"Have you finished watching this title?" I guess I have technically but since this is only the first part of this story it feels like a trick question. This isn't a full review because this drama put itself on hold at least halfway through, which is annoying, but I will admit this is an intriguing and easily binge-able first half.

"The Glory" is a story about extreme bullying. The plot is pretty cliché as far as revenge thrillers about abuse go, but the intensity of the bullying definitely raises the stakes of the story. Song Hye Kyo plays revenge-obsessed Moon Dong Eun. Don't expect the charm of her earlier roles (like in "Full House"). This drama seems to fall under her new typecasting, which is the cold and bitter woman who is too traumatized to be truly happy (like in "Encounter" and "Now, We Are Breaking Up"). Dong Eun survives unimaginable circumstances so her coldness is justified and fits, but it can also feel a little redundant after a while. I prefer the few moments when she is enjoying taking revenge or at least showing some other emotion besides numbness.

The rest of the cast is mostly filled with a couple of interesting and likable characters with their own demons to manage and characters to despise. The villains are pretty one-dimensional, either spoiled sociopaths or obsessed with status. I guess they are convincing but just basic and predictable. My favorite characters so far are Yeom Hye Ran as Kang Hyun Nam, who has the most entertaining character transition, and Lee Do Hyun as Joo Yeo Jung who I feel like I was finally getting to see new and interesting sides of when season 1 ended. I hope these characters, and others key characters will have more depth and screen time in season 2. I also hope season 2 focuses less on setting up the plot and more on actual suspense and revenge in action.

There are a few too many flashbacks in season 1, but Jung Ji So as young Dong Eun is also excellent. I could see her playing the young and adult role quite effectively tbh.

I also fear that I may forget a lot of the details of the plot before season 2 starts.
Luckily I watched all 8 episodes in a day, just in case I need to rewatch to remember.

Overall, I wish I waited to watch this. Instead of an intense cliffhanger, I feel like I was rudely interrupted in the middle of them finally really starting the story. I want the satisfying feeling of watching people get what they deserve and I feel like I was cheated into waiting for a real payoff after having me sit through some pretty horrific and traumatic abuse scenes. "This Glory" definitely does a good job of setting up a lead you can empathize with, and enjoy her meticulous plotting, but the pace and interruption make me less enthusiastic about this drama for sure.

So I guess this is less of a review, and more a warning that starting this drama means committing to wait months to see how it finally ends. If you are a revenge drama binger more than an "on-air" wait and watcher I would definitely save this one for later. I personally wish I waited, but I believed the NetFlix hype while in between dramas. Song Hye Kyo fans are probably just happy to see her in another drama, so maybe that's enough of a reason for some to just watch now. I guess the Go game metaphor was supposed to teach us patience while watching but I don't know how to play so that's totally lost on me! lol! I just hope by the time season 2 comes out I will still care enough to watch.