Dear X (2025)

A twisted fantasy - One we rarely get

Before starting any review, I do like to thank the writers, producers, actors and the rest of the cast as well as people involved with this drama in any capacity, for their hard work. Thank you.

As I have finished this drama mere minutes ago, my thoughts might seem jumbled and out of place in some parts, but please bear with me as I do have a lot to say.

Let us start off with the good. I have been one of the most fervent advocates for more morally grey/villanous FEMALE leads in dramas for years now. Some of my favorite dramas and movies("Hyena", "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance") sport this exact type of lead and I am always glad to see a representation of this type of character, when done well. And in "Dear X", it was done exceptionally well. I do genuinely find the character of Baek Ahjin intriguing, beguiling, eerie and frustrating at times. And I want MORE. Kim Yoo Jung, an actress I, admittedly, dismissed for most of my KDrama watcher timeline, proved me wrong and came back swinging. Whether that was a pun or not, you decide. Her abilities shine here in ways most other of her projects don`t warrant. She should really consider building a core audience in this genre, for it does test her limitations and plays around with her talent. And what we get as a result is a brilliant depiction of a broken person, a survivor and a sociopath. Almost everyone`s acting across the board is great, they do really bring their A game to this project and the direction, especially in the first four episodes, is tight, fast paced and exceptional.

Kim Young Dae has been getting flack for his lackluster acting for years now and, in a general sense, I would agree with the sentiment. He is also often typecast. In some ways, his character of Jun Seo follows his well practiced lines of stoic behavior, often dry delivery and all that. And yet...his interpretation of a deeply flawed person with a savior complex, twisted enough to follow Ahjin, no matter the level of toxicity their relationship entails...is absolutely awesome to watch. With very small tweaks to his formula, the male lead of this drama becomes someone emotionally stunted with good intentions and a flawed way of implementing them.

As for Kim Do, he has his usual shtick of charisma and it is always a joy to see him on my screen. His character, Jae Oh, a good guy coming from a broken family, yearning to protect his younger brother, and thus ending up a convict, is a tragic one. But a lovely addition all the same.

Technically, this whole drama feels like a character study of its lead character Baek Ahjin, a commentary on the state of the entertainment industry as a whole, and a SOMEWHAT soapy intepretation of a problematic lead. Baek Ahjin is the Sun. And depending on who you are in this story, you either breathe for her or get burned beyond recognition. Honestly, I could write a dissertation about damn near every relationship Ahjin has with one character or the other, and how at times, it reminded me of Junji Ito`s Tomio in the way people revered or hated her. Ahjin can become an obsession, your own personal monster or a goddess you serve. And that`s the tumultuous beauty of this project. The directing, as I`ve mentioned before, is on point for about 80% of this drama and this is something I don`t often comment on. But here it should be commended. As for the OST, it is aptly dark, dripping with a sense of unease and ferocity, thus setting itself apart from the other contenders in its genre. I will be listening to several songs long after I forget about this drama. Some of the visuals present are absolutely haunting in the best way. First few minutes of Episode 1 prove that beyond doubt. This is one of those dramas I`m confident about being one of my favorites of 2025. This doesn`t free it from some of my criticism, so let`s get into it:

For one, I do absolutely dislike the presence, and the lackluster exploration of Baek Ahjin`s husband, CEO Moon Doo Hyuk. I find his addition waning and flat and the arc surrounding him beyond forgettable. Which is strange, once you take into account how much time we actually spend on him and his relationship with Ahjin. He needed backstory, as he lacked charisma to rely on mystery and enigma alone. I understand what they were going for with him. It just didn`t pan out.
Secondly, the last few episodes do lose the magic first...eight hold? Some plotlines feel rushed, some feel unnecessary and drawn out(Jun Seo`s mom) and some are downright left hanging. That is to say, this drama should have had 16 episodes. And this is my first time saying this. There are some moments of overacting I didn`t find believable, mostly coming from Kim Ji Kyung, who plays Seong Hee, one of Ahjin`s high school frenemies?bullies? Who`s to know. There are also some instances of overly convenient timing and convenience, but all that falls into shadow if you buy into the premise of the Baek Ahjin`s world. And I did.

For my closing thoughts, I find this drama utterly entertaining throughout. Carnal and fastidious, yet electric. Despite its flaws, it`s one of the few that kept my attention and repaid the time I invested. I would recommend it to everyone looking for something different, especially if you like your leads just a tad...twisted.

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A beautiful devastation

Dear X is a story that slithers under your skin. It follows Baek Ah Jin — a girl born into violence, sculpted by cruelty, and sharpened into something terrifying. Her childhood is a collection of bruises: a father who hits, a mother drowning in liquor, a house where hope never dared show its face. Even when wealth entered her life, it came with chains — not gifts. She grew up as something to be sold, not someone to be loved. From this broken soil, she blooms into a woman who survives through ambition, manipulation, and an iron will to never lose. She doesn’t kill with her hands. She kills with guilt, with psychological traps, with carefully planted despair that makes people destroy themselves. Heo In-gang’s fate is the clearest example. Even monsters are born from broken mirrors. The high school arc is intoxicating — sharp, fresh, magnetic. But once adulthood comes, the story grows heavier, darker. There’s a discomfort in the air, the sense that every character is walking toward something irreversible.

Yoon Jun-seo becomes the first page of her tragedy. He watched Ah Jin being beaten by his mother and never forgave himself. His entire life becomes an offering to her — sacrifice disguised as devotion. Yet in the end he becomes the biggest hypocrite, carrying a false righteousness while standing on rotting ground.
And then there is Kim Jae-oh. If tragedy had a human shape, it would look like him. A boy who killed his father by accident, a man unloved by his family, drifting through life with only one unwavering truth: his quiet, loyal love for Ah Jin. But the cruelest truth is this — Jae-oh was never Ah Jin’s X. He was her O. The constant. The circle she always returned to. The one place where she didn’t need to lie. The moment she called him and heard no answer, something inside her cracked. She slid into the shower and cried — not because she lost a tool, but because she lost the only presence who always came when she called. Yet cruelty is stitched into her silence. When she has lunch with Moon Do-hyeok and he casually orders his subordinate to crush Jae-oh, she says nothing. Not a word, not even a breath of protest. That silence is sharper than any knife. And Jae-oh, foolish in love, accepts it. He is happy to be used by her, happy to be a stepping stone. A moth who believes the flame is warm.

Even the café owner is swallowed by her shadow. A gentle man who wanted to protect her, to be the one warm adult in her life. Instead, he ends up imprisoned for sins he didn’t commit, losing his future along with his dreams. When he returns and still speaks kindly to her, the tragedy stings even deeper. Heo In-gang’s arc is a softer heartbreak — a boy made of light, used for her ascent. Yet through him, we glimpse the rare tenderness buried inside her. Her love for his grandmother, her guilt, the way she takes the blame for the grandmother’s death — it’s one of the only moments where she feels like a wounded human instead of a carefully crafted monster. Then Moon Do-hyeok arrives — manipulation in human form, a predator in a tailored suit. He is the true final boss, the darkness that mirrors hers. Their marriage is a war disguised as a household. Jae-oh gives his life trying to protect her from Do-hyeok, but his sacrifice dissolves like smoke. Do-hyeok walks away untouched, while Jae-oh dies quietly, unfairly — as if the universe itself forgot him.

Some endings feel like justice crawling back to finish its work. Jun-seo’s mother receives a downfall so poetic it almost feels mythical. Being forced to erase her only child — watching him tear down his own childhood photos with cold finality — shatters her. Her fatal fall down the stairs is the last echo of all the cruelty she inflicted. As for Ah Jin, her collapse is inevitable. You cannot build a kingdom out of manipulation and expect it to stand. Watching her world crumble feels right, yet hollow — because the one who deserved peace the most, Jae-oh, never gets it.

But even when the writing stumbles, the acting never does. Kim Yoo-jung is breathtaking — she plays Ah Jin with a terrifying grace, turning every glance into a blade and every tear into a confession. Kim Young-dae and Kim Do-hoon match her intensity, anchoring the story with emotional weight. In the end, Dear X is not simply a drama. It’s a psychological labyrinth, a slow descent into a darkness that whispers, not screams. If you want a story that twists your thoughts, tests your morals, and leaves a shadow behind even after it ends, Dear X will haunt you long after the final scene fades.

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It was a hoax all along

On theme with its theme (haha, I'm so funny *sigh*), from the start this drama manipulates its viewers. From the official promoters of the drama and the so-called "media influencers", to the vast majority of easily swayed users on websites such as this. Users that think that just because they can, they SHOULD post their thoughts about how they feel, but nothing about a media's quality. And I must address this again and again, because those are NOT the same. You can enjoy bad media, and thats ok (aka "my guilty pleasure"). Just make sure you know it is bad.
For those who don't wanna read it all: this drama is sht. Full of plot devices, plot holes and plot contrivances, to make the story move forward. People might say that some aspects are interesting, but don't bother. EVEN if you like a certain actor/actress, you're better off watching some of their other works. Also no, there was no wasted potential from the start. Even the acting was done wrong.
I'll try to keep it short, and this time I might even succeed, because I won't even bother with my usual format, taking apart every aspect every piece of what goes into making a piece of media.

Here I go. Visuals. This is the part where I talk about colour grading, cinematography and such. Well, even though this drama actually deserves praises in this particular section, I won't go out of my way, and I'll explain later why. Yes, some extremely nice cinematography. I was really impressed with some shots. Moving on.

Next I'd usually talk about audio, the pacing, world-building, acting, character development, fight choreography (when there is one), production value and so on and so forth. This time, I wont, I'll go directly at its core problem. The script is sht. Period. Every aspect of it.
I'll start with its most basic aspects. A psychopath kid is first and foremost exactly that: a kid. You can't write him/her with traits of an adult when they have no life experience. Being cold, calculated and such, has nothing to do with knowing what piece of information is important, and why that is, to use for leverage. And from that "simple" aspect, everything goes downhill. Why? Because the rest of the story follows the same flawed logic, the scenes happening in the only way to make the story happen, dismissing logic or probability.
And this is mostly in regards of the "moving parts". Add to that the sht dialogue, with half sentences, not talking like a normal human being, to incur misunderstandings (so the usual dialogue in a k-drama :)) )...
Also, manipulating people happens all around, not just regarding males. You might say she was alluring them with her body, except, no she wasn't. Most of the times it was emotional manipulation, playing on aspects regarding her or her "victim", what was working best, case by case. "I suffered great wrongdoings. Your parent hates you. You and I are the same". Stuff like that. Anything that would help bewitch the victim. Even changing tactics mid-way if needed. (she hugs him, to stop him from talking because the verbal aspect was not working). So, this aspect was also wrong.
And on top of allllll of that, the acting wasn't great either. The viewers are easily swayed, I know, mostly so when its about these dramas, but thats not good acting. Or maybe its the directing... Well, I'll gladly compromise and say "it might be both". And I will give an example. Anthony Hopkins in "The Silence of the Lambs". When you threaten someone or you let them take a peak behind your mask, what they see must be reflected in their fear, their realisation that they are prey. You know, inner alarms going off, dry mouth, the fly instinct kicking off... Because thats the main hype for a psychopath, isn't it? Showing your full might and make the victim know its "insect value" while they draw their last breath. Or something like that, I don't know, I'm not one *sweats nervously*...
What we got here is the usual portraying of a deranged individual in a k-drama. Over-the-top, of even cringe, acting that consists in extreme smiling with a blank face, void looks, like thats supposed to show a "cold/no emotions" aspect.

So, using fewer words: this drama felt fake from the start because of the script and acting. Simple as that. I never understood the hype and I hope this drama will get buried fast.

And now, to sum it up. Is it good? Hell, no. You might enjoy it? No. Not even to pass time? Nope. The only praise I can address is about some visuals and some acting of the supporting cast. Watching it just for SOME nice scenes, sounds insane, especially because you don't know then there will be one. The same for the acting. If you like someone from the cast, watch them in something else. Or, you might watch this drama in the future, when you'll see the child actor in a different drama and check previous works. "Wait, it played in that drama? Hmm, bad reviews. But I like this person so I'll give it a go". Something like that, I don't know. (Yes, the child was good btw).

When a movie has good writing, people will like it even 50 years later (I won't even bother with an example, there are lots). People enjoy "bad" media because of certain aspects, even if the writing is not that good. You might like it for the visuals (the first Avatar), or the IP (the first Mortal Kombat). Or, it is so sht that you actually start having fun watching the low bar (Madame Web, Gal Gadot acting/singing in Snow White). Well, this drama is not it. It has none of those.
It gets a rating of 2 (I've already mentioned its good parts). Enjoyment factor? Re-watching value? LOL.
Have a lovely day.

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Dear X - Find a target, do everything to destroy it, repeat

This "review" contains spoilers, so be warned

Story (6-6,5): A Psychopath (yes, these traits she has shown us in this show are more that of a Psychopath rather than that of a high functioning Sociopath [long term planning and manipulation, no regret/remorse, doesn't feel "emotions" at all and many more examples I could name]), has a harsh childhood and learns from a young age how to manipulate things to get things done "her way".

She manipulated our ML into being the "anchor" to his existence (repaying him because his mother nearly killed him, telling him that "only" she loves/cares for him, nobody else, not even his mother. As the story unfold, I could still ride with it overall.

But, even in a conceptual logic, many things were just designed that way from a narrative-viewpoint. Let's take the Ep.1 -2 into perspective, "her school-life", the teacher gets caught with the lawyer, who is the father of her "real first target", in "public". In public?

Nobody questions this? He is a lawyer, she is a schoolteacher, but they get caught in the "open"? Both parties knew that this was an affair/fling, and their educational standard should tell that they should think things over more logical, they would most likely not be caught so easily, either getting into a location via different times (1 hour earlier, 1 hour later), pick spaces that cannot be easily caught via camera etc.

Then the whole thing with her killing her father, by manipulating her Boss into doing it (Stalker, help me, I am being attacked). Her co-worker already was already suspicious of it all and when he wanted to talk with the boss about this whole thing, she just happens to be near the location of conversation.
I mean, cellphones were already a thing in the timeline of this drama in the schooldays, as it was shown already. So, he couldn't tell his Boss to be more careful around her?

I dunno mate, her manipulation of things was not "genius"-level, but more narrative focused, with many flaws, which ofc made her more "humane", but it was mostly there to create tension for these said situations.

But the lowest point for me was the episode 6, like ehm, Heo In Gang, who was always suspicious of others because of his own trauma/mindset in the early days in his life (band-life, knew about the nuts in the food, but didn't mention it, because he wanted the "win" in the aspect of attention etc.), we have seen that he saw thru' her facade easily. But what happens? He needed to be nerfed for this narrative, telling her about his "trauma" just because she gave him a bottle of water when he was taking his meds? Then she does things like meeting his grandma, not telling him why she is in this kind of club, and he always tells her to "get out (of his sight)", because these are not coincidental things that happen.

I ofc see that his grandpa had an impact on him with saying things like "You need to let your guard down sometimes, form connections etc.", but then, after this conversation, he meets his old band-member, who even tells him that this whole plot/conversation was because of our FL.
"AFTER" this he tells his "Boss", Seo Mi Ri [Longstar Entertainment CEO], that he doesn't want any contact with her anymore, be it commercial, movie-related etc. But then, because he "re-collects" his "moments" with her on TV (based on their in-drama-drama-show), he calls her and wants to apologize?
And then, just because he was late, based on the design of FL's who wanted him to be late, he was "running" to her and just then thereafter kiss her?
Sorry, but even in a conceptual logic of things, this didn't really make much sense to me. I get how it is important for the narrative of it all, but nah, it could be done way better.

And I don't even talk about Yun Jun Seo, how his trauma bond breakage-stages were like this:
Stage 1 — Idealization (past)
She was everything; he viewed her as savior.

Stage 2 — Disillusionment (episode 3–4)
He begins noticing patterns; sees moral violations.

Stage 3 — Cognitive Breakthrough (after episode 4)
He understands who she is.

Stage 4 — Emotional Dependence Still Holding (currently)
He is not yet free emotionally, even though cognitively he’s halfway out.

Stage 5 — Collapse of the Bond (future arc)
This is what the show is clearly building toward:
his realization → confrontation → separation or sacrifice → personal identity reconstruction.

He isn't really blind to what is happening, he is just split, two system interact with one another:
System1: Conditioned Attachment / Trauma Bond (stay with her, protect her, leaving is betrayal, she is "just" traumatized)
System2: Emerging Rational Awareness (This is wrong, she is dangerous, she doesn't care about anyone, just manipulates everybody, it is not "just" a trauma)

The process of it all is kinda too slow, but it is still in the framework of the conceptual logic, so I can't really find much fault in it, if I look at it in a more objective way.

Acting/Cast (8,5-9): FL's acting is really good, support/guest cast is also solid, and they are mostly known for their acting-skills for these kinds of roles.
I don't really want to pin-point it all, because the determination/rating of acting in this kind of forum is more subjectively than objectively.
In a nutshell, she knows when to act emotional (outburst of emotions, even if fabricated [for the story]), when to act shy, mistreated, evil/dangerous etc.
Most of the time she fits almost all boxes, the ML tho' shows less acting (fewer facial expressions [small eye, lip movements etc.]), not comparable to the Manhwa-Version of his character.
But we can't really say if it is the fault of the actor himself or if it was the decision of the directors etc. So yeah, can't really fault him for this, because we have seen that he can act differently in other Dramas he is in. In general, nothing "out of this world", but more than just "above average".

Music (9): Music where the lyrics were perfectly fit for the overall theme of this show/scenes, but the placement of the songs was not always "perfect", sometimes another song was fitting better for the overall situation of the scene.
I don't judge it my personal preference, because I would not listen to this songs in my own free time, but I "judge" them if they are fitting for the show (lyrics, scene-placements to affect/improve the scenes/emotions overall etc.).

Rewatch Value (1): I find the pacing of processing thru' the trauma-bond-breaking stages of Yun Jun Seo too slow, because from both perspectives, the observer/viewer and from his perspective, there are many signs/signals shown for him to "breaking out of it", but it still makes sense overall in the conceptual logic because of what they together went thru' as child's, how they bonded, how she manipulated him to the extreme, how he thinks he is guilty because of his mother etc.
Also, the "breaking the (conceptual) logic" just to increase the "tension" (to build/hype it up) was too much for me, especially episode 6 with Heo In Gang, other scenarios still made at least a bit of sense, but his whole character flip in just 1 episode was just "wait, what just happened?".
So yes, it is a solid show, and I will watch it till the end, but will I ever rewatch this K-Drama? Absolutely not xD.
But this is, as rewatch value is in general, ofc just a subjective opinion, don't let it affect your fun on this show, I do me, you do you x3.

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The shows charm lies in its messiness if that even makes sense.

"Dear X" presents a protagonist who is nothing short of captivating, a character so complex that she defies simple categorization. This isn't your typical heroine; she's a study in contradictions, a woman who embodies both sociopathic tendencies and a personality disorder, shaped by a troubled upbringing. The show fearlessly delves into the grey areas of her character, portraying her as a schemer, a manipulator, and a woman with ambition that knows no bounds. She's a force to be reckoned with, and crossing her comes with a steep price.

The brilliance of this character lies in her unpredictability. She can be as sweet as she is dangerous, a walking paradox that keeps you guessing. It's impossible to place her on a pedestal, and that's precisely what makes her so refreshing. Kim Yoojung delivers a performance that is nothing short of mesmerizing, capturing every nuance of her character's complexity. Her micro-expressions, her subtle shifts in demeanor – everything about her portrayal sends shivers down your spine. You find yourself both terrified and intrigued, eager to see how her story unfolds.

While the female lead undoubtedly steals the show, Kim Youngdae's performance also deserves recognition. His acting has noticeably improved, adding another layer of depth to the series.

Overall, the show was fantastic because it felt unique. We had morally ambiguous characters and an irredeemable female lead who sparked debate, especially about how we should judge her. Personally, I think Ah Jin is a character you can either hate for her actions or understand because of her backstory. Either way, there's no right or wrong answer. Those mixed feelings really add to her character's appeal.

As for the ending... I have mixed feelings. It was as messy as the entire show, but somehow, it made sense in its messiness. I highly recommend this show if you can set aside your moral compass and just watch a bunch of messy characters navigate life, burning everything around them, including themselves.

"Dear X" is a psychological thriller that challenges you to confront your own moral compass. It's a series that demands your attention, leaving you both unsettled and utterly engrossed.

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The True Kim You Jung Masterclass

Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely detest insane K-drama villains. They’re shallow, repetitive, and poorly written. They lack the depth necessary to make them feel real or believable, and their motives often border between non-existent and illogical. Basically, the “insane villain” trope is not my cup of tea. From Vincenzo to Dear Hongrang, they just kept getting worse. Then along comes Dear X with the most brilliantly complex sociopath I’ve seen in a long time.

You could argue that she’s so layered because she’s the protagonist and main focus of the show, but if those other dramas had better character writers and clearer priorities, they could’ve made their villains feel just as layered as their heroes.

Baek Ah-Jin is a phenomenal character brought to life by an equally capable actress. Although I hated My Demon, I wasn’t the least bit skeptical when I heard KYJ was heading this production, because she gave what was easily the best acting performance in that drama. The supporting characters really enhance the story, my personal favorite being Moon Dohyun. The plot hooked me from the first episode and kept me engaged throughout. I have to admit, though, that the rest of the show wasn't as good as the first four episodes, and the ending left much to be desired. One thing that stayed consistent, though, was KYJ’s acting.

There’s a strong thematic presence in this show. Subjects such as violence, abuse, generational trauma, and duplicity don’t simply exist here—they’re explored quite deeply. It’s unapologetically dark and gruesome. Sometimes, I even fear for the child actors involved. The visuals are stunning—the dark and gritty tones work seamlessly with the world-building, and the lighting complements KYJ’s face in a way that almost makes her look doll-like at times. The direction sometime makes it feel like a horror show. The musical element is on another level; the way it intensifies an already tense situation makes everything come together perfectly.

As good as everything already is, my favorite aspect of this show has got to be the psychological maneuvering. Manipulation is depicted with striking accuracy. Ah-Jin is a villain through and through, and while her actions are unjustifiable, they’re strangely understandable. She’s beyong redemption, yet you can’t help but wonder how different her life might have been had she been born into better circumstances. She’s intelligent and calculating. She sees people as pawns in her mind games, inserting herself into their lives as the very thing they yearn for—whether it’s love, a morality project, or a sense of usefulness. She shifts her personality to infiltrate their minds. She could be a love interest to one and a helpless child to another. But once she sinks her teeth in, they become slaves to her every bidding.

This show isn’t perfect, though. It’s sometimes unbelievable how well things work out for the female lead. But they balance it by having her make costly mistakes every now and then. This is just peak entertainment. Baek Ah-Jin is now one of my favorites kdrama characters of all time. She is the gold standard for insane kdrama villains.

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Brilliant Acting, Morally Draining Storyline

I kind of enjoyed Dear X… but only to a certain point.

The acting was the first thing that drew me in. Everyone delivered, and Kim Yoo-jung completely owned her role as Baek Ah Jin. No weak links anywhere. Honestly, the performances alone kept me watching even when the story got heavy.

Since Ah-jin doesn’t experience emotions like most people, I tried watching the drama “logically” to understand her choices. It worked in the beginning, but eventually my emotions caught up and started influencing how I felt about everything.

At first, I didn’t feel bad about her getting back at Seung-hee because Seung-hee did start the mess. Ah-jin seeing through her and fighting back made sense. But once the story shifted to murder plotting and framing innocent people, that’s where it lost me. I understood why Ah-jin became who she is. The trauma, the toxic relationships, the transactional view of love... but morally, I couldn’t follow her anymore. That was my breaking point with the plot.

The ending was a lot too. I’d grown attached to certain characters, so watching how everything wrapped up hit harder than I expected. Even so, I get why the drama chose an uncompromising ending; it stayed true to its tone and to the character they built.

Overall, Dear X is incredibly well-acted and definitely memorable, but it’s also emotionally draining. I appreciated the craft, even though I couldn’t agree with every direction the story took.

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NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. IF YOU WANT SOMETHING TO SCRATCH YOUR BRAIN, THIS IS IT.

One thing you need before you watch this it to leave all your expectations at the door, nothing will go the way you want it to. Nothing.

That being said...HOLY HELL WAS THIS THE MOST INTRIGUING CINEMATIC UNIVERSE EVER!!!!

BAEK AH JIN.
A girl shaped by her circumstances. I've seen many people term her the perfect villain. She wasn't a villain. Baek Ah Jin didn't seek your ruin until you came at her, until you placed yourself in her path. Then she comes for you and yours.
You cannot hold her to the standards of a normal person. As a child, Baek Ah Jin survived her mother's abuse and her father's complacency. Then her father killed her mother, and he explained it to her like that was not a big issue, made her think of the bigger picture, so when the abusive mother asked for help, she went the safer route. The writers ate with that first episode since it dictates Baek Ah Jin's persona to a T.

Her father tells her life will get better as he remarries, but some part of Baek Ah Jin believes that, only to be disillusioned when her father and her new mum plot to have her sold, or film child pornography. So she finds a way to defend herself, blackmail, when that fails, and she's almost drowned, she goes for the next weapon: Junseo. And it works. It is important to note this going forward, for it shapes their relationship.
Another gem the writers subtly nudged at the viewers was Ah Jin's hate /mistrust of females; she has a misconstrued view of her gender, and this is also a factor in her manipulation.

Her high school bully had no business coming at her, belittling her background, and her lack of parents; she got her due.

The cafe owner was marked the moment they met, but Ah Jin cemented her decision to use him when he told her, EXPLICITLY, that she could. She even repeated it. Now, under normal circumstances, it would be considered kindness to offer someone help in these words, but Baek Ah Jin isn't normal; she doesn't think as anyone would, her fight is for survival, and so she survives.

Jae Oh is my favourite character by far, and the perfect partner for Ah Jin. He gets her, her entire flawed self. He doesn't try to change her. not like Junseo, who tries to mould her to his understanding of behavioural norms. Jae Oh put her first, believed her first. And their relationship was the most open and comfortable. He could have survived, though I guess his sacrifice, which Junseo shat on!!!! required a steep price.

Junseo tries to have everything, his morals, and the woman who went against everything else. He is a hypocrite who deservedly loses everything in the end. At his own hands, too.

LET ME REITERATE, IF JUNSEO HAS NO HATERS, AH JIN GOT TO ME FIRST. FUCKER LET THE PSYCHO CEO GO SCOT FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IN KANG.
One of these days, they will stop giving HIY tragic love stories. Is it that he yearns so well and plays the broken heart so good they have to cast him?

This man had Ah Jin well on the track to security and freedom. Freedom to love and feel safe in being loved. He had his demons, she had hers, but they were working it out. Grandma was healing Ah Jin one interaction at a time. Had given Ahj Jin a second chance, so had In Kang.
Then, JUNSEO HAPPENED.
He could just let it go; he did what he did best, then got into Ah Jin's head, and she did what she was good at: surviving. Survival meant protecting herself, and protecting herself meant getting rid of weaknesses. In Kang was becoming has, so she broke it off, awful timing, because the man was holding on by a thread.
In Kang's death nullifies all of Ah Jin's healing. Makes her even 'worse', especially when her carefully curated world comes tumbling down.

CEO Moon puts Ah Jin's behaviour under contemplation. He is a master manipulator, unlike her, who is majorly on the defensive. He plays everyone like a chess piece, and a desperate, heartbroken Ah Jin, falls right into his trap. When Ah Jinn doesn't fall in line, he seeks to break her, and with Jae Oh's help, she fights back. But in the end, he goes untouched courtesy of Junseo, the hypocrite.

Baek Ah Jin finally feels the freedom and survival she fought so hard for within reach, when it all comes tumbling down, on the biggest night of her life. Junseo betrays her, I think he finally embraces the part of himself he fought so hard to keep down, using Ah Jin as his shield. He wants to end it all, so he picks up a fleeing Ah Jin, stupidly confesses his love, offers to send her to hell with him, and drives them off a cliff.

If it had ended here, the writers wouldn't have done this magnificent work any justice.

Junseo dies, and his last desperate grab at Ah Jin is fought off. Ah Jin had called him his last shackle during the death drive, and with that final scene, as she is standing on the cliff, looking down at the wreckage, she didn't even try to pull him out of, she finally achieves what she fought so hard for. FREEDOM.

Her last shackle had fallen, and without her direct interference. A truly fitting ending.

I would love a second part, but this ending feels complete. Knowing KDramas, they might have botched SN 2 anyway.

Those hating on this failed to understand the film. Or they were looking for something other than what was advertised. Or forwarding masters. Their loss.

I would watch it again.

Now I'm off to rewatch my demon, and any other film with KYJ, because she ate this up, and I want more.


THIS MIGHT BE THE LONGEST REVIEW I'VE WRITTEN EVER. BUT THIS FILM DESERVES IT.

WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Wrong messages...

My biggest question is why this dark and sick series has such high ratings..There is not much to write and try to justify my opinion..
A psycho woman (Baek Ah Jin) with the excuse of her "abusive past", (Millions of people fall victim to abuse but do not lose their humanity) became the cause of the deliberate manipulation and destruction of people who loved and cared for her..And the worst thing is that in the wreckage she created, she came out unscathed..The worst series I have seen lately with terrible messages..
It's not worth wasting a second of your time watching it..If you like an actor from the cast, you can see him/her in some of his/her other worthwhile work.

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The drama everyone is judging but few truly understand…

First of all, I have to say that if you’re reading reviews instead of forming your own opinion before watching the series, you’re already starting off on the wrong foot—you’re letting yourself be influenced.

As a fan of Yoojung, I obviously wasn’t going to miss this series. It had me hooked from the very beginning. Everything is tightly connected, and contrary to what most comments say (I’m guessing they wanted a romance or for Ahjin to continue down a certain path—even though the drama has nothing to do with any of that), every development in the story has its own justification.

In the final episodes, we see an Ahjin who’s running out of options because she believes she has already achieved everything. But that’s not the case. That’s when we once again see the reflection of teenage Ahjin—the one living with her father in the rooftop house, the girl who didn’t know how to navigate her circumstances without using others just to keep going.

The drama is incredibly well made—so much so that it makes you empathize with a sociopath and root for things to work out for her.

That’s the level of performance Kim Yoojung delivers here.

If you haven’t watched it yet, and you decide not to because of other reviews, you’re missing out on what is possibly the drama of the year.

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Not your usual revenge or rags to riches story! (MIND-TWISTING DRAMA)

My expectations were really high after watching the first episode. Though I have not read its webtoon, this drama really was unique and cinematic in every sense. I loved the acting, the dialogues, the design, the conceptualization and the OSTs. The actors really portrayed their characters to the best and successfully evoked the emotions out of the viewers. The intensity and the darkness, the manipulation and the subtle intentions, are clearly evident and is the jewel of the whole series. The psychology of the human mind, along with sociology, is strongly depicted.

Overall, the beginning was great, the characters' build up was great, like you would want to decode the whole episode, the things you missed in the bg and will wait keenly for the next episode. The drama is very different when it comes to liking or revenge themes. To my understanding, there are many characters throughout that are playing vital roles. The timelines at beginning changed very abruptly back and forth, so it was difficult to keep up. You need a lot of effort and decoding, better be a psychology student, to see through the character's act and intentions.

I never felt empathy towards a single person throughout the whole show. It was just too dark and deep in the bg. It does tell a lot about the society and the harsh reality, fame and power, besides the psyche of an ASD person. The drama is fun to watch, it may give you adrenaline rush and many WHAT moments, and I know it is unsettlingly emotional throughout. Earlier it was fun, like 'WOW' moments, then it became unsettling, then concerning and conflicting, and lastly I just wanted it to end quickly.

A very good drama, writing wise obviously and its adaptation here. Like the visuals, the actors' choice and the the bgm, is just awesome, to binge watch on a big screen. You need to watch it multiple times to uncover its hidden layers. It can be called a masterpiece but there are things I personally feel are lacking or bring down the drama rewatch value.

I am really disappointed with the ending. I didn't expect a cliffhanger or wait for Season 2 at all. (though I have not read the original version) I really felt bad at the end when she didn't die. Like it would have been a perfect ending for me. I couldn't understand her husband, I lost the plot there in last 2 episodes. Baek Ah Jin's emotions were very well controlled throughout and well portrayed by the actress, that kept the drama going for me. I wanted to see more of some characters. There were some scenes that were very frustrating writing wise and some scenes I felt needed more explanation. Or like more dialogues in the bg for viewer's understanding or at least writer's cut.

It was like we were alone throughout the whole journey of watching this drama, like we are embarking on our own personal fears and lessons, and its totally upto us in which direction we want to steer it towards. So a very collaborative but mentally pressurizing drama. To conclude, I liked watching this drama, like it was something new after a long time, and was well directed and acted, the main reason of continuing this drama till the end. The story could be worked upon and more evident justifications, to make it a lighter and smoother watch journey. It is fun, mind twisting and exciting.

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