"Reflection of You" seems like such a weak title for a drama like this. A title like "Then This Heaux had the nerve to..." or "Can you believe what this B@$#% did???!!!!" would be much more fitting. It's been a while since a drama made me curse at the screen like this, so I can't believe the rating for this show is so low. This drama was slow to get me interested. I was pretty bored for the first few episodes because it takes a while to get to know the characters and their relationships with each other but once you do the pace is relentless and filled with intense betrayal, ruthless pettiness, and Draaaaamaaaa. The cast is phenomenal. Every character is multidimensional, duplicitous, and yet somehow still empathetic. There aren't any likable characters, to be honest, but I enjoyed the fact that these characters were so messy and sometimes outright awful without being too unrealistic. If you're looking for happy escapism this is the wrong drama. If you want to watch how characters keep digging themselves into a hole until they finally reach the hell they deserve then grab some snacks and enjoy!

This story centers around Go Hyun Jung as Jung Hee Joo. I despised her character so much but that's because she played her so well. Most of the fun of this drama is how details about the story unfold so I don't want to say too much about what she does, but her self-centered, manipulative, audacity as she tried to hide behind a phony victim persona was what fueled my interest in the story. I loved watching her gag every episode, and anticipating how everything would eventually backfire. Yes, the mood of this drama fits that of a thriller but the plot is mostly melodrama with some of the shadiest characters ever. At times it was a little distracting that her age gap with the other characters was so noticeable but I also liked seeing a more mature female lead. I only remember seeing her in a rom-com when she was younger "What's Up, Fox?", but this is the exact opposite of a comedy. I also saw her more as the villain than the character who was probably supposed to be seen that way, Shin Hyun Bin as Goo Hae Won. I actually loved Hae Won as a character, which may be worrisome lol, but I could empathize with her so much. Also, Shin Hyun Bin deserves extra praise for playing her character's evolution so well. These two ladies had rival chemistry that was perfect. Their scenes were like watching a great tennis match between star players. That's how all of the scenes felt honestly. Even the teenage characters were strong players.

I can't emphasize enough how great this cast is. I wish I could name all of them. Kim Jae Young as Seo Woo Jae is definitely obsession-worthy, although his character was the least fleshed out in my opinion. He felt like the only lazily written main character, but Jae Young still made the most out of the role. Choi Won Young as Ahn Hyun Sung is always so good at playing cool with something sinister hidden right under the surface. His role in this is not quite as epic as "Hello Monster" but it's still a great performance. Kim Bo Yun as the worst mom ever was another favorite of mine. Even with a subtle look and fewer scenes, she was legendary. Then there's Shin Dong Wook as "good guy" uncle Jung Seon Woo, and the angstiest KDrama teen maybe ever Kim Soo An as Lisa. I loved that I got to know so many characters' stories and struggles without it distracting from the main plot too much. Maybe being based on a book is why the characters seem so well written. The stories also have complimentary themes of choosing to hold on to the past, the cycle of revenge, flawed parents, broken trust, the punishment fitting the "crime", and how hurt people hurt people. I may not have been moved to tears by the story, and some parts of the plot seemed weaker than others, but I was moved by their self-discoveries, even when they chose the less righteous path.

Would I watch this again? Yes. The scenes are well done with intense dialogue as well as catty banter throughout, although knowing the story would take some of the thrill away. The ending did feel like a bit of a safe cop-out and rushed at some moments, with things resolving a little too nicely and neatly, but by the very end, it felt well done. I don't like vague endings, but this ending left me with enough closure. I am also sure with a rewatch there will be some details that I missed the first time, especially in the flashback clips. There are a lot of flashbacks, but I didn't mind that.

Overall, I'm glad I didn't pay too much attention to the rating and gave this drama a chance. I'm also glad I binged watched the whole thing because waiting each week would have been too hard. I think we all have different thresholds for being able to move on, so this story may be too obsessive and dark for some viewers, but I loved it. If you like stories about how complicated human nature can be then this drama is a must-see. This is not your average melodrama about spoiled rich people and random amnesia, these characters surprised me often. "Reflection of You" may not be a new favorite but it's certainly underrated. I could point out holes in the plot, and specific parts that I wish were less vague, but I was so involved in the characters that those things didn't affect how much I enjoyed this drama as whole. If you've ever felt like a member of #teampetty this is a drama for you!