This review may contain spoilers
After watching the first episode I wasn't completely sucked in, so I skipped around throughout the drama, got impatient and watched the ending lol. I'm actually glad I saw the ending before watching the complete 17 episodes from start to finish otherwise I would have had a WTF moment. It did however peak my interest even more so I did go back and watch the drama. Obviously it made more sense to me after watching everything play out. Still, having seen the ending and knowing what would happen, I didn't enjoy the drama any less. The story is compelling and the actors were spot on.
Story: A little boy gets taken from his family and placed with a new family only to be kicked out and replaced later on. Same little boy grows up and creates an elaborate scheme to wreck havoc on said family. Interesting storyline and never got bored. Shim Gun Wook was an interesting character to watch. At times I couldn't tell whether or not he felt any sympathy to the people he was hurting. I think it was a constant struggle for his character bc at one point in time he was attached to these people. Especially his "brothers" and "sisters". Did they play a part in him getting kicked out. No, but they are part of that family and he wants the entire family to suffer. He was set on getting his revenge.
Acting/Cast: This isn't the first thing I've seen Kim Jae Wook in but it is probably my favorite. Some of his other characters have seemed stiff or the quiet type but not Hong Tae Sung. He's reckless, damaged, always the outcast. I don't think I've ever seen such a sad character. Poor guy started out like Shim Gun Wook and was ripped away from his mother to grow up in a house where no one treated him like family. He was constantly seeking love and attention but when he did find someone who genuinely loved him he pushed them away. The consequences of that were more extreme than he could imagine and, hence, why I'm assuming Shim Gun Wook was dead set on destroying him as well. I just felt so bad for Hong Tae Sung throughout the whole drama. Bravo Kim Jae Wook! He portrayed that character perfectly! Couldn't have been any better! Ms. Shin was also a really compelling character. Probably the most evil, heartless and selfish woman I've ever encountered in dramaland. The lengths she would go to protect her pride and image were extreme to the max! She had no shame and was never once apologetic for any of her actions. Her's and Hong Tae Sung's interactions were the hardest to watch. The way she treated him and the things she said, it's no wonder he was so messed up. Kim Nam Gil was a great Shim Gun Wook. Made you trust him but not without leaving a little hint of doubt. Perfect if you're wanting to get close to those you want to destroy. Also, the way he could be around them day in and day out and keep his feelings in check (for the most part). Most people just fly off the handle but he took it and stayed patient so everything could play out the way he wanted. I didn't care much for Moon Jae In as a character. I guess it's bc I could never do the things she did and treat people like she did. *SPOILER* Even in the end, I felt she brushed off Hong Tae Sung without a second glance even though his world was falling apart too. Maybe it's bc I really pitied Hong Tae Sung as a character that I can't like someone who just adds to his misery.
Rewatch value and Overall: Rewatch value is pretty good. Might pick up on some stuff you missed the first time around. But then again, I'm ignoring the ending. Overall, this was a really good drama. It kept me on my toes trying to follow Shim Gun Wook's moves. And like I said before, even though I had skipped to the ending pretty early on, it still made me interested enough to want to find out how everything led up to that point. Plus, if you're a fan of Kim Jae Wook I highly recommend this drama! You get to see many different sides to him (as his character is a complex one) that I don't believe he's had a chance to play with the roles he's been given.
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