The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim (2021)

Quick Take: The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim  (2021), starring Nam Da-reum and  Kim Sae-ron.  8.5/10.  12 episodes 20 min each.

Synopsis:   Ga Doo Shim comes from a long line of shamans, though she resents and resists her heritage.  (The ghosts are really annoying.)  She transfers to a high school where, after every test, the last-ranked student dies.   Together with a classmate, Doo-shim takes on the challenge of confronting and defeating an evil spirit.

Review: Not much to see here.  Two cute teenagers battle an evil spirit who is kind of cute as well.    A bit of academic finger-pointing — the principal credits the evil spirit with the school’s high academic ranking, because fear of getting the lowest score makes everyone study harder!  Last-ranked students aren’t much of a loss, after all.

Rewatchable - 2, Compelling - 3, Plot/ Story/Writing - 9,  Acting/Casting - 10, Production - 8,  Bonus - 3.  Bonus points for sweet first (“and maybe last”) kiss.

Notes:

Nam Da-Reum

was a child star who has played  the younger version of  lead actors in several dramas (Pinocchio, While You Were Sleeping, Start Up).    As he moves into his 20’s, we can look forward to seeing him take on adult roles.

Kim Sae-ron

began her career at age 9, also playing younger versions of lead actresses. She has appeared in adult roles since 2016. In 2022 she withdrew from a project after she crashed her car and was charged with drunk driving.