This review may contain spoilers
Underwhelming
EDITED: [REVIEW] A Disappointing Yet Memorable Ride: My Thoughts After Rewatching
I finally got to rewatch the series, and honestly, my opinion hasn’t changed. It still feels underwhelming and didn’t quite live up to the excitement it promised.
The Strong Start That Didn't Last
The first three episodes were gripping — great pacing, strong buildup, and enough tension to keep you wanting more. But after that, things started to unravel. The plot lost momentum and fell into predictable revenge-drama clichés.
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1. The “Too Easy” Path for the Protagonist
Everything suddenly became too convenient for DH. People appeared left and right to help her — no real struggle, no real fallback plan. That made me wonder: What was her original strategy?
She spent over a decade planning revenge, yet the execution relied too heavily on unexpected allies. What if they hadn’t shown up?
I’m still waiting for a revenge drama where the lead has a solid, well-thought-out plan that doesn't rely on sudden plot devices or savior side characters.
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2. Screaming and Hysteria Everywhere
At one point, almost every character was screaming and acting hysterical. One or two characters? Fine. But when it becomes a trend, it loses impact and becomes exhausting to watch.
What really baffled me was how powerful, composed villains suddenly turned into clueless wrecks. Instead of fighting back or outwitting the protagonist, they panicked. Their only move? Humiliate DH by using her mother. That’s it. That’s their big counterattack?
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3. Emotional Breakdown... But Why?
Near the end, these villains — who lived shamelessly for years — suddenly broke down. Lee Sa Ra’s descent into drug addiction felt abrupt. PYJ’s unraveling also came out of nowhere.
I would’ve preferred to see them punished with their minds intact — fully aware of the consequences. That would have made the revenge more satisfying.
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A Scene That Didn’t Sit Right
One scene I strongly disliked was Lee Sa Ra’s scandal. She was drugged, and yet the way they exposed her was framed as if she deserved public shame. That crossed a line. She was a victim in that moment — and the show shouldn’t have treated it like justice.
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The Unnecessary Shaman (Yes, That Happened)
Don’t even get me started on the shaman subplot. Completely unnecessary.
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No Sparks in the Romance
The romance angle? Flat. There was no chemistry between the leads. It felt forced and disconnected from the main narrative.
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It Could Have Ended Sooner
Honestly, the series could have wrapped up in five episodes. The second half dragged. Flashbacks were used to stretch time, not to add value.
That scene of DE leaving the school, finally smiling — that should’ve been the ending. Everything that followed just felt like filler.
Also, what’s with the “everyone secretly knows each other” twist? It made the story feel small and too coincidental.
---
The “Avenger Team” Ending
I had high hopes for the assistant’s character arc. I thought she’d seek a new life for herself or her daughter. But instead, she joined the revenge squad?
As for JYJ, I expected him to walk away from his father’s killer — a man too far gone to feel guilt. Sometimes, the best revenge is healing. Being happy is a kind of revenge, too. And yet, the show went with a cliché “Let’s build an avenger team!” ending.
---
The Most Powerful Scene
If there’s one moment that stayed with me, it’s DE’s scenes with her mother.
She didn’t cry in front of her bullies. She didn’t cry over the past. But when her own mother tried to destroy her — that’s when she broke.
That betrayal hurt more than anything.
I understood her when she said she was glad her mother never changed. If her mother had shown even a bit of warmth, DE would’ve had to process and possibly forgive. But knowing she never cared made it easier to let go.
She was done — and in that moment, you could feel it.
---
Final Thoughts
While the story had its flaws, the cast delivered incredible performances — especially the actors who portrayed the villains. They carried the show with their intensity and depth.
🟨 Rating: 4/10
Disappointing in execution, but memorable for its early tension and complex characters.
I finally got to rewatch the series, and honestly, my opinion hasn’t changed. It still feels underwhelming and didn’t quite live up to the excitement it promised.
The Strong Start That Didn't Last
The first three episodes were gripping — great pacing, strong buildup, and enough tension to keep you wanting more. But after that, things started to unravel. The plot lost momentum and fell into predictable revenge-drama clichés.
---
1. The “Too Easy” Path for the Protagonist
Everything suddenly became too convenient for DH. People appeared left and right to help her — no real struggle, no real fallback plan. That made me wonder: What was her original strategy?
She spent over a decade planning revenge, yet the execution relied too heavily on unexpected allies. What if they hadn’t shown up?
I’m still waiting for a revenge drama where the lead has a solid, well-thought-out plan that doesn't rely on sudden plot devices or savior side characters.
---
2. Screaming and Hysteria Everywhere
At one point, almost every character was screaming and acting hysterical. One or two characters? Fine. But when it becomes a trend, it loses impact and becomes exhausting to watch.
What really baffled me was how powerful, composed villains suddenly turned into clueless wrecks. Instead of fighting back or outwitting the protagonist, they panicked. Their only move? Humiliate DH by using her mother. That’s it. That’s their big counterattack?
---
3. Emotional Breakdown... But Why?
Near the end, these villains — who lived shamelessly for years — suddenly broke down. Lee Sa Ra’s descent into drug addiction felt abrupt. PYJ’s unraveling also came out of nowhere.
I would’ve preferred to see them punished with their minds intact — fully aware of the consequences. That would have made the revenge more satisfying.
---
A Scene That Didn’t Sit Right
One scene I strongly disliked was Lee Sa Ra’s scandal. She was drugged, and yet the way they exposed her was framed as if she deserved public shame. That crossed a line. She was a victim in that moment — and the show shouldn’t have treated it like justice.
---
The Unnecessary Shaman (Yes, That Happened)
Don’t even get me started on the shaman subplot. Completely unnecessary.
---
No Sparks in the Romance
The romance angle? Flat. There was no chemistry between the leads. It felt forced and disconnected from the main narrative.
---
It Could Have Ended Sooner
Honestly, the series could have wrapped up in five episodes. The second half dragged. Flashbacks were used to stretch time, not to add value.
That scene of DE leaving the school, finally smiling — that should’ve been the ending. Everything that followed just felt like filler.
Also, what’s with the “everyone secretly knows each other” twist? It made the story feel small and too coincidental.
---
The “Avenger Team” Ending
I had high hopes for the assistant’s character arc. I thought she’d seek a new life for herself or her daughter. But instead, she joined the revenge squad?
As for JYJ, I expected him to walk away from his father’s killer — a man too far gone to feel guilt. Sometimes, the best revenge is healing. Being happy is a kind of revenge, too. And yet, the show went with a cliché “Let’s build an avenger team!” ending.
---
The Most Powerful Scene
If there’s one moment that stayed with me, it’s DE’s scenes with her mother.
She didn’t cry in front of her bullies. She didn’t cry over the past. But when her own mother tried to destroy her — that’s when she broke.
That betrayal hurt more than anything.
I understood her when she said she was glad her mother never changed. If her mother had shown even a bit of warmth, DE would’ve had to process and possibly forgive. But knowing she never cared made it easier to let go.
She was done — and in that moment, you could feel it.
---
Final Thoughts
While the story had its flaws, the cast delivered incredible performances — especially the actors who portrayed the villains. They carried the show with their intensity and depth.
🟨 Rating: 4/10
Disappointing in execution, but memorable for its early tension and complex characters.
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