The Glory (2022)

Good at holding interest, even better visuals

This was my intro back to drama after quite a long hiatus and it set the bar pretty high. I went in with lowish expectations based on my experience of how 'revenge' dramas pan out in kdramas, especially when it's the FL pursuing the revenge. But so far, so good.

I like the way the story will weave between the past and present to uncover things gradually. The drama can take a slow, meandering pace in order to fully get things set up but its not unenjoyable. The story itself feels well thought out. It can be a bit dramatic at times but never veers too much into makjang territory. I do like how the characters have some depth in them; the antagonists, while evil, are not cartoonishly, 1D caricatures. The acting is very well done on everyone's part. Our FL really shines here and I am very much enjoying SHK's performance.

The drama has really good visuals and scenery. The music, while not really memorable on its own, does add well to the mood and vibe. Let's move on to Part 2!

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Cruel tale amazingly acted! Brace yourself!

This series could have been another common revenge story...Instead, it turned out to be the captivating first part of a cruel tale amazingly acted. The script was well-built with effective setup payoff and credible plotlines. The well-thought pacing creates a very bingeable show. The tone of the drama is really dark making the few instants of respite and hope really bright for the protagonists.

The ensemble cast is great: most of the actors are doing an impressive job. I found the younger characters particularly gifted: each of their scenes left a strong impact on me. Song Hye Kyo successfully plays the complex (anti)-heroine. The performances of the others characters (allies and enemies) are not to be outdone either. I totally fell for the charm of Lee Do Hyun and will be looking forward his new -(and old) dramas.

The production is really great, there are a lot of scenes that are poignant and even harrowing for your soul while still at the same time being beautiful and healing in some way. The opening generic is fascinating as well as the overall soundtrack, haunting at some points.

I would recommend this to people looking for a captivating revenge drama. If you like dark stories and have appreciated thematic around social classes like in "Parasite", this one is for you! Be aware that this is a really brutal story which can be very triggering as it is centred around bullying and very violent.

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Add to Watching List!

I binge watched this so bad, I started yesterday evening and ended in the same night! I didn't think I would watched all at once, but I have to say that it was really good. It comes with a lot of revenge dramas around, revenge is a tipycal guide line in kdramas, but sometimes it gets tired to watch or you just start loosing interest because it's dragged, this one is really well made in my opinion, the pace is stable and the characters are well developed.
I mean, with the end of season one it's not like nothing happened, but the real revenge it still has to come, within all season one the story is built, you see the developoment of all the characters and some new entry, and how the protagonist is paventing the way for revenge, and did not get bored, you stay there and watch every episode with curiosity.
The acting is amazing, a really high level, you can receive all emotion from them, the choices for young/adult are really amazing as if they 're real! And maybe I' m a sucker for villains, but I have to say that Shin Ye Eun and Im Ji Yeon who play the same character (young/adult) are really spectacular, when I looked at them I got shivers!

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Nothing lifts the heartbeat better than a revange goals

Song Hye Kyo (as Moon Dong Eun) and Im Ji Yeon (as Park Yeon Jin) were beyond amazing. The way they conveyed the relationship between their characters, the emotions swirling inside and the madness in their eyes was all unforgetable. I already knew in Descendands of the Sun that Song Hye Kyo is a very good actress, but here ... paired with Im Ji Yeon, she is untamed 😈 She bloomed like a flower.

I don't know if I've ever seen such a well-created evil female character. I'm not just talking about Korean productions, but generally everything I've ever seen. Im Ji Yeon seems to have played role of her life as she was flawless from start to finish. 😌 But praise should also go to the young actresses that playes teenage versions of main characters Shin Ye Eun as young Yeon Jin and Jung Ji So as young Dong Eun. They gave character and dynamics to the relationship of the main characters.

Moving on to other perturbators. Each of them contributed to the destruction of the life of the main character and several other girls from high school *********** SPOILER *********** and I will reveal that each of them received the punishment they deserved.*********** END OF SPOILER *********** When it comes to their acting, they also did well because you hate them from the beginning of the series to the very end without a moment's hesitation 😁

I don't know what else I could say about the series without revealing its content .... It's brilliant and that's probably the only thing that matters before you start watching it 😎

If you want to read more about my thoughts about The Glory (and other dramas): visit my blog: my-asian-dramas.blogspot.com

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Gritty intense and brutal

The Glory Part 1 and Part 2 (2023)

Likes
1. Wow story was fast paced, acting was briliant. The whole revenge plot was perfectly developed and executed by Dong Eun. And the best part is she didnt even have to get her hands dirty. She merely exposed their sins, and they destroyed each other. I thought every bad guy in the story deserved their fate.
2. My fave scene of SHK was when she found out her mom betrayed her again and they had their argument in the apartment and the mom started the fire. Plus the last episode when she was crying after everything was done and she was at the rooftop. (It was just weird how Yeo Jeong's mom was there to stop her from jumping. Did she follow her?)
3. Yeonjin was so bratty and self entitled all through out. I cant believe the nerve of her! She bullied kids, killed 2 people, yet she refuse to admit them, and is even the one getting angry when caught. She had no remorse at all!!!
4. Loved the 2 male leads, cute puppy doctor Yeo Jeong who would do anything for Dong Eun and the hot ahjuicy Do Yeong who probably would have pursued Dong Eun in another life (my alternate ending).
5. Also loved Hyeon Nam. Hope she gets a chance to go to the US and see her daughter.
6. The other bullies were also evil. Plus Yeonjin's mom, the corrupt detective, Hyeon Nam's husband, ugly haired pervert teacher. Lol everyone got punished!!

Dislikes
1. Son Myeong O's disappearance went on for too long when he was obviously dead. And it was obvious who had the most motive to kill him, yet the writer tried to prolong the reveal by giving other characters possible motive.
2. Instead they could have focused on finishing Yeo Jeong's revenge on Yeong Cheon and showing the couple moving forward and living happily together.

Rating: 9/10

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unflinching portrayal of school bullying

The Glory is a long awaited drama helmed by Goblin and The King: Eternal Monarch’s visionary writer - Kim Eun Sook, much driven by a lone victim’s desire for revenge.

Firstly it must be acknowledged that this is the first work I’ve seen from Song Hye Kyo, having tried to take on the infamous “Descendants of the Sun” and failing after the first 2 episodes. Her portrayal as the protagonist Dong Eun is utterly compelling as well as heartbreaking. More than the graphic scenes of bullying and violence, the real tragedy lies in SHK’s expressions that emphasised the deep trauma that remained unforgiving through the years into adulthood. And in a recent panel talk, it detailed her efforts to also showcase this through a frail and weak body for a particularly vulnerable scene.

There have been plentiful dramas that have touched on the subject of school bullying (Penthouse, Who are You: School 2015, Boys over Flowers etc), but The Glory is quite possibly the first I’ve witnessed to undertake a character study that is the driving force of the plot itself rather than it being a sideline. It does not shy away from depicting the horrors of school violence that, appallingly, seems to be the norm in South Korea, but also how corruption influences the actions taken towards a victim who desperately needed the support of an adult.

Dong Eun is a strong testament to victims who were either silenced or made to believe that somehow, it’s their fault. And while the praise is deserved for SHK’s performance for the cathartic elements to follow once the revenge kicks in, I have to commend Jung Ji So, who plays the younger Dong Eun. The way her mannerisms varied as the ep progressed and her dwindling innocence and hope are visceral, and one can’t help but root for her “glory” against her perpetrators.

Regarding supporting characters, the performances from those who portrayed the vicious band of bullies left no room for viewers to sow forgiveness, and it’s a likelihood of very real individuals who aren't capable of seeking atonement in the slightest. The contrast between Dong Eun and the perpetrators appears to be undoubtedly a black and white situation, eliminating all potentials of “feeling sorry for the villain” trope that has cropped up since Joker.

Out of all characters, the intrigue ultimately falls on the charming and mysterious Ha Do Young, played by Jung Sung Il. He is the tranquil greyness in all of this, representing the viewer's experience in the unknowns and knowns of the truth of Dong Eun’s past and the role his wife has played in it. The portrayal is deliberately vague and it is difficult to read his thoughts behind the calm dialogue and the nuanced game of Go. He embodies some undertones of righteousness and consideration but not in an explicit way, making his potential responses in S2 highly anticipated.

I’m not an expert when it comes to music but I thought it’s worth mentioning two soundtracks in particular, both of which did a splendid job in accenting various scenes. The first is “You Remember” by Paul Kim, and “Until the End” by Kelley McRae accompanies the opening episode, perfectly setting the bleak and heavy tone of the drama. The singer did an excellent job in expressing the tragedy of a victim, perhaps also hinting the barest slope of hope amidst the melancholy of the piano.

I’m very much gravitated towards works that involve taboo and difficult themes, but still end up unnerved by the unrelenting violence and assault pictured in the episodes. It was even more surprising to see this from Kim Eun Sook. From her works, it appears that this is the first time she has boldly tackled these extremely dark and vulnerable subjects that weren't explored before in dramas like The Heirs, The King EM, and Goblin. The latter two are more emotionally in depth than sensitive and dark, overall making the Glory quite refreshing to see.

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Intense and loved it!

Finally completed the series and what an incredible part 1 it was. Can't wait for part 2!

Some things that really stood out to me:
- The intro theme is just so stunning visually with the haunting music and the clues. Also love the lavender colour scheme!
- The bullying in the beginning is horrid and I genuinely hope there are no real cases of people like this. I cannot imagine them as normal human beings. However, this should not dissuade anyone from watching. It's awful but still watchable as they do not linger on such scenes.
- The female lead, despite going through a terribly traumatic experience, managed to still maintain her kindness and we see hints of that. Even though she is out for revenge, she is still more moral than her bullies.
- Loved the early interactions of the intern and the female lead.
- Episode 6 ending brought tears to my eyes. I hope this ends in the best possible way.
- Even though the terrible trauma, two women manage to bond. I loved those scenes and both actresses.
- The doctor's back story is a plot twist I didn't anticipate. It explains his decision moving forward. It's also nice to see Lee Do Hyun in a different sort of character.
- I am interested to see the position the husband takes in this revenge plot.
- Are children more cruel than adults or do the adults just have more to lose? The bullies were far worse as teens. Definitely more menacing. Not sure if the student actors just did a better job or it's because the punishment as adults makes them more careful. I'm not sure if it was a directorial decision or just talent. I can't decide.
- Song Hye Kyo as Moon Dong Eun is perfect. Yes, she is more sure of herself and her plan but we see through her in her weak moments. This is a person who never overcame their trauma. Not all wounds are external. I'm glad we see these so as to not forgot why she is doing this.

It was a little ironic to see Shin Ye Eun as the bully, Park Yeon Jin, in The Glory after seeing her seeking revenge for the murder of her twin in Revenge Of Others. She definitely knows how to play both contrasting roles well. Props to her!

I would have given this show a 10/10 if it was complete but it leaves us hanging in anticipation for part 2. It was still a 9.5 as it kept me hooked for every second. I enjoyed the pacing overall. Perhaps a little slow in the final episode (I didn't mind) but that's mostly because the show was split up post-production. I have high expectations for the remainder of the show. There is a hint of a romance but not really. It's mostly a very focused plan that we are led through. The stage is set. I am ready for the revenge to be served.

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Revenge plot with little romance

The Glory's main cast is the bullies, the victim MC and good ML, I hope they put more casts (like any friend for the MC's side besides Yeo Jung). First episode was very hard to watch, I considered dropping it and I pick it up just to see why it is trending in Netflix. The present time was entertaining for me since the MC is aware she is not good to bring revenge to her bullies, her plans so far doesnt involve killing the bullies directly and she just sits back and let them dig their own grave. Acting was good but sometimes the scenes feel slow that I have to increase the speed. Sometimes MC feels like a robot with her dead face. Her dialogue seems like she's talking in puzzles but I try my best to follow.

Most of the characters are unlikeable and the bullies cant be redeemed. The only characters I like is the ML who feels OP (with the cast) like his scenes are in a romcom medical drama that is away from the main story. The husband of Yeon jin is the only decent person so far.

Edit: (04/2023) I took a few months break after finishing season 1, it's very dark. Only thing I want is MC to have more allies cos every cast introduced so far is out to bully her (except the driver and ML). I'm planning to continue watching until I drop it lol :>

Rewatch Value- 1/10 never rewatching it since the bully characters are annoying and the story feels too dark for me. (And i watch Dark shonen animes like csm/jjk)

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Hatred, romance and hope

With the premise that I was myself victim of bullying (even though not this cruel), I must admit the satisfaction of this drama. From the absolutely relatable hatred towards the bullies to her strength to actually seek revenge, I've loved everything about "The Glory".

The hope that the main character had in her adolescence made me rethink about my life: she was able to get out of that situation, and despite it all she became stronger day by day. I admire her so much, I wouldn't be able to save myself, especially if I was completely alone like her.

Apart from this, she had the mental sanity and clarity to plan a revenge, which even though we can't properly see in this first season, we can foreshadow it'll be fantastic. She remained strong even when confronting her bullies face to face, so strong that didn't snap and kill them right there and then. Even though, my personal opinion, it would've satisfied my need.

Although it was a very difficult journey she stayed loyal to her feelings of hatred and fury.

I love this kind of dramas, where the protagonist's only purpose in life is revenge. It shows that no life is pitiful, just different from ours. It dimonstrates that someone is born to accomplish great things, while others are born to live a miserable life. While the first ones are who, regardless of their dreams, purposes or positive or negative attitude towards life, usually achieve important aims (wether these will be economic or whatever), the latters are those who think everything and everyone own them, that they will conduct a happy life 'cause they have power and money to spend.

Our Dong-eun surely is one of those who are born to accomplish great things: in her case, revenge. There's something else that I love and admire of this types of dramas: the main characters don't have anything else to do after their plans end. Their "main task" is finished, so what do they do now? Either living in regrets for what they've done, or feeling relieved and trying to heal their wounds, or again just surviving until the day they'll die. I think however a character decides to carry on they're heroes nonetheless.

I honestly hope Dong-eun will focus more on her life and how to live as a (approximately, 'cause this kind of wounds will never heal completely) normal person, maybe with Yeo-jeong by her side. This is the kind of happy ending I hope she will get, along with all those people who are living the same hell, 'cause we all know there are more than what we are ready to admit.

Yeo-jeong is that kind of man who makes you feel loved and cared for even in your darkest times, even when you've lost hope in everything and everyone else. He's that kind of man that stays loyal until the very end and will do anything for you and your well-being. But he's also someone who can pretty much relate to Dong-eun's pain, even if for another reason (which is still incomplete in the first season).

They're two broken pieces of a picture, and together they form an artwork, a delightful painting. Maybe with too many dark colors around the edges, but I'm sure when they mix together they create those beautiful lights. They're just perfect for each other and I'm here for it.

Now, apart from the storyline, which is too complex but at the same time satisfying, the acting was superb. Just a look at the cast and I was sure it was going to be perfect. Even Jung Ji-so was amazing: her parts weren't surely the easiest! She portrayed her character so good that she got me goosebumps. It must've been hard...

Overall I'm giving a 9.5. That 0.5? Well, maybe the soundtracks... While they were perfect for the drama, I thought maybe something else would've gotten more effect. And you're asking why the rewatch value is lower than the rest? That's because I wouldn't be able to watch it a second time: too cruel. The first time is already traumatizing, I don't think I need to see it a second time.

And finally, just a last comment: I'm fortunate to have started and finished it when the second season is already out, 'cause otherwise I couldn't have waited that much to see how it would've ended.

One of the best revenge-plot dramas ever!

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