K-Drama 
Gripping thriller and a family drama
For me this show is two parts, first 12 episodes and then the rest. I thought the first 12 were amazing, attention grapping and full of twists and turns but then the show goes into the conclusion parts and ends up dragging along, especially for binge-watchers like me cause of the flashbacks and repetition. But good news is that it doesn't take away from the show that much. If you like murder mystery/thriller shows this is a 100% must watch with amazing casting and great chemistry between the characters, and the amount of times it pulled a SURPRISE PLOT TWIST was peak K-Drama standards. I really liked it, now I must make some egg tarts and hope my childs ends up like Eun Ha.Was this review helpful to you?
FOE: True definition of a suspense-thriller
Flower Of Evil, to me, is the true definition of a suspense-thriller. Every episode leaves a chill down your spine such that you can't just sleep on it. You just want to take a peak of the next episode and you end up finishing it again and the cycle continues! I must say everything about Flower of Evil was done par excellence. Starting off with the story, the cast, direction, screenplay, cinematography, musical score. The songs Feel You and In My Heart really set the dramatic mood of the story while the suspense tones on the background made my heart pound. Oh, all of them deserve recognition!!!If there's one description that I could give to the writer, it's recklessly bold! Yoo Jung-hee was so daring to put her characters in awkwardly cliffhanger situations so that her viewers would wonder how the actors, already caught in the dead-end could still get away! So you go see the next episode! It was also wonderful how they managed to show an interplay of the past and the present to give light on the story. Much credit goes to Director Kim Cheol-kyu who drew out a very convincing performance from his actors.
Lee Joon Gi was indeed cut for the roles of Baek Hee-sung and Do Hyun-su and I don't think there's any other actor best fit for these roles. It was my first time to see him at FOE and since then I've already become his hopeless fangirl to the point that I've crammed to watch his other shows because I just can't seem to get enough of him. Lee Joon Gi is a gifted actor. He has depth. His penetrating eyes alone plus the movements of his facials already say it all. He is right when he explained in one interview, a true actor shouldn't be limited by subtitles. His actions, expressions, tone of voice should be able to tell a story.
I deeply sympathize with Do Hyun-Su. He is a beautiful person wrongly accused by a judgmental society that never attempted to uncover the truth but simply relied on heresays. Hyun-su and his sister Hae-su deserve a happy life. So does Ji-Won who gave her heart and genuinely loved her husband.
Truth and love are the central themes of Flower of Evil hidden in the guise of deceit and hate. It is a masterpiece! It is a must-watch!
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Pros
Characters - They were so brilliantly written. I was invested in so many of them. The way the writers could make you feel for a character who had as little as 1 minute of screentime.
Character development
Romance – I didn’t watch this for the romance nor was I expecting it, but it has two of the most romantic and sweetest couples I’ve ever seen. I really adore the second couple. They’re so precious.
Twist & Turns – So, so many layers to this story. I love it.
Cons
Length – This drama really dragged. It could have been the greatest thing ever if they cut out a couple of episodes. I thought there would be some reprieve in the end, but nope. I actually fast-forwarded through 50% of it. What they added to drag the story for another episode was really unnecessary and especially to do that to viewers in the end.
Spoiler – The streaming service I watched this on uses a thumbnail that is a MAJOR spoiler. Not the story’s fault ofc, but it definitely ruined the mystery and surprise for me.
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This review may contain spoilers
Could have been really great, but not quite
The initial episodes were fantastic and will draw you in almost immediately. With a cast of great actors and complex characters, it's very reasonable as to why the series has maintained such a high rating. Especially when it's built around a unique plot that revolves around the main male lead.However, it does start to slowly fall apart for me in different bite-sized areas and towards the end, it lost most of its momentum for me. Here are a few reasons:
-- Although it was meant for suspense purposes, there are scenes that were really unnecessarily dramatized (especially at the end of each episode). It would have felt less gimmicky if they just kept it natural.
-- The reporter was great for some comedic relief but he was also really irritating playing victim over and over again in front of the real victims. And it was pretty unbearable every time one of the victims apologizes to him. Wouldn't have minded if there was a scene where he owned up to his history and actions but there really wasn't one.
-- Our main couple actually did a really good job and I really enjoyed the build-up of their relationship but the female's character fell apart for me towards the end. It was quite disappointing to see her waver so many times. I had really hoped her loyalty was die-hard but it leaned towards just too much of a back-and-forth mess. Perhaps she had just simply been too spoiled with such a perfect partner by her side for catered to her completely.
-- As for the the brother/sister victims, while it's evident how much they've suffered when the series tells their story. It sucked to see them constantly still have to be so apologetic to the world around them, even towards those who are trying to "help" them. Because those who want to help them are really just trying to help themselves because they don't want to lose their person, but never really tried to put themselves in their shoes.
Nevertheless, despite my rant of some items above... there's enough high quality aspects to the series that makes it worth watching. But not one that would come across as well on a re-watch.
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No words to describe how good this is!!
Everything about this drama is completely amazing. Don’t hesitate to watch because it will be worth every second. You will never get bored, every chapter keeps you wondering what’s going to happen next. I dare to say it’s one of the best kdramas in this genre, and that’s saying much because i’ve watched a lot. The actors, the acting, the chemistry, the mistery, the love and hate leaves you open mouthed and longing for more. Lee Joon Gi deserves all the recognition for this role because you can quite literally feel his pain through the screen. I still think about some scenes from time to time and get the same feelings as if I was watching it for the first time. A complete work of art.Was this review helpful to you?
Lee Joon-gi delivers one of his most powerful performances as Do Hyun-soo, a man hiding behind layers of lies, guilt, and longing for redemption. His ability to convey emotion through silence is extraordinary — every glance, every small gesture carries pain and hope. Moon Chae-won is equally compelling as Cha Ji-won, a detective torn between duty and love, strength and vulnerability. Their chemistry is raw, believable, and utterly heartbreaking.
The writing is tight and poetic. Every plot twist feels earned, every revelation adds emotional weight rather than shock value. The pacing is perfect — balancing moments of suspense with quiet, intimate scenes that let the story breathe. The directing and cinematography heighten the atmosphere beautifully, using shadows and light to mirror the characters’ inner worlds.
What truly makes “Flower of Evil” stand out is its humanity. Beneath the thriller surface lies a story about identity, forgiveness, and the question of whether love can exist without truth.
It’s rare to find a drama that keeps you on edge and breaks your heart at the same time — but “Flower of Evil” does exactly that. A flawless blend of mystery and emotion, and easily one of the finest K-dramas ever made.
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must see for anyone who likes thriller mystery dark dramas
I think this is probably my first “family” drama and it’s actually insane how much I enjoyed it. Eun-ha is the cutest kid I’ve ever seen like ohhhhh my god. The acting from both the leads was phenomenal and I genuinely felt like I couldn’t breathe every time hyeonsu cried or had a panic attack. I’ll def be checking out his other stuff if it’s anything like this. The plot is so thick but even so it wasn’t too hard to keep up with and I was never bored even for a 16 ep seriesHalf star off for the stupid amnesia trope… that trope will be the death of me I hate it so much when it adds NOTHING…
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Creepy Scary study in childhood trauma and mental illness
I am not into creepy but I wanted to watch this kdrama because it is an iconic classic and also because I thought it will help me understand abused children and how they turn calous and heartless and also I wanted to understand a little bit more about psychopaths. I am dealing with organized crime trying to steal my apartment via the corrupt court system in Hawaii. So... I watched this.This kdrama is TERRIFYING. The concepts are TERRIFYING. It is about killers who enjoy killing, their families, and how their killings impacted their children and families.
The moral of the story is that a child subject to extreme abuse will likely grow to be a very closed off adult. It's Ok not to be OK and this kdrama both have a parent killer who trains a child to be a killer. Also, Quen of Tears is another drama where parent hates the child. The child goes basically insane and becomes heartless.
The interesting part in those dramas is that, if a child receives SOME love from somewhere, or is somehow strong enough, the child will not become a criminal and will have a relatively normal life. HOWEVER, so far we did not see a child who escaped severe mental and emotional damage. Well. bc this is dramas so we need a child with problems LOL but still. Chances of being 100% normal are almost zero.
So these kdramas explain children on drugs, trouble, becoming navy seals, assassins, criminals, etc etc etc Children just get swayed and shut down by their parents and their moral, mental and emotional compass STOPS. The worse the parent, the worse the child, seems like.
And yeah some bad kids already have those tendencies like the serial killer #2 and his family from this kdrama.
This kdrama asks a very fundamental question: if the serial killer #2 did not meet the serial killer #1 when he was a child, WOULD he have gone off the deep end? He already had tendencies... as a child, he killed a dog and then lied about it... so ... he would have had done something bad somewhere along the lines... ? would he? sooner or later.. ? but then he ran into the adult serial killer, who took him and trained him. Finally the kid killed the adult... LOL
I do not need to understand these people. I just need to understand how to keep myself protected and them far away from me.
Lee Gang Ji is masterfully acting as a child of a monster, a father who turned his son into such a hearthless child who then learns to defrost and love because his wife loves him. HE becomes a good parent.
The actor who did the father is now Silla CEO in drama "For eagle brothers" and at first I was shuddering every time I saw him, remembering his role in this drama. He was SCARY. Extremely convincingly SCARY. We never saw him DO anything... but we saw hm stand there as a ghost egging his son to kill... and we saw the cages he built hinting at what he did... and we saw clips of him talking about his "art of killing" - so that dude was SUPER SCARY TERRIFYIING. This drama also shows what he was doing and that was scary too. It is a deep dive into showing what mentally ill people do.
So to meet him again as Silla dad in "For Eagle Brothers" was ... unpleasant LOL he is a villain there too ... but more in the white collar crime arena.
I think the spooky part is the parents of the other serial killer, parents who kept lying on behalf of their son, and son serial killer for enjoyment, who did not kill his father and mother. And we learn his father is essentially a killer himself, just camouflaged as a hospital director...
The woman who loved Lee Gang Ji;s character is also a tricky role bc he came NOT to believe him and bc of it, he lost his memory... good thing so they could start from scratch. I AM NOT SURE WHAT OTHER PLOT OR ENDING IT COULD HAVE BEEN, everything was just too crazy and not easily fixable. I cannot imagine a plot with rosey easy overcoming...
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From Avoidance to Adoration: How a 2020 K-Drama Became a 10/10 Must-Watch After Four Years
When this K-drama was first released in 2020, I avoided it because I found it incredibly boring knowing who the culprit was from the start. However, four years later, I decided to give it a try as it was on my plan-to-watch list and had such a high rating. To my surprise, it turned out to be a 10/10 for me. The story was well-paced over all 16 episodes, and I could see the growth of the protagonist and his relationship with Cha Ji Won. The actor did an excellent job portraying the character, and the story flowed smoothly. I have nothing but praise for this drama.Four years after its initial release, I finally decided to watch it, and I was pleasantly surprised. Despite knowing the culprit from the start, the drama managed to keep me engaged with its intricate plot and character development. Over the span of 16 episodes, the storyline was evenly distributed, ensuring there was never a dull moment. The growth of the protagonist was particularly well-done, showcasing a deep and evolving bond with Cha Ji Won.
The lead actor delivered a stellar performance, bringing depth and nuance to the character. His portrayal was compelling and authentic, making the character's journey believable and relatable. The chemistry between the lead characters was palpable, adding an emotional layer to the narrative that was both touching and intense.
In addition to the strong performances, the direction and writing were top-notch. The story was meticulously crafted, with each episode building upon the last, creating a cohesive and engaging viewing experience. The drama tackled complex themes and emotions, exploring the intricacies of relationships, trust, and redemption.
In conclusion, this K-drama exceeded my expectations in every way. It was a compelling, well-acted, and beautifully written series that kept me hooked from start to finish. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a drama that combines strong character development with a gripping storyline. For me, it's a definite 10/10.
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best drama of 2021
it just awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeWas this review helpful to you?
Production? Top-notch: The filming/directing is incredibly good, and the music is excellent as well.
Acting? Phenomenal: I'm almost at a loss for words to even describe this. The main male lead did an outstanding job with the role he was given, and both the chemistry and the tension between him and the actress who plays his wife were literally palpable.
Relationships? Refreshing: There is a little bit of romance, but aside from a minor kind-of-sort-of thing going on with a side couple, the main part you see is actually between characters who are already married and have a child (plus some flashbacks of theirs, which are serious and/or sweet, not cheesy at all), which is honestly a breath of fresh air.
Plot? Utterly gripping: It's a crime thriller at the top of its game. (And, as such, there are a few trigger warnings: Blood, wounds, drowning, psychological stuff, personality disorders, genuinely scary serial killer, etc.; however, none of it is gratuitous-- I don't really like violent media all that much, but I was able to watch this just fine.) Both of the main pillars of the story-- the crime thread as well as the character/interpersonal thread-- were so compelling that I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and marathoned the entire show as fast as I possibly could.
This is not only the best K-drama I've ever seen, it's one of the best shows I've seen of any kind. It's a masterpiece-- and if you haven't already seen it, you need to, right now.
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This review may contain spoilers
Excellent cast with interesting plot.
I writing this review after watched this drama twice. It's really worth watching for my time. when i watching this second time my interested towards this drama keeps high. Even though it was second time i didn't skip any second of this drama. It's truly unpredictable that we can't imagine what happend to next.Also what most interested to me do hyun soo and cha ji won's love.. because i wasn't very likable thriller genre. Also do hyun had antisocial personality desorder. I can't imagine how lee jun ki act for hyun soo's character. His acting here top notch. I liked his character. Also cha ji won character especially when hyun soo in the pool and almost lost his life. Cha jiwon cried like her life was in disaster. I really felt that moment. Especially their kiss scenes are also good. can't get over them.😩💗💗😭
My advice for you-: if you are kdrama fan you shouldn't miss this masterpiece.
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