The Worst of Evil (2023)

The best Crime Korean Drama of the year!! (Drug related/ Gang's / Action Packed/ Bromance 100%)

I'll keep it short as always.
When I started this drama I thought it would be the good old generic stuff that already exists... To my surprise it was actually quite different and new in terms of what I've seen in modern drama. I loved how easy it was to follow the plot and how creatively the characters were set. Story was very enjoyable. This drama is a definite MUST WATCH from me. Also the tension between the male lead and the second female lead was too good!!! I was actually more interested in their "business" in some of the later episodes.

Lastly I don't think everyone would agree with my opinion on this but I think the ending was actually perfect for once... It didn't make me feel empty and needing more when it ended. I mean of course I wanted to see the ML and the second FL meet again but it was more of a fantasy on my end😂. Also the main FL was just a there as a prop. Literally didn't serve a purpose than to annoy the both the ML's with the lackluster "romance".

This drama was definitely one of the best this year when it comes to Crime Drama's related to drugs and gangs and the action and fights and gore was done perfectly. Definitely a ✅ form me!

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Wasted potential ... could have been mind-blowing great

I have a different take on this as many others.
First, I had a hard time getting into the story, mostly because I disliked the cop's acting so much. Not Ji Chang Wook's acting, but the character's acting. He was supposed to be a cop, not an actor, but this was still extremely annoying. He behaved like some hot headed, not very smart brat that wanted revenge. I have no idea how the mafia boss could trust him. Every time he opened his mouth, he sounded so damn fishy. He was impatient and pushy. It made zero sense that the mafia boss kept him around and trusted him. He did try to dig up his past, and he remained cautious of him, but it wasn't enough. I know he was blinded, since he trusted the woman, and she knew his new subordinate. But the mafia boss was too weak. I honestly don't recall a single scene where I felt he is that fierce, dangerous and murderous guy he was supposed to be. Or maybe I just wanted him to be like that. Honestly, he was soft and composed most of the time. The more the story progressed, the stranger it felt, when the cop called him "boss", because they changed their positions. It 100% felt like the cop was the "boss" and not the other way around. So for me, this was a major flaw in the story, that the mafia boss was too soft and too trustworthy. After all, he build a big business, so I expected him to be smarter and more ruthless.
Second, and that's the biggest problem I have with this series: It was not possible to understand what those characters felt for each other. People praise the acting in this series, yes, it felt intense, but was it really that good? I don't blame the actors, more the director or writer, because I assume it was intentional. But there was no real depth in their performance, no real connection between the characters.
So let me go into detail: We have 4 main characters and main relationships.
** The relationship between the wife's cop and the mafia boss **
I never felt for a single moment that she genuinely liked him (in a romantic way). I felt she had some positive emotions towards him since she knew him for so long, and she remembered him when he was young. There was some nostalgia involved. But that woman was so damn plain and everything about her was boring. She was just looking pretty the whole time with that soft expression on her face. The relationship between her and the mafia boss was very creepy. I honestly have no idea how he could think this would work out since she is a cop. He should have known, she is not that naive. What she witnessed - how could she ever be okay with it? Those two together on screen made me uncomfortable. But then at the end, she was desperately sobbing? What were the writers trying to tell us? Was she sad for herself and what she did?
** The relationship between the cop and the drug cartel girl **
That was the only relationship where I felt there was something genuine going on. He even admitted at some point (and I believed it), that he may like her even more in the future. But the focus was on his emotions and his struggle to give in since he is married. So there was not enough room to really develop this relationship. I also didn't understand why the girl liked him in the first place. The qualities of his mafia persona were being loyal, she called him a "soldier". Well, he is attractive, that may have helped. The girl came across very smart and tough, despite being a small and beautiful woman. So it ruined her character that she failed her job so badly, just because she trusted that guy (who wasn't trustworthy at all). I felt in love with Ji Chang Wook watching K2, but in this series he wasn't attractive all (not physically, but his whole personality and attitude). So it's even harder to understand why she was so into him.
** The relationship between the two guys **
I disliked the cop from the beginning to the end. He wasn't a good guy. He was a cop, and he was hesitant to kill people = good guy? For that damn promotion, he was willing to do everything. And don't get me started about that bloodbath, because then it was clear who the real monster was. They made it look like he did all of it to protect his wife, bust since there was no chemistry between those two, it was just hard to believe. Not to mention that he let that guy die in this alley, when he could have called an ambulance. He would make a good gangster! That the mafia boss decided to make him the new boss wasn't that far-fetched, I may admit it. It's true the cop got things done, he wasn't murderous, he kept a clear head even in difficult times, and he was a hell of a fighter. Still, he was fishy and unlikable until the end. Those two had not a single genuine (!!!) bromance moment. It was the naive mafia boss who reached out to him emotionally and was open with him.
** The relationship between the cop and his wife **
There is not much to say about this: boring, no spark, no chemistry. I couldn't sense any love here, it was more like some obligation. They could have made her his sister, wouldn't change anything. But they deserve each other, that's for sure. And they deserve their fate. I was applauding (not crying) at the end. Serves them right. They shall feel guilty as long as they live. Despicable human beings. All of them. Until the end I have no idea - and not because I don't get it, nope, it wasn't shown clearly - what the cop and his wife felt for the mafia boss. How they reacted to his death, why the cop shot him in the first place. I read different theories, none makes much sense. I personally think, he just did it, so he can get the promotion since he caught the mafia guy. Sounds better than: He came to my home and shot himself in the head.
So to sum it up: The mafia boss was too naive. The supposedly good guys not good at all and not likable. I couldn't root for them, also the other cops. They made a big deal out of the death of one of those cops, when that guy also was such an annoying and unlikable character, and we didn't even know much about him. And the drug cartel girl was blinded by love, which made her look rather stupid.
Yeah ... I don't know. The cinematography was great, the actions scenes too, everything was intense and interesting, the pace was just right, the music was great. It was a very intriguing experience, and not a bad series at all, hence my high rating. But I'm not head over heels in love with it, because there was potential for a really, really good bromance, and for three really intense love stories. But they didn't go there. Nope. None of those relationships felt genuine, deep, or passionate. You just couldn't feel much love here, despite "love" being the downfall of the supposedly bad guys.
While I'm writing this, it really hit me hard, what this series could have been. Just make the cop more emotional, more of a good guy, so his "change" into a monster is more heart-breaking, make his wife less plain, and this could have been a wonderful series that would make me sob like a baby at the end. I didn't dislike the end at all, but it had not the emotional impact on me, it could have had.

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The show is a must watch

The drama was actually well written and crafted. In any words the acting, story, the dialogues and the angles it was shot was heavenly good. I would say the show wasn't dragged or the ending wasn't minced to mould the viewer's mindset. The writers had this planned from the beginning to end this the way it is. The way it showed none of the characters involved got away with peace and lived happily shows that how much worthy the show is and it was meant to leave a desirable impression.
About the cast - as always ji chang wook has been my favorite since forever and he deserves it all. My boy has got some serious acting chops in him. I dont know it is with ji only or others I always notice the small details in his acting like twitching his face or fluttering his eyes or having those minute expressions. This happens when you are really into the character or you are masterclass in it, no doubt he is. More to say but yeah... and about other cast they were really good too. Ha joon, Im semi and bibi were great. along with the other gangster were so good. the scene where gicheul's parters leaves their 20 yera friendship and cries and the moment. you can see how good of an actor he was. an actual acting fest and utterly revised script


So hurry and watch it if haven't

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The Worst of Evil is Betrayal

At some points throughout the beginning and middle of the drama I wanted to drop it but something always captured my attention. The last two episodes were tense, I was on the edge of my seat - anticipating the entire time.

At first I didn't want to accept the ending but the more I thought about it, this is as real as it can get.

Ji ChangWook and Wi HaJoon did extremely well with portraying their characters.

I would also like to commend Lee ShinKi (Chief Seo). I look forward to seeing him in more roles. As well as BiBi, she did so well for what I believe is her first time acting (?i'm not sure). I'm so proud of her.

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Very addictive

I really loved this drama and watched it really quickly. As always, Ji Chang Wook is a masterpiece, Bibi's character felt just like her but not like her at the same time, and Wi Ha Joon was great, too. I completely forgot he was meant to be the bad guy, to be honest.

The only thing I didn't like was the very last episode. I'll be honest, I didn't like the ending. There was one particular decision made that made me think "WHY??" but maybe some people understood why he did it better than me. I liked that the ending was realistic between Junmo and Euijung, though.

Overall, I'd recommend it! 👍🏻

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I think it was really good series <3

I think it was really good series <3
The drama made me think soo much for every minute I was watching. The tensions between the main leads (wi ha joon, ji Chang wook , Im se mi, Bibi) it was really interesting and thrilling. This series really has a good story line , although you will think it pretty obvious but actually it wasn't!

The show was mostly focused on the development between our undercover officer junmo and the drug dealer jung gi cheol which is really nice to watch ...
The action scenes were just Chef's Kiss , they were soo nicely directed and acted cuz while watching the bloody scenes I was feeling soo tensed therefore it didn't got me bored also ...
I would recommend this drama to the people who like to watch action scenes and yes this drama will teach you the real meaning the word 'Betrayal'

SPOILER ALERT (READ THIS ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE WATCHED THE DRAMA) I think people are targeting the female lead too much but why don't they see that junmo was also helping Lee hae ryeun to escape the country. And also the ending where people thought that the divorce scene was unnecessary but it was really important as they should pay for their sins for playing with someone's heart then it doesn't matter what your job is !!

I really enjoyed this drama, if you love JCW then you should definitely give it a try 😉

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Real drama of 90s - Chang Wook amazing transformation

I think it is the most realistic drama I had seen. The production is great and the atmosphere of the 90s is so real. I love both ML leads. They have done great job.

I love the development of Seung Ho and his fenomenal transformation from cop to thug as he really became one. And build thrue friendship with Ki Chul. Also Hae Ryeon character was great and she was the main character to comparation to Eui Jung as her character/acting did not left any expression on me.

Despite it has sad ending, I have to say it is great ending. Everyone gets what they deserve. Specially the fat cop as he was the most enoying character ever. I felt quite bad for Chul as he put his trust to wrong people and because of that he lost everything and everyone betrayed him. I could see the pain in his eyes as he confronts them and he had nothing to live for anymore.

I wish they could walk together through the streets of Gangnam forever. That last seen made me quite emotional.

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Neo Noir done in a pop culture friendly way

"A Pyrrhic victory is a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat. Such a victory negates any true sense of achievement or damages long-term progress."

The Worst of Evil is truly a study of the psychology of a Pyrrhic victory.

It is a very , very, good watch and nothing to sniff at. I applaud the ease of the theme presentation and the accessibility of the watch , something that is very hard to do with morally ambiguous characters but this drama nailed it .

The watch is strenuous and far from a kick back watch . It is unrelenting in its brawn and dark in its resolve . I highly appreciate how all that unflinching and unrelenting darkness never let up for a second and was beautifully woven in the music , the acting and the dialogue.

I rate it an 8.5 because its definitely more than good but there is really nothing new being explored here. Its exploration is also not that novel but for what it is- its a wonderful drama worth a watch with standout performances by Ji Chang Wook, Bibi and Im Se Mi. I was not particularly blown away by Wi Ha Joon as I should have . I think he doesn't have the depth just yet to handle 4D characters like the gangster Jang Gicheul. I think a Woo Do Hwan (since they have a similar look) would have delivered that heart wrenching humanity coupled with a searing darkness. Wi Ha Joon made it very obvious he was playing a role.

Other than that - a very enjoyable drama with a lot of tension and thought provocation and soul stirring moments.

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A Gripping Drama with Ji Chang Wook's Stellar Performance

Worst of Evil is a drama that managed to exceed my expectations, largely thanks to Ji Chang Wook's phenomenal performance. Once again, he showcased his incredible acting range, breathing life into his character in a way that captivated me from the start. His ability to convey deep emotions and transform into his role so effortlessly is truly impressive. The drama itself kept me on the edge of my seat with each episode, fueling my curiosity and driving me to keep watching to see what unfolds next.

Admittedly, I'm usually not a huge fan of shows that lean heavily on realism, preferring more escapist themes in my viewing choices. However, this drama utilises realism in such an effective and compelling manner that it added to the show's intensity and depth, rather than detracting from it. The realistic portrayal of its themes and characters gave the story a grounding in reality that made it all the more engaging. This drama has proven to be an exceptional watch, skillfully blending stellar acting, suspenseful storytelling, and a thought-provoking use of realism.

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"If you come for the king, you'd best come to win." - Machiavelli, from "The Prince."

A brief summary of Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince" might be... The aims of princes – such as glory and survival – that can justify the use of immoral means to achieve those ends, that's what encapsulated the character Park Joon Mo for me in The Worst of Evil.

Gritty, Dark and Bloody beautiful with soul to it. That is the essence of this series for me, what at first sight seemed interesting quickly turned to something i regret finishing. All the actors hired for these roles were top-notch, perfect. The story? Has you by the throat and when you think its loosening the grip it has on you.. It's over. With outstanding cinematography, music that fits the setting and time, this K-noir will thoroughly impress you.

Can the story be predictable at times ? Yes. But let hat not stop you from immersing yourself into it and by the end you'll be hurt by the decisions these characters take, althought the title gives it away. It's really "The Worst of Evil".

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Not Like Your Typical Thriller KDrama

If I'm being honest, I watched this without knowing anything besides the fact that Wi Ha Joon was in it. Bro, go watch it. It's so good and the story, characters, and production is very inspiring. The cast is perfect, the story is perfect. The ending is also really impactful, and you can take in a lot from this drama. I can't even describe how I felt after watching it. Usually after finishing a drama, I would want there to be more in the story. But the ending felt empty but complete, not in a bad way. The actors made me feel some type of way, especially Wi Ha Joon. The story his character had and how he interprets Jung Ki Chul is the best. (Also, very attractive). But anyways, 10/10 for sure and totally recommend because the story isn't basic, and the writing is far from bad.

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