E, no fim, o drama é sobre controle masculino
Um dos dramas mais complexos com personagens mais tridimensionais que já vi.No começo minha crítica era sobre como o drama me pareceu didático a já na primeira cena afirmar que a Ah Jin era sociopata, mas gostei de ser surpreendida quando mostraram que aquela era uma narrativa enviesada de um documentário com fins de destruir sua carreira de atriz anos depois.
Muito interessante perceber que as ações da protagonista, antes facilmente colocadas na sua condição de sociopata, ao fim ganham um novo prisma. E se na verdade, ela se aproveitou de um controle por parte de todos os homens de sua vida?
Para o colega de classe de família desestruturada e sem senso de valor, Ah Jin era um instrumento para tornar-se valioso; para o ator depressivo, Ah Jin era o modelo de esposa perfeita para seus sonhos de margarina, mesmo sem consultá-la sobre quais seriam os sonhos dela; para o jogador de beisebol aposentado, Ah Jin era mais uma maneira de se perceber como benfeitor mesmo após a perda de seu sonho; para seu marido psicopata, Ah Jin era o entretenimento, o objeto de mhlher forte pronta para ser quebrada para caber no próprio controle; para seu pai, seu maior algoz, ah jin era a galinha dos ovos de ouro e, ao fim, a pessoa que possivelmente Ah Jin mais amava, seu melhor amigo desde a infância, com quem passou por todas as fases, Song Jeo, só queria que ela coubesse na sua utopia de normalidade e ficasse refém da própria idealização e desejo de ser salvador de sua alma.
todos os personagens homens ao seu modo tinham um desejo de controle por uma mulher bonita, aparentemente frágil. Para sobreviver, para ter um vislumbre de alívio do próprio sofrimento, Ah Jin se aproveitou de suas sedes de controle pelo seu corpo e alma para sobreviver... Até restar, quebrada, sem ninguém ao lado, viva, mas nunca feliz.
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How to give suffering a meaning?
6.25/10The drama was good, and it started with 4 excellent episodes. I really appreciated the pervasive gray areas in almost all the characters. It was very interesting to watch.
The directing was good, though I would have preferred something more "noir" and more artistic.
The acting surprised me a lot (in a good way) :
- Kim Yoo Jung's performance was definitely good ! She never overacted, and never underperformed. I really liked her acting perf here, even though I don't usually like her acting.
However, there were still flaws in her perf, and one of them was major.
She didn't manage to incorporate that kinda "mystical" elements into her portrayal of her character. There's a lack of inner depth, and quite honestly, I think it's because the actress herself doesn't seem to be someone with a "mystical" sensibility, imo she probably lacks dark complexity.
- Kim Young Dae has finally grasped the meaning of acting after a string of mediocre perfs in the past. Here, he's good, not yet THAT good, but the progress is evident. He's also managed to imbue his character with something lowkey poetic (a blend of melancholy and strangeness).
- Bae Soo Bin once again demonstrated what an excellent actor he has always been; it was a pleasure to see him on screen again. I think it's been over five years since I last saw him.
- Hong Jong Hyun also surprised me too, I found his presence quite captivating in the drama. He certainly made an impression with the aura he displayed while playing his character.
His acting wasn't outstanding at all, but imo he added value to the drama.
- I must add that I think the overall casting was very well chosen. Everyone had chemistry and delivered good performances.
As I write earlier, the drama is definitely good, especially in the beginning, however, it gradually lost some of its luster for several reasons:
- The quality of the writing wasn't always consistent. Several scenes lacked detail, context, and depth, which was disappointing because it could have made the drama quite exceptional.
- The pacing was uneven, with a lot of scenes being uninteresting and occasionally too long (especially during the part of the drama that described her rise to celibrity).
- The 2nd ml's attachment to the fl, I felt, lacked realism. Him sacrificing his life for her, was too extreme ...
- The directing was good, but I felt it lacked shots with more symbolism and artistic merit. It's a shame because the story itself was enough material to do that.
- The story should have been told much more explicitly. Strangely, I found the drama too prudish. Kdramas these days are often explicit without any valid reason, but here, I think it would have been necessary because psychology is the major element of this drama. The characters' sexuality was barely addressed, and I found that unrealistic.
The writing isn't bold enough or to be more precise, honest enough. It doesn't sufficiently explore the complexity of the characters, refusing to delve into their true inner intimacy. It fails to truly disorient and unsettle the audience as it should have, given the complexity of the events and characters portrayed.
To conclude this review, I want to write about my opinion about the awful writing of the ending of the drama.
The whole episode was a mess, hectic and rushed.
In that episode, Junseo (the ml) was a pathetic looser for what he did to Ajin.
She is a deeply dysfonctional and complex character. She ended sacrificing the life of a innocent man (her very own friend Jae O) for the sake of her own ambition. I won't give her excuse, of course.
BUT, Junseo had no right to do what he did. Not only he tried to k'll her with himself, but before that he publicly destroyed her.
Was it necessary? I don't think so.
He only did it for himself, simply because she was the woman he loved. And therefore he couldn't forgive her incapacity to change for the sake of his love for her.
Something Ahjin also felt for him too, she hated the fact that he couldn't change for her knowing he was in love for her, she hated his unability to become a monster for her, to become a monster to save her. His love for her wasn't without limit, he couldn't destroy his own conscience for the sake of his love.
But it also was the reason she was deeply attached to him... She accepted the fact that he could never do what she needed him to do for her to succeed.
Why didn't he display that savior energy to bring down her psycho husband or his very own psycho mother, or anyone else who tried to destroy the woman he loves tho??? WELL .. I think it's because he never dreamed of forcing on them a pseudo redemption arc ... but he forced it on Ahjin, simply, because she is the woman he loves. There is something narcissic in his way of forcing Ahjin to change.
She had to become better, he never accepted her unability to change for him ...
Strangely, I've always seen Ahjin and Junseo as almost mystical twins. One being a part of the other, yet both driven by an absolute will to achieve something. Ahjin wanted to build a life that would prove to God that, despite the torment He inflicted upon her, she had managed to climb the social ladder and attain absolute power through sheer force of will, perseverance, and determination. It was her way of defying God.
Junseo, on the other hand, sought to change Ahjin, to prove that the power of his love could change someone he loved. Because his existence and his love hadn't managed to change his mother. Junseo sought to prove that his existence had a truer and deeper meaning than simply being born to become his parents' wallet... to be merely a means for the other to get what they wanted.
The thing I hated the most is indeed that public humiliation ...
He k'lled her twice, first by destroying the reputation she worked to build, a reputation that was actually a way too be loved by others, and then by letting that car crash ...
But he forgot something important, she already died a long time ago, when her own mother died in front of her own eyes, when she made the decision to let her die, a decision for herself to survive from the hell both her parent have put her through. She died when she had to kill to survive. She died when she had to become a monster to survive.
Ahjin did not escape death. Her soul has always been elsewhere, lost in the abyss of suffering that longs only to end. She is merely a body that moves with the strong will to give meaning to her suffering, the need to restore the dignity that life has stolen from her.
If she can't be loved and protected for who she is. Then, she thought she would be loved and protected for what she pretend to be and the power she worked to obtain.
Ahjin is a shadow, who lost her ability to live a long time ago.
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For pple who compare this with webton! True psychopath was junseo!
Opinion of sb wise :I honestly think this show was fundamentally telling a different story from what we expected in episode 1 and what’s in the manhwa. Jun-seo never really saw or understood Ah-jin. That “documentary” misrepresented her completely and was clearly designed to ruin her.. but not so she couldn’t hurt people anymore. That’s just what he claimed. Because if that was his interest, he could go to the cops so she could face justice for her actual crimes. But he didn’t do that. Instead, he wanted to make her dependent on him so he could be the one to control her, which is what he explicitly said in the car. He viewed it as him saving her but that was him lying to himself.
And also, does it even make any sense that he decided to go that far because of what Jae-ho did? He knew it was Jae-ho’s conscious decision and the show goes out of its way to make it clear he wasn’t coerced. And after being married, what did Ah-jin actually do wrong that wasn’t her trying to protect herself from someone who was determined to break her? Jun-seo didn’t do it for any noble reason; he did that because he wanted to be the one to control Ah-jin, as he himself admitted.
And when you think about it- isn’t he the true sociopath of the story? And I mean that just in terms of the clinical definition and not their actions. But isn’t he the one who couldn’t genuinely engage with Ah-Jin and make her laugh like Jae-oh did? Who couldn’t connect with Re-na (versus Ah-jin who actually did connect with In-gang)? When did you ever see him genuinely smile? Over the course of the show, Ah-jin showed more emotions than he did for sure.
And then there’s the part where we as the audience realize that this whole framing of Ah-jin as a sociopath is something that Jun-seo himself created from the documentary that was shown at the beginning of the series. It’s not actually based in fact or from any actual direct evaluation by a psychologist.
Now did Ah-jin do many terrible things that she should be held accountable for? Yes without a doubt. But I think any inconsistencies in the story or characters were very much intentional because Jun-seo, who was the source of much of our understanding of her, is an unreliable narrator who never truly saw her. so with that in mind, the ending blew me away and I thought this show was excellent. but I think if I’d read the manhwa first, I would have had a hard time because it seems the stories are very very different.
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Started strong, momentum fell
It started off strong and had a super cool plot, so after seeing a small clip, I immediately started watching. Towards the middle, I could tell this was based on something (I did not know it was based on a webtoon before watching) because things started to rush, there were loose ends, and characters did not have enough time or story. I did not read the webtoon, but found out what happens on TikTok, and I prefer the webtoon ending. I think the writers for the kdrama went COMPLETELY off script, which is not a bad thing if done well. But the end was wrapped up way too fast; it needed more time and episodes. I don't mind the end of the kdrama, I think it was fine, I do, however, wish we got more backstory and context for characters.Was this review helpful to you?
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What makes a Sociopath? Who knows
Let me start off by saying I have not read the webtoon and when I went to check it, there were only 6 chapters. My whole review is purely based on the drama and also as someone who studied Psychology.I was fascinated by the idea of this show, a sociopath top actress? I was eager to see how they would show us her world but also interested in seeing her acting in different roles and how her sociopathic traits helped with that....it's not what we got at all.
1. Story: This was the part I was looking forward to the most, it started out really good with the very first scene showing us that she's a top actress then going back to her as a child, not coming from a good childhood and both parents being abusive. More importantly, it shows us that her father is a Psychopath and she had zero experience of what love was. This intrigued me, I found myself nodding along and going "Yeah, if she has literally only seen the worst and violence, also that her father was a Psychopath then it makes sense that due to genetics and her environment she became a Sociopath."
The second part that interested me was when we went to her high school days, we learned that her stepmom was just as bad as her Psychopathic father, she possibly had a step-sibling who could turn into her moral compass (Jun Seo) and she had someone who came from a very similar background to her (Jae-O). I like seeing how she didn't let herself get bullied easily, at first what she does feels questionable and like she's a villain but when we later find out what happens, it made me nod again "Okay, so she uses people to her advantage and attacks only when she gets attacked." More importantly I loved her relationship with Jae-O, she was literally the only one who kept telling him that he had worth and that he should protect himself while everyone else labeled him as trash or a thug. This also did a great job of introducing the dynamic between A-Jin, Jun Seo and Jae-O.
We get re-introduced to her father, he's still a Psychopath that is violent and uses everyone around him, including his daughter. This is also when we get introduced to a character that's the complete opposite of A-Jin's father, he's kindhearted and treat his employees as family, he helps everyone out and doesn't resent others or try to hurt them. Of course A-Jin decided she needed to use him. To her, she did not understand how he could be so 'pure' or 'good' because she's never seen that. She grew up with manipulation, violence and selfishness. I really enjoyed this part of the story and how it contrasted with her as a person and as a Sociopath.
Things happen that is important to the story, we almost think she's going to get caught for manipulating others. Fast forward to her acting career.
Once more she's getting bullied by the top A actress and learning about some shady things. I love how she comes up with a plan to attack and defend herself. This is also the arc where I might call her the happiest, she has what is probably the closest thing to a family. She ends up dating this top actor who is top Actress A ex, of course our girls manipulates him into it and at first it's not that easy, he's suspicious. What I love about this arc is that A-Jin did try to make him get out of his depression and take care of himself, we get to see the 'Good' side of her. I am feeling great about the story so far and think this might be the K-drama of the year! Things happen where the closest person to Top Actor passes away, everyone thinks A-Jin did it because of course she has to be a villainess. Then, due to some harsh words she says, Top Actor depression wins. This is one of the few times I see that she has some type of emotions and the closest thing to mourning in her own way, but then she moves on.
At this point the trio is back but things have changed. Jun-Seo is trying to control her while Jae-O understands her and accepts her for who she is. At this point it's when the story starts to crumble and my hope for the Top K-drama award slowly starts to go in smoke. It's like the writer gave up, forgot about all the build up, introduces some character that at first, I thought was supposed to be like "Here's your match, let's play a game of chess and see who wins." I was excited for Pyschopath vs Sociopath while also hoping they would show how she's grown. We see her sacrifice one of her biggest pawn and we do see her hurting over it, mourning that's pawn loss (I am not saying who so that I don't spoil it). I am sad but can understand why this happens, she literally says why it happens...I think I might see a checkmate and then it's like that plot is forgotten about, Jun-Seo has to act all high and mighty then ruin everything. Honestly, I hated Jun-Seo's character even though I understand they were trying to make him her moral compass, he just came off as a holier-than-thou jerk who never understood her.
The ending was a complete waste of time, a let down, one of the worst endings I've ever seen in my life and honestly one of the biggest reasons I gave such a low score. They basically made her look evil because of course if you are a Sociopath you have to be evil and there's no good quality about you.
Story: 5 or 6 out of 10
Acting: This is where I think the drama did good except for a few characters/actors that felt bland.
Kim You Jung: I think she did a phenomenal job, she had a way of acting with her eyes even when her face was void of emotions, then switching to a state of madness with just small gestures and having me believe when A-Jin was being the 'Sweet, Kind, angel girl' that A-Jin truly was the kindest girl in the world, then she would switch to A-Jin sociopathic, manipulative side and made me feel like "Ah, there is someone I don't want to mess with." she deserves her flowers. 10/10
Kim Young Dae: I wanted soooo badly to like him because he's so my type. The nerdy, depressive rich boy. Sadly, his acting felt flat and one dimensional. I felt like I was looking at a blank board, couldn't feel anything. I don't know if it was him or if it's because his character, Jun-Seo is such an unlikeable character that has the White Knight Syndrome but as someone who never really experienced difficulty he had a high morality and never bothered to understand A-Jin. Either way he gets a 2/10
Kim Do Hoon: (They all have Kim in their names, I found that interesting). He stole the show for me and honestly I was more invested in his story, also wished he had been the ML. I felt like he could hold his own with Kim You-Jung and looked forward to their scenes. He made me laugh, cry, want to throw things and is a big reason why I kept watching the drama. He is someone else that I feel can act with their eyes. I am looking forward in seeing him in more dramas. He gained a fan! 10/10
Lee Yeol Eum : I loved her and feel like she has the face for the character she was playing. A queen B mean girl that can have a soft spot. At first, I hated her character, I love how she played Re-Na as this mean, manipulative brat who grew famous and let it get to her head...then we were shown more gentle moments. I found myself liking Re-Na more and even thinking she might get a redemption arc. Lee Yeol-Eum in my opinion did a really good job of making me forget that she was acting and fall for her character. 10/10
The other actors and actresses also did a really good job but sadly their characters were written so bland that it didn't make the performance as strong.
Music: I think they did a good job, it wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst. If I heard it in the radio or youtube I'd probably listen to it but I wouldn't go out of my way to search for it.
Rewatch value: Would I recommend anyone to watch this and would I re-watch this drama? NO, I feel like this started out strong but the last few episodes were so terrible that it ruined the whole drama. This could have been at the level of "Marry My Husband" or "The Glory" if they had continued doing a great job. The ending alone is good enough reason to never watch this drama again.
Overall I'd give it 5.5 out of 10.
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Ah Jin Simp's Association! Ah Jin the Weed! Ah Jin the Actual Horror! lol
This show is not for everyone. If you are the type that liked anime like Code Geass where the main lead is basically the ultimate villain, or you enjoy dark psychological shows with toxic relationships and morally gray leads, then this one is for you. if you love romance, with mentally healthy leads and healthy relationships, this is certainly not for you lol. You may burst a vein from anger at the horror that is our FL. Ah Jin played by Kim You Jung is so beautiful you think she has some hope but just like the ML, we all get to realise that this one has no hope of being normal lol. We all figure it out together too late lol.Excellent first set of episodes. Epic! brilliant acting from the cast. I adore both leads so having them act together is just pure genius. I enjoyed basically every part of this.
If her style of getting people offed was directly legally binding, she would be a serial killer!
For me the ending of both the manhwa and the kdrama are appropriate. The character is a menace and the show does an excellent job of showing the disaster her callous lack of empathy or interest in others leaves behind. She really had an antisocial personality disorder and it was realisitic. She was more likely a psychopath because she always bid her time and was able to maintain a year long relationship in such a a cold blooded but perfect way without the other person realising it. She was patient and very calculated.
I loved the role reversal here. She had a proper simp association. Ah Jin avengers rising when she needs them. Bascially at her beck and call most of them till they died.
Not sure what people are on about. I loved the ending. If there was a different ending, it would be weird. A happy ending would be ridiculous for such a villainous FL. The show was not a romance. Ah Jin as a main character is technically incapable of providing the audience anything romantic with anyone and we saw that clearly. She only loved herself.
Ah jin the cockroach!!!! The weed! the horror! my goodness. Only Jesus can save someone like Ah Jin. She is a moving disaster! I would legit watch a season 2. She is so terrible it is interesting. The whole thing was like watching a major crash -2 x speed and we loved it. Kim You Jung deserves an award for this acting. The most dynamic one she ever did. Amazing. Excellent direction and everything really. Ah Jin simp association and all lol
Kim You Jung and Kim Young Dae cooked in this one! I expected nothing less seeing them as leads. Excellent cast overall. brilliant piece. I am totally up for a rewatch in the far future.
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Phenomenol acting... she was at her best
I feel like I'm defending the show at every facet of it lol but I work in abuse & trauma and I feel quite passionate about it. So if I see a comment misunderstanding the show, I point it out.To start off with, it's a 9. 5/10 for me — while I saw great support for it in the beginning, I started seeing the hate after the ending and I wanna add my 2 cents worth :)
I reckon most of the complaints come from people expecting a totally different story.
To the ones who whined “The ending sucked / anticlimactic.”
No — the ending was exactly where these characters were always heading. It’s quiet, messy, and emotionally ugly because they are. The show wasn’t going to suddenly turn poetic or explosive in the last 10 minutes. It stayed true to its tone. That’s consistency, not failure.
To the ones complainong that they didn’t stick to the webtoon ending.
Good!!! Bravo to the screenwriter! The webtoon ending wouldn’t have fit the drama’s pacing or the way these characters were developed on screen. Adaptations are allowed to choose what serves the medium better. The drama chose emotional realism over shock value and it works. Expecting a panel-by-panel recreation is unrealistic. If you want the webtoon ending, it still exists.
To the ones who claimed that Ah Jin’s trauma should not be an excuse for any evil she's done.... No one said it was!!! The drama never tries to justify her actions. It shows how trauma shapes people, not how it absolves them. Ah Jin’s behaviour is awful — and the show lets it be awful. That’s complexity, and a reflection of a great understanding of trauma and its lasting impact.
For the ones who claimed that her husband got away with ordering Jaeoh’s death.
I say not really. In fact, he loses everything that actually matters to him — his control, his marriage, the illusion of being the one in power. The show hands out consequences emotionally and psychologically, not legally. This isn’t a revenge thriller!
As an observation, a drama doesn't have to reward our expectation to be brilliant. Sometimes its refusal to do so is the brilliance! ☺️
The show is messy, dark, beautifully restrained, and unapologetically honest. Not perfect, but close.
So if you appreciate character-driven storytelling that isn’t afraid to linger in moral ambiguity, I recommend this but ditch your expectations as that's how you'll end up disappointed 😊
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Disappointing and frustrating ending
It really started strong. I loved Baek Ah Jin as a sociopath and how she only harmed those who harmed her (except 1 person). She did her best in getting back at people determined to harm her. But the ending really ruined everything for me. All she wanted was to get to a position where no one can harm her.At first I was envious of her being able to have 3 men who love her so much but Jun Seo was so disappointing. The only 2 people who loved her were Jae O and In Kang but sadly In Kang was weak. I wish his grandmother hadn't passed away. I wish Ah Jin wasn't being pressured into breaking up with him. I feel horrible for Ah Jin's life. She just couldn't catch a break. My heart breaks for her.
I just hated the way Jun Seo behaved at the end. Undid everything Jae O went through for Ah Jin. Made his sacrifice a waste. Meanwhile Moon Do Hyeok got away scot-free. Really frustrating.
Just left a bad taste in my mouth.
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Great Show But A Not So Great Ending?
Dear X would have been a masterpiece if it had had a better ending. But if there is a sequel, it would be a great cliffhanger and a misleading ending. Watching this show, I felt a sense of excitement and intrigue that I hadn't experienced in Korean dramas in years. This show felt refreshing and engaging. The narrative structure sets it apart from typical storylines, making it stand out. The show's ability to blend suspense with emotional depth showcased captivating and memorable storytelling. With such complex characters, the storyline is a pleasure to watch. The show blends thriller, violence, crime, melodrama, manipulation, and suspense. It was masterfully executed, offering a fresh take on traditional drama tropes. It weaves them into a panoramic narrative that follows its cunning and morally ambiguous characters. The themes of love and destruction are intricately woven into the narrative, highlighting how deep affection can become destructive. Joon Seo's love for An Ji is all-consuming, driving him to make irrational decisions that ultimately lead to his downfall. The same applies to Jae O. This toxic relationship underscores the idea that love, when tainted by manipulation and deceit, can lead to chaos and devastation rather than healing and happiness.A satisfying ending is crucial as it leaves the audience with a sense of closure and fulfillment. Without a firm conclusion, even the most engaging narratives can feel incomplete or unsatisfying. In this case, Dear X is an excellent drama until its ending leaves audiences unsatisfied. This is where a second season would help. Season two could delve deeper into unresolved storylines and character arcs left hanging. These include Ah Ji and her husband, him and his ex-wife, Ah Jin's survival, and Jae O's murderers getting caught. Additionally, new plot twists and developments could be introduced to keep the audience engaged and invested, such as Joon Seo potentially faking his death after his murder-suicide attempt with Ah Jin (I still think he is alive because his death was announced by that doc-series guy, not the police, so he and that guy could be working together to stop Ah Jin again).
Characters:
An Ji is not a good person; she embodies manipulation and selfishness. The only person she can love is herself. It is only when she causes pain to others that she is happy, and so many characters' lives would have been better had they never met her. Her presence creates chaos and destruction, leaving a trail of death and damage to people. Characters like Joon Seo, Jae O, Mr. Choi, and In Gang find themselves entangled in her web of deceit, leading to irreversible consequences. Her manipulative actions alter their paths. Throughout the narrative, manipulation serves as a central theme, influencing the characters' decisions and relationships. An Ji's ability to control those around her demonstrates how manipulation can be wielded as a powerful tool, leading others to act against their own interests, for example, Mr. Choi murdering for her and Jae O getting himself killed. This theme is further explored as each character grapples with the consequences of being ensnared in her web, highlighting the destructive nature of deceit and manipulation.
Joon Seo (Simp-boy 1) was manipulated by An Ji early on in his childhood. They both have a hold on each other; she has a firmer grip on him than he has on her. Throughout the show, he finds his life spiraling out of control due to Ah Ji's manipulative influence and the trouble she gets into. Although she doesn't want to be saved, his desire to save her is evident even when he opposes her. He became gloomy as a result of her relentless schemes and emotional manipulation. In the end, his only choice to stop her was murder-suicide. This decision reflects his inner turmoil and his belief that only through such an extreme act can he find freedom and release them both from the destructive bond that binds them. Dark, twisted, and toxic, but enjoyable, is the relationship between these two. Then we have Jae O (Simp-Boy 2). Unlike Joon Seo, who can face Ah Ji head-on and question her actions and motives, Jae O is loyal to a fault. He is selfless, the opposite of Ah Ji's selfishness. He never questions her and does whatever she asks, leading to his death. Joon Seo and Jae O's responses to An Ji's manipulation highlight the contrasting ways individuals react when ensnared by deceit. Joon Seo, despite knowing he is being manipulated, struggles to free himself from An Ji. He grapples with a mix of defiance and a desire to save her, ultimately choosing a drastic end. In contrast, Jae O's unwavering loyalty blinds him to An Ji's true nature, preventing him from questioning her motives and leading him to his death, leaving Joon Seo no other choice but to take action against Ah Ji in the aftermath.
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Unsatifying ending
the acting was good, the story was captivating until the last two episodes for me. It grabbed my attention right away and then left so many untangled storylines with no answer. the ending led to nowhere, the husband was never punished. her friend’s death also was for nothing. The whole plot with the husband and his wife and the secret rooms in the house also led to nowhere, what was even the point of that? the whole thing with Joon Seo and moving in with his mom? some additional episodes would clear up some things. but another season would be too much plot that’s not really needed.Was this review helpful to you?
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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drama of the year! not for the faint of heart
For me, this drama is an absolute masterpiece anddefinitely the drama of the year! They’ve set the bar incredibly high! The expectations were too high, because the trailers looked too inviting, there was a frenzied interest! After all, it's a task with an asterisk to assemble such a cast, choose such charming images for them, and most importantly, take on the implementation of such a crazy plot! Yoo Jung is just a queen! Her acting is impossible to describe, it's so godlike! 20 years in the industry speak for themselves! We all understand that everything that happens in the drama is just an acting, all the actors, without exception, showed a masterful level of acting! You just believe them, and it's like you're living through all this horror with them! I really don't have enough words to describe how much of a masterpiece this drama is! Although I’m disappointed with the ending and it is unclear what this ending means, but I’m happy with the overall picture of what is happening!
Even though A Jin’s crazy, she’s divinely beautiful, the stylists did a great job! It was impossible to take my eyes off her! A Jin had been through a lot, it didn't excuse her at all, but I felt sorry for her. Huge admiration to Kim Yoo Jung for such a bold role and such a tremendous character development!
I feel so bad for Ingan, despite everything I really loved their couple with Ajin! there was so much chemistry between them. And how much he loved her 💔 Episode 6 completely broke me.
My fave character is Jae O, played by an amazing Kim Do-hoon! He opened up to me in a completely new way in this drama. I've always felt terribly sorry for his character, he's such a bright person with such a difficult fate.
Kim Young Dae as Jun Seo also played a cool role. Usually, his acting seemed stony to me, but here the progress showed. I noticed big changes in his acting , and he began to cope better. His character also seemed to have problems in his head, i mean his gaze said so.
Moon Do Hyeok's character is the height of craziness! A mad man who completely binds a woman's life. Jong Hyun gets a standing ovation for such great acting !
The musical accompaniment always gave more intensity and craziness to situations, which undoubtedly made the drama more multifaceted and lively! The drama is perfectly produced!
this drama is certainly appreciated by those who loves such genres and plots.
Imo, this is a must-watch! A breath of fresh air in the world of kdrama
However, if you are a sensitive person, afraid of blood and cruelty, this is not your drama for sure!
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