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The Glory of Song Hye Kyo
March 10, 2023WHOA what a fantastic ending for this series. Imma give a point form review cause I already said so much in the S1.
Waited so long for season 2 and I binged it in a day.
No heroic ending. Im living for the morally gray character for revenge. No stupid plot twist for our FL>>>
FL and ML were such a great duo. Though, the minimal romance was okay for me. I wish we had more but I get it since it is not the main plot of this story.
Fulfilling and satisfying. PLOT IS FUCKING FANTASTIC. Not a single bully was spared. LETS FUCKING GO.
Greatly recommend. 10/10
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Caught up in its own cliché but ending was satisfying enough
The conclusion for the series is finally here and to be honest, it was caught up in its own cliché for quite a while as it continues its buildup upon buildup. The breakthrough only comes at the last two episodes but luckily the ending is sophisticated enough to provide a satisfying ending. The resolution is almost seamless even though the plot is highly complex and that's great, it's just that the lack of suspense is evident throughout the whole drama when everything is done as a matter of course.Was this review helpful to you?
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A pure letdown in Part 2 [ NOT RECOMMENDED ]
wtf was that happy ass shit ending... although even if they did a happy ending the point is- Moon dong eun did not make Hyon Jin suffer exactly, she just collected evidence and submitted it to the police. the point is if she wanted to do that... what was the point of showing us the bs journey since Ep1. I literally thought it'd be some promising anime like dark show, but she did not cause enough chaos in the storyline, and it is just a pure letdown. any random victim will report to the police... that fact that the show portrayed that was sort of her "big plan" is so so misleading. just wasted my time for nothing watching this.Was this review helpful to you?
Let´s Appreciate Dong-Eun´s Glory
This has been a hell of a ride, but that did not disappoint me. I had desperately waited for the release of the second part, and I have found myself satisfied with how the story went on. An incredibly difficult story to portray and produce by the director and their crew, but also for the actors and actresses. Their performance was overwhelming and splendid. I loved how deep the glimpse into the rotten souls of the antagonists was. I wish that shows with topics like this could always go viral, so that the range of attention for this cruelty can be spread nationally and internationally - keeping bullies more under control and maybe even reaching their conscience. The smallest effect of a show about bullying on society is already something treasurable. That is exactly why I´m glad The Glory went viral. I couldn´t be happier with Dong-Eun´s Glory. What about you?Was this review helpful to you?
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Well-made, bingeable cheese
Something that frustrates me about a lot of K-dramas is when they create over-the-top, detestable, evil villains that you love to hate, and in the end, they barely get any punishment. Worst of all, the protagonist actually ends up forgiving them in the end.Well, you don't have to worry about that here. The show gives you lots of real hateful villains, and thankfully they pretty much all get their just deserts in the end.
Another good thing about this show is that it's really addictive and bingeable. It moves along and keeps you watching.
Now for the bad. The characters and situations are very cartoonish. The villains don't seem very human, and you can't relate to them at all, because there seems to be no motivation for all their psychotic sadism.
And at the center of it all, Song Hye-kyo makes for a pretty weak main actress. She was a cold fish. I never felt any anger or intensity from her at all. Even those PTSD scenes I thought were kind of awkward and not well done. I wasn't too impressed with Lee Do-hyun either. Both of these leads were pretty bland.
Also, there were long stretches when not much happened. They could have shortened the series by maybe 4 episodes, and it would have fit the plot much more economically.
Overall, it was fairly entertaining, but I'm not going to remember much about it in a month or 2.
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A part of me wants a sequel
I guess this is an unpopular opinion of mine but after giggling, crying, smiling, and all the feels, I wanted more of them. I just love watching them planning and the same time being lovers while doing revenges. The real definition of partners in crime.The story we know is rampant in kdramas but this time a different flavor and I love that.
A strong storytelling, and great ending. No questions unanswered.
Of course Lee Do Hyun surely did a great job, no surprise at all. He is one of the great actor in korea in my opinion. He knows what to pick a show by the way. His filmography is great and vast.
I know Song Hye Kyo is a great actress also, actually its my first time watching her, apologies queen yeah I didn't watch DOTS yet and her some famous works but right now will check it out!.
The music is good in every scene and ending.
Surely will rewatch this. I miss them atm. Really recommendable.
PS. So excited for LDH's and SHK's new dramas! <3
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A worthy successor
I`d like to pose a cautionary reference/grade if you will:I have obviously seen "The Glory: Part One" and rated it a 7,5.My rating hasn`t changed since then,but I haven`t written a dedicated review for it.
Secondly,as I do with all my reviews,I`d like to congratulate every actor,director,writer,down to every staff member for participating in the making of this drama.Creating a drama is hard and the effort should be recognized accordingly.
With that out of the way,I can begin my review properly.
I`m starting off my review of "The Glory: Part Two" by listing what I did like in this revenge fueled,mean spirited but fun journey.The villains:Park Yeon Jin,Jeon Jae Joon,Choi Hye Jeong,Song Myeong Oh and Lee Sa Ra,played by Lim Ji Yeon,Park Sung Hoon,Cha Joo Young,Kim Gun Woo and Kim Hi Oera,respectively.I don`t know if it`s wrong to like this bully bunch,but if it is,I don`t wanna be right.I absolutely believe "The Glory" would be nothing without its antagonists.Despite some overdramatic mishaps and holes in writing(later on that),every one of them never cuts corners.They decided to work for that paycheck and it shows.Absolute delight and I hope to see more of them in future projects,especially Cha Joo Young,my personal favorite.
Not to mention,Jung Sung Il as Ha Do Yeong.The best acting job,besides Yeom Hye Ran as Kang Hyeon Nam,positive,albeit somewhat tragic assistant of our protagonist.When I think about who most naturally adapted to their character,it`d definitely be these two.In fact,I wanted even more of them.A lot more that we got.
Another point would be in regards to cinematography.As with most Netflix backed projects,it looks great.The colors pop when they need to and it`s appropriately somber at times.As it should be.The tones were conveyed competently,including the OST,which never felt out of place.Also,the ending was actually satisfying and in today`s KDrama climate,that`s something to applaud.Not only that,but this drama has some very memorable scenes,courtesy of its antagonists mostly.
What the first part probably has over the sequel(which,one thing:This drama should NOT have been separated into two seasons.I get why it was done ahem,but there`s no actual benefit for the viewer in this separation) is the novelty and writing.Despite this having a lot more action,it FELT a lot slower and in parts,the pacing suffered greatly.Like some stated before,some important characterization and logic were sacrificed in favor of a very subpar romance.Also,as I praised the villains,I did praise their actors.The way they dumbed them down in the script,however,I`d have to mention here.Yeon Jin in particular is greatly wounded by the `convenience over logic` trope.I won`t spoil it for you,but on more than one occasion,she made choices her character wouldn`t commit in that way.And the excuse of `she panicked` very much feels like a cop out in this case.While I mentioned how the ending was good,and it was,make no mistake,I don`t feel like it was achieved thanks to our glorious revenge,as much as luck and having the right connections,so to speak.Like I also noted,Ha Do Yeong should`ve had a bigger role and impact.I`d take his character over Lee Do Hyun`s any day,and I,like many,have a soft spot for Lee Do Hyun.
Guess this is as good of a segue as any:What I can observe as a viewer who enjoyed this drama well enough,is that both Moon Dong Eun,our beautiful,tortured and determined lead and Joo Yeo Jeong,a sweet albeit,distanced plastic surgeon,her headsman and love interest,are played...adequately.Here`s the thing:Besides her beauty and "Full House",it always seemed to me Song Hye Kyo was holding back.Her expressions,intonations,body language...like in previous projects,it`s also felt here.In a smaller measure,to be quite honest,there are moments I thought she was legitimately good.But it always seems to me like she`s afraid to unleash her potential in full capacity.Yeom Hye Ran is a great example of what I mean.That woman can ACT and she does that.I always get immersed in her characters.
As for Lee Do Hyun,he`s been,unfortunately typecast once again,as a somewhat inoffensive,warm hearted younger male lead to a colder,more intellectually driven older female lead.He`s never really TRIED to get lost in a character he plays,but their romance here is very,very underwhelming and kind of even one note,and a fair chunk of the runtime is given to it.So that`s why it`s even more of a surprise.
Finally,I have to repeat myself:I do think this is a GOOD drama.I`m a sucker for revenge themes in my media,in general.It`s just now,to me,more obvious what can be improved upon whereas the First Part was able to hide those cracks just a bit better.
A story that can,at times,leaving you wanting more,still was an entertaining ride. I`d recommend this drama,just manage your expectations,based on generous reviews left by others.
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The supporting casts truly outshines the leads...
I hardly watch Song Hye Kyo's shows and The Glory is probably her first show i had ever watched. I would say it was a great switch up for her from pretty roles to a traumatic role. She was able to convey the tough emotions pretty well. She is such a hardworking actress and to think that she has to move on with her real life after a difficult divorce and public-shaming period, Song Hye Kyo is definitely an admirable woman and an actress. However, i feel that screenwriter Kim Eun Sook has probably added too many supporting actors and actresses that kind of outshines Song Hye Kyo's character.I mean do you really need 5 villians in one show. Probably 1 biggest bully and 2 bully-sidekicks so that each character can have more space to grow...get what i mean?
My favourite characters are:
Yeom Hye Ran as Kang Hyun Nam>>>>>>> A mother's love for her daughter finding a respite in Moon Dong Eun's revenge plan. She's pitiful and yet adorable at times.
Park Sung Hoon as Jeon Jae Joon>>>>>> Very convincing and wholesome character
Jung Sung Il as Ha Do Young >>>>>> Kim Eun Sook could have developed the complicated relationship between Ha Do Young and Moon Dong Eun.
The character which i feel most redundant in this show is none other than
Lee Do Hyun as Joo Yeo Jung.
Lee Do Hyun seems like a great actor and i feel Lee Do Hyun's story (in The Glory) can stand on it's own in his own new Kdrama. But why does Kim Eun Sook put in Lee Do Hyun for the Glory. Moon Dong Eun does not need this person to complete her revenge plan. Most of the time Lee Do Hyun looked like a high school kid in the show. It was so hard to visualise him neither as Moon Dong Eun's partner or a doctor. The role just doesn't suit him. Kim Eun Sook could just take him out and develop the relationship between Moon Dong Eun and Ha Do Young. Ha Do Young's character was so wasted.
There was zero chemistry between Song Hye Kyo and Lee Do Hyun. I don't feel that they love each other. It was awkward.
I hope casting directors stop throwing in handsome faces to boost ratings....at least consider their chemistry first...
Moon Dong Eun needs a more matured and clear headed partner to support her instead.
Kim Eun Sook goes on and on about how Song Hye Kyo inspires her for the story and yet in the end, all the villans in the show outshined Song Hye Kyo.....T_T
I don't think the ending was satisfying or well played out.
But thanks to Lee Do Hyun and Im Ji Yeon's dating news that give more spotlight to The Glory.
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wasted potential
This has so so soo much potential! but they completely wasted it. The revenges felt lacklustre. The protagonist has one expression throughout the episodes. The only saving grace of this show were the villains, the male lead, and... really nothing else. definitely does not deserve the hype it got.it started off great. The entire set-up, the hype, the suspense, the pain - all wonderful. The child actors were simply outstanding. However, then the writers just sort of... gave up? that's the most decent way I can put it. Not an ounce of creativity went into designing what the plot would actually look like post the flashbacks. And just like the makers, I've lost interest in writing this review. Save your time and watch Mouse, Defendant, The Devil Judge, The Penthouse, Beyond Evil instead. Seriously, go watch literally other than this overhyped mess.
Also, rewatch rating is 0 but that's not possible to select on MDL
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Satisfying but not a masterpiece
When I first heard about this show and saw some clips online, I was so hyped to be mind-blowing. I was promised a mastermind revenge plan but it was a lot of dumb luck and coincidences.The first part was good. I took it more as the introduction so I wasn't very critical about it but if I had to choose I certainly liked part 1 more.
We don't even see our mc dong eun much in this part. It's mostly the internal feud that causes all the characters downfall. Some tthings where very unbelievable too like how was one person able to spy on so many people? I hope we where given more of moon dong eun's pov about how she foresaw what will happen between our villains.
The acting was pretty good! Especially Sara as a junkie and yeonjin as a bully. She really made me hate her so much.
Overall the end sad satisfying. Justice was served.
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This review may contain spoilers
Hauntingly perfect.
This drama was elixir to my soul.I am drawn to dark stories, but I am also subconsciously drawn to stories where self growth and worth are paramount.
I didn’t have a great experience at school. Going to a girls school in England really messes you up on some kind of level. Permanently. Even though time does heal, which this drama showed exquisitely.
So this drama, with its roots in school and unpleasant bullying, called to my inner child (who loved seeing karma in action).
The dramas ingredients of pain, pleasure, love, hate, kindness, karma, depression, anxiety, selfishness, naïveté were simultaneously balanced and unbalanced.
So, if anyone reading this is unsure about it, give it a try. It really is healing in the regard that you are fully satisfied at the shows conclusion. That is very rare.
I felt like it helped me on a personal level work through some of my issues and regrets from my formative years. I hope it does the same for you.
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illogical plot , weak victim , no worth to watch at all
I can’t note the high rating of this series just because the main character Moon Dong Eun took revenge on the offenders years later. She herself was also initially to blame for what happened to her.She had the opportunity to avoid what happened to her the first time, but she did not escape it. She had plenty of time to run away before they started torturing her, but she didn't leave.
Before they began to mock her, it was possible to understand their intentions and leave, but she remained and waited for what would happen next. When she was called for the 2nd and 3rd time, she also went, although an adequate person would not go knowing what happened to him after the 1st time. She was 18 years old at the time but she didn't even try to hit them back. She did not fight at all herself, for herself, despite the fact that everyone left her, her mother and teachers .. she did not change schools after the 1st time or did not engage in self-defense, is she really not to blame for herself? Her fault is that she herself did not fight for herself and for her salvation, but allowed them to treat her like that! Yes, of course their fault is paramount, a normal person would not do what they did but she did not even try to hit them back! So who is to blame? She is in front of herself.
And later, she also did not go to self-defense courses or did not go in for sports to fight back, but remained just as weak. It was a pity to look at the revenge of a weak person .. she did not become stronger. Yes, she got something, what she wanted, but she didn’t get better, and people like them can come across a lot in her life until she starts to defend herself and not wait for the aggressor to stop. He will not stop until he gives back in the same form in which he gets himself!
I didn’t like that the scriptwriters make the victims weak and lack of initiative .. is there a trend in Korea to be a toy or a rag and not defend themselves, but just cry? What kind of nonsense? Any normal person in that situation would have given on the head so, with those tongs, that it would not have seemed a little ..
It also suggests that they specifically do not teach girls to fight back there in Korea, judging by their films, because it is convenient for them to have dolls at hand and intimidate them.
The theme of revenge is quite primitive, to quarrel and set the aggressors among themselves and thus win. But this is if you are lucky to quarrel them, according to the plot, they also do not differ much in intelligence, like their victim, and are led to her entire plan. But she lost. She lost to herself at 18 by letting this happen to her. I don’t know, but at the age of 18 you need to have brains and you need to stand up for yourself, so the plot is rather illogical ..
So I don't see a masterpiece here. In fact, the girl is to blame for her lack of initiative towards herself and allowed a lot. And before taking revenge, someone needs to become stronger not only mentally but also physically so as not to break down on the way. One desire for revenge is not enough.
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