tvN's upcoming drama 'The Second Signal' has officially wrapped up filming this month, marking the end of a six-month production process, according to a report from SPOTV News on August 11.
The drama is the highly anticipated second season of the 2016 hit 'Signal,' which follows detectives from the past and present as they reopen cold cases through mysterious radio transmissions from the past.
A Record-Breaker in tvN’s History
When 'Signal' first aired, it achieved a record-breaking success for a cable drama. Its finale recorded an average viewership rating of 13.5% and a peak of 15%, setting a new personal best. Among viewers aged 20-49, it averaged 11.3% with a peak of 12.5%, ranking first among all non-terrestrial channels in its time slot. According to Nielsen Korea's paid-platform data, the nationwide viewership was 12.544%, one of the highest ratings in tvN's history. These results were credited to its solid storytelling, outstanding performances, and high-quality direction.
The Story of 'Signal' Season 1
'Signal' is a crime thriller with a unique premise where the past and present are connected through a walkie-talkie. Detective Park Hae Young (played by Lee Jae Hoon), a former profiler living in the present, discovers an old walkie-talkie in a police station storage room. At certain times, he hears the voice of Detective Lee Jae Han (played by Cho Jin Woong), speaking from about 15 years in the past. The two begin exchanging information on cases, transcending time.
The clues shared over the radio allow them to reinvestigate long-unsolved cold cases. Sometimes, Lee Jae Han's actions in the past, based on Park Hae Young's tips, alter the course of events, even changing present-day records. But altering the past often leads to unforeseen consequences, drastically changing the characters' fates.
Many of the drama's cases were inspired by real-life unsolved crimes in Korea, such as the Hwaseong serial murders and the "frog boys" disappearance, adding a sense of realism to the plot.
'Signal' went beyond being just a chase thriller. It poses the question of whether changing the past is truly the right thing to do, explores the costs of such changes, and depicts the bonds and weight of choices forged between detectives from different eras united by the same goal.
The Long-Awaited Second Story
The first season’s finale hinted at the survival of Lee Jae Han, who had been missing for 15 years, leaving fans eager for a continuation. For tvN’s 20th anniversary special project, The Second Signal will bring back Kim Hye Soo, Lee Je Hoon, and Jo Jin Woong. This season will delve into the truth behind a long-term missing persons case and the fates of the main characters, exploring the evolving relationships and weighty decisions that transcend time.
While the first season focused on its universe and the resolution of cold cases, the sequel will expand its scale to portray the characters’ psychology and narratives with even greater detail. The script is written by Kim Eun Hee ('Signal,' 'Kingdom'), with direction by Ahn Tae Jin, who helmed the film 'The Night Owl.'
Fans are already excited for the return of the series as they fill online communities with comments: "I've waited 10 years. I can't believe it's finally coming," "With writer Kim Eun Hee and actors Kim Hye Soo, Cho Jin Woong, and Lee Jae Hoon, this is a must-watch," "'Signal' became my favorite drama after season 1, and I'll definitely be watching Season 2," "I'm thrilled to see the same cast together again," and "Honestly, 'Signal' is the drama that rewrote cable drama history."
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