalist premise where "Money equals Power," it successfully caught viewers' eyes in the beginning.
However, now that all 8 episodes have been released, the evaluations are quite divided. Today, I will point out the three decisive flaws of 'Cashero' that overshadowed even actor Lee Jun-ho's passionate performance. 💸
📍 Praise First! The Dazzling 'Slice-of-Life Acting' of Lee Jun-ho & Kim Hye-jun
Before the criticism, the performances of the lead actors deserve a round of applause.
Lee Jun-ho (as Kang Sang-woong): He perfectly transformed into a "dirt spoon" (poor) hero worrying about monthly rent, completely erasing his chaebol heir image. His despair every time cash disappeared grounded a setting that could have been childish into reality.
Kim Hye-jun (as Kim Min-sook): She held the center of the drama well, charmingly portraying a realistic character who cherishes her lover.
⚠️ Flaw 1: "Why Are They Like That?" Unattractive Villains
The biggest hole in 'Cashero' is the lack of weight in its villains. Jonathan (Lee Chae-min) and Jo Anna (Kang Han-na) of the criminal organization 'Bum-in-hoe' are portrayed merely as greedy people coveting superpowers.
Unlike the original webtoon, the 'narrative' of why they are obsessed with superpowers to the point of risking danger is missing. Since the villains aren't scary, nor do they evoke pity, the protagonist's sacrifices and struggles inevitably lose their shine.
⚠️ Flaw 2: Is This a Drama or a Cartoon? Failure in Tone Regulation
This drama deals with heavy social issues like youth poverty and debt. However, the direction unraveling these themes is exaggerated, almost like a children's tokusatsu (special effects) show.
Excessive CG and Solemn Music: They feel disjointed from the actors' serious acting.
Dissonance: Lame jokes popping out in serious situations confuse the viewer as to whether this drama is for adults or children.
Editor's Note: This is in stark contrast to 'Moving,' which was praised for portraying the pain of superhumans in a strictly realistic manner.
⚠️ Flaw 3: The Trap of 8 Episodes, Loose Story & Rushed Ending
The storytelling method also leaves much to be desired. The repetitive pattern of "Villain appears → Fight spending money → Defeat → Earn money again" made the mid-section tedious.
Furthermore, the final ending struggles to avoid the criticism of being "anti-climactic."
The fight with the final boss ended much too blandly than expected.
Even the death of a significant character passed without proper emotional closure.
The rushed happy ending, as if saying "We won, so everyone is happy now," left a sense of futility.
🖋️ Conclusion: Secured the 'Cash,' But Missed the 'Fun'
Consequently, 'Cashero' might have secured the 'Cash' (commercial results) by hitting the Netflix charts, but it seems to have failed to leave 'Fun and Impact' in the viewers' hearts. It's a case where the script and direction failed to properly utilize excellent ingredients: a great cast and inventive material.
This work serves as a lesson that for K-Hero content to advance to the next level, it needs depth of story beyond mere visual spectacle.
How did you watch 'Cashero'? Were you satisfied with Lee Jun-ho's transformation, or was the disappointment in direction greater? Share your perspective in the comments! 👇
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