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When people think of Korean Dramas, they think of a story with an unexpected beginning and a happy ending. Most Korean dramas follow the same storyline so it can be overplayed. However, “The Glory” breaks the stereotypes of Korean dramas.
Synopsis
Moon Dong Eun was bullied throughout high school. She was targeted for bullying and abuse by Yeon-jin and her group. Before dropping out of high school, she warns Yeon-jin that her only goal is to get revenge on Yeon-jin and her friends.
Over the next few years, Dong Eun works at a factory and studies for her GED. She befriends fellow worker Sung Hee and enrolls at a university to study education. Present day, Dong Eun’s apartment has pictures of Yeon-jin and her friends on the walls, and begins to plot her revenge.
While attending university, Dong Eun becomes fascinated with the game Go and meets Joo Yeo-jeong. He ends up teaching her how to play. Eventually, after she graduates, Dong Eun leaves Joo Yeon-jeong, and moves to Semyeong overlooking Yeon-jin’s house. One night, while searching the bins at the house of Semyeong Foundation’s chairman, Dong-eun is confronted by the housekeeper, Kang Hyeon-nam. Rather than turn Dong-eun in, Hyeon-nam offers to help Dong-eun if she kills her abusive husband.
Dong Eun hires Hyeon-nam as her assistant to gather information about her high school bullies. Once she has all the information necessary she begins her revenge. She contacts Yeo-Jeong and apologizes for suddenly disappearing. As a joke, he says he would make a great partner, but Dong Eun says she needs an “executioner”.
Eventually, Dong Eun shows Yeo-jeong the scars she suffered throughout high school. Yeo-jeong vows to help Dong Eun get her revenge, and they begin to execute an elaborate revenge.
My Take
“The Glory” tackles the issue of school bullying and school corruption. While it seems like a major shock, unfortunately, school bullying in Korea is even worse than what the Korean drama portrays. Viewers feel a sense of compassion for Dong Eun because she isn’t just bullied but she is flat-out abused. Sadly, Dong Eun endured this trauma for 18 years while Yeon-jin and her friends were able to live their own lives.
Viewers can feel Dong Eun’s desire for revenge and want to see her get back at those who have scarred her for life. At the same time, do Yeon-jin and her group feel a sense of remorse? Will they have changed enough that Dong Eun doesn’t go forward with her revenge plan?
One of the more interesting aspects of this drama is that Dong Eun has a very elaborate plan. It isn’t a simple “I will do what you did to me”, but instead she attacks the most vulnerable points in each of the tormentors’ lives. We also get a sense of how humans will react when they are backed into a corner, especially if they have a lot to lose. Her elaborate plan is something to admire because while she is planting seeds, the actions are carried out by Dong Eun’s tormentors.
Verdict
If you expect a feel-good, happy Korean drama, you will be in for a deep surprise. It’s a very dark drama, but one that keeps you on your toes. From the very first episode, you understand why Dong Eun is obsessed with getting revenge on her bullies.
There are plenty of curveballs in the drama but they all contribute to the storyline. Especially with Yeo-jeong’s dynamic with Dong Eun, you can see how much he cares about her and vice versa.
I highly recommend the drama, but as I mentioned, it is dark.
The Glory – 9.1/10
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