Drama

Mouse

A gripping Korean crime thriller that explores human nature, morality, trauma, free will, and whether evil is determined by biology or shaped by circumstances.

Show Information

TypeDrama
StatusCompleted
Rating★ 9.0/10
Release Year2021
DirectorChoi Joon-bae
CreatorChoi Ran
NetworktvN
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Total Seasons1
Total Episodes20

About This Show

A gripping Korean crime thriller that explores human nature, morality, trauma, free will, and whether evil is determined by biology or shaped by circumstances.

Cast & Characters

Lee Seung-gi

Lee Seung-gi

Jung Ba-reum
Lee Hee-joon

Lee Hee-joon

Go Moo-chi
Lee Seung-gi

Lee Seung-gi

Jung Ba-reum
Lee Hee-joon

Lee Hee-joon

Go Moo-chi

Seasons & Episodes

Mouse

Season 1 - Mouse

2021
★ 9.0/10

Mouse is a dark and suspenseful Korean crime thriller that combines mystery, psychological drama, emotional storytelling, and unexpected twists. The series explores whether people are born evil or become evil because of their circumstances, while following characters whose lives become deeply connected to a dangerous criminal investigation.

# Episode Air Date Rating Duration
1
The Head Hunter
The Head Hunter

The first episode introduces the disturbing crimes and central characters while establishing the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the series. It immediately creates questions about the killer and the people connected to the investigation.

3 March 2021 ★ 8.5 1h 25m
2
Eye for an Eye
Eye for an Eye

The investigation begins to move forward as Moo Chi confronts the Head Hunter while new murders create another disturbing mystery. Ba Reum also finds himself closer to the dangerous events surrounding the case.

4 March 2021 ★ 8.0 1h 24m
3
Resurfacing Murder Cases
Resurfacing Murder Cases

New evidence connects recent crimes to an increasingly disturbing pattern. As Ba Reum and Moo Chi begin working together, the investigation reveals clues that suggest the killer may be closer than expected.

10 March 2021 ★ 8.4 1h 22m
4
Who Are You?
Who Are You?

The murder investigation takes a darker turn after another shocking crime. Moo Chi becomes increasingly suspicious of Sung Yo Han while a kidnapping forces him to confront another dangerous mystery.

11 March 2021 ★ 8.8 1h 13m
5
The Live Broadcast
The Live Broadcast

A live broadcast becomes a desperate attempt to save Han Kook while investigators race against time. As information pours into the station, Moo Chi works to narrow down the suspects and uncover the predator’s motive.

17 March 2021 ★ 9.5 1h 03m
6
The Donkey and Goat
The Donkey and Goat

Moo Chi struggles with a devastating loss while the search for Han Kook continues. As he returns to the investigation, new information about Bong Yi’s grandmother and Sung Yo Han begins to emerge.

18 March 2021 ★ 9.2 1h 21m
7
Memory Loss
Memory Loss

After undergoing brain surgery, Ba Reum suffers from memory loss and must adjust to a changed life. A year later, he returns to police work and unexpectedly discovers a new body.

24 March 2021 ★ 8.2 1h 17m
8
Ba Reum's Memories
Ba Reum's Memories

Ba Reum’s instincts help Moo Chi investigate the mysterious knot murders, but strange flashbacks begin troubling him. Their investigation leads them toward a suspect who stands out from the others.

25 March 2021 ★ 8.3 1h 09m
9
Ba Reum's Brain
Ba Reum's Brain

Ba Reum discovers a shocking connection between his brain surgery and the memories that continue to haunt him. As his understanding of the past changes, his behavior becomes increasingly difficult to explain.

31 March 2021 ★ 8.7 1h 06m
10
Sung Yo Han in Me
Sung Yo Han in Me

Ba Reum begins experiencing increasingly violent impulses and fears that something inside him is changing. A new murder that resembles the previous cases raises even more questions about Sung Yo Han and the truth behind the killings.

1 April 2021 ★ 8.5 1h 23m
11
Kill Him! Kill Her!
Kill Him! Kill Her!

Ba Reum continues hearing Yo Han’s voice in his mind while struggling to understand his violent impulses. Meanwhile, Bong Yi encounters Kang Duk Soo again, bringing back painful memories and a new sense of danger.

8 April 2021 ★ 8.6 1h 12m
12
The Yo Han in Ba Reum
The Yo Han in Ba Reum

Ba Reum carefully watches the investigation while trying to stay ahead of the truth. Bong Yi becomes suspicious of Moo Chi, creating another layer of tension as the investigation continues.

14 April 2021 ★ 8.5 1h 03m
13
DNA on the Weapon
DNA on the Weapon

DNA evidence found on the murder weapon creates confusion for Moo Chi and changes the direction of the investigation. Ba Reum and Bong Yi begin uncovering connections between different murder cases.

15 April 2021 ★ 8.0 1h 07m
14
The Cat Killer
The Cat Killer

A young boy’s investigation into a cat killer leads him toward a dangerous discovery. Ba Reum and Moo Chi work to uncover what happened while the case becomes connected to the larger mystery.

21 April 2021 ★ 9.0 1h 23m
15
It Was All Me!
It Was All Me!

Ba Reum’s memories begin returning and force him to confront painful truths about his past. Filled with guilt, he considers confessing what he knows and helping clear Yo Han’s name.

22 April 2021 ★ 9.1 1h 15m
16
Was It Really Sung Yo Han?
Was It Really Sung Yo Han?

New evidence causes Moo Chi to question whether Sung Yo Han was really responsible for the murders. Meanwhile, Ba Reum continues recovering his memories and uncovering disturbing truths about himself.

5 May 2021 ★ 8.3 1h 04m
17
The Guryeong Family Massacre
The Guryeong Family Massacre

Ba Reum finally remembers what happened to his family and begins setting a trap for the mysterious OZ organization. At the same time, Moo Chi discovers an important clue connected to the investigation.

6 May 2021 ★ 8.6 1h 13m
18
Please, Give Me Some Time
Please, Give Me Some Time

Moo Chi discovers a devastating truth about Ba Reum and begins investigating the connection to OZ. As Ba Reum tries to stay ahead of the investigation, the remaining pieces of the mystery start falling into place.

12 May 2021 ★ 8.8 1h 12m
19
Kim Joon Sung's Laptop
Kim Joon Sung's Laptop

Moo Chi and Bong Yi move closer to uncovering the truth while Ba Reum searches for the final missing piece of his past. Suspicious evidence begins challenging Ba Reum’s story and brings the investigation closer to its conclusion.

13 May 2021 ★ 8.8 1h 03m
20
Ba Reum's Final Call
Ba Reum's Final Call

Ba Reum makes a final decision that brings his journey toward its conclusion. As the remaining secrets surrounding the murders and OZ are exposed, the characters finally face the consequences of everything that happened.

19 May 2021 ★ 9.3 1h 40m

Show Review

Korean Drama Review: A Gripping Thriller With Outstanding Performances

Mouse is one of those Korean dramas that grabs your attention from the beginning and continues to challenge you with every episode. Released in 2021, this crime-thriller series combines mystery, suspense, psychological drama, and emotional storytelling into a story that constantly keeps viewers guessing. Rather than relying only on shocking moments, Mouse explores deeper questions about human nature, morality, evil, trauma, and whether a person’s future can be determined by their biological nature.

At the center of the story is a series of disturbing crimes that forces the characters to confront an extremely dangerous killer. As the investigation develops, the drama gradually reveals secrets about the characters and their pasts, creating a complicated story where appearances can be extremely misleading.

A Story Full of Mystery and Suspense

One of the biggest strengths of Mouse is its storyline. The drama doesn’t simply present a straightforward serial-killer investigation. Instead, it creates a complicated psychological puzzle that encourages viewers to question almost everything they see.

The story revolves around the idea of whether people are born evil or become evil because of their circumstances. This concept gives the drama more depth than a conventional crime thriller. The writers use the central mystery to explore questions about genetics, personality, morality, and free will.

The suspense is particularly effective because information is revealed gradually. Just when viewers think they understand what is happening, the story introduces another development that changes the way earlier events can be interpreted.

This makes Mouse a drama that rewards viewers who pay attention to details. Small moments, conversations, and character decisions can become important later in the story.

Lee Seung Gi Delivers a Powerful Performance

Lee Seung Gi gives one of the most memorable performances of his career in Mouse. His portrayal of Jung Ba Reum is particularly impressive because the character goes through significant emotional and psychological changes.

Lee Seung Gi succeeds in showing different sides of the character without making the transitions feel completely disconnected. His performance becomes increasingly intense as the story develops, allowing viewers to experience the character’s confusion, fear, anger, and emotional struggles.

What makes his performance especially effective is his ability to communicate emotions through subtle expressions. In a drama where characters often hide information from each other, facial expressions and body language become extremely important. Lee Seung Gi handles those moments very well.

His performance is also one of the reasons the drama remains so engaging even during its slower investigative sections.

Lee Hee Joon Is Excellent as Go Moo Chi

Lee Hee Joon is another major highlight of the series. His character, Go Moo Chi, is a detective who carries considerable emotional baggage and has a deeply personal connection to the crimes he investigates.

Lee Hee Joon brings a raw and intense quality to the character. Go Moo Chi isn’t portrayed as a perfectly controlled detective. Instead, his anger, frustration, pain, and determination are visible throughout the story.

This makes him feel human rather than simply being the typical “brilliant detective” character found in many crime dramas.

His chemistry with Lee Seung Gi also contributes significantly to the series. Their relationship changes as the story progresses, and their contrasting personalities create some of the drama’s most interesting scenes.

Park Ju Hyun Adds Emotional Depth

Park Ju Hyun also delivers a strong performance as Oh Bong Yi. Her character brings a different emotional dimension to the otherwise dark and disturbing storyline.

Oh Bong Yi is tough, complicated, and vulnerable at the same time. Park Ju Hyun does a good job portraying these different characteristics, particularly during the more emotional scenes.

Her storyline also gives the audience an opportunity to see how the consequences of violence can affect ordinary people. This helps Mouse remain emotionally grounded despite its complicated thriller elements.

Supporting Cast Strengthens the Drama

The supporting cast deserves considerable credit as well. Ahn Jae Wook, Kyung Soo Jin and the other supporting actors contribute to the atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding the story.

Because Mouse depends heavily on suspicion and hidden motives, the actors need to make their characters believable while leaving enough ambiguity for the audience to question them. The cast generally succeeds at creating that atmosphere.

The drama’s ensemble performance is one of its strengths because almost every important character feels connected to the larger mystery.

Strong Character Development

Another impressive element of Mouse is its character development.

The characters aren’t simply introduced and left unchanged. Their experiences throughout the story influence their personalities, decisions, and relationships.

Jung Ba Reum’s journey is particularly important. His character becomes central to the drama’s exploration of nature versus nurture, and the changes he experiences allow the series to examine its central themes from different perspectives.

Go Moo Chi also develops as the story progresses. His obsession with finding the truth is closely connected to his personal history, and this gives his investigation an emotional dimension.

Rather than making the story purely about catching a criminal, Mouse asks what happens to people when they are forced to confront uncomfortable truths.

The Drama’s Psychological Elements Are Fascinating

For viewers who enjoy psychological thrillers, Mouse has plenty to offer.

The series frequently asks viewers to reconsider their assumptions. Who is trustworthy? What motivates people to commit terrible acts? Can someone with a particular biological predisposition choose to become a good person?

These questions give the drama a philosophical quality without completely abandoning its crime-thriller identity.

The concept of identifying potentially dangerous individuals based on genetic characteristics is particularly interesting because it raises ethical questions. Would knowing that someone has a biological tendency toward violence change how society treats that person?

The drama doesn’t provide simplistic answers. Instead, it uses its characters and storyline to explore the possibilities.

Excellent Tension and Atmosphere

The atmosphere of Mouse is another reason it stands out.

The series maintains a dark and mysterious tone that fits its subject matter. The cinematography, music, editing, and direction work together to create a feeling of constant uncertainty.

Even when there isn’t an action sequence, the drama can create tension through conversations and character interactions. A seemingly ordinary scene can suddenly become important because viewers know that there are secrets beneath the surface.

This approach makes Mouse particularly addictive for viewers who enjoy trying to predict what will happen next.

A Drama That Keeps You Thinking

Perhaps the greatest strength of Mouse is that it isn’t simply a drama you watch and forget.

After an episode ends, you may find yourself thinking about what happened, questioning certain characters, or reconsidering earlier scenes.

The drama deliberately plays with the viewer’s expectations, making it difficult to predict where the story will go. Its numerous twists and revelations create a viewing experience that is more interactive than a typical television drama.

At the same time, its emotional storylines prevent it from becoming nothing more than a collection of plot twists.

Final Verdict

Mouse is an excellent choice for viewers who enjoy Korean crime thrillers, psychological mysteries, serial-killer stories, and dramas filled with unexpected twists.

Its greatest strengths are its ambitious storyline, strong character development, suspenseful atmosphere, and especially the performances of Lee Seung Gi and Lee Hee Joon. The two actors bring considerable intensity to their roles and help turn an already complicated story into an emotionally engaging experience.

The drama’s exploration of nature versus nurture, morality, trauma, free will, and the meaning of evil gives it additional depth. While the storyline can become complex, that complexity is also part of what makes Mouse so fascinating.

Overall, Mouse is a dark, intelligent, emotionally intense, and highly suspenseful Korean drama that keeps viewers questioning what they know until the very end. If you enjoy dramas that make you think while keeping you entertained with mystery and unexpected developments, Mouse is definitely a series worth watching.