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The True Kim You Jung Masterclass
Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely detest insane K-drama villains. They’re shallow, repetitive, and poorly written. They lack the depth necessary to make them feel real or believable, and their motives often border between non-existent and illogical. Basically, the “insane villain” trope is not my cup of tea. From Vincenzo to Dear Hongrang, they just kept getting worse. Then along comes Dear X with the most brilliantly complex sociopath I’ve seen in a long time.
You could argue that she’s so layered because she’s the protagonist and main focus of the show, but if those other dramas had better character writers and clearer priorities, they could’ve made their villains feel just as layered as their heroes.
Baek Ah-Jin is a phenomenal character brought to life by an equally capable actress. Although I hated My Demon, I wasn’t the least bit skeptical when I heard KYJ was heading this production, because she gave what was easily the best acting performance in that drama. The supporting characters really enhance the story, my personal favorite being Moon Dohyun. The plot hooked me from the first episode and kept me engaged throughout. I have to admit, though, that the rest of the show wasn't as good as the first four episodes, and the ending left much to be desired. One thing that stayed consistent, though, was KYJ’s acting.
There’s a strong thematic presence in this show. Subjects such as violence, abuse, generational trauma, and duplicity don’t simply exist here—they’re explored quite deeply. It’s unapologetically dark and gruesome. Sometimes, I even fear for the child actors involved. The visuals are stunning—the dark and gritty tones work seamlessly with the world-building, and the lighting complements KYJ’s face in a way that almost makes her look doll-like at times. The direction sometime makes it feel like a horror show. The musical element is on another level; the way it intensifies an already tense situation makes everything come together perfectly.
As good as everything already is, my favorite aspect of this show has got to be the psychological maneuvering. Manipulation is depicted with striking accuracy. Ah-Jin is a villain through and through, and while her actions are unjustifiable, they’re strangely understandable. She’s beyong redemption, yet you can’t help but wonder how different her life might have been had she been born into better circumstances. She’s intelligent and calculating. She sees people as pawns in her mind games, inserting herself into their lives as the very thing they yearn for—whether it’s love, a morality project, or a sense of usefulness. She shifts her personality to infiltrate their minds. She could be a love interest to one and a helpless child to another. But once she sinks her teeth in, they become slaves to her every bidding.
This show isn’t perfect, though. It’s sometimes unbelievable how well things work out for the female lead. But they balance it by having her make costly mistakes every now and then. This is just peak entertainment. Baek Ah-Jin is now one of my favorites kdrama characters of all time. She is the gold standard for insane kdrama villains.
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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