Gritty intense and brutal
The Glory Part 1 and Part 2 (2023)Likes
1. Wow story was fast paced, acting was briliant. The whole revenge plot was perfectly developed and executed by Dong Eun. And the best part is she didnt even have to get her hands dirty. She merely exposed their sins, and they destroyed each other. I thought every bad guy in the story deserved their fate.
2. My fave scene of SHK was when she found out her mom betrayed her again and they had their argument in the apartment and the mom started the fire. Plus the last episode when she was crying after everything was done and she was at the rooftop. (It was just weird how Yeo Jeong's mom was there to stop her from jumping. Did she follow her?)
3. Yeonjin was so bratty and self entitled all through out. I cant believe the nerve of her! She bullied kids, killed 2 people, yet she refuse to admit them, and is even the one getting angry when caught. She had no remorse at all!!!
4. Loved the 2 male leads, cute puppy doctor Yeo Jeong who would do anything for Dong Eun and the hot ahjuicy Do Yeong who probably would have pursued Dong Eun in another life (my alternate ending).
5. Also loved Hyeon Nam. Hope she gets a chance to go to the US and see her daughter.
6. The other bullies were also evil. Plus Yeonjin's mom, the corrupt detective, Hyeon Nam's husband, ugly haired pervert teacher. Lol everyone got punished!!
Dislikes
1. Son Myeong O's disappearance went on for too long when he was obviously dead. And it was obvious who had the most motive to kill him, yet the writer tried to prolong the reveal by giving other characters possible motive.
2. Instead they could have focused on finishing Yeo Jeong's revenge on Yeong Cheon and showing the couple moving forward and living happily together.
Rating: 9/10
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unflinching portrayal of school bullying
The Glory is a long awaited drama helmed by Goblin and The King: Eternal Monarch’s visionary writer - Kim Eun Sook, much driven by a lone victim’s desire for revenge.Firstly it must be acknowledged that this is the first work I’ve seen from Song Hye Kyo, having tried to take on the infamous “Descendants of the Sun” and failing after the first 2 episodes. Her portrayal as the protagonist Dong Eun is utterly compelling as well as heartbreaking. More than the graphic scenes of bullying and violence, the real tragedy lies in SHK’s expressions that emphasised the deep trauma that remained unforgiving through the years into adulthood. And in a recent panel talk, it detailed her efforts to also showcase this through a frail and weak body for a particularly vulnerable scene.
There have been plentiful dramas that have touched on the subject of school bullying (Penthouse, Who are You: School 2015, Boys over Flowers etc), but The Glory is quite possibly the first I’ve witnessed to undertake a character study that is the driving force of the plot itself rather than it being a sideline. It does not shy away from depicting the horrors of school violence that, appallingly, seems to be the norm in South Korea, but also how corruption influences the actions taken towards a victim who desperately needed the support of an adult.
Dong Eun is a strong testament to victims who were either silenced or made to believe that somehow, it’s their fault. And while the praise is deserved for SHK’s performance for the cathartic elements to follow once the revenge kicks in, I have to commend Jung Ji So, who plays the younger Dong Eun. The way her mannerisms varied as the ep progressed and her dwindling innocence and hope are visceral, and one can’t help but root for her “glory” against her perpetrators.
Regarding supporting characters, the performances from those who portrayed the vicious band of bullies left no room for viewers to sow forgiveness, and it’s a likelihood of very real individuals who aren't capable of seeking atonement in the slightest. The contrast between Dong Eun and the perpetrators appears to be undoubtedly a black and white situation, eliminating all potentials of “feeling sorry for the villain” trope that has cropped up since Joker.
Out of all characters, the intrigue ultimately falls on the charming and mysterious Ha Do Young, played by Jung Sung Il. He is the tranquil greyness in all of this, representing the viewer's experience in the unknowns and knowns of the truth of Dong Eun’s past and the role his wife has played in it. The portrayal is deliberately vague and it is difficult to read his thoughts behind the calm dialogue and the nuanced game of Go. He embodies some undertones of righteousness and consideration but not in an explicit way, making his potential responses in S2 highly anticipated.
I’m not an expert when it comes to music but I thought it’s worth mentioning two soundtracks in particular, both of which did a splendid job in accenting various scenes. The first is “You Remember” by Paul Kim, and “Until the End” by Kelley McRae accompanies the opening episode, perfectly setting the bleak and heavy tone of the drama. The singer did an excellent job in expressing the tragedy of a victim, perhaps also hinting the barest slope of hope amidst the melancholy of the piano.
I’m very much gravitated towards works that involve taboo and difficult themes, but still end up unnerved by the unrelenting violence and assault pictured in the episodes. It was even more surprising to see this from Kim Eun Sook. From her works, it appears that this is the first time she has boldly tackled these extremely dark and vulnerable subjects that weren't explored before in dramas like The Heirs, The King EM, and Goblin. The latter two are more emotionally in depth than sensitive and dark, overall making the Glory quite refreshing to see.
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Revenge plot with little romance
The Glory's main cast is the bullies, the victim MC and good ML, I hope they put more casts (like any friend for the MC's side besides Yeo Jung). First episode was very hard to watch, I considered dropping it and I pick it up just to see why it is trending in Netflix. The present time was entertaining for me since the MC is aware she is not good to bring revenge to her bullies, her plans so far doesnt involve killing the bullies directly and she just sits back and let them dig their own grave. Acting was good but sometimes the scenes feel slow that I have to increase the speed. Sometimes MC feels like a robot with her dead face. Her dialogue seems like she's talking in puzzles but I try my best to follow.Most of the characters are unlikeable and the bullies cant be redeemed. The only characters I like is the ML who feels OP (with the cast) like his scenes are in a romcom medical drama that is away from the main story. The husband of Yeon jin is the only decent person so far.
Edit: (04/2023) I took a few months break after finishing season 1, it's very dark. Only thing I want is MC to have more allies cos every cast introduced so far is out to bully her (except the driver and ML). I'm planning to continue watching until I drop it lol :>
Rewatch Value- 1/10 never rewatching it since the bully characters are annoying and the story feels too dark for me. (And i watch Dark shonen animes like csm/jjk)
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Disappointing
I came into this drama with high expectations. I was seeing it being hyped everywhere, especially that one scissors scene, and thought that I should try it. There were a couple of suspenseful scenes at the beginning of the drama, but the rest was just boring. It was so slow paced with too much talking and not much doing. I didn't like the fact that they didn't get into much detail about the actual revenge, it was more about the characters' adulthood and the relationship between them, which isn't what I came here for. And after having to force myself to keep watching, we didn't even get a proper end. I'm really skeptical about watching the second season now.Was this review helpful to you?
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House of cards
The Glory is definitely on the next level with the storytelling and character development. Although it recycles the old combination of bullying and revenge tropes, it is not your average revenge drama. It's dark, gripping, and with no promise of a happy ending.Part 1 sets the stage for Moon Dong Eun's revenge. It weaves between the past and the present painting a complex picture of each individual character and uncovering a history of violent bullying. It also shows the source of the heroine's determination. Being a victim built up her character and gave her a purpose. She is no longer a downtrodden victim of violence, but someone who uses that victimhood to eventually push back against her abusers.
The story is a psychological game of chess. Dongeun concocts a careful plan to bring down her childhood tormentors' house of cards and illusions of a happy, carefree life. She uses their weaknesses, arrogance, mistakes against them. But, although revenge is her main objective, Dongeun is not someone who blindly aims to destroy her abusers. She carefully applies pressure on their weak points to reveal their true selves to the world, so they can be judged either in the court of public opinion or being held criminally responsible for past wrongdoings.
The story also draws parallels between individual characters. Dongeun matures from a meek and obscure teenager to an intelligent and calculating woman. She is level-headed, manipulative, and carefully plans ahead. But, the bullies did not change in the slightest. They are still the same bored, rabid, shallow clique of sociopaths and drug addicts who preyed on the weak in high school. And, this lack of maturity and extremely predictable behavior will contribute to their eventual downfall.
My favorite thing about this drama is Dongeun and Joo Yeo Jung's relationship. Yeojung first comes off as a care-free young doctor from a privileged family who does not know struggle. Dongeun even comments about him talking in platitudes without knowing life. In reality, Yeojung is just as broken as her because of past family tragedy. And this trauma is what develops their relationship and brings them close making Yeojung her ally and "executioner".
This is only part 1, but it is already one of my favorites. I am exited to see where the story goes in part 2.
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Hatred, romance and hope
With the premise that I was myself victim of bullying (even though not this cruel), I must admit the satisfaction of this drama. From the absolutely relatable hatred towards the bullies to her strength to actually seek revenge, I've loved everything about "The Glory".The hope that the main character had in her adolescence made me rethink about my life: she was able to get out of that situation, and despite it all she became stronger day by day. I admire her so much, I wouldn't be able to save myself, especially if I was completely alone like her.
Apart from this, she had the mental sanity and clarity to plan a revenge, which even though we can't properly see in this first season, we can foreshadow it'll be fantastic. She remained strong even when confronting her bullies face to face, so strong that didn't snap and kill them right there and then. Even though, my personal opinion, it would've satisfied my need.
Although it was a very difficult journey she stayed loyal to her feelings of hatred and fury.
I love this kind of dramas, where the protagonist's only purpose in life is revenge. It shows that no life is pitiful, just different from ours. It dimonstrates that someone is born to accomplish great things, while others are born to live a miserable life. While the first ones are who, regardless of their dreams, purposes or positive or negative attitude towards life, usually achieve important aims (wether these will be economic or whatever), the latters are those who think everything and everyone own them, that they will conduct a happy life 'cause they have power and money to spend.
Our Dong-eun surely is one of those who are born to accomplish great things: in her case, revenge. There's something else that I love and admire of this types of dramas: the main characters don't have anything else to do after their plans end. Their "main task" is finished, so what do they do now? Either living in regrets for what they've done, or feeling relieved and trying to heal their wounds, or again just surviving until the day they'll die. I think however a character decides to carry on they're heroes nonetheless.
I honestly hope Dong-eun will focus more on her life and how to live as a (approximately, 'cause this kind of wounds will never heal completely) normal person, maybe with Yeo-jeong by her side. This is the kind of happy ending I hope she will get, along with all those people who are living the same hell, 'cause we all know there are more than what we are ready to admit.
Yeo-jeong is that kind of man who makes you feel loved and cared for even in your darkest times, even when you've lost hope in everything and everyone else. He's that kind of man that stays loyal until the very end and will do anything for you and your well-being. But he's also someone who can pretty much relate to Dong-eun's pain, even if for another reason (which is still incomplete in the first season).
They're two broken pieces of a picture, and together they form an artwork, a delightful painting. Maybe with too many dark colors around the edges, but I'm sure when they mix together they create those beautiful lights. They're just perfect for each other and I'm here for it.
Now, apart from the storyline, which is too complex but at the same time satisfying, the acting was superb. Just a look at the cast and I was sure it was going to be perfect. Even Jung Ji-so was amazing: her parts weren't surely the easiest! She portrayed her character so good that she got me goosebumps. It must've been hard...
Overall I'm giving a 9.5. That 0.5? Well, maybe the soundtracks... While they were perfect for the drama, I thought maybe something else would've gotten more effect. And you're asking why the rewatch value is lower than the rest? That's because I wouldn't be able to watch it a second time: too cruel. The first time is already traumatizing, I don't think I need to see it a second time.
And finally, just a last comment: I'm fortunate to have started and finished it when the second season is already out, 'cause otherwise I couldn't have waited that much to see how it would've ended.
One of the best revenge-plot dramas ever!
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1st half may be difficult for victims of bullying but the second half (revenge) makes it worth it
9.5/10 is my rating. This is a 2022/2023 South Korean psychological thriller with revenge as a primary driver for the main character. There are 16, 47-72 minute episodes in two parts. The first part comprises the first eight episodes which is primarily where the revenge is set up. The last eight episodes center around enacting the revenge.First I provide a unique synopsis then I review.
Synopsis
The entire story consists of multiple instances of true life bullying and revenge incidents. It is all based on true occurrences but not all of any one but rather elements of multiple true occurrences all melded into one. It is representational of the full range of bullying and provides an example of the most extreme cases. In this story, Moon Dong eun (Song Hye kyo) survived her school years most likely by dropping out of school at a critical moment to survive the bullies. Others that were targets of the same group of bullies were not so lucky. Her entire life after that is centered around earning enough money, and putting herself in the correct position to exact revenge on those that caused such suffering and misery. She bears the permanent physical and emotional scars of the actions of this bully group. She becomes a teacher and steers the situation so she is assigned as the homeroom teacher of the leader of the bullies’, Park Yeon jin’s (Lim Ji yeon), daughter. From that position, which puts her in close contact with her targets, she plays out her revenge. By fate or chance she meets Joo Yeo Jeong (Lee Do hyun) who falls in love with the troubled and mysterious Dong eun and offers to help her after seeing and learning the horrible things that were done to her. Kang Hyeon nam (Yeom Hye ran) is a housekeeper in the home of one of the subjects of Dong eun’s interest. Heyeon nam catches Dong Eun collecting and going through the garbage for clues and strikes a deal for mutual benefit. Dong eun is at first unwilling to accept the true friendship and caring from others as she is so damaged from her past. But as she widens her circle of supporters to help in punishing those who were not punished by the adults at the time, she begins to heal emotionally. Karma is coming to those that bullied helpless and innocent victims in the form of Dong eun. Can she survive her own revenge?
Review
This is hands down the best revenge show I have watched. For anyone that has been bullied or been in an environment where there are lots of bullies, this will definitely resonate. For me those parts were hard to watch because I am an empath to begin with but also because I was involved in a situation where I was minimally bullied where someone else was bullied so severely it drove them crazy and they wound up on drugs, out of their mind, and ran over a bunch of people on a sidewalk and they are now in prison. I did my best, when that was happening to protect that person but, as the show portrays, it is hard to effectively protect anyone when you are one of their targets. But that was not physical bullying like this show had where it was severe physical bullying with a psychological component.
The acting in this is phenomenal by both those playing the bullies, the victims and just everyone. It does roughly follow where the first eight episodes (first half) sets the stage and tells about the past, and the final eight are focused on the revenge aspects. I delayed watching it because I wasn’t sure how well I could take watching the severe bullying, as when something like that happens to you it is not something you ever fully forget or recover from, so I thought it might be too emotionally upsetting for me. But it is just mainly those first episodes and the way she gets her revenge is so satisfying.
In sum, I highly recommend this for anyone that likes the revenge trope. I would rewatch it readily if it was on as there is a lot of depth to it
Spoilers
The main detractors for me were some unnecessary things people did. I think what I liked the least was that the main bullies’ spouse, who had been a very likable character nearly to the end, wound up murdering his wife’s lover. The guy was a part of the bully group, and had done some horrible things, but that did not excuse him pushing him, now blind, off a building into a vat of cement. I did not want to see the little girl with her murderous mom, psychotic grandmother, nor her sociopath father and thought I would be glad to see her going with the father she grew up with, but he did that and I was like great she is still being raised by a murderer. I know they were alluding that he did it so the real dad would not continue to bother them, but that is no excuse to murder someone.
The other senseless murder was when the girl that was the main bullies’ assistant, finished off the injured, long haired, boy bully. It showed he had raped her and they all were obviously still bullying her, but murdering him by making that final blow took her from a sympathetic character to a person willing to murder someone when they were helpless. If he had been actively attacking her again I could have sympathized but it was not an act of self defense at that moment. It did not feel as good that the main bully went down framed with a murder she may not have committed. They were trying for an even deeper revenge, because of the irony that she is serving time for a murder one of her victims committed, but I thought there was plenty of opportunity for her to go down for the murder without turning the victim into a murderer. And it is based on true events, not a record of true events, so it isn’t like that was the way it really happened.
The other detractor, for me, was Do Hyun’s suicide attempt at near the end. During the bullying, at her young age, it showed a suicide attempt and I think they were trying to show that suicide was always an option for her and now she accomplished her revenge why not? She herself should have known how much that would hurt Yeo jeong. I mean I would hope she would know how much that would hurt all of the friends she had, however reluctantly, developed. it is just such a selfish act I have a hard time sympathizing. And, if she had gone through with it, it would have reversed a lot of her revenge as her main bully would have used it as a way to vindicate some of her actions. Like see “she was always like that.” I unfortunately know that is likely how that would play out as I spoke with the bully that drove the girl crazy and to prison and asked her about that incident and she pretty said “I know isn’t she crazy?” It was apparent from the very gleeful way she said it, that she was pleased with the outcome and did not feel any personal responsibility for the end result. That bully group destroyed one life and was, in my opinion, partially responsible for the death and injury that person that was bullied caused.
It would have been nice to have seen the main couple together longer than just the tail end of the last episode. Some say the romance element was completely unnecessary but I enjoyed the angel that two people with psychological scars can find healing in each other.
I think they left it open for another season by showing the male and female lead enter the prison where it was apparent they planned to exact revenge against the person who murdered the male lead’s father. And that wasn’t a bad way to end it. It didn’t wrap up that particular piece but that was okay because it wasn’t what we were there for anyway. Streaming platforms like to keep the piggy banks open and often end things very unclear. In this case that one piece was not even completely unclear. We know enough about our main girl by now that we can be sure she will help him get his full revenge.
#SongHyeKyo
#TheGlory
#LimJiYeon
#LeeDoHyun
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Why?
I love reason one of the show. It was very tough to watch at first because it was so violent and real. The second season has become Americanized. Instead of sticking to a really good story, they turn to using intense swearing and sexual situations when it was not even necessary. I watch k-dramas because the stories and acting are great most of the time. They lost themselves in the second season on the slippery slip to crudeness for attention instead of an intense , great statement about life in bullying.Was this review helpful to you?
The best drama
The best drama I've watched, it deals with very heavy themes and has very heavy scenes that make you feel the protagonist's pain and understand her. the exciting plot that leaves you curious with the desire to watch more and more chapters. I wanted a new season so much........
The best drama I've watched, it deals with very heavy themes and has very heavy scenes that make you feel the protagonist's pain and understand her. the exciting plot that leaves you curious with the desire to watch more and more chapters. I wanted a new season so much.
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Great show but I didn't like it as much as I wanted to
Dong-eun is cold, mysterious, and incredibly clever. This makes for an addictive watch because she constantly keeps you guessing.If you’re the sort who loves clever schemes, this first season may also prove to be slightly disappointing. While Dong-eun’s plans were elaborate and highly complex, nothing about it was particularly clever in the first installment. In fact, parts of the revenge plot didn’t really make much sense in terms of the execution and timing (just too perfectly coincidental). But okay, I won’t nitpick the specifics.
Although audiences are meant to be rooting for Dong-eun, I didn’t really have any strong feelings about her in this season. There were other stronger characters, like Yeo-jeong (the young medical doctor) and heyonnam (the housekeeper), who I found really interesting.
Overall, I found The Glory a little absurd and unrealistic for my liking at times, but there were sufficiently compelling characters and cliffhangers to keep me invested until the end of it so this was definitely worth the watch.
Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/02/01/the-glory-2022-season-1/
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Depraved manipulation
Before I begin, I would like to address the plague of 10 star reviews on this site. What's the point of giving everything you watch and moderately think is ok 10 stars? It makes all reviews, yours and others completely meaningless. My Mister is the only drama I would give 10's across the board to as it is arguably one of the greatest works of art ever made. But if everything you like is a ten, then the whole exercise is pointless. I never read 10 star reviews because these people are simply untrustworthy shills and attention seekersRant over
This story shows the physical and physcholological torture of a high school girl at the hands of her sick and twisted classmates. The girl is further tortured and humiliated by the school principals who side with the sadistic students because it would reflect poorly on them if they allowed her reports of abuse to go forward. The show itself is sick and twisted and manipulative and cruel. This completely unrealistic and over the top introduction is supposed to set up the subsequent revenge plot coming in the next 16 episodes, with last 8 episodes to come in a later 2nd season, so even if you start watching this now, there will be no payoff till much later, so why bother? Why tourture oneself with this garbage? Dropped after 1/2 episode.
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