The drama "Salon de Holmes" piques viewers' curiosity right from its title. The word "Salon" evokes an elegant and classic feeling, reminiscent of the 18th-century European venues for intellectual and artistic exchange. However, when this word is combined with "Holmes" and placed in the context of a Korean drama, it creates a clever pun that also brings to mind the most familiar of living spaces: the "apartment." The title thus suggests that the story will unfold in a unique space where elegance and everyday life, mystery and relatable narratives coexist.
At the heart of the drama are four female leads: Lee Si-young, Jung Young-joo, Kim Da-som, and Nam Gi-ae. They are characters with distinct personalities and stories who come together to solve mysterious incidents occurring within the confined space of their apartment complex. However, among these four protagonists, the one who truly serves as the story's anchor and drives the narrative forward is undoubtedly actress Lee Si-young. Through her character, viewers are drawn into the center of the unfolding events.
Actress Lee Si-young has long been known to the public for her healthy and strong image. Thanks to her unique background as a boxer and her exceptional athleticism shown in various broadcasts, the roles she has taken on have mostly been intense characters involving action sequences. Her portrayals across the big and small screens have often been those of a secret agent or a warrior fighting against injustice. This image had become almost synonymous with the identity of the actress herself.
However, in "Salon de Holmes," Lee Si-young completely sheds her previous image and attempts a new acting transformation. The character she plays is an exceedingly ordinary full-time housewife with no particular profession. The flashy action and strong charisma from her previous works are gone; instead, she is a character who lives a quiet life, conforming to the small details of daily existence. This feels like a return to the friendly, down-to-earth characters she played in her early career, serving as a testament to her broad acting spectrum.
In the drama, the role of the tough, physical problem-solver is entirely handled by actress Jung Young-joo. From the very beginning, she leaves a powerful impression by single-handedly lifting a massive refrigerator that even a grown man would struggle with. Her backstory as a former detective who was a force to be reckoned with adds credibility to her character. She acts as a dependable guardian of the apartment's safety, possessing a charisma and strength that few men can match.
The "Holmes" team is completed with the addition of Kim Da-som, who plays a delivery worker, and Nam Gi-ae, who runs the local supermarket. Due to the nature of her job, Kim Da-som serves as the group's information source, having intimate knowledge of the apartment complex's layout and the residents' minor secrets. Nam Gi-ae, utilizing her supermarket as a central hub, gathers all the neighborhood's rumors and information, providing crucial clues for solving cases.
The main story kicks off when the protagonist, played by Lee Si-young, hastily signs a contract for an apartment offered at a remarkably low price. Her joy at achieving homeownership is short-lived. From her first day, she feels a sense of foreboding from the strange, pitying glances of her new neighbors.
Soon after, she discovers the shocking reason for the apartment's low price: the previous tenant had committed suicide inside the home. With the move already complete and no way to turn back, the protagonist resolves to start her life in this new, unsettling home. However, as if to mock her determination, she gets entangled in an unexpected incident on her very first day.
This initial incident brings the four women—Lee Si-young, Jung Young-joo, Kim Da-som, and Nam Gi-ae—together as if by fate. Supporting each other through their respective crises, they form a strong bond. They decide to join forces to solve the various cases threatening their apartment and their neighbors. This is the moment the amateur detective squad "Salon de Holmes" is formed, as an ordinary housewife, a former detective, a delivery worker, and a supermarket owner combine their unique talents and information.
The drama is based on the solid storyline of the original novel of the same name,
"Salon de Holmes" has also shown remarkable success in terms of viewership ratings. Despite the challenges of securing high ratings on the ENA channel, the show demonstrated an impressive upward trend, starting at 1.3% for its first episode and doubling to 2.6% by the fifth. This proves that the fresh genre of a "life-oriented mystery" and the strong performances of the cast resonated with viewers, generating significant word-of-mouth buzz. Planned as a concise 10-episode series, it promises a tight and impactful narrative. The drama is currently available on the ENA channel and the streaming service Coupang Play.
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