Babysitter (2016)

Babysitter was a very interesting and thrilling show, not-too cliche, not boring and definitely shocking and unpredictable towards the end.

STORY
If i could place this show under a genre i would say it is a psychological thriller, while i was expecting it to be a drama about adultery. Yes, you are right, it is obvious from the description, the concept here is infidelity. Hot and young babysitter works at a prestigious and rich house, apparently she will seduce her master, possibly she came there on purpose, all those thoughts all everyone made before watching this and the first episode will confirm all your assumptions. The drama starts ominously, focusing on the wife in the aftermath of the adultery talking to a journalist about what she's done (oh yes it will get dark fast!)

However the drama -fortunately- has way more to give than just a usual adultery story. Firstly let me talk about that. Adultery, possibly the most hated concept in kdramaland, and my favourite one. I have watched quite a few kdramas that deal with it, all of them had something in common: they tried to give the adulterer reasons that semi-excused their actions, and/or made us pitty/like/feel sorry for them. I was shocked that here this isn't the case. I doubt i have ever seen such a sly, cunning, borderline scary lady, dead set on seducing a married man, having no qualms about her actions. But is she really just a slut that she wants the rich married man? Or is there more to her story?

Secondly, i have to praise the fact that the show featured a lot more than just the cheating. It focuses more on the implications this action had on the wife, and how she coped with everything. Not it isn't dramatic at all, but it is surprising. It featured public humiliation, and went as far as mental illness and more. Thankfully everything clicked by the end, giving a very satisfying, plot-twisty and unpredictable ending! Everything that happens is highly unrealistic of course, completely makjang. One could call the whole drama 'trashy', and i can't argue with that, i agree, but it is definitely entertaining.

The show never gets dragged, and is never boring. People might find the first episode boring since it focuses on the adultery, i love that concept and i found the way it was presented here refreshing. The last episode and the plot twists are worth getting through the first episode though, this is just 4 episodes in total anyway.

The only drawbacks i can point out is that the show closed with some questions left unanswered and some minor plot holes. However, none of them bother me enough to give this a lower score.

ACTING
The two female leads have the most significant roles and they were both good enough but not mindblowing.
Jo Yeo Jung came a long way since her I need romance days. This says tons about how a role can make you or break you. She presented her character greatly, she was indeed scary and borderline crazy throughout the whole thing. My only complain would be her angry scenes, i didn't feel them at all.

Shin Yoon Joo was ok. What i loved were her scary facial expressions and evil smirks. I loved the way she smiled, totally ominous and dark. However on some of her important speech scenes her face was blunt and deadpan. This was her first acting work and she good an ok job imo.

Kim Min Joon was great at what he was placed there to be, the apple of discord. He was totally hot in every scene he was in, and acting-wise he was impeccable as well. Same goes for Lee Seung Chan as the two of the played the middle-aged playboys, he wasn't as good-looking as KMJ but still charming in his own way.

RECOMMEND/REWATCH
I wouldn't recommend this to everyone at first as i thought it was an adultery drama/melo. Since this ended being more on the thriller side, and since its just 4 episodes long, i do believe it is essential for watching. I would definately rewatch this with someone else, but not alone again, once is enough.

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