Death's Game

Official promotional poster

***Death's Game*** (Template:Korean) is an ongoing South Korean web series written and directed by Ha Byung-hoon, and starring Seo In-guk and Park So-dam. Based on a webtoon of the same name by Lee Won-sik and Ggulchan which was serialized on Naver in 2019, it depicts the story of a person who, in the midst of frustration, begin a new life with death. It is an original drama of TVING and is available for streaming on its platform, and on Amazon Prime Video in selected regions.

The series divided into two parts: Part 1 was released on December 15, 2023, and Part 2 released on January 5, 2024, at 12:00 (KST).

## Synopsis

*Death's Game* tells the story of Choi Yi-jae (Seo In-guk) who, being on the verge of falling into hell, experiences death and reincarnation 12 times due to the judgment of Death (Park So-dam).

## Cast

### Main

* Seo In-guk as Choi Yi-jae: a man who lost his will to live after repeatedly failing to find a job for seven years.
* Park So-dam as Death: a mysterious being who condemns Yi-jae to 12 cycles of death and reincarnation before falling into hell.

#### Yi-jae's reincarnation

* Choi Si-won as Park Jin-tae: a 33-year-old second son and successor of Taekang Group.
* Sung Hoon as Song Jae-seop: a 38-year-old extreme sports athlete.
* Kim Kang-hoon as Kwon Hyeok-su: a 17-year-old high school student who's a school bullies' target.
* Jang Seung-jo as Lee Ju-hun: a 35-year-old secret organization fixer who solves any client's request.
* Lee Jae-wook as Cho Tae-sang: a 21-year-old aspiring mixed martial arts fighter who gave up his dream due to his family's circumstances and being imprisoned for some reason.
* Lee Do-hyun as Jang Geon-u: a 24-year-old handsome model and heartthrob who catches everyone's attention wherever he goes.
* Kim Jae-wook as Jung Gyu-chul: a mysterious painter who was born in an ordinary family.
* Oh Jung-se as Ahn Ji-hyung: a detective who wanted to become a great police officer like his father.

### Supporting

* Go Youn-jung as Lee Ji-su: a novelist who has been in a relationship with Yi-jae since they were college students.
* Kim Ji-hoon as Park Tae-woo: the first son of Taekang Group.
* Yoo In-soo as Lee Jin-sang: Hyeok-su's bully classmate.
* Kim Mi-kyung as Yi-jae's mother
* Template:Ill as Chairman Park: Tae-woo and Jin-tae's father who is founder of Taekang Group.
* Template:Ill as secret organization boss of Ju-hun
* Choi Woo-jin as Woo Ji-hun: a homicide detective and Ji-hyung's junior.

### Special appearances

* Kim Sung-cheol as Hyeon-su (episode 1)
* Ryeoun as youngest PD (episode 1)

## Production

The role of Choi Yi-jae was first offered to Kang Ha-neul.

On January 13, 2023, it was announced by director Ha Byung-hoon that the production is in the final casting and filming will begin as early as February and will last for about six months.

On February 8, 2023, Seo In-guk and Park So-dam was confirmed as main cast of the series. On February 21, *JoyNews24* reported that the actors conducted a full script reading on the 14th and Seo In-guk started to film on the 20th. The drama serial itself was also represented Park's comeback after she took a two-year hiatus to recover from papillary thyroid cancer.

On May 31, 2023, Dexter Studios announced that they will co-produce the VFX of the series with a total budget of ₩3.3 billion.

## Release

TVING confirmed the release date of *Death's Game* will be on December 15, 2023.

On November 18, 2023, it was announced that the series will be available to stream worldwide through Amazon Prime Video in 240 countries and territories except China and South Korea.

The series was divided into two parts: Part 1 was released with first four on December 15, 2023, while Part 2 released with the remaining four episodes on January 5, 2024, at 12:00 (KST).

## Reception

### Critical response

*Cine21*Template:'s Kim Hyun-seung stated that "many works have dealt with the afterlife, but the worldview built by [*Death's Game*] is quite novel". He also cited that "[*Death's Game*] is receiving favorable reviews on CG that is rare in South Korea" and "somewhat disappointed that all narratives rely on visual effects".

### Viewership

Amazon Prime Video reported that the series has been a hot topic around the world since the released of Part 1 on the 15th. It is the most watched show in Indonesia and Thailand and entered the Top 10 in 43 countries around the world, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan in December 2023.

## References

1. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedPark, Ah-reum (January 12, 2023). {{{title}}} [Seo In Guk X Park So Dam Breathe with 'Now, I'm About to Die'? "Affirmative reviewing"[Official]] (in ko). *Newsen*. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved on November 18, 2023 – via Naver.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Kim, Bum-seok (January 13, 2023). 종편 최초 PD가 대본까지 티빙 드라마 '이제 곧 죽습니다' [The first PD of the last episode to the script TV drama 'Now, I'm About to Die'] (in ko). *Newsen*. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved on November 18, 2023 – via Naver.
3. ↑ Lee Geum-jun (November 29, 2023). 손디아, '이재, 곧 죽습니다' OST에 '감성' 더한다 [Sondia adds 'Emotion' to the OST of 'Yi-Jae, You're Going to Die Soon']. *ET News* (in ko). Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved on November 30, 2023.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Shin Jin-ah (May 31, 2023). [공시덱스터스튜디오 33억원 규모 VFX 수주...'이재, 곧 죽습니다'] [[Disclosure]Dexter Studios won 3.3 billion won VFX contract...'Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon']. *Financial News* (in ko). Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved on November 18, 2023.
5. ↑ Han, Hyun-jeong (January 12, 2023). [단독강하늘 아닌 서인국...박소담과 ‘이제 곧 죽습니다’ 주연 낙점] [[Exclusive] Seo In-guk, not Kang Ha-neul...and Park So-dam will star in 'Now, I'm About to Die'] (in ko). *Maeil Economy*. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved on November 18, 2023 – via Naver.
6. ↑ Shin, Young-eun (December 14, 2023). '이재, 곧 죽습니다' 관전 포인트3...#초호화 라인업 #데스게임 #세계관 ["Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon" 3 Points to Watch For...#StuddedLineup #DeathGame #Worldview] (in ko). *Maeil Economy*. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved on December 14, 2023 – via Naver.
7. ↑ Moon, Hwa-young (November 16, 2023). '이재, 곧 죽습니다' 성인국vs박소담, 죽음 이후 열리는 심판 ['Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon' Seo In-guk vs.Park So-dam, the judgment that takes place after death] (in ko). *The Fact*. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved on November 18, 2023 – via Naver.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedChoi, Na-young (February 8, 2023). {{{title}}} [Seo In-guk and Park So-dam confirm casting for 'Yi-jae You're Going to Die Soon'..12 times Reincarnation Drama [Official]] (in ko). *Osen*. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved on February 8, 2023 – via Naver.
9. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedLee, Chang-gyu (December 5, 2023). {{{title}}} ['Diamond Spoon' Choi Si-won, this is the presence of 3rd Generation Chaebol (Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon)] (in ko). *Xports News*. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved on December 5, 2023 – via Naver.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedYoo, Byung-cheol (November 27, 2023). {{{title}}} ['Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon' Sunghoon X Jang Seung-jo Perfectly Executes High-Intensity Action]. *Global Epic* (in ko). Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved on November 27, 2023 – via Naver.
11. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedKang, Min-kyung (December 7, 2023). {{{title}}} [Kim Kang-hoon, Seo In-guk? First attempt at school violence (Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon')] (in ko). *Ten Asia*. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved on December 7, 2023 – via Naver.
12. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedMoon, Ji-yeon (November 28, 2023). {{{title}}} [Directly performing an 8-on-1 fight scene..Lee Jae-wook, 'Yi-Jae, You're Going to Die Soon' fills the potential] (in ko). *Sports Chosun*. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved on November 28, 2023 – via Naver.
13. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedLee, Mi-ji (November 24, 2023). {{{title}}} [Lee Do-hyun appears in 'Lee Jae, You're Going to Dying Soon'..Maintained loyalty before enlisting in the military(Official)] (in ko). *Herald Pop*. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved on November 24, 2023 – via Naver.
14. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedLee, Chang-gyu (November 30, 2023). {{{title}}} [Kim Jae Wook transforms into a sexy painter...The eyes of extreme decadence (Yi-Jae, You're Going to Die Soon)] (in ko). *Xports News*. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved on November 30, 2023 – via Naver.
15. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedKim, Do-gon (December 11, 2023). {{{title}}} ['Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon', surprise spoiler revealed] (in ko). *Sports Kyunghyang*. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved on December 11, 2023 – via Naver.
16. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedLee, Ji-woo (November 29, 2023). {{{title}}} [Go Youn-jung, Lee Do-hyun or Seo In-guk (Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon)] (in ko). *Sports Kyunghyang*. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved on November 29, 2023 – via Naver.
17. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedShin, Young-eun (November 21, 2023). {{{title}}} ['Lee Jae, You're Going to Die Soon' Kim Ji-hoon, a third-generation chaebol with intensity amidst softness] (in ko). *Star Today*. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved on November 21, 2023 – via Naver.
18. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedSeong, Jong-hyun (November 16, 2023). {{{title}}} [Yoo In-soo, 'Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon' Appearance...'Intense Transformation Predicted']. *News Freezone* (in ko). Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved on November 21, 2023.
19. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedKim, Hyun-deok (December 14, 2023). {{{title}}} ['Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon' 12 deaths and lives...An unprecedented worldview preview] (in ko). *Sports Seou*. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved on December 14, 2023 – via Naver.
20. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedKang, Min-kyung (December 14, 2023). {{{title}}} [Choi Si-won, the two faces of Diamond Spoon Third Generation ('Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon')] (in ko). *Ten Asia*. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved on December 14, 2023 – via Naver.
21. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedPark, So-young (December 22, 2023). {{{title}}} (in ko). *Osen*. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved on December 22, 2023 – via Naver.
22. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedSon, Jin-a (January 5, 2024). {{{title}}} ["Passed the first audition in my life"...Newcomer Choi Woojin Debuts with 'Lee Jae, I'm Dying Soon'] (in ko). *MK Sports*. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved on January 5, 2024 – via Naver.
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedKang, Min-kyung (December 8, 2023). {{{title}}} [Kim Sung-cheol and Seo In-guk combine solid acting...Scene stealers Ryeoun and Yoo In-soo ('Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon')] (in ko). *Ten Asia*. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved on December 8, 2023 – via Naver.
24. ↑ Han, Hyun-jeong (January 12, 2023). [단독강하늘 아닌 서인국...박소담과 '이제 곧 죽습니다' 주연 낙점] [[Exclusive] Seo In-guk, not Kang Ha-neul...and Park So-dam will star in 'Now, I'm About to Die'] (in ko). *Star Today*. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved on November 18, 2023 – via Naver.
25. ↑ Jeong, Bit (July 14, 2022). [단독강하늘, 새 드라마 '이제, 곧 죽습니다' 출연...'열일' 행보] [[Exclusive]Kang Ha-neul to appear in new drama 'Now, I'm About to Die'...'Hard working' action] (in ko). *Sports Chosun*. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved on November 18, 2023 – via Naver.
26. ↑ Park=first=Jin-young (February 21, 2023). 서인국x박소담 '이제 곧 죽습니다', 대본리딩 완료...촬영 시작 [Seo In Guk x Park So Dam 'I'm about to die', script reading completed...Start filming]. *JoyNews24* (in ko). Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved on November 18, 2023.
27. ↑ Lee, Jan (14 December 2023). The Life List: Death's Game marks K-actress Park So-dam's comeback after cancer. *The Straits Times*. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved on December 15, 2023.
28. ↑ Kim, Tae-il (May 31, 2023). 덱스터, 네이버웹툰 원작 '이재, 곧 죽습니다' 작업 합류 [Dexter joins Naver Webtoon's original 'Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon']. *Financial News* (in ko). Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved on November 21, 2023.
29. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
30. ↑ Park, Jung-seon (October 24, 2023). '이재, 곧 죽습니다', 프라임 비디오 타고 240개국 이상 공개 ['Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon' Gets Released in More Than 240 Countries on Prime Video] (in ko). *JTBC News*. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved on November 18, 2023 – via Naver.
31. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedShin, Young-eun (December 14, 2023). {{{title}}} ["Yi-jae, You're Going to Die Soon" 3 Points to Watch For...#StuddedLineup #DeathGame #Worldview] (in ko). *Maeil Economy*. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved on December 14, 2023 – via Naver.
32. ↑ Kim, Hyun-seung (December 22, 2023). [OTT 리뷰 '이재, 곧 죽습니다'] [[OTT Review] 'Lee Jae, You're Going to Die Soon']. *Cine21* (in ko). Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved on December 25, 2023.
33. ↑ Moon, Ji-young (December 22, 2023). '이재, 곧 죽습니다' 글로벌 방응 뜨겁다..43개국 톱10 진입 ['Yi-Jae, You're Going to Die Soon' is a global reclamation..Top 10 in 43 countries] (in ko). *Sports Chosun*. Archived from the original on December 25, 2023. Retrieved on December 25, 2023 – via Naver.