The Glory Part 2 (2023)

Forgiveness Is Not Always the Answer--Broken Systems that put Abusers First

As a victim, the abuser becomes your entire world--you remember their face, their expressions as they hurt you, and the torment you suffered. School bullying is not only a reality for many across the world but a deeply rooted issue in Korean schools. The extent of school bullying, in The Glory, was truly an eye-opener. The Glory delves into how one case of bullying becomes a deeply rooted seed that grows and rots within a person, affecting the individual’s life completely.

With the metaphor of the game Go as the background within the plot, we as the audience are given a foundation of Dong-Eun’s revenge--surround your enemies and tighten your boundaries around them, in a battle of silence. Once you’ve completely surrounded them you can close in on them. In essence, Go, and Dong-Eun’s revenge is to surround her abusers before they even know that they’ve been surrounded. A strategy that is meticulous and clever.

One of the main plot elements that the drama delves into is that a bully, after all the trauma they’ve committed towards an individual, can move on with their lives in blissful and willing ignorance. The show questions the justice system and how to deal with corrupt authorities at all levels. Dong-Eun was not only failed by the police, but she was failed at every institutional level: by her family, her teachers, her school supervisors, and the police. So, when those authorities, that are supposed to keep justice in check, fall apart, then what’s to stop bullies from doing harm?

While the abusers move on with their lives, Dong-Eun is forced to live a life where she is stuck within her high school era where she was physically and verbally abused. The show wants the audience to understand that in a world where there is systemic corruption on all levels, how can one simply forgive their abusers and allow them to continue their cycle of violence?

Dong-Eung was abandoned by everyone, society failed her--as it does for many victims. Societal justice is in favour of the abuser rather than the abused. In Dong-Eun’s school, her friends can’t speak up because they’ll be targeted. There are no repercussions, from authority figures, towards the abusers.

If society will not keep them accountable, nor the police, nor the people around them, then who is left to stop these cycles of violence?

If Dong-Eun had not gone through with her revenge then each of the abusers would have continued to bully those around them. We can see this in the way Yeon-Jin treats her co-workers, Jae-Joon treats those below him, and Myeong-oh treats his employees. Every one of the abusers does not mature and continues to spread their violence--hurt people, hurt people.

My favourite aspect of The Glory is that it portrays revenge from a different perspective, where forgiveness is not the answer. Forgiveness doesn’t solve everything. If Dong-Eun forgave those around her they would’ve continued to hurt others, just as she was hurt.

One scene that really articulates this thought is when Da-Yeong and Yeo-Jeong are playing Go. Da-Yeong asks Yeo-Jeong if he genuinely wanted to help Dong-Eun, why does he not encourage her to forgive? Yeo-Jeong responds that for some people taking revenge is the only way for them to begin the next chapter of their lives and finally live for themselves. To reach their own Glory some victims must take revenge. The way I interpret this is that without a sense of rightful justice, individuals are stuck within their trauma. The helplessness that a lack of justice create stunts an individual's ability to move on with their lives and so they must turn to their own means of pursuing such justice, for Dong-Eun that is in the form of revenge.

The ending is one that makes the show truly one of my favourites. It is a satisfying ending that is well deserved, After all the turmoil and abuse Dong-Eun has been through we as the viewer desperately root for her to win. Dong-Eun uses the selfishness and narcissism of those around her to create the downfall and domino effect of revenge toward her abusers. Dong-Eun puts the foundation into play, controlling the pieces on the board, and effectively commits to her plan.

Dong-Eun spent a decade planning her revenge and acquiring the funds to see it through, she used the weakness of her abusers to take them down and found a partner in crime, her executioner, for her revenge. It is a harmonious ending that gives me hope that Dong-Eun will finally be free from her high school years and begin to find her own Glory in life.

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That kiss didn't live up to its expectations...

Alright, I've just finished watching this second season and I must admit I've shed too many tears. But let me break it down now.

We start the drama with the death of Son Myeong-o, and a bit of explanation of what he did before it happened, and Ha Do-young catching Park Yeon-jin in our Dong-eun apartment. From this moment on, it'll escalate quickly; if you think now that eight episodes aren't enough, you'll get to the end wondering what the heck happened in the middle.

This season is the one where we'll see Do-young grow apart from his ten years wife, getting slowly a better understanding of what happened almost two decades ago. He'll ask himself more and more questions, until finally he'll get his answers once he realizes first-hand how psycho Yeon-jin is. Still, he won't leave her, at least for now.

The plan Dong-eun has been carrying out starts to get finalized in a few details. We discover some important news here: Myeong-o wasn't the one who raped our poor Yoon So-hee, but Jeon Jae-joon. It's our main lead, Joo Yeo-jeong, that first who realizes it when the bastard asks him about an autopsy and what can get unveiled through it. Now, this changes the course of events: it'll be Yeon-jin the one to expose the pregnancy of So-hee through a «press conference», although without saying the name of the rapist.

Also, our Kang Hyun-nam and her secret identity as Dong-eun's assistant gets uncovered by Yeon-jin, that threatens her to get on her side. Of course, our ahjumma isn't stupid and talks to Dong-eun, letting her know she'll now pretend to work for Yeon-jin. Honestly, I have a mad respect for that woman and her courage: I mean, first her husband and then that bitch?!

Talking about husbands... Dong-eun is a genius, and so are the writers lol. We were waiting for that bastard to die, as our main lead promised Hyun-nam, and finally it happens. However, it's unexpected: Dong-eun makes sure the man blackmails Yeon-jin's mother, and through some «adventures»... Let's say the killer and the timing are completely unexpected.

As for Do-yeong, he finally decides to leave Yeon-jin in the final episode, which lasts about an hour and fifteen btw, and DOES SOMETHING ABSOLUTELY UNFORESEEN!! What you mean my man got his little revenge? I honestly don't understand why so many people say he's toxic, I'd love to have a father like him omg. I also loved how they revealed it was him. But generally speaking, his love for Ye-sol is immense and I'm here for that.

Regarding Ye-sol herself... I just gotta love when she turns her back to her own mother. «I'm not proud of you anymore, mom». That kid's going places, let me tell ya.

And don't let me start with the landlord lady. Just few minutes before the finale we get to see what was their relationship and here's where I cried oceans. «The water is freezing, why don't we die in spring?». «I realized when you said we should die in spring that you meant we should bloom. It's been eighteen springs now and I'm waiting my time to bloom». Those lines were my absolute favorite in the whole drama. That old lady has really got my heart, she's my favorite character now.

Some people also said they would've preferred a finale with the sparkles between Do-young and Dong-eun. Here's what I think: yes, they have very similar mentalities, and yes, they really have that chemistry (especially in the first season); however, Dong-eun got closer to him just for her revenge, she never once thought of «stealing» him from Yeon-jin. Moreover, Dong-eun would've had to live with the constant memory of her past if she dated Do-young. I think her letting go of the gym and the hallways (as she repeatedly said) included letting go of EVERYTHING that came with it; that is also why she decided to leave Yeo-jeong and even herself. And what about Ye-sol? Dong-eun wouldn't have been able to live with the little girl knowing she ruined her family, even though Yeon-jin deserved it doesn't mean her daughter did.

Yeo-jeong's mother. I want her. Can I have her? Where can I get one? She's so freaking cool. She already noticed how her son was barely living through his everyday life, and how he immediately lighted up once Dong-eun entered his life. She's never once tried to stop him, despite his actions could've been considered crimes. She saved Dong-eun because she knew BOTH of them NEEDED each other to live, and her entire purpose/job is to let people live peacefully their lives. There's so much between these scenes actually, I really applaud the writers.

And what about the plot twist of Yeo-jeong always knowing Dong-eun needed him? Like man? First he goes: «I'll be your executioner, just tell me who I have to kill first», «At some point in life you need to decide what kind of person you want to become, and I decided to be your partner in crime» and many more lines, just to find out you haven't take this decision the moment she told you about her story but since the start? Oh, Yeo-jeong, what kind of a man that you are... That was so sexy of him btw, he raised my standards over the sun.

Now. If you've arrived here, you're probably asking about my title. Come on, you've probably already seen the scene. I mean, I understand the main plot is revenge, but you give me such a MAN as the main lead, you build up their relationship FOR WHAT?! That was the kind of kiss you give in middle school! Still, was much anticipated.

Overall, this revenge drama is absolutely the best. Never seen something this good, this well thought in every detail. Even the story of Kim Gyeong-ran, the third victim of the group and also the shop assistant of Siesta, was incredible. I mean, you could've predicted something, but other things were news to me. Or maybe I'm too stupid?

And that was it. One of the best dramas I've ever watched. Fenomenal acting, amazing musics and storyline. Just perfect.

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Terribly Flawed Last Minute Revenge Plan

Eighteen years of planning a revenge just for it to be executed so badly, and exposed so early on.

For 4/5 of the bullies, Moon Dongeun really had zero leverage over them from the beginning. She was only able to come up with a plan AFTER Son Myeongoh provided her their dirty little secrets. What made the show really hard to watch is the lack of backstory for Moon Dongeun's planning of the revenge. Things just happen and you have no idea whether it's by her own hands or somebody else. Her so called "planning" is flawed and unstable. How can she confront the antagonists boldly when she doesn't have concrete evidence on their crimes yet? She sets up traps for the antagonists and it's up to them to go against each other. In other words, she relies purely on luck.

The ending is unsatisfying with so many unaddressed loose ends. The bullies got their revenge, but the emotional damage done to them is nowhere equal to what scarred their victims. There are so many terrible crimes revealed throughout the story that were never brought to justice, or even brought to attention to the public. For example, the sex trafficking at the shaman shrine.

It's a shame that the drama doesn't expand more on school bullying, SA, and domestic violence. All the director wants to do is put focus on romance, and useless side characters. Anyone could have taught Moon Dongeun chess. The ML barely contributed. Also, what was the purpose of having Kim Kyungran stick around during adulthood if she's going to be completely useless to the plot? That woman had so much potential. Either give us a proper development, or cut off their characters completely.

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A bit over the top

The Glory is undoubtedly a high-quality production but the plot, while engaging, was too dramatic and unrealistic for my taste. The antagonists are one-dimensional, starting as cruel bullies in their youth and ending up as the most detestable individuals you could imagine as adults. The main character's plan is riddled with unaddressed plot holes, and in the second half, she conveniently receives help from her love interest, a surgeon who (surprise!) shares similar emotional trauma and seeks revenge on someone. Unfortunately, the two actors lack chemistry, leading to their characters romance to fall flat.

Is it a terrible drama? Absolutely not. It's entertaining and explores a few interesting themes. However, it fell short of having an emotional impact on me because I couldn't connect with the characters, and the ending left me unsatisfied.

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A Glorious End

Dong-Eun finally fulfilled her dream. The first few episodes were very thrilling to watch, and after that, the story started to settle down. The acting, as always, was outstanding by the cast. The class of Ha Do-Yeong remains unmatched. However, this time I felt that the dialogues were not as thought-provoking and deep as in the first part. Still, the hardships and bitter realities of life are portrayed in an excellent way. The twists and turns along the way were certainly unexpected.

Park Yeon-Jin lost everything as Dong-Eun promised she would, but I can't help but think that it was Yeon-Jin herself who, because of her stubbornness and arrogance, made things much worse for herself. I don't get why Yeo-Jeong is hell bent on taking revenge from his father's murderer, Kang Yeong-Cheon. As we get to know in one of the episodes, it is exactly what he wants. He wants Yeo-Jeong to remember him. That is why he kept sending him letters talking about the pleasure he got from killing his father. In my opinion, the best revenge Yeo-Jeong could take is to forget him and move on. Choi Hye-Jeong could have effortlessly made it out unharmed if it weren't for her wanting to make it known that she is behind defaming them and taking revenge for all the years they looked down upon her. It was interesting to witness her lust for wealth. In my opinion, Jae-Jun's death was unethical; fighting someone who can't see isn't exactly a fair fight. He did have it coming, though. He should have handled matters with more patience. His careless and impatient attitude led him to his death. Ha Do-Yeong already realized that it was too late for things to be restored to how they used to be. He knew it was best for him and his daughter to cut off ties with Yeon-Jin before things got out of hand. It didn't feel in character for him to push Jae-Jun off the edge of the building while he couldn't see. That spoiled, drug-addicted brat, Lee Sa-Ra, got less than what she deserved. It breaks my heart to think that mothers like Jeong Mi-Hee (Dong-Eun's) and Yoon Da-Kyung (Yeon-Jin's) actually exist in this world. They used and sold their children for their own sake. They leached off of them and put wrong morals in their minds. From the depth of my heart, I wish them a fate that is worse than death. The Shaman's death made no sense to me. Maybe it was a spiritual thing. Now that I think about it, it wasn't just Dong-Eun who wanted revenge. Almost every other character also wanted to get revenge on others. Myeong-O wanted to get revenge on Jae-Jun. Hye-Jeong from Yeon-Jin. Ha Do-Yeong from Jae-Jun, and so on.

In the end, when Dong-Eun was standing on the roof about to jump, the scene beautifully represented what people like her go through. Even after taking revenge, everything remained the same. The past, the scars, the pain, the struggle. All of that still remains with her. She is still carrying that burden of abandonment on her shoulders. I remember how terrified I was in that scene. I didn't want her to jump. But what could have held her back? She didn't have anything to live for. Thankfully, when Yeo-Jeong's mom showed up and asked her to save her son, that is when she realized that she did have a reason to live. Now, it was time for her to switch roles and become the headsman in order to have someone she cared about get his revenge.

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what all revenge stories aspire to be

it's rare in kdramaland that revenge stories are both bloody and emotionally satisfying. that's what the glory achieved. like a carefully organised chess board, Song Hye Kyo's much needed revenge was beautifully orchistrated and masterfully executed.

credit goes primarily to her, of course: i've been telling you people that song hye kyo is a spectacular actress for years. she has mastered the art of subtle expressions, with one look she can convey fiery emotions. she's been doing this from 1999 and it can be seen in her best melodrama -in my humble but correct opinion- Encounter. she's supported by a cast of villains you hate with your whole gut and two partners that make it all worth it. one offers her warmth and frienship and the other pure, everlasting love

i love my revenge stories but coming from the end of penthouse, i don't trust the writers to land the shot. this one did and it will remain legendary

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A slightly disappointing ending.

The second half of the drama was definitely weaker than the first. The acting was excellent and the drama still was very gripping. I liked the story a lot —up until episode 14.

In the last two episodes the story got a little messy in my opinion. A lot of unexplained and just weird plot points. The revenge itself also didn't feel as satisfying as I had hoped and the ending felt rushed. The romance between the main characters also didn't work because of the massive age gap and lack of chemistry.



Overall I still enjoyed part 2 and the issues didn't really ruin the drama. I am just disappointed as I expected this drama to become one of my favorites. To the drama as a whole I would give 8,5/10.

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Some Scars can't be healed

This show needs no introduction nor does its leading lady.

A show that depicts the darker side of humans and how monstrous and inhumane they can get. A broken and scarred girl who swore revenge on those who made her life hell returns and unleashes the same hell on each and everyone of them making their lives worse than death.
She decides to take away everything they had from them and in the process meets a guy who is too broken and scarred just like her. He becomes her support when no one in the world did that for her, making her start to believe in others again.
The show will make you feel so many emotions. You will cry for the victims and hate the guts of the bullies. The cast has nailed their roles be it of the good or bad one.
Song Hye Kyo proved with this show that she ain't just a pretty face but a phenomenal actress too who can pull of both sweet and darker roles.

(The saddest part is that the things that are shown do happen in real life too and even way worse. Many have faced it growing up and many are facing it even now and this will continue on cuz such monsters exists everywhere at any age groups. I do pray for the well being of those who have suffered such atrocities and hope they are able to move past those scars.)

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Excellent

For those unfamiliar with kdrama, 16 episodes is the typical episode order of Korea tv dramas, so both parts of The Glory is part of the same series/season and one continuous story arc rather than being two separate seasons. The writer is a veteran of addictive hits that are hits and misses in terms of quality for me personally, but The Glory is an objective masterpiece. I wouldn't call it a fun watch considering the painful subject matter, but it is a most cathartic one. The acting is wonderfully led by Song Hye Gyo in her best work to date along with the writer and wonderfully supported by Lee Do Hyun who is Netflix's Sweet Home alum, and all of the support cast on either sides of the revenge accomplice and bully spectrums.

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An actual revenge stpry!

What a journey!

I had so much fun watching Part 2 of The Glory. Seeing all the pieces from the last episode fall into place and actually getting a long detailed show of the villains getting their comeuppance in the last episodes was sooo satisfying.

I really love that they did not skimp on the conclusion to the revenge. No halfassing, no stupid forgiving; just completely destroying the villains and giving them what they deserve.

The actors did a phenomenal job. Honestly, even despite how toxic the villain group was, I lived for their "friendship". It was just so hilarious seeing them together and watching their dynamics/conversations. Such a crazy group of villains but so entertaining. Song Hye Kyo's acting range also really impressed me.

My only issues with the show were the romance b/w Dr. Joo and Dong-Eun and Joo's story with the serial killer guy. For the romance, I still feel it was unecessary. Honestly, the whole character/actor, I was not impressed with at all. The romance felt so awkward to me because Dr. Joo was cleary so into DE but DE always just had an impassive expression (obvs since she's just trying to focus on her revenge mission). And although there were moments where DE and Joo would be laughing together or being playful, I juat wasn't feeling the chemistry. So yeah, I would have preferred for there not be any romance. As for the serial killer plot, I just didn't like seeing that serial killer's annoying smirk all the time lmao. Also, wasn't sure what the purpose of that whole story was aside from giving Joo something else to focus on beside DE.

Anyway, overall it was a very enjoyable revenge series that makes you feel relieved and satisfied.

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