This review may contain spoilers
i dont know how to react for this serial
I’ve watched every episode of this series, especially since there are characters I like, but
The screenwriter (Kim Eun-sook) seems to have taken too many liberties mixing Islamic theology, Middle Eastern mythology, and K-drama fantasy logic, resulting in the following problematic points:
1. The Romanticization of the “Devil” (The Ultimate Evil)
This series uses “Devil” as the main character’s name (played by Kim Woo-bin) and frames it within a love arc, where viewers are led to sympathize, get emotionally invested, and support his love story with a human.
2. The Depiction of the Angel of Death (Izrail) as Evil
In its fantasy plot, the character Izrail is positioned as the antagonist or the “evil side,” serving as the enemy and fighting against the Devil. This reversal of theological logic is deemed highly inappropriate and disrespectful to religious beliefs.
3. The Concept of Humans Becoming Jinn and the Interplay of Two Realms
This drama crosses that line by creating a two-realm romance plot, even introducing concepts of reincarnation and destiny where humans can transform into jinn (or vice versa) for the sake of love. This logic borrows from Korean mythological tropes (such as the fox spirit/Gumiho) but forces them onto Islamic theological beings.
4. The Misuse of the Historical Name “Muthalib” for an Antagonist
The name “Muthalib” (which is highly revered as it refers to Abdul Muthalib, the grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), known for his wisdom and generosity) is also misused in this series.
This sacred/historical name is carelessly used to name a fictional character with a villainous nature (even associated with a villain). This demonstrates the production team’s extremely superficial cultural research.
5. Repetition of Negative Stereotypes Against Arab Society
In the early episodes set in Dubai, local characters are portrayed with outdated stereotypes (as aggressive figures or criminals) solely to serve as plot devices so the main character appears as a “hero” who defeats them.
This is why the international Muslim community has been voicing criticism en masse as the series airs; not to spoil the viewing experience, but to provide education and “guidelines” so that the general audience does not blindly accept that what is depicted on screen is part of actual Islamic culture or beliefs.
For viewers who are “naive”—meaning they are unfamiliar with Islamic history, do not understand the religion’s theology, or are simply non-Muslim viewers consuming this series purely for entertainment—the impact can be quite concerning from the perspective of information distortion and cultural bias.
1. Trapped in “Normalization” and Sympathy for the Devil
Uninformed viewers will see the character played by Kim Woo-bin as a handsome, humorous, tragic man willing to sacrifice everything for love (a hopeless romantic). Because it’s packaged with a polished Korean rom-com formula, viewers will begin to sympathize, feel sorry for, and even get emotionally invested in this character named Iblis. As a result, the original meaning of the word “Devil”—a symbol of absolute evil—shifts in their minds to merely an “endearing anti-hero.”
2. Distortion of Historical and Theological Information (Misinformation)
Since this drama uses real names like Muthalib or Izrail, unsuspecting viewers will assume these names belong to mere fictional fairy-tale or mythological figures, on par with Zeus, Thor, or Goblin. They will never realize that for billions of people, these names hold real, revered, and sacred historical significance. If they ever hear the name “Muthalib” in the real world, their first association will be the fictional character from that K-drama.
3. Assuming Islam/Middle Eastern Culture Is the Same as Korean Mythology
The general audience will uncritically absorb the idea that the concept of Jinn in Islam is exactly the same as Gumiho (the nine-tailed fox) or Dokkaebi (the Korean goblin)—capable of falling in love with humans, capable of shape-shifting, and whose fate can be manipulated through romance. This creates massive cultural distortion, where the theology of a religion is equated with local Korean folklore.
4. Swallowing Negative Stereotypes About Arabs/Middle Easterners
In the early episodes set in Dubai, if the local population is portrayed with negative stereotypes (aggressive, rude, or criminal), unsuspecting viewers will take this as a true representation of the people there. This reinforces existing biases and prejudices (xenophobia) in Western media, which are now being reproduced by Korean media.
The screenwriter (Kim Eun-sook) seems to have taken too many liberties mixing Islamic theology, Middle Eastern mythology, and K-drama fantasy logic, resulting in the following problematic points:
1. The Romanticization of the “Devil” (The Ultimate Evil)
This series uses “Devil” as the main character’s name (played by Kim Woo-bin) and frames it within a love arc, where viewers are led to sympathize, get emotionally invested, and support his love story with a human.
2. The Depiction of the Angel of Death (Izrail) as Evil
In its fantasy plot, the character Izrail is positioned as the antagonist or the “evil side,” serving as the enemy and fighting against the Devil. This reversal of theological logic is deemed highly inappropriate and disrespectful to religious beliefs.
3. The Concept of Humans Becoming Jinn and the Interplay of Two Realms
This drama crosses that line by creating a two-realm romance plot, even introducing concepts of reincarnation and destiny where humans can transform into jinn (or vice versa) for the sake of love. This logic borrows from Korean mythological tropes (such as the fox spirit/Gumiho) but forces them onto Islamic theological beings.
4. The Misuse of the Historical Name “Muthalib” for an Antagonist
The name “Muthalib” (which is highly revered as it refers to Abdul Muthalib, the grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), known for his wisdom and generosity) is also misused in this series.
This sacred/historical name is carelessly used to name a fictional character with a villainous nature (even associated with a villain). This demonstrates the production team’s extremely superficial cultural research.
5. Repetition of Negative Stereotypes Against Arab Society
In the early episodes set in Dubai, local characters are portrayed with outdated stereotypes (as aggressive figures or criminals) solely to serve as plot devices so the main character appears as a “hero” who defeats them.
This is why the international Muslim community has been voicing criticism en masse as the series airs; not to spoil the viewing experience, but to provide education and “guidelines” so that the general audience does not blindly accept that what is depicted on screen is part of actual Islamic culture or beliefs.
For viewers who are “naive”—meaning they are unfamiliar with Islamic history, do not understand the religion’s theology, or are simply non-Muslim viewers consuming this series purely for entertainment—the impact can be quite concerning from the perspective of information distortion and cultural bias.
1. Trapped in “Normalization” and Sympathy for the Devil
Uninformed viewers will see the character played by Kim Woo-bin as a handsome, humorous, tragic man willing to sacrifice everything for love (a hopeless romantic). Because it’s packaged with a polished Korean rom-com formula, viewers will begin to sympathize, feel sorry for, and even get emotionally invested in this character named Iblis. As a result, the original meaning of the word “Devil”—a symbol of absolute evil—shifts in their minds to merely an “endearing anti-hero.”
2. Distortion of Historical and Theological Information (Misinformation)
Since this drama uses real names like Muthalib or Izrail, unsuspecting viewers will assume these names belong to mere fictional fairy-tale or mythological figures, on par with Zeus, Thor, or Goblin. They will never realize that for billions of people, these names hold real, revered, and sacred historical significance. If they ever hear the name “Muthalib” in the real world, their first association will be the fictional character from that K-drama.
3. Assuming Islam/Middle Eastern Culture Is the Same as Korean Mythology
The general audience will uncritically absorb the idea that the concept of Jinn in Islam is exactly the same as Gumiho (the nine-tailed fox) or Dokkaebi (the Korean goblin)—capable of falling in love with humans, capable of shape-shifting, and whose fate can be manipulated through romance. This creates massive cultural distortion, where the theology of a religion is equated with local Korean folklore.
4. Swallowing Negative Stereotypes About Arabs/Middle Easterners
In the early episodes set in Dubai, if the local population is portrayed with negative stereotypes (aggressive, rude, or criminal), unsuspecting viewers will take this as a true representation of the people there. This reinforces existing biases and prejudices (xenophobia) in Western media, which are now being reproduced by Korean media.
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