I. Introduction
L.U.C.A.: The Beginning is a 2021 South Korean television series starring Kim Rae-won and Lee Da-hee, directed by Kim Hong-sun. LUCA is based on Charles Darwin’s proposition that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors (LUCA stands for last universal common ancestor). It aired on tvN from February 1 to March 9, 2021.
II. Synopsis
Ji Oh (Kim Rae Won) is a man in possession of unearthly powers and fighting skills – the only problem is, he has no idea who he is, how he got where he did, and why he is being pursued by people keen to capture him and learn his secrets. He isn’t even sure he is fully human. The intrigue deepens as he learns about a mysterious group of scientists at an institution named Human Tech, and a secretive genetics and biotech project codenamed L.U.C.A. This shadowy group, assembled by a secretive mastermind, is conducting curious experiments in a bid to create the perfect human, The group wants to learn Ji Oh’s secrets – as does another fearsome individual, a special forces agent named Lee Son (Kim Sung Oh) who also possesses otherworldly powers. Ji Oh’s only ally is a female detective named Gu Reum (Lee Da Hee) – a woman on a quest to discover the truth behind her parents’ deaths. Together, they hunt for answers – but who is hunting them?
III. Trailer
IV. Episodes
V. OSTs
VI. Reception
Along with the nationwide viewership at 5.799% (setting the personal record at 6.299% in the episode 10), L.U.C.A.: The Beginning has scored 7.4 on Mydramalist, 8.7 on Rakuten Viki &, 6.7 on IMDB.
