A monster born from the shadows of secret biological experiments

Entertainment · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Set in 1945 Gyeongseong, this historical mystery-horror follows a pawnshop owner and a tracker as they confront a terrifying creature. Inspired by the real-life Unit 731, the series explores the brutality of the Japanese occupation and the dark consequences of clandestine human experimentation.

Gyeongseong Creature, a South Korean historical mystery-horror series, is set in 1945 during the Japanese occupation of Gyeongseong, the former name for Seoul. Set in 1945 Gyeongseong under Japanese rule, the plot follows wealthy pawnshop proprietor Jang Tae-sang and tracker Yoon Chae-ok, who is hunting for her lost mother, as they face a bizarre creature produced by clandestine biological tests at Ongseong Hospital. Together, they face a monstrous creature born from secret biological experiments conducted within Ongseong Hospital.

The series draws heavy inspiration from the historical reality of Unit 731, a covert Japanese military unit that conducted biological and chemical weapon testing on civilians during World War II. This historical backdrop highlights the brutality inflicted upon civilians by Japanese forces, specifically through secret human experimentation.

The show's structure spans different eras. While the first season focuses on the 1940s, the second season, released on September 27, 2024, shifts the setting to present-day Seoul. This transition follows characters like Jang Ho-jae, a man resembling Tae-sang, as they explore the complex and often evil legacy of Gyeongseong's history.

Critical reception has varied significantly between seasons. The first season received generally positive reviews, with a 92% approval rating from 12 critics on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, the second season received mixed to negative feedback, with some critics noting that the shift to a modern setting and increased action may have compromised the story's core message regarding the effects of the Japanese colonial era.

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