Director Park Chan-wook's 'The Sympathizer' ranked first in 20 countries around the world

On the 22nd, when episode 2 was released, 'The Sympathizer' ranked first in 20 countries around the world according to Flix Patrol, an online video service (OTT) ranking site.

Coupang Play's exclusive series 'The Sympathizer' is a story about the struggles of a mixed-race Vietnamese youth who defected to the United States in the 1970s after the fall of free Vietnam, between two civilizations and two ideologies.

In episode 2, 'Model Asian', which was released on the 22nd, the full-scale double spy activities of 'Captain (Joan Xuande)', who settled in the United States, began. While remaining as a confidant of the ‘General’ (Toan Le), he continued his tense espionage activities, including conveying the ‘General’s’ movements through coded letters to communist forces in Vietnam.

The newly introduced Asian American 'Sophia Mori (Sandra Oh)' forms a romantic relationship with 'Captain', foreshadowing unpredictable developments. Here, Robert Downey Jr., who once again made an extraordinary appearance as the character of 'Hammer', an Oriental studies professor, left a strong impression by shaking the inner self of 'Captain', who is confused between two ideologies.

'The General' is convinced that there is a spy in the refugee community, and works together with CIA agent 'Claude (Robert Downey Jr.)' to hunt down the so-called 'mole'. 'Captain', who found out that his name was also on the list, left a meaningful comment to escape the crisis, "Should I kill the major?", foreshadowing the next story that would become even more exciting.

'The Sympathizer' is receiving favorable reviews from overseas media, including "It will open your eyes and make you take action" (Indiewire) and "A bold, ambitious and dazzling series" (Time Magazine). It is also receiving word of mouth from viewers in Korea.

Regarding the acting of Robert Downey Jr., who is becoming a hot topic for playing multiple roles, reactions such as "I was surprised once by the visuals, and twice by the acting that made him look like a different person" and "I am very curious about what kind of character he will play in the future."

Coupang Play's exclusive series 'The Sympathizer' is scheduled to release episode 3 on the 29th, and each episode will be released every Monday at 8 PM.

Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr