The Glory (2022)

Thrilling start!

I love a great revenge story! Moon Dong-eun aloof, reserved and seemingly cold mannerisms draw you in and, similar to the Ha Do-yeung described her, you start waiting for her reactions to things. Her story was awful and the lack of flashbacks from when she was happy leaves the viewer to wonder if she ever was. All of this makes for a lead character you root for and it was enough to keep me watching when some of the aspects of Netflix kdramas became especially off-putting.

I really liked the 2 male characters that get caught in her web, so to speak. Joo Yeo-jeong was a sympathetic character the decision to write him as both adorably smitten and quietly vengeful was a nice touch. Both he and Moon Dong-eun bonded over the the darkness resulting from great injustice done to them and people they cared about. I was just as interested in his story as Moon Dong-eun. Ha Do-yeung is a character I didn't expect to like, but he was the austere, quietly powerful male character that usually shows up as the main love interest in a drama. Surprisingly, I was invested in his story, as well.

Kang Hyun-nam's story was heartbreaking. She was such a lovely, strong woman and I loved how much she cared for her daughter and Moon Dong-eun. The first part ends and I just really hoped nothing would happen to her in the second part.

Now, my issues with this series are purely related to the strange things Netflix kdramas seem to have. There's unnecessary nudity, unnecessary sex scenes and unnecessarily drawn out violent scenes. I understand they wanted to convey just how horribly Dong-eun was treated, but there's a tendency for Netflix dramas (Korean and otherwise) to sort of draw out these kinds of scenes for shock value. Some of the acting choices, particularly for Lee Sa-ra's character were cringey to watch. I'm not a fan of when characters appear to scream 99% of their lines, but it felt like the sort of acting you'd see in a Netflix k-drama.

Anyway, having seen both parts, in some ways, I think part 1 was a bit more solid overall. However, both parts were moving to watch.

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This drama reminded me of some of the older series like Shark, Nice Guy, Bad Guy and Master of Revenge so I might as well take a look. Got to say that it was a refreshing take on the old revenge kdramas and quite well-written at that. While the school bullying plot wasn't really a unique plot, it was actually an interesting setting for a revenge drama to be based on.

I like how well the writing of this drama has been done. I like how the events of the past and present were written in a way that wasn't just a massive info dump and flowed naturally to keep our attention rooted. And I like how the drama, while fleshing out Dongeun's back story and plan on how she will be conducting her plan; there was barely any backstory given to the perpetrators to justify any actions that they've done or allow any hints of sympathy given to these characters. Gotta say that this is the few times that I like the shorter number of episode format since that means you barely gonna get any filler scenes that may sidetrack you from the main plot. And as much as it wasn't really that obvious, I like how this first part showed us Dongeun's revenge strategy that was quite like her own baduk strategy where she first started putting her pieces around and bidding her time.

As much as the bullying scene was a bit more violent than what had been shown in past similar-themed kdramas, I like that the drama did not focus too much on the gore but showed enough why the act of bullying someone was really bad. And I appreciate that as much as this was a Netflix drama, scenes that involve sex and nudity weren't really done excessively. The montage intro for the drama was also done well to foreshadow the coming plots.

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No forgiveness

I like the premise with The Glory being that Dong-Eun refuses to forgive any of her bullies. Recently there's been too much of a narrative in pop culture that victims have to forgive their bullies, and that they can't tear their bullies lives apart, all with the narrative of "they were kids they didn't know what they were doing".

Each and every character is complex with many nuances in each story, they all have hopes and dreams, all ready to be destroyed. Most of the characters you can somewhat sympathise for, but some that are such class-a assholes that you cheer for every horrible thing that happens to them. All the actors did a wonderful job especially Lee Do Hyun, but I am a bit biased. It was the first time I had watched a lot of the actors, save three or four, and I was thoroughly impressed with each and every performance, so I will likely check out some of their other works.

The story was refreshing and satisfying, Dong-Eun was an anti-hero for every victim to look up to and project themselves onto. The plot is cleverly laced with social context that you wouldn't notice immediately such as the differing social classes of the friend group of antagonists and how it affects them.

Overall, The Glory is just a good old revenge drama to indulge in and enjoy. I am anticipating the second season and hope that it brings about the much deserved justice for Dong-Eun and delve deeper into Yeo-Jung's story.

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BREAKING STEREOTYPES

First thing: AMAZING ACTING AND CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE FOUR FEMALE MAIN CHARACTERS. Yeom Hye Ran, Jung Ji So, Song Hye Kyo, Im Ji Yeon. IF you were victims of bullies, you know they nail it. Especially the part were the bullies DO NOT REMEMBER.
The SUPERHEAVY subject of domestic, institutional, societal violence against women that we deem as "rite of passage" "life lessons" and all that brainwash just to set you up to fail.
The director, Ahn Gil Ho, and the screenwriter, Kim Eun Sook, created an series that is both EMOTIONALLY CHARGED without being redundant.
It was a PRIVILEDGE to watch, and to know that somehow women are heard. 여성은 히스테리가 아니라 우리에 갇혀 있습니다.

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The show's great! I'm just picky on details

A young woman who based her entire life and career on getting revenge on those who made her suffer in high school. That pretty much sums up the show. I personally really liked it and can't wait for a next season. But there's minor details as to why I wouldn't consider this a 10/10.
The story line is pretty good, although a bit unrealistic. I've had my fair share of experience with bullies, but since when do bullies physically torture their victims? Alright one sadistic bully might be possible, but FIVE??? Anyhow, I've always noticed that with kdramas, they struggle to really portray the bad guy. Personally, I rarely found any of them scary. But I was amazed by Im Ji Yeon, as she was the most convincingly evil actor in this show!!!
I like how the kdrama universe has progressed to a point where they don't shy away from some nudity. But do we seriously still need the creepy "I love her so I'll just roam around her until she loves me back"-type of romance? It's giving toxic masculinity and Korean producers need to realize how weird that is.
I have nothing against the cast of Moon Dong Eun and Joo Yeo Jung, but I didn't quite understand their relationship and how it progressed. Not to mention Moon's behavior (she sometimes would or would not show emotions). That is likely because of her trauma, but I still think that makes her relationship with Joo Yeo Jung even more odd, considering he also went through a very traumatic experience. There was a lack in the chemistry and it just made me wanna skip their scenes.
You know that sad feeling when you finish an amazing drama? Well I was missing that feeling. Instead I felt the need to tap on the "next episode" button, but there was none.
Conclusion: I loved it, but I felt as if something was missing from the story line.

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So well written and superb acting!

This is my first time watching a drama by any of these actors. In the starting it was a little confusing because there were suddenly so many characters and names. But this drama did deliver what was promised. An engaging revenge plot which makes you feel satisfied. I am not a big fan of melodramas so it's great to see some revenge dramas with a morally grey mc. Especially a female one!

Things I liked:
-the story
-acting by all actors
-female lead
-the pacing. All the scenes are straight to the point

Things I disliked:
Nothing really. The only reason I rated it .5 less is because some of the stuff was predictable and some a little confusing. Super excited for part 2!!

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March 10, come faster please!

What a shame it was only part 1 that has been showed and we have to wait for several weeks to have a conclusion for Dong Eun's journey for revenge.

It was an intense, compelling, dark, frustrating, and beautifully written drama. For the first part that it has shown, it was really worth the Hype and SHK did it again. Her attack on this drama, is much different compared to her other roles and she really did a great job.

Kuddos for the entire casts, may it be the young versions of them or the present actors/actress, they gave their all for a stellar performance. They're too convincing as bullies and you really wanted to skin them alive.

I love her support system, and I do hope that Ms. Kang will have her "happy" ending as we all know she deserved it.

Patiently waiting for part 2, and oh! I'm rooting for Ha Do Young for Dong Eun but Joo Yeo Jung also deserves his happy ending.

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a whole binge watch

NGL I wasn't predicting it to be this good.
Some recent Korean shows on Netflix were quite a disappointment for the sample "The fabulous " and " the interest of love".
But eventually, Netflix brought a tied-seat drama.
Song Hye-Kyo with all her glory is finally back on screen.
As it's a revenge drama it was intense, dark, blood-boiling, and most significantly immersive.

Bringing the storyline first well, if we look closely it's ordinary there's nothing extraordinary in it. The thing that takes all the applause is because it's well written.
The story encloses so satisfactorily. The characters evolve to the point.
And the process is so binge-worthy.

I already can't wait for the second part which I bet is gonna be darker and more practical.
The choice of actors is meticulous and thorough, we can smoothly connect with them without a bit of ordeal.
For now, it's definitely a 10/10

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Adicta a la venganza

¿Se han encontrado con dramas que al principio son adictivos y crees que es lo mejor que has visto pero después de un tiempo lo piensas y dices que es promedio? Bueno, este k-drama es de ese tipo.

"The Glory" es el k-drama que desde el primer capítulo te atrapa y te hace querer ver más y más, hasta volverte adicte a él. Sin embargo, esto pasa si lo quieres ver en una sentada, si no lo haces así... bueno, sigue siendo adictivo pero vas pierdiendo la satisfacción de la venganza si lo ves por partes.

La historia es buena, está muy bien escrita y te atrae desde el primer momento. Pero, por otra parte no es nada "nuevo" de la historia tipica de venganza que se va cociendo desde varios años para ir haciendola más sastifactoria al momento de realizarla. Como espectatora, la disfrutas pero si eres alguien que ha visto varias historias similares la vas a encontrar un tanto repititiva y predecible. Si es tu primera vez o no consumes mucho este contenido, entiendo del porqué la encuentran interesante y fascinante.

Lo mejor de este k-drama es sin duda la actuación de cada uno de los personajes es de WOW, es lo que más disfruté y lo que hace que le de 9 de calificación.

Por último, quiero agregar que no sé si fue la mejor estrategia de partir la historia en dos partes, como anteriormente lo mencioné. Aunque la dejaron en una parte intrigante es una historia que se disfruta si lo ves de una sola, si no es así le vas perdiendo un poco de gusto. Ya veremos cuando salga la segunda parte en Marzo.

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The Glory - Best Drama For 2023

This has to be the best drama for 2023.

Every character acted so well to portray the role so well. From main cast Song to each supporting casts they all acted so well. You are convinced by a pastor's daughter cum drug addict; you are convinced by a materialistic flight crew; you are convinced by the pain of a girl who planned the revenge etc.

The plot was so well written that you have nothing to condemn about. The ending was well planned and not rushed like many other dramas.

I hope the best script, best drama, best actress and best supporting actress awards go to this drama.

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Best kdrama of 2023 for sure

the story is involving, you empathize with the main character and understand the reason for his actions, you even empathize with some of the bullies too, one of the best revenge dramas , also has plow twist very interesting to see and the acting seems impeccable to me (I'm not an expert, but in my opinion it was a 10/10). You should give it a chance, maybe the first episode doesn't grab you so much but I promise that from the second on it's a vice. it even has a bit of romance but without losing its main essence, if you saw weak hero class and you liked it, you'll surely like it too

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One of the best kdramas out there

Korean revenge stories are basically a subgenre of their own at this point and this is another one you don't wanna miss. After the very good My Name (2021) we have yet another—and bigger—winner in the form of this newly-released title (it says 2022 but it finished only a couple weeks ago)

Watch the first episode and tell me this is boring. That's right, you can't.

It's also full of surprises. Don't expect much action though, that's just not what this is about.

I think what sets this story apart from other revenge stories in this genre is the fact that we follow the antagonists quite a bit. A lot of screentime is dedicated to them actually, and yet it works so well because they're so colorful, dynamic, and multi-layered as they progressively sink deeper into the protagonist's schemes. We even see glimpses of humanity here and there. It's a delight sometimes to simply watch the chaos that seems to follow them around unfold. Their lives are a hypnotic, convoluted mess to watch, and it's definitely what I enjoyed the most in this show.

Well, aside from the acting. The leads killed it of course but a shoutout too to the young actresses playing the main protagonist (Jung Ji-So) and the main antagonist (Shin Ye-eun) in their school years, now that was some brilliant acting. They'll be ones to watch for sure.

Word of warning on the first episode though: it gets pretty intense. Sexual assault, torture, psychological abuse… I've seen worse, graphically, but due to the context, the amazing performances and directing and the score here it's just so… harrowing. So yeah, trigger warning I guess.

But it's really well made, and necessary. How else are we gonna root for someone who's essentially dead set on ruining a bunch of people's lives in return for what they did?

Because they deserve it. Without question.

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