I finished this drama last night and I'm still thinking about it. Still feeling it. Still angry.
I went in expecting nothing. I came out with my blood boiling and tears on my face.
A fast-paced, emotionally devastating drama inspired by true events that exposes police corruption in 1980s Korea. It will make you angry, heartbroken, and deeply uncomfortable – and that is precisely why it works.
The story: Captivating doesn't even cover it. I was on the edge of my seat from episode one. I told myself "just one more episode" about seven times. Ended up binge-watching the whole thing. No regrets.
The acting is amazing. Every single person brought their A-game. Tae Ju broke my heart over and over again.
The 80s cinematography was beautiful. They made me feel like I was there.
This drama is inspired by a true case. It is heartbreaking to realize that so many lives were destroyed simply because some police officers wanted promotions. Your blood will boil watching the so-called "good guys" – the people meant to protect citizens – reveal themselves as complete scumbags.
I loved Tae Ju and his strong sense of justice. It is heartbreaking to watch him fight this battle alone. I was crying toward the end because the emotional weight was immense. Seeing people suffer for 30 years – and continue to suffer because the law and justice are not on their side – is devastating.
Tae Ju and Si Yeong: Their relationship was complicated. Difficult. In some sense, it was good to watch them – two people constantly outsmarting each other. But at some point, you realize the truth: people do not change. No matter how much you hope. No matter how much you want them to. When you see how the police cover up the entire case and realize this actually happened, your blood boils again. And it makes you wonder: how many more people like them are still out there?
I love that the ending was realistic and not sugar-coated. It made the entire experience feel truly authentic. This drama will stay with me for a long time.
Verdict: Watch it. But prepare yourself. You'll cry. You'll get angry. You'll feel helpless. And you won't forget it.
I checked out this drama to see what all the hype was about. And after watching it, I get it — but only partially.
What worked for me: This might be the first time I've watched a drama where bullies actually got exactly what they deserved, delivered in the same way they treated their victims. That was deeply satisfying. The first episode was easily the strongest and hooked me immediately.
However, I do think this drama is overhyped. It's good, but nothing more than that.
The main issue for me was a lack of emotional connection to the characters. Toward the end, I found myself losing interest. I believe the drama would have benefited from featuring fewer individual stories and exploring each one in greater depth. That would have allowed viewers to properly invest in the narrative and the characters. Instead, it felt more like watching a fantasy play out rather than a grounded, emotionally resonant story.
Verdict: Worth watching for the satisfying comeuppance and a strong opening episode. But temper your expectations — this is not the masterpiece the hype might suggest.
This season took a few episodes to find its footing. The beginning felt noticeably slow, and I wasn't sure where the story was headed. However, once the pacing picked up, I found myself completely hooked and couldn't stop watching.
The boxing duo remains the heart of the series. Their dynamic is as strong as ever, and watching them fight to protect their loved ones carried real emotional weight. Rain, in particular, delivered an outstanding performance as the villain. He brought depth and charisma to the role, making his character both intimidating and compelling to watch.
The fight choreography deserves special mention — the action scenes were well-executed and genuinely exciting. Across the board, the cast performed admirably.
I also want to highlight Do Hwan, who continues to be one of my favorite actors. His ability to display complex emotions with subtlety and power is remarkable, and he added significant emotional layers to the story.
Be sure to watch both post-credit scenes — they are not to be missed.
The ending strongly hints at more to come, and I sincerely hope the production team announces a third season soon. I would love to see this team face another villain in the future.
Wow, what a ride. The start of the drama was slow, but after thatI was seated the whole time. The storyline was great and kept me engaged, as there was a plot twist after plot twist. I loved the pacing, the suspense, and how nothing was predictable. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the drama proved me wrong. If you're looking for a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, this is it.
Jung Woo's performance deserves special recognition. His character arc is spectacular, and the drama offers a compelling exploration of what a person is capable of doing for money. While it can be frustrating to witness his repeated lies and morally questionable actions, the narrative ultimately delivers a satisfying conclusion where everyone gets what they deserve.
I genuinely do not understand the low ratings this drama has received – it feels unjust. The intensity builds with each episode, growing progressively more gripping. Every character adds value to the story, and I honestly loved the entire experience.
Verdict: A slow burn that rewards patient viewers with an intense, twist-filled ride. Criminally underrated.
You need to watch everything. Side character's back stories are important. You have quite a high taste. In reality,…
Yes, certainly, but I do not intend to compel myself to watch it merely for the sake of completion. I have attempted it and found it not to my liking. Therefore, I do not believe that watching the entirety of the drama to understand the backstories of side characters will enhance the overall experience of the drama for me.
I wish it could make a difference, but I doubt it when money and power rule the world. Even with the #MeToo movement and the Epstein files being made public, it feels like nothing is really changing. While a few people are held accountable, they are only the small fish in the sea. The people behind the kidnapping, abuse, and killing of children remain protected.
I really don't understand the low rating because this drama is so good.
I love the acting – everyone did a great job. Joo Young was the star of the drama for me – she totally nailed the character. Also, Ji Hoon shines in every scene.
I completely get why Tae and Sang started chasing power. They want to become people that others can't touch, use, or throw away. To the rich, regular people are just pawns. I love that Tae and Sang know what they want and will do anything to get it – even putting up with each other's shady methods. It's not an easy journey, as you can see from the ending, which was just perfect.
The storytelling worked for me. Corruption, abuse of power, sex trafficking – nothing new, and sadly, it will never go away. Money and power run everything. What I love most is that this drama doesn't sugarcoat anything. It shows the real world exactly as it is – people doing awful things to get rich, famous, or powerful.
I was hooked from the beginning and excited to watch every next episode. I don't get the low rating, but I'm not surprised – this kind of drama isn't really appreciated on this site.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. I loved watching Tae – life kept knocking him down, but he never stayed down. He always fought back.
Verdict: A powerful, underrated drama that deserves more love.
its a healing and growth drama, but if this isnt your genre ? why u started it and complain? people have different…
It appears you are suggesting that many individuals are critiquing the drama without having fully viewed it, yet you seem to be engaging in a similar practice with the drama "Perfect Crown." You believe that "Perfect Crown" is overrated, even though it has only recently begun, and you have only seen a brief overview of it. This seems to contradict your earlier statement. You also are unable to accept criticism and instead of having a normal conversation, you are attacking me for your opinion.
I see you attacking everyone who has something negative to say. Not really my vibe, so I'm out.
I was really excited for this drama because the plot sounded so interesting – even though the ratings weren't great. And usually, low-rated dramas end up being the best hidden gems. But sadly, that wasn't the case here.
I had a hard time getting invested in the story, mostly because I really disliked Seok's character. He kept attacking Seol the whole time, and it completely ruined the drama for me. I tried to push through, but I gave up by episode 4.
I'm really glad I watched Made in Korea – it's such an underrated drama. The 70s cinematography looks amazing, the production quality is great, and the cast is full of talented actors who all do a fantastic job.
This is a slow-paced drama, but in a good way. It really makes you question your own morals – you're never sure if you should be rooting for the good guy or the bad guy, because nothing is black and white. Both sides use whatever methods they can to get what they want. The drama does a great job with the characters. I was on Bae's team from the very beginning, while I found Jang annoying and not very likable.
I liked how each episode focused on one character's backstory. Watching Bae and the prosecutor try to outsmart each other felt like watching Catch Me If You Can. I'm already looking forward to season two.
That said, I don't think the backstories of Bae or Jang made me feel more sentimental toward them. Their personalities were already clear from the start, so learning their past didn't change my opinion. Maybe if the drama had been longer and given us a proper backstory instead of just a glimpse, it would have hit differently.
My only real complaint is that I wish there were more episodes. They could have explored the protagonists' pasts more deeply.
Verdict: A beautifully made, slow-burn drama that totally deserves more attention.
its a healing and growth drama, but if this isnt your genre ? why u started it and complain? people have different…
Who said this isn't my genre? I started watching it because I wanted to. It's frustrating when people can't take criticism; not everyone is going to have the same opinion as you. That is real life! You are right, however—this kind of setup is very realistic and happens often. 😂
2 
1 
I went in expecting nothing. I came out with my blood boiling and tears on my face.
A fast-paced, emotionally devastating drama inspired by true events that exposes police corruption in 1980s Korea. It will make you angry, heartbroken, and deeply uncomfortable – and that is precisely why it works.
The story: Captivating doesn't even cover it. I was on the edge of my seat from episode one. I told myself "just one more episode" about seven times. Ended up binge-watching the whole thing. No regrets.
The acting is amazing. Every single person brought their A-game. Tae Ju broke my heart over and over again.
The 80s cinematography was beautiful. They made me feel like I was there.
This drama is inspired by a true case. It is heartbreaking to realize that so many lives were destroyed simply because some police officers wanted promotions. Your blood will boil watching the so-called "good guys" – the people meant to protect citizens – reveal themselves as complete scumbags.
I loved Tae Ju and his strong sense of justice. It is heartbreaking to watch him fight this battle alone. I was crying toward the end because the emotional weight was immense. Seeing people suffer for 30 years – and continue to suffer because the law and justice are not on their side – is devastating.
Tae Ju and Si Yeong: Their relationship was complicated. Difficult. In some sense, it was good to watch them – two people constantly outsmarting each other. But at some point, you realize the truth: people do not change. No matter how much you hope. No matter how much you want them to. When you see how the police cover up the entire case and realize this actually happened, your blood boils again. And it makes you wonder: how many more people like them are still out there?
I love that the ending was realistic and not sugar-coated. It made the entire experience feel truly authentic. This drama will stay with me for a long time.
Verdict: Watch it. But prepare yourself. You'll cry. You'll get angry. You'll feel helpless. And you won't forget it.
What worked for me: This might be the first time I've watched a drama where bullies actually got exactly what they deserved, delivered in the same way they treated their victims. That was deeply satisfying. The first episode was easily the strongest and hooked me immediately.
However, I do think this drama is overhyped. It's good, but nothing more than that.
The main issue for me was a lack of emotional connection to the characters. Toward the end, I found myself losing interest. I believe the drama would have benefited from featuring fewer individual stories and exploring each one in greater depth. That would have allowed viewers to properly invest in the narrative and the characters. Instead, it felt more like watching a fantasy play out rather than a grounded, emotionally resonant story.
Verdict: Worth watching for the satisfying comeuppance and a strong opening episode. But temper your expectations — this is not the masterpiece the hype might suggest.
The boxing duo remains the heart of the series. Their dynamic is as strong as ever, and watching them fight to protect their loved ones carried real emotional weight. Rain, in particular, delivered an outstanding performance as the villain. He brought depth and charisma to the role, making his character both intimidating and compelling to watch.
The fight choreography deserves special mention — the action scenes were well-executed and genuinely exciting. Across the board, the cast performed admirably.
I also want to highlight Do Hwan, who continues to be one of my favorite actors. His ability to display complex emotions with subtlety and power is remarkable, and he added significant emotional layers to the story.
Be sure to watch both post-credit scenes — they are not to be missed.
The ending strongly hints at more to come, and I sincerely hope the production team announces a third season soon. I would love to see this team face another villain in the future.
Jung Woo's performance deserves special recognition. His character arc is spectacular, and the drama offers a compelling exploration of what a person is capable of doing for money. While it can be frustrating to witness his repeated lies and morally questionable actions, the narrative ultimately delivers a satisfying conclusion where everyone gets what they deserve.
I genuinely do not understand the low ratings this drama has received – it feels unjust. The intensity builds with each episode, growing progressively more gripping. Every character adds value to the story, and I honestly loved the entire experience.
Verdict: A slow burn that rewards patient viewers with an intense, twist-filled ride. Criminally underrated.
I love the acting – everyone did a great job. Joo Young was the star of the drama for me – she totally nailed the character. Also, Ji Hoon shines in every scene.
I completely get why Tae and Sang started chasing power. They want to become people that others can't touch, use, or throw away. To the rich, regular people are just pawns. I love that Tae and Sang know what they want and will do anything to get it – even putting up with each other's shady methods. It's not an easy journey, as you can see from the ending, which was just perfect.
The storytelling worked for me. Corruption, abuse of power, sex trafficking – nothing new, and sadly, it will never go away. Money and power run everything. What I love most is that this drama doesn't sugarcoat anything. It shows the real world exactly as it is – people doing awful things to get rich, famous, or powerful.
I was hooked from the beginning and excited to watch every next episode. I don't get the low rating, but I'm not surprised – this kind of drama isn't really appreciated on this site.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. I loved watching Tae – life kept knocking him down, but he never stayed down. He always fought back.
Verdict: A powerful, underrated drama that deserves more love.
I see you attacking everyone who has something negative to say. Not really my vibe, so I'm out.
I had a hard time getting invested in the story, mostly because I really disliked Seok's character. He kept attacking Seol the whole time, and it completely ruined the drama for me. I tried to push through, but I gave up by episode 4.
Great idea, poor execution. Couldn't finish it.
This is a slow-paced drama, but in a good way. It really makes you question your own morals – you're never sure if you should be rooting for the good guy or the bad guy, because nothing is black and white. Both sides use whatever methods they can to get what they want. The drama does a great job with the characters. I was on Bae's team from the very beginning, while I found Jang annoying and not very likable.
I liked how each episode focused on one character's backstory. Watching Bae and the prosecutor try to outsmart each other felt like watching Catch Me If You Can. I'm already looking forward to season two.
That said, I don't think the backstories of Bae or Jang made me feel more sentimental toward them. Their personalities were already clear from the start, so learning their past didn't change my opinion. Maybe if the drama had been longer and given us a proper backstory instead of just a glimpse, it would have hit differently.
My only real complaint is that I wish there were more episodes. They could have explored the protagonists' pasts more deeply.
Verdict: A beautifully made, slow-burn drama that totally deserves more attention.