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A thought-provoking series that critiques society and delves deep into self-discovery

‘Hierarchy’ is a hidden gem that requires analysis to understand its message and appreciate how it’s presented on screen. The characters are presented to viewers the same, stereotypical way they are perceived by others in the series. Jae-i is portrayed as someone who doesn’t easily get influenced or bothered by others as she leads a perfect life. Kang Ha, as someone who’s so optimistic and new to the school that he’s naive to its dark truths. When pushed to their limits by the vulnerability of their regrets from the past and fear for the future, the main leads slowly unravel their facades. They reveal themselves to be the total opposite of how they seem at first glance. Viewers can only guess what they’re thinking, which adds to the intrigue and plays a big part in capturing the audience’s attention. This is an engaging series that’ll pull one in with just enough information to make them want to see where it's going and understand the leads’ motives behind their actions.

The show follows the story of two individuals who are both victims of the harsh world, regardless of their differences in social class. Despite having problems that seem contradictory, Jung Jae-i and Kang Ha provide each other with strength and solace. Their shared support enable them to overcome their struggles, even though they're on opposite sides of the conflict. By prioritizing understanding, they use past tensions to become stronger than the problem and move on from what once held them back.

It shines light on the important aspects people often neglect in life, such as letting go and its impact on both ourselves and those around us. The female lead’s mindset is split in two parts parallel to the plot and highlights the changes that letting go can make. She becomes a better version of herself after she is shown reflecting on her thoughts with the only source of light being a strike of colour. Rainbows signify hope and new beginnings. It's following this scene where she reconciles with the lost part of herself and lets go of her unnecessary burden, represented through her lost baby, that the events take a turn for the better.

Eight teenagers are under a crushing pressure to stay fit into the roles society and their own families cast them in. They want to break free, but their fierce desire to escape their predetermined futures remains confined between the walls of Jooshin highschool. Run by two of the country’s most influential chaebol families, its goal is to provide the heirs of the top conglomerates with the best education. With important reputations to adopt from their rich and demanding parents, the successors of these groups have grown in hiding. Jung Jae-i and Kim Ri-an’s true, imperfect selves are locked behind flawless facades that push them to become people they don’t want to be and blind them from the real world and its injustices.

Jooshin’s recent death was driven by the desire to keep concealed what they wanted to hide the most within the school’s walls; which is the importance of fame and influence rather than the focus on actual studies and the well-being of students. When someone of lesser importance in society brings light to the case the school tried to cover, the students whose reputations are at risk of being tainted try to push him out and stop him from discovering the truth. Because at the stem of the reasoning behind the student’s death lies the school’s dark reality.

When the scandal threatens to reveal the truth among their concealed lives, all the top scholars struggle to find a place to stand ground, aware that only one can remain at the top of the hierarchy.

With the support of other scholarship students who have been victims of disrespect, Kang Ha orchestrates a scheme to destroy the school’s unjust and toxic hierarchy. He believes that change is necessary because the students of today are those who will determine society’s future. Kang Ha predicts that the social classes will limit those who are of less wealthy families. By stringing together clues from the past, he plots to bring down the school and give justice to those who have been wronged. Wanting to be the hero in the story, Kang Ha fights to differentiate the good from the bad and balance the consequences in a way that’ll only hurt those responsible for it. But with the close and conflicted bonds within the school, achieving that goal proves to be more complicated than anticipated. He’s forced to step back and reflect on what it is he truly wants.

Jung Jae-i and Kim Ri-an’s love for each other is stronger than anything else. It’s only a matter of time until the two leaders of the school will be forced to sacrifice their secrets to a case that threatens their reputation and the school’s. Even with the possibility of losing each other’s hand down the road of lies, secrets, and rivalry; they continue caring for each other with the same love they wish they could give their own selves. This dependency they shared with one another formed the base of their relationship and proved to be unhealthy. It ends up serving to Jung Jae-i as evidence of how unfit her current life was for her, resulting in their break-up and eventually prompting the start of her new life. It was only after letting go of the opportunity of what they could be together by giving up their future as parents that Jung Jae-i not only managed to see what was right for her own self, but also gained the maturity to set things right with those around her whom she caused harm.

What He-ra and Kang Ha have in common is that they both are in positions that set them up to seek revenge on Jae-i. However, the growth they underwent through the friendship she provided them with enabled them to realize the true source of their problems. For He-ra, it was her selfishness and greed. She wanted to have Ri-an by her side to give disillusion to her family’s monetary problems and assert her power as it progressively grew uncertain. Her numerous attempts fell flat and ultimately led to her disliking Jae-i; whom Ri-an claimed was the only one he had an eye for, even though those feelings of his remained unreciprocated following their break-up. It took Woojin, someone equally selfish and greedy, to make He-ra realize it was her own selfishness that caused her hatred for Jae-i. She came to the realization that it was her own self that held her back from coming to a resolution to her problem—a problem that could only be resolved with Jae-i’s help. By only caring about gaining enough money to stabilize her family’s financial state and wanting revenge on Jae-i for taking away that possibility, He-ra was blinded by her own pride. Had she overlooked her own problems and favoured understanding between friendships and societal classes, she would have had the opportunity to solve her worries. Before her family’s financial crisis, the only things He-ra possessed was money and power. She ended up going from being chased after for her power to being the one doing the chasing. Somewhere along the journey she took to get through her highest and lowest point in life, she gained a trustful and understanding personality.

As for Kang Ha’s situation—his strong desire to find the reason for his brother’s death—its cause was actually the teacher that was initially portrayed as a good and caring individual. What led to In-han’s death was her selfish desire to become part of the ones of more importance and authority, by dating Woojin. When the killed scholar had posed a threat to her reputation, her desire to stop him drove her insane and she chose her chance at being at the top of the hierarchy over his chance at life. This highlighted a greater problem within the school, because it meant that the teachers, who are supposed to be guardians for the students and protect them, were influenced by the hierarchy. So in the end, the problem for Kang Ha and He-ra was the hierarchy and it was by succeeding in bringing it down that Kang Ha got the revenge he wished for.

Kang Ha loves to care for those who are victims to the cruelty of the world. Thus, him going to Jooshin high to get justice for his bullied brother and consequently falling for Jae-i, who was struggling to carry the weight of her regret and guilt. This is the reason why, in the end, he's simply content with knowing that she shared the same feelings for him as he did for her. Seeing her give him one of her happiest of smiles, which he wanted to see all along, was the only closure he needed to their relationship. Kang Ha sees In-han, his deceased brother, through Jae-i because of how they share the commonality of being treated unfairly and feeling hurt. So through the smile he put on Jae-i’s face, it was as if he was also able to make his brother feel better and see his smile. As for Jae-i, who felt that she failed to protect In-han in the past, she sees him through Kang Ha. So although she let In-han down by not standing up for what was right or being by his side like she was for him, she ended up protecting Kang Ha. This happened following Kang Ha’s sentence that she started living by, which was to protect, no matter what, who you care about and love the most. This allows viewers to make the realization that between both male leads, it was clearly Kang Ha who had won over her heart; bringing an end to their love triangle. In the end, it was Kang Ha who got what he wanted most, which was seeing Jae-i smile at him and getting closure to In-han’s struggle through her, as well as ensuring the school a better future and having the bullies acknowledge their wrongdoings.

The series closed off Jae-i’s path to self-discovery, which she paved with her own sweat and tears, by leading her to her mother. This reunion showcased her immense character growth since Jae-i grew up in fear of her father throwing her away like he did with her mother; whom he deemed worthless. She let that fear control her life and hold her back from living the life she actually wanted, feeling obliged to live by his expectations. In the end, she made decisions based on her own will and was able to face her new life with a smile because she was no longer scared of being a failure in the eyes of those around her.

Through his decision to attend Jooshin and get revenge on those responsible for his brother’s death, Kang Ha used the traits he shared with his brother (caring and understanding) to carry on his brother's legacy. Not only did he solve the school's mysteries and get it punished for its insensitivity towards scholarship students (something In-han always wanted to achieve but did not have the chance), but he also transformed the ruthless students into better people. It was through Kang Ha that Jae-i was able to gain the courage to face her problems instead of running away, like she had done in the past after discovering her pregnancy. By caring for her and providing her with assistance, she ended up facing her struggles head-on and setting things right. She embraced her struggles as part of who she is, permitting her to move on from the many things that had been holding her back (her guilt of In-han’s death, feeling like she wasn’t able to tell Ri-An about their baby, her unhealthy relationship with her boyfriend) and lead her life with the best version of herself that she found through Kang Ha’s love for her.

Though Kang Ha got his revenge in the way where the school itself had to acknowledge its mistakes, the ending scene sets up an enthralling conclusion to his journey in uncovering Jooshin’s wrongdoings by implicating the others. An immobile student (suspected to be Jae-i’s brother who caused her much torment) is laying on the ground and yet the focus is placed on the top students, highlighting how someone is a killer. Just like how Jae-i ends up facing her fear, they all might have to relive the torment of a student’s death and face it with a better approach.

07/14/2024

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The forgotten night—a psychological thriller that serves as a profound exploration of jealousy

‘Black Out’ is more than just a suspenseful thriller–it’s an introspection of human behaviour, exploring the unsettling extremes of envy, selfishness and obsession. It simultaneously addresses more delicate themes such as passionate love and the innocence of grief, adding complexity to the depthful characters brought to life with top-notch acting. With its various storylines that intertwine into a gripping game of blame concerning the ones at fault for the killing of two young girls, it takes the innocence out of pure feelings, blurring the line between love and selfishness.

In the small Korean village of Muchon Town, everyone is a suspect, and no one is to be trusted. When No Sang-Cheol, an unbiased and unapologetic detective who has no ties with anyone in the area moves to this place, his strong sense of justice and personal values are tested. He’s faced with a seemingly ordinary case whose answers lie somewhere hidden in a particularly messy double murder incident from eleven years ago. Its peculiarities leave him questioning not only each and every individual in his everyday surroundings, but also gives him great doubt in the innocence of the police department itself. Acting as if he has nothing to lose, he shows no hesitance in putting all on the line by diving straight into the pit of that sombre night that the town’s community tries so hard to forget, even going so far as to putting his own principles aside. Could standing on the same ground as a supposed criminal, not looking at him from above as an authoritative figure, be the key to solving this grandiose mystery? And would he still be willing to do it, if it meant having to be apprehensive and empathetic towards the person he despised?

The gripping novel-inspired series ‘Black Out’ heavily relies on its characters’ to drive its story forward as it constantly revolves around the consequences of their actions and their memories are the only fragments of time that are left from a dark night from long ago. Through the many leads, not only does the series showcase character growth, but it also explores the grievance of those who’ve lost a loved one, the motives behind the crimes, and the suffering of those accused of murderer, and their families. The series surfaces many sensitive topics, and is grounded in different variations of anger, using this scary and strong emotion to drive its characters to maddening lengths, whether it be for good or for bad. ‘Black Out’ is a psychological thriller that doesn't rely on gore to bring scare to the viewers, but instead brings them discomfort with depictions of emotional manipulation and other unsettling elements such as gaslighting, blackmail, threats, r@pe, bullying, emotional and physical abuse, domestic violence, psychotic behaviour, obsession, su!c!de, extreme selfishness, and corrupt police investigation.

Following the death of two young girls, sophomore-year highschool student Goh Jeong Woo, boyfriend to one victim and best friend of the other, is pleaded guilty of murder and accused of disposal of their bodies—crimes he claims to have no memory of committing. Even when convinced he isn’t the one responsible, all traces point to the opposite, and since the crimes were committed while Goh Jeong Woo was drunk and experiencing a black out, he can’t do anything but accept to serve his years in prison. As it turns out, this didn’t conclude the case, but actually just put it on pause, since the investigation was suspiciously hastily conducted, and doomed to re-open many years later. When Goh Jeong Woo is released from prison, his name is legally cleared, and he’s presented with the opportunity to start his life anew. He refuses, wishing to seek justice for his two beloved deceased friends by finding their abandoned bodies and uncovering the true murderer. His tiresome effort to conclude the investigation using the right path proves to be more difficult than expected, but he tries his best against all odds, even if it means losing those closest to him in the process, and putting himself back in the difficult circumstances he faced eleven years ago. In his strive to remember and gather clues from that fateful night, he’s torn apart between two versions of himself; the evil person everyone labels him as, and his self who is a victim instead of a murderer.

Though it starts with heavy focus on Goh Jeong Woo, the aspiring medical student from a wealthy family, as the story progresses, the focus is shifted to the other individuals that have been in his surroundings since a young age. As he progressively moves forward in his investigation of the case alongside detective Noh Sang Cheol, he parallelly relives his high school senior year through his memories. This allows him to reconsider his relationships and see his happiest memories from a new perspective, draining them from their joyous and youthful innocence and enabling him to notice how his friend group was slowly ripping apart, tampered with feelings of intense jealousy. He sees the influence that his popularity, his wealth, and his family’s economic and social status had on others, notably his and his parents’ friends. This tactic of narrating a compelling story by weaving together past and present events greatly enhances the viewers’ ability to connect with the characters.

The unravelling of the mystery also sheds light on problems concerning social dynamics. The motives behind the different crimes committed and the ignorance that follows them are rooted out of self-pity, despair and jealousy from those who believe they have been living unfairly in comparison to their shared accaintence; Goh Jeong-Woo. Those involved in the murders, even those who loved him, decided to selfishly prioritise their own selves, framing him and making him suffer the consequences of their actions without feeling remorse because they felt that they had equally suffered from him. Their way of compensating for their insecurities was to frame him for their crimes, as they would benefit from this both monetarily–since they made his wealthy father compensate for their ‘sufferings’ with land–and morally, since it helped them convince themselves he was the true problem. The element that was key to their jealousy was mentioned to be the car Goh Sang-Chu bought his son Goh Jeong-Woo as a gift. This item, which represents the family’s wealth, is not only what ends up leading one of the girls’ murders, but also plays a key role in the unfair blame put on Goh Jeong-Woo, leading to his and his family’s social and economical downfall. The series concludes the lesson that in the end, those with less moral power can appear to be at the top, while their actions and decisions reveal otherwise, opposing the values of their glorified role and image in society. Those who have wronged others will do anything they can to exerce their power to hide the flaws and mistakes of theirs that they’re too scared to reveal.

‘Black Out’ successfully blurs the line between both extremes of a crime, which is the grief and innocence of the supposed victims, and the strong loss of control and of hatred found in murderers, abusers, and rap!sts. By exploring the true identities and values of the characters, it also shines light on more emotionally sensitive themes like grief, acceptance, and regret. The series uses emotions found in both innocent grieving victims and the ones with dirt on their hands to shape its characters into realistic and depthful individuals, making viewers question their true intentions and not trust any word they speak. Its storytelling shows how grief can bring out strong feelings of regret which can affect even those who are the monsters in the story. With convincing acting, it touches the complex elements surrounding grief, showcasing that even those who aren't to blame can feel just as wrongful and remorseful as those who actually are responsible.

The ending puts forward a conclusion that highlights that even though falling and hitting the ground of the gruesome reality is surely inevitable on both sides of a crime, it highlights that the one who chooses to prioritise and believe the truth will always have a path in front of them to move on, no matter their circumstances. Because, acknowledgement and pride in oneself is truly the strongest thing there is, and is especially a crucial way of living a truthful life in modern society, where those who are the highest are those who conceal the most.

The unsettling music, gloomy aesthetic, and choice of setting in a quiet, subdued part of town all contribute to its overall eerie atmosphere, drawing in both fans of the genre and newcomers alike. Many factors render it a truly memorable watch, such as the convincing acting, and its steady rhythm of suspense, both of which provide the audience with the opportunity to get a good scare out of the psychological thriller. The series’ horrific elements, graphic scenes, and mystery lets it reach a bigger audience, further broadening its appeal to those who are fans of the horror genre. Laid bare on screen, the many themes presented are raw and sometimes hard to digest. Its honesty in presenting the dark truths in life is like an inspection of the human mind, showing much more than a simple exploration of its determined and loving side. Instead, it focuses on bringing attention to the dark things passionate emotions can bring out of even the most pure and innocent feelings. With relentless thrill, it highlights the power that holds the mind’s rawest of feelings such as anger, jealousy, and selfishness. What especially makes this series so scary are the polar opposite traits that create the lead characters. The simple motivation behind the characters’ crimes is common and experienced by all, and yet they lack the fundamental aspect of what makes us human, which is guilt.

Its captivating production qualities, topped off with the numerous potential suspects that the plot follows, altogether enhances its suspense as well as its impact on viewers, leaving them at the edge of their seats all throughout the 14 episodes. Its engaging storyline—where a fusion of passion and love meets the depths of remorse and neglect—is brought to life by complex and unreliable protagonists, inviting interpretation and suspicion to arise in viewers. The mystery unfolds fast enough yet very intricately with its many subplots and storylines detouring the truth and giving the audience the chance to come up with their own theories as it simultaneously guides them down the line of its perfectly developed plot.

Overall, all of its aspects created the formula for a truly outstanding watch. ‘Black Out’ is ultimately a must-watch for anyone looking for a release that has mastered the art of balancing out elements of suspense, mystery, crime, self-reflection, growth, and most of all, reconciliation with the past, those around us, and our own selves.

11/02/2024

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Thrillingly brilliant: when justice becomes a game and the courtroom a tool of power

Following a national epidemic, an era of riots, homelessness, and distrust in the government arises, bringing the country’s liveliness and finances to a halt. Politics and law become one, entangled in a mess of corruption that no one dares to touch for fear of challenging the conglomerates. No one except Judge Kang Yo Han, an avid chaos-maker and lover of games.

But is he truly the hero he presents himself as? Or is he just another power-hungry figure, taking advantage of the country’s chaotic state to turn the growing force of his fame into a seizure of control, as have done past dictators? No one can ever know his true face, because he tells people the stories they want to hear. Amused, he watches as the strings he pulls—every illusion, every trace, every word he says, and the way people react—all fall into place like dominoes, just as he planned for things to play out. When you’re a genius who’s always one step ahead, it’s hardly ever possible to veer off track. But when Kim Ga On, an innocent and pure judge, committed to upholding the law, steps foot into his twisted world, becoming the light to his dark, Yo Han’s façade risks cracking…in more ways than one.

When the cards are already set up against you, or in Yo Han’s words: “When our playing ground is tilted against us,” the moral compass shifts not between matters of justice and plain right or wrong, but between the personal perception of good and evil. There is no fair game in this Korean near-future dystopian series’ live-aired courtroom, where corruption and greed meet the most vulnerable stories—facets of social injustice where civilian death and heartbreak are at the forefront—placing this confrontation under the spotlight, pedestaled like a variety show for everyone to witness.

In this series’ public-opinion-infiltrated courtroom that dares to fight against political corruption and the elite, power games are truly what’s at play and what is at stake for one becomes the other’s gain. From the get-go, always one step ahead, and aware that the courtroom is a mere tool in a greater scheme, Judge Kang attempts to gain control of it, convinced that public support is the only way he can shine alongside other powerful figures. However the saviour he may appear as, his judicial principles come with a twist: he believes everyone is equal under the eyes of the law—not in the sense that all should be granted innocence at first glance, but in the cold belief that innocent people don’t exist at all. Led by this philosophy, the expedition of law orchestrated through Kang is followed through a “game” rather than a more “just” vein of what would be an ideal, fair courtroom.

Kim Ga On, a newcomer judge fighting to stand his moral ground amidst corruption, slowly opens his eyes to the truth hidden behind the polished version of “justice” led by Judge Kang and presented on screen to viewers of the Live Court Show. Its image is meticulously crafted with the goal of fishing the attention and support of citizens—who have lost trust in their juridical regime and government—by showcasing exactly what they vote to see unfold on screen, unaware of what goes on behind the scenes or perhaps choosing to feign ignorance for their own satisfaction. Although mostly content with the outcomes of Judge Kang’s decisions, his sometimes masked, sometimes unmasked dishonesty puzzles Ga On, preventing him from resting in that contentment. Initially tasked with keeping a close eye on him due to his professor’s suspicions, Ga On’s relentless chase for answers soon spirals into a more personal-driven search, an obsession that borders on being downright down bad for him.

A god in the courtroom, a-sometimes-quirkily-immature man at home, a traitor among his peers, an unrightful trickster as a supposed follower of the rule…Perhaps enthralled, or baffled by the ever-changing silhouette of Kang Yo Han’s character, Ga On feels a magnetic pull draw him closer to his side, determined to unearth the reasoning behind his motives and enticing decisions. Ga On’s fixation on Judge Kang and obsession with understanding his complexity leads him astray from his black-and-white worldview. His character’s naivety and lack of depth reveal themselves when placed side by side with the complexly moraled Yo Han.

Ga On possesses a strong sense of utility; he cherishes those around him dearly, for they are lovers and not enemies. Even as an adult, he carries a youthful innocence, as represented through the bird tattooed on his back—one that resembles the white bird Yo Han had killed when he was in school and of which mirrors his loss of innocence at such a young age. Portrayed as a rule follower who strives to follow the book, the audience’s perspective of Ga On is initially that he is a good guy—at least when he thrusts himself into life-endangering situations with the goal of protecting everyone. Magnetic and sharp, Kang Yo Han’s presence draws one in with his strange and unpredictable, sometimes perhaps even crazy sort of flair. The series leaves Ga On—and viewers themselves—grasping at straws, the many versions of himself put forward, to try and dissect a clear picture of his persona—morals and motives and all—to decide if he is cheer-worthy or not.

The chemistry between these two leads, who are stuck on the same team yet overcome by mistrust, creates a tense dynamic similar to the one presented in the renowned K-drama ‘Beyond Evil’. Shared moments between Kim and Kang drip with subtext, especially in the subtle details that feel too strong to dismiss the deliberateness of every quiet pulse. Though not overtly romantic, the quiet intimacy laced within every lingering gaze, every crack in the armor that exposes a soft, scared vulnerability only the other can see, every emotion-charged touch, is energetically sensual and steamy.

In a spectacle of fine ice between the two leads, where one might succeed but only at the other’s expense, the only way to survive is for both to stand on equal ground, only possible when Ga On—who grew up adhering to the faulty law system and surrounded by people in government jobs—finally adjusts his perspective of justice into a more radically complex one. It’s the key to being content with what’s considered the courtroom’s “wins.”. Ga On slowly comes to learn this truth; that justice is not achieved by following the rulebook page by page. With everything he had once been taught by the country’s official judicial team now non-applicable to this new game-styled courtroom, he has no choice but to turn to Judge Kang’s ways. Ga On comes to realize that fairness is a projection of your own ideals and values, and that leveling up to your opponent sometimes means detouring from the rule book and playing dirty.

Heavy on mystery and play of perceptions, this gritting series is for lovers of suspense, ponderers of justice, desirers of societal reform, or simply anyone wishing to question their own morals. It’ll leave you contemplating and pondering—remembering, as Kang Yo Han says, that “There is no justice in the real world. Only a game exists. A terribly tilted one at that.”

Want to delve deeper into the world of 'The Devil Judge'? FIND THE LENGTHENED AND ANALYSIS -STYLE VERSION OF MY REVIEW ON MEDIUM! : “Analyzing The Devil Judge (K-Drama): When Justice Becomes a Game and the Courtroom a Tool of Power”

2025-08-06

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Beyond crazy: when the best revenge against your rival & partner is to always be one step ahead

You don’t want to stoop that low—but you might just have to. You don’t want to get blood on your hands—but perhaps you already have. You don’t want to be a monster—but it’s actually all you’ve ever been. If there is a line to be crossed, something that separates the good from the bad—could there ever be an effort worked against cruelty good enough to justify crossing it? ‘Beyond Evil’ is a gripping series that has imagined these concepts in a way that is so deep and beyond electrifying, turning viewers into detectives with its thrill and inviting them to juxtapose their own judgements and morals to discern the good from the bad. Not only will it put one’s detective skills to the test, but it also permits exploration of morality, questioning how to label what rests in between both extremes of a crime: all those who are witnesses but choose to turn a blind eye. It is as much an uncomfortable watch as it is heartbreaking—but it is these very qualities that qualify the series as a well-produced thriller that has succeeded in its performance.

These themes are all tackled with great strategic pacing in the unravelling of crimes and brought to scene with its award-winning actors who have greatly succeeded in giving goosebump-raising performances. Its ever-present suspense is amazingly developed and gradually built using play on perceptions between both the characters themselves, and how the viewers perceive them. The buildup to the true culprit is impeccable—the series will shine a spotlight on even the faintest of suspicions just to clear certain individuals out of the portrait of possibilities in being the murderer only to make them targets of investigation again later on when more clues arise. Jam-packed with extremely spine-chilling scenes and revelations, the show’s execution of its promising premise did not let hopes down and instead surpassed the lines of constraints it set.

Twenty years after a gruesome killing spree that targeted illegal women immigrants, citizens of the small town Manyang are pulled into yet another detective case to catch the culprit that no one ever worked thoroughly enough to find 20 years back. Son to an extremely high-ranking father, Han Joo-won is a Seoul-originated detective from the illegal-immigrants department, who is strangely committed to discovering the truth behind the string of serial-murder cases despite initial orders from his father to cease in his investigation. Lee Dong-sik, brother to the successful yet modest 20-year-old girl who was first to cause ruckus in the small town 20 years prior to the present day with her disappearance, was convicted guilty to her abduction and possible disposal of body and now finds himself wound up in the Manyang police department after being demoted following his former partner’s death.

Against their own will, Han Joo-won and Lee Dong-sik are partnered, with their own suspicions of each other’s involvement in the case only growing after another disappearance occurs and seems to have the same MO as the cases prior to it. Both equally determined and eager to catch the murderer, they secretly decide to tackle the case on their own. However, it soon embodies greater issues and becomes something big that may concern the police department itself, leaving other officers and investigators no choice but to get involved. There are those who join the case for personal gain, such as promotions or a raise in status, those who wish to frame a culprit to end things quickly, some who just want to find the peace of mind of catching a killer on-the-loose, and others who get involved to create fake alibis and protect their own interests.

But among them all, only a certain individual, or perhaps more than one person, can be given the label of a murderer, even though everyone is guilty of something and has a role to play in the impending question: who is the serial killer? This is ultimately the question that torments Lee Dong-sik the most, fueling his strive to always remain one step ahead of everyone else so that he can orchestrate the murderer’s perfect demise and revelation. He deliberately makes the murderer's investigation unfold slowly and only publicly points fingers at the killer when a body is found to be careful in the steps he takes before fully closing in on the murderer’s arrest. More than anything, he wants to ensure that the culprit has no way of defending himself because he doesn’t want any wrongdoings on their own side as police being revealed in his capture when so many have been hurt by the murderer. Personally being the brother of one of the victims himself, and partner to an officer that made a mistake by committing a crime against a murderer, Dong-sik emotionally connects with the struggle of not wanting a criminal to turn into a victim. He believes that their acquaintances don't deserve that extra baggage and betrayal of causing the criminal to have something to be sympathized and victimized for.

Lee Dong-sik knows Han Joo-won already has his eyes set on him being the killer and makes this work in his favour, using his suspected culpability to ensure Joo-won’s role in working on the case since he’s convinced he is the only person capable of taking on such a big role in a case that requires everyone in the police station to be suspected. By encouraging Han Joo-won to invite more suspicion on himself, he teases the clear possibility of there being a murderer and that it is still possible for that individual to get caught, making the 20-year-old case still relevant to be investigated. Lee Dong-sik’s goal in doing this is so that he can use Han Joo-won to investigate the case all whilst gathering new information through him, since Lee Dong-sik’s role in its investigation would otherwise be illegal considering he is family to the victim and had previously been declared guilty of the murder.

With Lee Dong-sik scared to frame the wrong person in fear of taking away from the victim’s injustice, and Han Joo-won narrow-minded and set on his own suspicions, they speak in riddles, manipulate each other into helping one another in their investigations, and intricately fabricate their own facades to draw out what they want from one another. They build frames of storytelling to shed light on clues, trying to draw attention to a bigger picture. Both leads pull each other in by raising suspicion to one another, building a sense of mutual mistrust. However, this eerie sense of mysteriousness in their relationship gradually grows into a unique and strong bond that is built on a strong reciprocal trust that both pretend don’t exist. Between them sizzles an intense rivalry and chemistry—they go from pointing guns to each other’s throats in one scene to working side-by-side against everyone else in the next.

‘‘There are times where you’re not sure. If you pull out too soon, you’ll chase away the fish. And if you take too long, the fish will get away. Should I reel in? Or not?" With such an endless array of possibilities of things that could go wrong, Lee Dong-sik and Han Joo-won have to feign ignorance, resist acting on impulse, and accept doing the unimaginable in order to find the perfect proof that would immediately prove the murderer guilty before reeling in so that there would be no space for doubt to be raised during the official investigation—and no chance for the killer to slip away from their grasp. This goal of the main leads' explains the importance and focus that the show places on a certain conversation both investigators shared—where Lee Dong-sik wanted to be sure that Han Joo-won understood that even against any accusations, it is juridically impossible for a murderer in South Korea to be convicted guilty for their crime if there is no body found.

Twisted and dark, from the first episode to the very last, it’s a timeless masterpiece of a detective series that'll pull viewers into its game of show and tell—but only show, and then tell in a few more episodes just to keep them guessing. It’ll propose ideas, make the audience believe them, and just when they think they're on the brink of coming up with a conclusion, it turns out that everything they believed is wrong, and viewers have been tricked so well that they’ve swapped the innocent for the guilty. The hefty plot heavily relies on the narrative that no one is free of suspicion or can be trusted to embark viewers on a journey that’ll leave them desperate for answers and relentlessly searching episodes for hidden meaning or new clues. There is no other thriller that does it better in building suspense, delivering acting performances, character intricacy, offering a top-tier OST, unmatched tension, and showing remarkable storyline complexity.

Overall, ‘Beyond Evil’ has beautifully mastered the art that is storytelling—from its intricate little details to the bigger picture it creates and everything that stretched in between its many mysteries’ unraveling, exceeding the precedents of its genre with its unexpected, thrilling, and flawlessly executed plot.

2025/02/14

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All over the place yet still not enough—an interesting premise that fell short of its potential

Melodramas are typically renditions of people's lives—if you will; a slice-of-life styled series with a little more spice. They tend to showcase the true originalities of their characters with pronounced character arcs, strong emotion, and heavy plotlines. At first, 'Melo Movie' is no different—it sets viewers for expectation that it’ll embody these characterizations with grand depth, originality, and a peculiar sense of artisticness, that in this case, would lay bare within its setting of a cinematographic world where two individuals who are trying to redeem themselves of their lost time meet each other before recognition. However, despite its strong start, the show’s mature feel quickly died down, leaving room for empty and whiplash-giving characters, lackluster performance in acting, and predictable plot.

When two unachieved individuals meet while in the time of their life where they are either in constant wait or pursuit for their desires—what kind of fate will their destiny bind them to? Ko Gyeom’s life is shaped by film, as it is within this realm that his dreams take flight and find breath, while Kim Mu-bi’s life revolves around the industry in the sense that her name and her father tie her down to it like a label. Together, their screen time just falls short of what could’ve been a testament to a bittersweet love story. Only the strongest sides to themselves are shared, while their vulnerable sides stay in hiding, pushed away all whilst secretly yearning to be let shine through. Romantic and swoony, its set-up and premise promised ideas that the show did not further develop, and refrained from steeping in themes that were believed to eventually be explored. What had so much potential production-wise quickly lost its grasp on the actual storyline, that winded up on the common ground of typical rom-com territory.

There are many nuances in the characters themselves that stopped the show from curating an immersive vibe. ‘Melo Movie’ felt empty as a whole in consequence to the mismatch between characters’ behaviours and the storyline. The two leads have faced tragic experiences and are yet very emotionally immature, showing only facades of their true selves to the word—Ko Gyeom, forcing himself to play an overly ecstatic role, and Kim Mu-bi an indifferent and unfazed one. It seems like they are living their lives with little effort, and yet things fall so easily into their hands. They have good friends despite not reciprocating smiles or equal amounts of attention, have grand opportunities come their way, and are constantly reluctant to take them despite it supposedly aligning with their goals. Overall, the leads have the allure of dissatisfaction with their lives which is unfitting to the genre and plays no greater role in the story. Additionally, the actors were poorly chosen and cast, and the otherwise renowned actors barely just fit into the characters’ shoes.

‘Melo Movie’ undeniably struggled to find perfect balance in its blend of rom-com and melodrama. The clash between the two genres the show embodied tore its entirety apart into something not bad enough to render it unwatchable, but certainly unmemorable. Melodramas tend to incorporate elements of slowburn, personal growth, and maturity, with elements borrowed from the slice-of-life genre. As for rom-coms, they encompass silliness, unrealistically planned reunions and set ups between characters, and are typically categorized by their overall lighthearted feel. Despite the big, evident differences between both, ‘Melo Movie’ doesn’t recognize itself in either of these categories alone—instead, it binds both together, alternately varying its penchant in genres depending on the different episodes or storylines presented. Since both ideally bring out different emotions and behaviours from the characters, to have a continuous shift between them not only alienates viewers, but also reveals a lack of depth in especially the leads.

The female lead in particular was very frustrating to watch—Kim Mu-bi fell into a constant habit of contradicting herself. Her motives remained unclear and her personality was in constant shift. Mu-bi would always push Gyeom away but became upset when he actually kept his distance or left, as if he owed her any acts of service or explanation for his leave when she had never put any effort at all into the maintenance of their strange, love-hate relationship. Even though she was bothered enough by his abrupt absence to block him from her contacts, she never thought to reach out and ask if he was alright during his leave. When he did come back, she claimed to be very angered and yet her world quickly resumed its revolving of him, and she even took on some rather unhealthily obsessive qualities.

As if there weren’t already enough neglected aspects in the series, to add to the pile of absurdities, viewers are made to believe both leads truly care and have a liking for one another despite putting no effort whatsoever into their relationship. For example, they spent five years without contact even though they had each other’s phone number and knew where to find one other. They seem to have no chemistry, no interest in each other, no problem with separation or keeping things to themselves—the only thing pulling them together is the simple, hollow, and predictable plot. Given the little actual interaction between the leads, it seems that the show’s intent was for the audience to analyze the individuals presented and their behaviours. However, the leads embody an emptiness that renders character analysis impossible to achieve. It seems fair to say the romance has undeniably missed its mark, veering the rest of the show off of course and resulting in an unwatchable mess.

2025-02-20

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The strive to unlock the code to one’s smile and define love in early adulthood

In an underwhelming world, where the sky is sometimes too cloudy to make out the stars, and where you can’t reach the top without falling, a group of individuals come together, find the good through the bad, and attempt to strive in a big and unfamiliar world that constantly tries to push them away.

If not to be praised for its lengthy and heavy plot, the series’ memorable cinematography and beautiful soundtrack will surely leave an everlasting impression on viewers. Humoristique, heartfelt, and a critique of today’s workaholic society—’Smile Code’ succeeds with satisfying ease in balancing out aspects that lean into the slice-of-life genre with elements of silliness and fun. The drama presents a refreshing twist on falling in love, with characters who fill the space in each other’s arms as though they are destined to come together despite their differences in lifestyle, personality, and outlook on life.

Simply put, 'Smile Code' is truly inspiring and doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths in life—instead, it develops its beautifully crafted storyline using them to propel the show forward. With equally remarkable focus on familial relationships, work life in the modern day world, and matters regarding both physical and mental disabilities, it mainly follows the compelling story of two individuals who try to navigate their relationship around the emotional distance that separates them, proving that love knows no barriers and that it presents itself in different variations. It is not a set feeling, but something abstract that is hard to understand and fully grasp the concept of without experiencing it firsthand.

Gu Yi, passionate and full of determination, is searching for her own definition of love. By getting closer to the one causing her the feeling, she gains a better understanding of herself and the concept of love. As the distance between them slowly closes on her end, Liang Dai Wen is experiencing this same exploration of oneself, but is forced to deal with trying to understand the entirety of his feelings—for the world and the girl he loves. The male lead will be forced to face his trauma head-on if he’s willing to understand not just his own feelings, but also those of the people around him. Together, he and Gu Yi serve as a perfect portrayal of the devotion, compassion, and effort that is required to keep and build a healthy relationship. The reasons behind their eventual separation, along with Gu Yi’s belief that "love is precious only when it's a little bit; otherwise, it's a disaster", resonate with the idea that these qualities can equally destroy a relationship as much as they can create one.

Lin Yi effectively embodied his cold role as Liang Dai Wen in a way that made his character feel heavy, with a smile dragged down by the weight of the world. This is fitting for the series, considering its overall message, which is to find a guide, or a code to unlock a smile. Due to his trouble in identifying, processing and expressing emotion, his creativity is overlooked as it is not regarded as ‘creative’ in a typical way. Rather than representing his empathic and artistic outlook of life in his art using music or painting, it is expressed through his feeling of needing to help others. His character is creative and artistic in an innovative way, capable of thinking from the perspective of others to create something that'll reflect them and their needs in everyday life, whereas music or art is more individualistic, with the artist creating based on their own perspective and experiences.

The side characters are all equally as enriching to the series. Remarkably, its second female lead, Guan Xing Xin, indirectly addresses the burden of the misogynistic, suppressive, conservative, and close-minded aspects of Chinese society. This is explored through modern-day problems concerning celebrity images and cyberbullying, as well as the public unwilling to understand her side of the story in a scandal. Her outlook on life differs from others as she was born visually impaired; completely blind. The unique perspective that she presents through her telling of her experience of gaining sight gives viewers unique remarks on life itself and of the human being’s ingrained and innate fear of being observed, perceived, judged, and critiqued.

Though she may seem misplaced at first, among the others in the series who are perhaps more visibly struggling, with debt to pay off, and no place to call home, she still draws many parallels to them despite her wealth and fame. Guan Xing Xin is actually just as morally lost as the other individuals presented are, searching for her place in the world. Even though her life seems simple and already set up for her by those in her surroundings, she rather feels suffocated and constrained by these expectations, and stolen of freedom. Despite being certain that her current life is not fit for her, she struggles to break free from it and pursue a new direction in life, not yet truly knowing her own self, her limits, and what she wants. Her similarity with those around her who are less wealthy showcases how everyone has their own battles to fight no matter their circumstances, and that one should not be so quick to judge. Altogether, the characters form a realistic portrait of people who feel like they don’t live up to society’s standards for one reason or another, enhancing the series’ underlying theme of struggling urban youths.

Gu Yi, the female lead, catches the male lead’s eye first with her positive attitude. Liang Dai Wen feels entranced by the bright smile she chooses to wear despite her day-to-day struggles. At night, her smile radiates a sense of freeness under the stars like a twinkle amidst the busy streets of the bustling city. In the day, he sees her face morph into more stoic expressions, and witnesses how hard she works to carry the weight of her daily struggles. This contributes to Liang Dai Wen finding her smile's beauty more admirable and brighter than ever, furthermore drawing him into her strong pull. The contrast between her life in the day and during the night is something Liang Dai Wen struggles to understand. Because of his emotional condition, he can’t experience the duality of being practical in the day, and free, exasperated, and relieved at night. His lack of understanding intrigues him to give her a space in his life, because he has always been told that feelings can truly be felt only once they have been observed. Though he yearns to be observant and understanding of Gu Yi, his encounters with her brings him down and gives him the unconscious realization that there's something missing in his life.

"A human soul only weighs one ounce" is the quote of the comedy night club where Gu Yi works. This is probably in reference to an experiment led by a believer that a soul holds a physical weight, and who strived to determine if this was true or not, before coming to the conclusion that a soul weighed almost an ounce because that was the weight that left their body when they died. Of course, this theory has never been scientifically proven, but in the context of this series that explores the struggles faced by urban youths, this ideology can be interpreted that the human soul is light, and so it is easy to push around into a spiral of turmoil or hardship, as it is simple to alleviate this weight by wearing a smile. It highlights the human’s sole insignificance in the world, and how adapting this outlook on life that we are so little and overall insignificant can make us feel more free and weightless. Not only can this shift one’s perspective, but it can also allow one to embody their feelings better and wear them with great pride for the little joys experienced. When Liang Dai Wen says he’s searching for his ounce of a soul, he’s perhaps looking for the lively part of him that he’ll lose once he dies, as he is already a detached and cold-hearted person.

In the middle of the series, Liang Dai Wen has a breakthrough, reflecting deeply on his own self for the first time. These realizations are crucial for his character development and the choices he makes later on. He notices that whenever he sees Gu Yi smile, his wrist hurts, recalling how her smile never ceased to shine brightly in his memory. This wrist pain of his is ultimately a physical manifestation of his emotional incapacity to have feeling. Whenever the pain flares up, he is deprived from the opportunity to experience mundane human things, such as driving. This builds on the series’ main theme, which is alexithymia, and strengthens the focus on his inability to differentiate between physical and emotional pain.

At some point, Gu Yi mirrors his own behaviour in the way she decides to interact with him. She approaches the matters that bother her head-on, hoping that he will understand her better. The physical pain she causes him in the moment where she squeezes his hurt hand, telling him to remember how he feels in the moment, mirrors the internal pain he feels when she gives him back the pain he caused her. He pushes her away, shifting back into the cold and detached version of himself he has been stuck in since years ago, retreating into his old habit of using emotional numbness as a shield. His departure with Gu Yi only adds to his pile of regrets, alongside those he feels regarding his past and his Mom. His obsession with clinging on to the memory of things he has abandoned hints at his desire to stay in the past. Instead of trying to let go or welcome back into his life the things he misses, he just floats in the middle of these two options, numbing himself to emotion. But now, with Gu Yi, he has to make a move, make decisions based on what he wants—not just out of practicality like he usually does. He has to allow himself to be guided by his own emotions, because he can’t expect Gu Yi to wait for him forever.

The rollercoaster of emotion intensifies following the leads’ separation. Gu Yi, once full of innocent smiles and laughter, gains a new perspective on life through this experience and starts to understand Liang Dai Wen’s dissociation from all forms of emotion. She offers a unique interpretation to what she feels was a one-sided romance, explaining that the break up didn’t exactly happen between them, since their feelings for one another haven’t changed. Instead, it can be found in every moment they spent together—shifting from sweet memories to times they now wished to forget. Their bittersweet separation offers a taste of the series’ overall hopeful yet realistic portrayal of life in early adulthood. And their eventual coming-together is beautiful, heartwarming, and a perfect example of healthy relationship should look like. Filled with scenes that will tug at your heart and draw tears, 'Smile Code' undeniably captures life from an interesting angle.

The series’ visual aspect beautifully mirrors its essence, enhancing the emotional delivery to viewers. The cinematography is especially visually pleasing, and its nightly setting highlights the little but bright beauty that light holds when it peeks through the darkness. Something about the mostly dark city setting causes feelings of excitement, bringing more intimacy to the leads’ interactions and allowing their love to shine amidst the night’s darkness. The soundtrack is diverse and beautiful, reliant on piano keys to bring its melodies afloat, allowing the songs to convey a light but determined touch to the series. This enhances the series’ overall vibe, a heaviness coupled with little bits of hope—because beauty can not exist without deep and heavy feelings such as despair and sadness.

With noteworthy lines, thought-provoking quotes, and metaphorical comparisons, ‘Smile Code’ outshines its ‘rom-com’ genre by fueling its romance and bits of comedy using everyday happenings and aspects that moreover resemble those of the slice-of-life genre. "Isn't it sad that we operate like machines?" is a line shared to Gu Yi by Xu Guan Rui, someone who pursues an opposite life to hers—one with artistic and metaphorical value. It was said in the context of humans overworking without the acknowledgement of how much their drive for money and place in society is shielding away typical human creative expression and search for meaning in life. It compares this dehumanizing nature of overwork and the way people oftenly get so obsessed with practicality, routines, or survival to a robot, void of freedom, expression of oneself, and emotion. Gu Yi makes a reflection on these words, perhaps comparing it to Liang Dai Wen, who she considers robot-like because of his neurological disorder that limits his range of emotion and gives him the inability to feel or process feelings or seek true human connections. Since the show's focus is struggling youths in Shanghai—a very big, fast-moving, and competitive city—this is fitting because it is easy to learn to suppress our emotions in order to thrive. One can easily get swept up in only living in the goal of surviving to abide by the mold societal pressure tries to fit them into, making it easy to turn a blind eye to the human need for connections.

In the same train of thought, Xu Guan Rui also encourages Gu Yi to take a pause on what’s truly worth pursuing, and to question herself on why she is living her life in this rushed way that doesn’t make her happy or give her a particular sense of fulfillment in terms of her emotional needs, implying that she orient her goals to something more self-fulfilling. Her lacking response suggests that she hasn’t given it much thought, drawing a parallel between her character and people living under similarly current societal pressures and letting their need for money dictate their way of living. The comparison gives her a better sense of understanding of Liang Dai Wen, who she once thought so different. It enables her to see how she also embodies some of the qualities she thought were robot-like and depressing, such as following the cycle of routines, and acting based on practicality rather than emotions. And since she attributes these struggles of hers to pain, and relies on the creative expression of laughter as a painkiller, she feels for the male leads’ burdens in life since he has no resort that frees him from his struggles.

However, her newfound perceptiveness of Liang Dai Wen is only part of the greater picture that the series has meticulously crafted with emotion that reaches even beyond the screen. By stringing together the lives of many different individuals living in the big city, each facing their own struggles, it created proof of empathy's power; delivering a message that there is no greater strength than empathy in forming bonds and surpassing life's hurdles. In the end, the story essentially conveys the idea that a love that grows slowly is more special than a spontaneous type of love. Its spark never dies because the memories continue to grow on each other, instead of leaving behind something beautiful that is only worth reminiscing about. To conclude, 'Smile Code' a must-watch series that is heartbreaking as much as it is healing and refreshing to the soul.

12/10/2024

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