The Worst of Evil (2023)

Good Enough

Korean Drama '' The Worst of Evil '' is a new age noir drama about a man who sinks into the dark side and a villain who gets to be his friend.

The drama starts out not as strongly as it should, but, after the first bumpy episode, it picks up, getting more and more thrilling and suspenseful. The characters were interesting, moreover, and their chemistry aided the drama a lot to be more tragic and intense.

The performances were, in addition, spot on, especially by the main trio who really excelled. It was also nice that they didn't add too much romance to the drama and they rather focused on the bromance and the action scenes. The latter were nicely choreographed and smoothly embedded into the story.


Finally, the cinematography was impressive and what helped the drama stand out.

So, overall, eight out of ten.

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LEFT ME WITH A HEAD FULL OF THOUGHTS

This is a kdrama with every kind of emotion you can think of. But I have to say if you don’t like gore or violence then this may not be for you.
this is truly one of the best action, mind bending shows I have ever watched the acting was amazing as well as the selection for the cast and directing.
The key concept that this drama left me with was mending and determining the contrast between good and evil and how it can change our ways and morals beyond to what you would ever expect or imagine. Ji Chan Wooks character shows this marvelously and it was intriguing to see him change as the show progressed, it makes you realize how certain events can really change a persons morals and actions in order to achieve a given goal, how you can grow apart from people as well as deeper understand the people you once misunderstood by stepping into their world firsthand while excluding your own life experiences even your own identity as a whole. This drama had my eyes glued to screen always wanting to know what happens next and how the chatecters will grow and act while living in different environments as well as how their relationships will grow or drift. I won’t spoil the ending so you’ll have to determine your thoughts and opinions on the ending by responding to this review but I have to say that it really left me almost to tears making me think about ones experiences throughout different relationships and ways of life whether it be the interpretation on life, Thinking “Who’s good, Who’s evil?”, “What does good mean to you, What does evil look like?”
it is unbelievable how life can take its turns without you even realizing or noticing and this drama really does a great job of showing how the human race CAN really “get used” or adapt to other environments and how we as people can manipulate/train our brain to see different living situations, points of views, people, etc. and most importantly how we can actually reveal a whole different side of ourselves that we never knew possible.

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Why must you watch?

The series is short with mind blowing story, cast and acting. The series can make you binge watch itself. It's worth your time.The set is shown of 1990's revolving an undercover narcotic trade for which narcotic department takes upon a massive risky investigation which involves couples protecting each other throughout it. The whole story gives us a intriguing plot and captivating acting.What sets this drama apart is how it brilliantly showcases the interconnectedness of its characters, all engaged in their mind games and strategies. The acting of every cast member is truly outstanding, and they're all nailing their respective roles.
I hope you add it to your watching list.

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Fascinating story and great script, music and top class acting. Very Well done

The story telling is so fascinating through out all 9 episodes so far. The script writer and director have done an amazing job. Every lines are sharp, interesting and informative, just right, and every scenes have been done in a finely detailed manner. It’s such a pleasure to watch! The casts are most amazing, including all main characters and supporting characters. Everyone is playing their role so well. Congratulations on your wonderful product. Music is fantastic. Absolutely love it. I will have OST added to my favourite play list asap! For JCW fans, he is at his best. Yes he has done it again, playing best in any roles be it romantic or action! This roles is a new aspect of his super talented acting skill. However it is only fair to give all other main leads the same score: all 10/10 ! What a joy to watch each episode! Thank You 🙏🏻

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If you have trust issues…

This was by far the most gripping and emotional nerve wrecking drama I have watched, it even tops Flower of Evil.
Ji Chang Wook and Wi Ha Jun have the best chemistry , and the Direcor and Screenwriters are The Worst of Evil (in a good way). I was on the edge all the time, and before the last 3 episodes I had a knot in my stomach because I feared for their lifes.
The end was heartbreaking…

Everyone in the cast was so good, and the leads were all excellent, with Ji Chang Wook and Wi Ha Jun showing outstand performances. I am still stunned, and overwhelmed with Emotions, and sad that we can‘t have more.

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The alternate ending i wanted

After everything completed junmo divorce his wife and left the police job and went to hong kong to free of everything. There he meets bibi coincidentally and a conversation happens that goes like this....
Bibi: are you here to arrest me..?
Junmo: (takes out the cigarette and lights) i stopped working for police.
Bibi: although you betrayed everyone...i believe you.so why did u leave...i thought the department will give you promotion and you will be happy with your wife
Junmo: the job made me lose a lot of things and wife...haa i think i lost her when i started going undercover.
Bibi: so why did you come to me..?
Junmo: to say thank you and sorry...thank you for loving me even after knowing me...sorry for betraying you...
Bibi: so since you said what you want ...do you leave...
Junmo: i was planning to leave after see you live happily but even you have everything and being free ypu are not happy...why?
Bibi: you want to make me happy....then be with me. I am not a stupid person i know even after everything, you tried to protect me and jincheol. Will you continue to be my side and protect me...?
Junmo: if i want to leave will you let me go..?
Bibi: i would but i don't want to
Junmo:(smiling ) looks like i don't have any choice. Lets repent what we did and enjoy what we can.

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JCW back with an action packed neo-noir series

The story, acting, cast, bgms, cinematography, action choreography were awesome. They delivered more than what I had expected. Would like to see JCW in action and romcom series more often.
The story thread goes something like this: Set in Seoul in the 1990s, a former DJ starts selling a new powerful drug nicknamed "Gangnam Crystal" in city nightclubs after mastering a gangster organization. Since the police know little about the origin of such drugs, in order to crack down on this rampant drug trafficking organization, rural police officer Park Jun Mu is assigned to sneak into the organization, only to discover that his wife, Yoo Eui Jung , also a detective, has volunteered to participate in this dangerous mission and seems to have an unspeakable past with the heinous underground drug king. Park Jun Mu in this drug-related mission, not only does he wholeheartedly fight the drug cartel, but also works hard to protect his wife's safety at all times.

Well, overall this was a gem of a find

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INCREDIBLE Story, Acting, Production; Sure to Be Re-Made by Production Crews Across the World.

The spoiler is at the end and marked.

I concur with everything written by Shinnosuke_Lee, including the evaluation of the ending.

This was an INCREDIBLE show in all the ways that reviewer mentioned. Loved it all. They all were incredible performances. I double-foot stomp BIBI's performance. It was great and a needed breath of fresh air in the overall cast of characters. The story really is stellar with constant twists and edge of your seat drama. (When the violence got too much for me (as an older viewer), I just turned off the audio and/or covered my eyes.) The cinematography, the editing, etc. were phenomenal. I expect this to be remade a number of times by various artists across the world, because the story holds up so well and can be set in many parts of the globe. What more would you want in a cops-robbers/love story? I am surprised that the rating overall on MDL is not higher.

(I did have an issue with the Disney digitization which gave a slight green cast to the footage. This emphasizes the film noir effect, but I don't like it. I was a video editor, so most people, other than folks like me, will likely not be bothered by it.)

SPOILER:
I note that some reviewers think that the drug boss's motivation is money/success. I concur only in that he believes that this will win the love/respect of his childhood sweetheart, which is his ultimate goal--the same goal as that of the ML, which is to win the love/respect of his wife. (A reviewer compared the drug boss to Jay Gatsby in the novel "The Great Gatsby" and I concur.) The FL has "the face that launched a thousand ships," as they say of Helen of Troy. And I think that the FL lead was able to feel empathy (NOT love) for the drug boss, just as the ML was able to feel empathy for the Chinese drug negotiator--but the true love remained between the ML and FL, as evidenced by her continued pleads for him to be pulled from the operation.

Regarding the ending, IMHO the ML again sacrificed himself and his marriage for both the FL and drug boss, with whom he had developed a strong relationship. The drug boss had an "honorable" death and the FL didn't have to take the blame for his death. Therefore, the ML remained true to his character of protecting those that he loved, he didn't "turn evil." If the FL realizes this in time, then perhaps there may be a way for them to get back together.

Regarding the title of the drama, I wonder if the writer is trying to say that the worst evil is often the things we do for love. Did both men destroy themselves to gain the love of a woman? (Back to Helen of Troy) It is true that people do terrible things to protect their loved ones or to protect/foster the God they love or to avenge those that they love. Food for thought.

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Where the line between good and evil disappears

What made this series different for me was not its story, but rather what was happening beneath the surface of the narrative and within the characters. Joon Mo, as a good man and also as a good police officer, had seemingly correct beliefs that formed the foundation of his existence and life, and these beliefs drove Joon Mo towards striving to preserve and strengthen goodness and defeat and destroy evil. Now Joon Mo has been called to fight the "worst of evil." It is a fight that aligns with his ideals and validates and reinforces them. So he enters the Ki Chul gang. At first, everything he sees is nothing but ugliness and corruption, something that serves as confirmation of his hatred for Ki Chul and his people and the necessity of their destruction. At this moment, Ki Chul is exactly the devil to Joon Mo؛ Thus, his beliefs are reaffirmed and become stronger. Until his love get a foothold in this story, and this event is a prelude to a new chapter full of turmoil and confusion within Joon Mo's inner world. Initially, Ki Chul's connection with Joon Mo's wife frightens and angers Joon Mo, increasing his hatred towards Ki Chul. But on the other hand,Ki Chul's sincere and pure love for Joon Mo's wife reveals something about Ki Chul to Joon Mo. "Ki Chul also has heart." Gradually, this aspect of Ki Chul becomes more vivid and apparent to Joon Mo. He loves all his gang members like his own brothers, he is loyal to them and he does everything in his power for their happiness. He has photos of his gang members in his office, photos that resemble more family or friendly pictures depicting relationships filled with love and affection rather than a group photo of gang members. Ki Chul is trustworthy, and that's why he easily trusts others. He loves Joon Mo like a brother from the bottom of his heart, and Ki Chul doesn't just keep Joon Mo by his side for his own protection; Joon Mo's life is valuable to Ki Chul, and Ki Chul tries to keep Joon Mo away from danger even if keeping Joon Mo away from danger is dangerous for Ki Chul himself. Like Joon Mo, he too had a difficult childhood, but unlike Joon Mo, he didn't have a helping hand to pull him out of that quagmire. Ki Chul was like someone who had fallen into a dark, terrifying, and seemingly unsolvable maze for years and had been waiting for the smallest ray of light to show him the path to freedom.Joon Mo and his wife were that ray of light for Ki Chul, which gave Ki Chul the good news of liberation and gave new life to his hope. The hope that he, too, could be good, be loved, and experience a normal life filled with love, security, and peace of mind. Perhaps Ki Chul knew that this light wasn't real, but with all his being, he wanted to believe in this beautiful lie, so he denied anything that questioned its truth and correctness.
During his mission, the closer Joon Mo got to Ki Chul, the clearer he saw the beauty within him. Hae Ryeon was also like Ki Chul, hiding a pure soul beneath a tainted exterior. The truth within Ki Chul and Hae Ryeon was what shook the rooted beliefs and ideals of Joon Mo. Should he act according to his own beliefs and destroy this group of demons, or should he accept the truth he has encountered and join forces with Ki Chul and Hae Ryeon? The truth that told him, the demons that you wished to destroy, have a more beautiful inside than the demonic angels around you. Joon Mo's inner self is filled with turmoil and conflict. He finds himself at a crossroad where every direction he looks, there is nothing but pain waiting for him. If he remains faithful to his beliefs, he must bury the truth he has discovered within himself and accept a lie that would result in the destruction of the angels who have been dressed as demons by the cruelties of life. But if he chooses to embrace the truth, nothing of Joon Mo will remain. This ideal within his being requires him to rebuild his existence from scratch and accept that everything he has believed and acted upon so far has been meaningless, purposeless, and wrong. Furthermore, he unknowingly initiated a game where victory and defeat come at the cost of life, and now that he has fallen to its depths, he cannot abandon it halfway or return to before its inception. Therefore, the only thing he can do is try to play the game in the most beautiful way possible. And that's exactly what he did.
He presented the most beautiful game of his life. He fulfilled his mission correctly, but at the same time, he removed Ki Chul and Hae Ryeon from the game and gave them an opportunity for a normal and better life (the very thing Ki Chul had wished for). However, Ki Chul made his last wrong decision.
Perhaps, as Joon Mo said, all the decisions Ki Chul had made until that moment were also wrong.
Kie Chul's comeback scene is Joon Mo's greatest moment of desperation. He understands that nothing can be set right anymore, and there is no correct decision. He must only seek the best decision. Ki Chul has turned back, and now the only things that await him are either death or a life where death is a wish. It is an eternal life in prison, where dying is the sentence of freedom. Ki Chul and Eui Jung are both devout Christians, and suicide, have a force of curse for them. Ki Chul wants to burn Eui Jung in the fire of his eternal curse by ending his life. A curse that not only consumes Eui Jung's world but also burns Ki Chul's afterlife. Joon Mo decides to shoulder the burden of guilt for Ki Chul and Eui Jung alone and free them from this eternal torment. In that moment, he chooses to protect them at the cost of losing his spouse and comrade. Now Eui Jung can blame Joon Mo instead of blaming herself for Ki Chul's death and she can hate Joon Mo instead of hating herself. What ultimately remains are deep and precious friendships. The friendship between Ki Chul and Eui Jung, symbolized by the bouquet of flowers accompanying the cross necklace on his grave, and the friendship between Ki Chul and Joon Mo, symbolized by a cigarette that was divided between Joon Mo and Ki Chul. Joon Mo's ring ultimately came off his finger, but his watch never came off his wrist.

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Must-Watch or Miss? 'The Worst of Evil'

Hey there, drama fans! So, I just finished binge-watching "The Worst of Evil," and let me tell you, it's quite the rollercoaster ride! If you're into crime dramas set in the '90s that come with a side of family drama and personal dilemmas, this one's for you.

First off, the soundtrack is fire! It totally immerses you in the dark world of Seoul's underground drug scene. The pacing is on point too—no unnecessary drag or filler episodes, just pure, edge-of-your-seat tension.

But hey, no show is perfect, right? Let's talk about Yoo Eui Jung. Girl, what were you thinking volunteering for a mission that your hubby is already on? It kinda makes you question how much she really values her marriage, doesn't it?

And don't get me started on Jung Ki Chul. The guy's supposed to be super meticulous, only working with people from his own school, and yet he somehow misses Park Jun Mo sneaking in under a fake name. C'mon, man!

Oh, and a quick shoutout to our low-ranking officer Hwang Min Gu. Seriously, how does someone like him get to throw a wrench into such a big investigation? It's weirdly entertaining but also kinda unbelievable.

And oh, before I forget—what's the deal with Lee Hae Ryeon? She's head over heels for Park Jun Mo, and for what? It's like she fell from the 'Love at First Sight' tree and hit every branch on the way down. It's one of those 'because the script said so' moments, isn't it?

But look, minor gripes aside, this show is definitely worth your time. It's not going to win any awards for groundbreaking storytelling, but it's a solid pick if you're in the mood for something fast-paced and engaging.

So, are you gonna check it out? Trust me, it's a ride you won't want to miss!

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