Actually I think that many do not know, that even the Chinese film is based on the book of "dangerous liaisons" written by Pierre in 1782, which had a movie in 1988 and a modern version in 1999 (which is one of my favorites ).

I couldn't give this review without telling you about the depth and complexity of the characters in the original book.

First, Soo Ji has a troubled past, which is not explained in the original novel but is implied. She is also evil in her own right, she is represented as a girl who is used to getting everything she wants. Perhaps many like her, and I say this in general, because she represents what a true femme fatal is. She goes against all morality, she controls men as she pleases, she is cynical and handles the power she has well but she also has this duality that she wants to be seen as a perfect person in the face of external look. She goes, let's say, very lightly in this version against the patriarchy and what she is expected to be.

Next we have Shi Hyun. A narcissistic man who is used to being a complete fuckboy. and he also has to have everything he wants. That's why he plays that bet with Soo Ji, because in some twisted way, on both of their parts, he wants to get the big prize. But as he usually happens, he falls into his own trap and falls in love with Eun Hee. Which complicates things because she doesn't want Eun Hee to find out that she was part of a game and she has to submit to Soo Jin's whims so that she doesn't get hurt (this can be seen in the scene where Eun Hee is dressed as red and humiliates her in front of everyone, against her wishes because he was being blackmailed by Soo Jin and he realizes that his "friends" are actually his enemies. And Woo Do knew how to handle this character very well. and everything, you could feel everything. Even her desperation.

Now we have Eun Hee, who is the complete opposite of Soo Jin, only she doesn't believe in love, because of her past with her mother. You could say that Joy is the most important low in terms of acting but I personally didn't think that. First because she had great chemistry with Woo Do, chemistry that I didn't feel between Woo Do and Ka Young (don't get me wrong, she is a great actress who can easily show any facet, from a pure girl to a complete villain), second because she really showed a lot of the resistance and doubts she had regarding Shi Hyun and third because there is a scene in particular that I liked a lot but others say that she couldn't "show " her pain to find out that she was part of a macabre bet between Shi Hyun's friends. But here's the point, Eun Hee always showed herself to be a strong woman, before she succumbed to Shi Hyun's deception, she was able to open up more and show that she also had a lot of pain and weaknesses, how would you act if you were in her place? I would act in the same cold and heartless way that she acted towards Shi Hyun. I wouldn't want a bastard to even see me cry, because he doesn't deserve it and he says things to Shi Hyun that destroy him. Because yes, I would also like them to go through what I went through. So even though you feel her pain, contempt and hatred, which Joy reflected very well in her features, she became the tough girl she was before. Because she wouldn't show her pain in front of Shi Hyun and Soo Ji. Even she maintains that position until almost the end of the story.

Lee's character was the one that seemed weakest to me, in terms of acting and character structure. He was only there to be Soo Ji's lapdog, I even wondered if he had really considered friend Shi Hyun from the beginning, because he was always very envious of the closeness between Shi Hyun and Soo Ji.

Perhaps what bothered me the most was that nothing significant happened to Soo Ji. She had no punishment for what she did. Shi Hyun had the punishment half done but the ending was so rushed that they left a lot of things unfinished at the end. Honestly, I did expect a real punishment for Soo Ji and that Shi Hyun would never have been forgiven for what he did to Eun Hee or die, as part of his punishment. Because the one who was always the victim was Eun Hee, none of them three.

Perhaps if it had been broadcast by another less conservative network we could have seen this less moral and ethical side, but well I agree that the performances were good, with the chemistry, the soundtrack is spectacular, the cinematography is not so glamorous but I liked it the opposite of the locker room between Soo Ji and Eun Hee, because it marked a solid social and also character difference.

You know, I wouldn't consider this drama as a Makjang because these things and gambling tend to happen a lot and more so in teenagers.
I have lived it.

It may not be the most extraordinary thing you see, but I do invite you to see it. Even if it has negative comments. Because I saw this drama when it was on air but I still think the same after almost 7 years hahaha I think you should judge things for yourself and not get carried away by so many negative comments. Because each person has different perspectives and tastes.