Great character study of a complex FL! The men though....
Overall, this show is one of the most captivating watches...you WILL be invested one way or another! The FL is obviously a lone protagonist, which breaks the mold but lets us see her relationship with multiple characters at a deeper level. Definitely would recommend if you like character-heavy shows and a really dramatic storyline.With 16 episode dramas, I would always lose interest towards the end, but for maybe the first time, I wish this was longer, at least 14 episodes since the ending felt rushed.
The Good:
Fantastic acting! Almost perfect Act I and Act II (episodes 1-8), with really great writing, pacing, characters. It was gonna rank in my top 5 kdramas! The show really explored the FL's motivations and pushed her to her emotional extremes all while letting us understand and even empathize with what she's been through and why she acts that way. I think its one of the most complex, multi-dimensional characters ever, and overall, the FL carried the whole show.
However...
Act III (epi 9-end) felt rushed...it was still captivating and didn't ruin the show at all, but I felt like the show had set itself up with high expectations of how it would all end. For me, it wasn't the most satisfying but I'm also not upset...another reason for you to watch for yourself!
And since we spent the entire show with the FL, the other characters feel one-dimensional, almost like caricatures to serve the plot. They were still effective and for some people, they connected the most with the rest of the cast. But since the FL was so complex, for me the contrast felt so stark. The writers probably did this on purpose to stay focused and not divert attention, I think this choice is up to personal interpretation.
Overall, its obviously super unique and everyone should at least check out the first episode and decide for themselves!
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Majorly disappointed
Ah-jin's backstory is devastating and it really makes for such a captivating story. I really rooted for her, despite all the horrible manipulation she's capable of. But then the plot took a real dive after episode 8 or so. So many plot points were thrown away after the mid-point (what happened to the agency CEO? And our classmate bully in the hospital?) And not to mention the finale. So ridiculous it's not funny. I really loved the villian husband that was a real match but Ah-jin but then there was no conclusion for their story. The character development lacked, and if there was, it was wasted by the end. Maybe they strayed away too far from the original webtoon.The acting. I think Kim Yoo-jung shone best in this. The two male leads were a little wooden but that just might have been the fault of the writing.
There was so much potential, but this sadly did not deliver.
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Why it is total BS
I'll make this short because this really angered me:This show is absolute nonsense - why?
1. It's another flick of in slow motion torture porn going on forever and ever - who enjoys watching such sick stuff to such extent?
2. It is ab so lu te nonsense that the FL would look ANYthing like she is shown. In fact she would have been dead a hundred times after how her father is beating her to a bloody pulp. But let's for the sake of it imagine a very petite woman of probably 45kg soaking wet could survive such attacks, and several of them, where a VERY tall, strong man is kicking her into the stomach, groin, chest etc ( Did I mention that it is absolute bs she would survive this?)... so, if she would survive these attacks for some supernatural reasons, she would be scarred EVERYwhere, her face would be scarred up and down, she would have so many broken bones that she probably couldn't walk and stand upright without very lengthy rehab training, if ever at all again, and I laughed out loud after seeing the end of ep. 3, she is practically mushed potatoe in the end, and next scene in ep. 4 she is sitting in a hospital bed just with a little band aid in her still perfectly pretty face - seriously Ef off with this total nonsense!
These shows glamorize super crass violence and make it look like someone like this very tiny woman could just walk away from such attacks and plan any kind of ridiculious revenge while she would have been dead a hundred times. Are people so daft they don't even realise this simple fact? Does anyone know anything about basic physics, and basic knowledge of what a human body can take or not? I doubt the whole freaking mankind if I see something like this receives 8.4 here, absolutely hilarious.
3. Did I say this is bs already? Well, and on top it is a total insult to EVERY real victim of severe domestic violence, and people supporf this and rate it with 9.0 or 10.0.
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Harsh
After watching eight episodes, I have decided to drop the drama Dear X. It is a very loud drama filled with negativity. I was expecting that the female lead’s character would eventually start doing good deeds, but not only was she arrogant, selfish, and psychopathic, she also killed someone in the eighth episode, which made her a murderer.For me, it was impossible to accept such a character as the lead. I mean, the main character should be morally right at least at some point. For example, the character Ki Ga Yeong from the drama Genie, Make a Wish was also portrayed as a psychopath. However, as time passed and she stayed around good people, she gradually turned into a better person.
I expected the same kind of transformation in this character. Although the themes of both dramas are different, but both characters are psychopaths. One turns into a good person, while the other becomes even more cruel. I honestly don’t know what the ending of Dear X will be—whether she turns into a good person or not—but after she kills someone, it no longer matters to me.
Secondly, I felt bad for all the boys who helped her unconditionally and treated her well, yet she remained the same.
Overall, it was simply too much for me.
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South Korea Proves Once Again They’re the Masters of Thriller
I’m currently on Episode 8 of this series (still ongoing), and honestly, I’m blown away. South Korea has always been unbeatable when it comes to psychological thrillers, but this drama takes it to another level. It’s easily one of my favourite thrillers in recent years, and I’m desperately waiting for the next episode to drop.The pacing is tight, the suspense is consistent, and the atmosphere is crafted so well that you’re constantly on edge without feeling overwhelmed. The editing deserves its own praise—it’s sharp, stylish, and heightens every tense moment perfectly.
But the real star here is Baek Ah Jin, portrayed by the insanely talented Kim Yoo Jung. She’s absolutely stunning on screen, but it’s her acting that carries so much of the emotional weight. She switches between vulnerability, intensity, and mystery so effortlessly that you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen next. Every supporting character is solid too—no weak links in this cast.
What I love most is how the story keeps evolving. Just when you think you’ve figured something out, the show throws another twist that somehow makes perfect sense. It’s smart, dark, and incredibly addictive.
If you’re into thriller, psychological, or mystery genres, this is a must-watch. I can already tell it’s going to be one of those shows people will still talk about even after it ends. Can’t wait for the next episode.
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Dear X: Her life was shaped by absence more than presence.
Dear X was Kim Yoo jung’s show, through and through. A character like Ahjin is any actress’s dream, truly a once in a lifetime role. And Kim Yoo jung didnt just deliver, she knocked it out of the parkThe story itself was far from a typical romance. This wasnt about two leads meeting, falling in love, breaking up and finding their way back to each other. Instead, it was the life journey of Ahjin, a transformation from victim to perpetrator. The drama explored how she used people for her own survival and discarded them once they no longer served her purpose.
The story was originally adapted from a webtoon and the drama followed the source material closely until In kang’s arc. After that point, it began to diverge significantly. The ending in particular was very different from the webtoon’s conclusion. Before watching the finale, i wasnt sure if i would like the direction the drama chose for its conclusion, especially knowing how different it was from the original source. Surprisingly, the ending worked for me. The drama and the webtoon wrap up the story in completely different ways, yet both feel thematically consistent with what they were trying to say. Most of the characters faced the consequences of their choices, while Moon Dohyuk was the only one spared, which makes me think they intentionally left room for a possible S2.
From childhood, Ahjin grew up without love or emotional support. The way her parents and Jun seo’s mother treated her played a major role in shaping who she became. She learned early on that survival sometimes meant doing things that didnt fit anyone’s moral standards. She spent most of her life emotionally numb and the only time a hint of genuine feeling surfaced was when she met In kang’s grandmother. That brief taste of unconditional parental love began to stir something inside her but the grandmother’s death dragged Ahjin right back into the darkness she came from.
Throughout her life, she used around five different men, each with unique personalities and weaknesses she could manipulate. Jae oh and Jun seo practically worshipped her. The cafe owner was one of the kindest adults she encountered, someone who could have guided her had circumstances been different. In kang was a deeply depressed person who found a reason to hope after meeting her, only for that hope to be shattered. And Dohyuk was a crazy psychopath who could challenge her on her own level. The only ones i truly felt sorry for were the cafe owner and In kang, they didnt deserve what Ahjin did to them.
What didnt work as well for me was Junseo and Jae oh’s blind loyalty. Even with Ahjin’s manipulations, these were grown men who clearly saw her lies and actions, yet chose to brush everything aside. Their backstories didnt fully justify the level of irrational devotion they showed. Still, despite the lack of logic, the dynamic between the three of them was strangely compelling. Their relationship was messy, layered and emotionally tangled, interesting enough that you stay invested even when it doesnt entirely align with realism.
Kim Yoo jung delivered a phenomenal performance as a sociopathic Ahjin. Several scenes gave me goosebumps, like when she killed her father at the end of E3 or when she slashed Sung hee’s face at the end of E10. These moments were pure cinematic brilliance. The rest of the cast also did exceptionally well, especially Hwang In Yeop and Hong Jong Hyun. The director deserves credit for bringing out the best in every actor.
On the production side, everything was top tier. The sets were lavish, the background score elevated every moment and the tension was built masterfully. The direction was so strong that even the average actors looked convincing on screen.
Overall, Dear X is a drama i would recommend to everyone but with a warning, it will stress you out episode after episode. Ahjin is such a complex and unforgettable character that it will probably take years before we see another female lead written this well.
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Insanity never looked better
This is the drama we’ve all been waiting for. If you’ve been craving a psychotic villain FL, this is for you. I’m always at the edge of my seat every episode, and it feels satisfying every time. The first four episodes are very promising, and can we talk about the range of Kim Yoojung? She’s insane—I’ve never seen her this crazy; she’s literally serving face and talent. And to whoever doubted Kim Youngdae, you better watch this because he didn’t come to play. He really fits this type of character, especially after his role in Penthouse. I’m looking forward to the upcoming episodes and how Ajin will manipulate people. Overall, it’s such a thrilling start and I can already tell this drama is going to be one wild ride.Was this review helpful to you?
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An X on my List
I watched this because it’s Kim You Jung. I’ve always been a fan of hers. The first few episodes held my interest. Not gonna lie, the bullying parts where she was being hit nonstop was too much. And she just stands there doing nothing. I don’t like how she uses other people to do her dirty work. When Mr. Choi, the owner of the Xanadu coffee shop ended up in jail, and she said she only pitied herself, I was like nope. I’m done. I don’t like her character and it just pains me how she sacrifices these people to get to the top. I had to spoil myself because I just wanted to know what happens at the end. Well, let’s just say that I was glad that I dropped it then. I wanted some character development and hopefully she would redeem herself. Sadly, it didn’t go the way I hoped it would be. The only perfect score I could give is the acting. Top notch. The storyline? Meh.Was this review helpful to you?
One of the best phycological drama
It has been a long time since I haven't a drama like this. After watching every episode of dear x, I questioned my self and put my self in their position. I can't stop to thinking about this drama. This drama is more reality than fictional. How far a person can go for their own desires, love or obsession?? The dark side of human. There are many evil people who destroy other people but living happily like moon do hyunk.The OST of this drama is chief kiss. I am obsessed with those OST.
The casting was on point. Every actors portrayed their character so well. Specially Kim yoo jung 🫡
The ending was so dark and I love it
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Dear x kdrama
This story or a korean drama is super amazing which i enjoyed and finished all episodes and the ending was sad and it hit differently and also it qas awesome and i appreciate to the making drama and to specially to actress and i truly enjoyed and it was having a different mood like starting good then danger and then happy last sad, but it was amazing and the last the songs was uuff it was crazy amazing, i love it.Thank you so much, have a great day..
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If You're A Fan of Watching Painful Scenes Ad Nauseam This Drama Is For You...
OMG! Idk what is going on in Korea but why are they scraping the bottom of the barrel for material like this one!?! This abused child has been turned into the dumbest psycho villainess I've ever had the misfortune to watch! I had to drop the show halfway through the 3rd episode. She made so many STUPID decisions/mistakes by then that I wanted to slap her and I'm a pacifist! Her codependent stepbrother who apparently IS a pacifist STILL having a relationship with his Mommy Dearest Mother was over the top BS for me! I was an abused child myself and IMO none of this is realistic. The author obviously only skimmed through a few psychology courses. Idk how it's getting 10 star reviews!?! I have liked the M & F leads in other dramas but this one is NOT worthy of my time! I'm so disappointed with Viki for not posting warnings about the intense level of violence in this trash. A rating of "R" is NOT enough!Was this review helpful to you?
SICK PLOT AND MC
Ah jin character here is absolutely CRAY CRAY DAMNThese characters deserve baeksang istg what in the top tier acting holy shii
Wonder what happens next good thing i do not know about the webtoon
Ah Jin revenge plot is insane holy
Is she gonna end up killing everybody keklol
Even innocent ones she has no mercy at all
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