The Uncanny Counter

The Uncanny Counter is a South Korean fantasy action television series adapted from Jang Yi’s Daum webtoon Amazing Rumor. Its first season aired on OCN from November 28, 2020, to January 24, 2021, running for sixteen episodes. The drama follows four “Counters,” human employees of a noodle restaurant who are recruited by the afterlife realm Yung to hunt evil spirits possessing people. Their apparent workplace, Eonni’s Noodles, gives the team a cover while also making food and mutual care central to the group’s identity. Season one was directed by Yoo Sun-dong; writers included Yeo Ji-na and Kim Sae-bom on staff. Jo Byeong-kyu plays So Mun, a high-school student whose damaged leg results from the car crash that killed his parents. Chosen as a Counter after the death of Cheol-jung, Mun receives exceptional physical strength and access to the Territory, a patch of energized ground that alerts the team to demons. Yoo Jun-sang portrays Ga Mo-tak, a former police detective with amnesia after an attempted murder; Kim Se-jeong plays Do Ha-na, who can sense evil spirits and read memories through touch; and Yeom Hye-ran plays Choo Mae-ok, the group’s healer. Ahn Suk-hwan’s Choi Jang-mul is the oldest Counter and Eonni’s Noodles’ owner. The first season’s principal adversary is Ji Cheong-sin, played by Lee Hong-nae, a level-three evil spirit who works with murderous accomplices Baek Hyang-hui and Kim Yeong-nim. Mun’s search for the truth about his parents links the supernatural hunt to a corruption case involving Taesin Group and the mayoral candidate Noh Hang-gyu. The series became OCN’s highest-rated drama at the time, and its strong response led to confirmation of a second season. It also gained attention for retaining a hero’s school life alongside stories about trauma, disability, bereavement, friendship, and abusive power, rather than treating the Counter work as superhero spectacle. Season two, titled The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch, aired on tvN from July 29 to September 3, 2023, in twelve episodes. Yoo Sun-dong returned as director, while Jo Byung-kyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong, Yeom Hye-ran, and Ahn Suk-hwan reprised their Counter roles. The new season adds Yoo In-soo as Na Jeok-bong, a country-raised recruit whose ability involves smelling evil spirits, and confronts a powerful trio led by Hwang Pil-gwang, played by Kang Ki-young. Kim Hieora plays Gelly, and Kim Hyun-wook plays Wong Yeok. Counter Punch tests the team against demons whose power and coordination challenge internal bonds and resolve.