This review may contain spoilers
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.
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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