Political Noir Melodrama
I was intrigued to watch this drama since the leads, and in fact the majority of the cast are well seasoned actors. I dropped it after watching episode 1-4 as well as the final episode.
What I appreciate about this drama is the attempt made to address systemic societal issues that are not usually taken on in Kdramas, especially at the prominent level of Ha Ji Won and Jung Ji Hoon.
Elite and Institutional Capture: The drama shows how political, corporate and entertainment elites form power networks where influence flows through alliances, leverage and scandal management.
Ambition: the drama explores whether success within a corrupt system is unethical in itself, suggesting that moral compromise is a requisite in such a system.
Marriage: The protagonists' marriage is used as an instrument of power, it's transactional and politically functional with image management being the face of the marriage.
Psychological Stress and Cost of Success: Ha Ji Won's character appears to be increasingly drowning in the sense that in order to succeed, she must erase herself; in order to achieve revenge, she must become what she hates. Personal cost and moral compromise are a strong theme of the drama.
Overall this drama is very brave in its undertaking of providing a critique of elite political and corporate systems and how the apex (climax) is incompatible with integrity.
I dropped this drama because I found the execution murky and sloppy; I just couldn't enjoy the world that it creates, it's a bit dark for my taste. The story it tells, however, is quite interesting I just wish it had been told better.
I gave this a 3 out of ten for the 5 episodes I watched.
What I appreciate about this drama is the attempt made to address systemic societal issues that are not usually taken on in Kdramas, especially at the prominent level of Ha Ji Won and Jung Ji Hoon.
Elite and Institutional Capture: The drama shows how political, corporate and entertainment elites form power networks where influence flows through alliances, leverage and scandal management.
Ambition: the drama explores whether success within a corrupt system is unethical in itself, suggesting that moral compromise is a requisite in such a system.
Marriage: The protagonists' marriage is used as an instrument of power, it's transactional and politically functional with image management being the face of the marriage.
Psychological Stress and Cost of Success: Ha Ji Won's character appears to be increasingly drowning in the sense that in order to succeed, she must erase herself; in order to achieve revenge, she must become what she hates. Personal cost and moral compromise are a strong theme of the drama.
Overall this drama is very brave in its undertaking of providing a critique of elite political and corporate systems and how the apex (climax) is incompatible with integrity.
I dropped this drama because I found the execution murky and sloppy; I just couldn't enjoy the world that it creates, it's a bit dark for my taste. The story it tells, however, is quite interesting I just wish it had been told better.
I gave this a 3 out of ten for the 5 episodes I watched.
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