This review may contain spoilers
A story of compassion behind manipulations
The plot of Dear X follows an actress who will do anything to stay on top and a man who loves her yet tries to bring her down. While the finale focuses on this central conflict, the story leading up to it explores manipulation and compassion.
When people fail to show compassion, they often struggle to recognize it in others. For Ah Jin, goodness seemed tied to power and status, which led her to use those around her to maintain her position. Yet she overlooked a crucial truth: the people she exploited genuinely loved her for who she was—Cafe Boss, In Gang, In Gang’s grandmother, CEO Moon Do Hyuk, Jae Oh, and Jun Seo. Her ambition blinded her to their sincerity, causing everything to crumble—even after Jun Seo offered her a chance at redemption.
I also love the title Dear X. To me, the first “X” represents Ah Jin’s mother—the one who shaped her to become a monster that she is. The final “X” is Jun Seo—the person she aspired to be, her other self.
In essence, the “X” in Dear X is Ah Jin herself.
Manipulation is a common theme in K-dramas, often portrayed through strong female leads. But strength does not erase wounds or weaknesses. Baek Ah Jin stood out because of this complexity. Kim Yoo Jung masterfully portrayed her as both manipulative and vulnerable. Despite Ah Jin’s schemes, her pain and loneliness made her a character I sympathized with. Kim Young Dae and Kim Do Hoon complemented her brilliantly. Young Dae’s nuanced acting made Jun Seo’s emotions relatable, while Do Hoon’s calm yet emotionally rich performance captured Jae Oh’s subtle warmth. Together, the “Kim Trio” balanced the drama’s tension with depth and heart.
Among the supporting characters, my favorites were:
Cafe Boss, who showed Ah Jin genuine compassion from the start.
Jae Oh, a healing presence when Ah Jin struggled with herself.
Moon Do Hyuk, a complex figure who felt like a mix of Jae Oh and Jun Seo.
Jun Seo, the mirror of Ah Jin and the one who reflected her potential for love and honesty.
Writing this review shows how much I enjoyed Dear X. Unlike other dramas that focus solely on manipulation or the trope of a “strong female lead,” this series explored a delicate balance of manipulation and compassion. It highlighted how the characters’ emotions shaped Ah Jin’s life and hinted at what could have been if life had been kinder to her.
As for the ending—it is very Ah Jin: bittersweet and open. She loses the men who loved her, yet Moon Do Hyuk remains, waiting patiently, a testament to his genuine care.
It left me with the question "What if life was a bit nice to her?"
When people fail to show compassion, they often struggle to recognize it in others. For Ah Jin, goodness seemed tied to power and status, which led her to use those around her to maintain her position. Yet she overlooked a crucial truth: the people she exploited genuinely loved her for who she was—Cafe Boss, In Gang, In Gang’s grandmother, CEO Moon Do Hyuk, Jae Oh, and Jun Seo. Her ambition blinded her to their sincerity, causing everything to crumble—even after Jun Seo offered her a chance at redemption.
I also love the title Dear X. To me, the first “X” represents Ah Jin’s mother—the one who shaped her to become a monster that she is. The final “X” is Jun Seo—the person she aspired to be, her other self.
In essence, the “X” in Dear X is Ah Jin herself.
Manipulation is a common theme in K-dramas, often portrayed through strong female leads. But strength does not erase wounds or weaknesses. Baek Ah Jin stood out because of this complexity. Kim Yoo Jung masterfully portrayed her as both manipulative and vulnerable. Despite Ah Jin’s schemes, her pain and loneliness made her a character I sympathized with. Kim Young Dae and Kim Do Hoon complemented her brilliantly. Young Dae’s nuanced acting made Jun Seo’s emotions relatable, while Do Hoon’s calm yet emotionally rich performance captured Jae Oh’s subtle warmth. Together, the “Kim Trio” balanced the drama’s tension with depth and heart.
Among the supporting characters, my favorites were:
Cafe Boss, who showed Ah Jin genuine compassion from the start.
Jae Oh, a healing presence when Ah Jin struggled with herself.
Moon Do Hyuk, a complex figure who felt like a mix of Jae Oh and Jun Seo.
Jun Seo, the mirror of Ah Jin and the one who reflected her potential for love and honesty.
Writing this review shows how much I enjoyed Dear X. Unlike other dramas that focus solely on manipulation or the trope of a “strong female lead,” this series explored a delicate balance of manipulation and compassion. It highlighted how the characters’ emotions shaped Ah Jin’s life and hinted at what could have been if life had been kinder to her.
As for the ending—it is very Ah Jin: bittersweet and open. She loses the men who loved her, yet Moon Do Hyuk remains, waiting patiently, a testament to his genuine care.
It left me with the question "What if life was a bit nice to her?"
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