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Revenge is indeed best served very cold
The Glory; what a drama. I am not much of a Song Hye Kyo fan. But was this drama well written or what; I mean, not a boring moment. The first episode was rough, and I have to admit I skipped through a lot of torture and violence. It was just overt and too much to reconcile or bear. That, the world harbors kids (I mean they were children really) who felt so entitled and thought the world revolved around them, that it gave them the right to inflict such animosity and hate on another child just because they are different, or was is it "just because" they felt like it was uncalled for, inexcusable and shame on everyone that stood by and watched and did nothing, they as good as inflicted the violence and pain but more than anything shame on the teachers, the parents, the caretakers, the friends or so-called friends, well there was no love lost between any of them so I can't even call them friends who thought it entertaining and okay to humiliate, demean, deface, another human being.By the time we got to Moon Dong Eun as an adult, I was fully invested in her journey. Everything from how she lived her life in narration to Park Yeon Jin (stellar acting) was so captivating. I found myself hanging on to every word she wrote, even the way she spoke/wrote her words. That first encounter after 17 years at the gym of their old school was so fulfilling, especially when she clapped for Yeon Jin as she walked up the stage for her award. But the best part was Yeon Jin thinking the past was fully forgotten and dead in the past. That she could not even recall her monstrous acts made her an even more awful human being than she already was -- that she didn't realize the decisions and choices she made would follow her to her grave is very telling of her arrogance and malignant miserliness. Her audacity to think MDE deserved everything that happened to her, not only that she in some way is to blame, was exhausting to watch. That her young child, not even 5 or 6 years of age, instinctively knew how awful burning someone or beating them or torturing them was and she an adult never even considered it was telling for me. It was the moment I realized Yeon Jin deserves everything coming her way -- everyone involved or who stood idly is also deserving.
It was not all gloom and darkness with The Glory; many funny moments peppered in throughout the episodes. I especially enjoyed the, at first, very professional relationship between Kang Hyun Nam and MDE, and even more so as they started to warm up. Yeom Hye Ran did a great job making me feel the pull/push relationship and the slow drawing in of MDE, and even the love and admiration between the two. And, of course, Lee Do Hyun was consistently excellent in how he personified Joo Yeo Jung; how he grew to accept and live with his painful past, despite it being part of him daily. His patience and acceptance of MDE for what she was, not trying to make her into what he thought she should be -- never pushing or probing, just hoping. I loved how he didn't judge or question when she told him her story, but readily accepted his role as her head swordsman.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how amazing Jung Ji So was as a teenage Moon Dong Eun. She is such a great talent; I am in awe of her. Can I say Jung Sung II was brilliant in his role as a have-it-all rich husband, father, and man -- he was admirable - not too entitled or arrogant, just a man used to getting his way, not by force, but because it was always available. Unlike the inherently entitled, self-absorbed, and cruel Jeon Jae Joon (Park Sung Hoon, who was brilliant in his role), who obviously lived his life believing the world owed him everything, but then growing without love or self-worth, can do that to a kid.
What's intriguing about The Glory is that it takes its time with everything. Nothing is rushed, not even the conversations. So it went without saying that the revenge plot would take its time, almost painfully so. But I think that was the point; for the culprits to know, sense, and feel the revenge coming, but not know how, when, where, and through whom it would come.
Watching the Glory was like peeling back the layers of a big fat onion; the more you reveal, the twisted it gets. Kudos to the writer for such brilliant scriptwriting, the director, and the actors for gripping the writing alive. I look forward to the second half and the actual revenge plots unfolding.
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The Bitch
The story is very good, its well-directed, well acted, blah, blah, blah. Watch it, you will not regret it. Instead of repeating what everyone else is saying, I'm going to touch on random subjects and rant for a bit.Instead of "The Glory", the title should really be "The Bitch". Its the most spoken word in the entire drama. Almost every single character says it at one point. Even YOU will say it at least once during the course of the 16 episodes. You will definitely say it during the main villainess' scenes. Speaking of which.....
The main villainess, Park Yeon -Jin, is a STRAIGHT UP BITCH! Both actresses do an excellent job in bringing Park Yeon Jin to life. You will find yourself uttering "bitch" whenever she is on screen. And really, how can you not? Her cruelty, sadism, remorselessness, and narcissism will bring forth the word from your lips. She is utterly irredeemable, and you will desire her downfall as much as the protagonist does. Speaking of which.....
Why is the protagonist always dressed in black? Haven't you noticed that? Every episode, almost every scene, she is dressed in black from head to toe. I count on one hand the number of times she wore other colors. Just because you're out for revenge, does not mean you have to be dressed up the like 'The Crow' 24/7.
Other random observations: What is up with Jeon Jae-Joon's forehead? His forehead is really, really narrow. He has a curved in hairline, it's almost triangular and I just couldn't stop staring at it every time he was on screen.
The actress who plays Choi Hye-Jeong is smoking hot. Mmm, what a body. If I had been Jeon Jae-Joon I would have chosen her instead of Park Yeon-Jin.
Why do the victims mindlessly obey the bullies' every command? The bullies tell them "Meet me at the gym or wherever" and then the victims just show up. Do they know that they don't have to show up? Guys, the word "NO" exists for a reason.
How are the bullies even friends with each other? Whenever they're together all they do is put each other down. They're constantly hanging out yet they're nasty to each other and its clear they couldn't care less about each other. What is the point in even getting together?
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Gripping and disturbing
Gripping? YES!! It’s one of those where you have to binge watch. I waited for quite awhile to watch both seasons at one go. Also, you have to be in the right frame of mind (ready to watch a revenge drama) to fully appreciate it.Disturbing because the scenes are quite graphic. It’s rated 18+ and has lots of vulgar language, sex scenes, and multiple violent scenes including using hot curling iron and domestic abuse. Most of these scenes I had to fast forward, because I myself couldn’t stand to watch. I couldn’t understand why and how those bullies could get away with it; plus the home room teacher who just slaps the victim multiple times in the staff room! I read that this drama was based on a true story. I’m not sure how justice was carried out, but if it was not, the police and education system in Korea need to buck up!!
The two actors that stole the show imo were Lee Do Hyun and Shin Ye Eun. LDH played the ML, a young doctor who lost his father in a very tragic way. Haunted by the perpetrator, he was living in hell and wanted to help the FL (song Hye kyo) with her revenge plan. He managed to pull off a variety of personalities in this drama- the professional doc, the caring and protective man and (this is the best part!) the devil in him who will seek revenge and dreams of killing the murderer. His acting was top notch!
Shin Ye Eun played the teenage Park Yeonjin, who is the ring leader of the 5 person bully gang. I read that the director chose this actress because of her smile, and man was he spot on! Her eyes and smile in the most eerie and condescending manner gave me the chills just watching her! Her acting was just right, unlike Lim Yi Jeon who played the adult Yeonjin, whom I felt overacted wayyy too much. In fact the 5 gang bullies were quite ridiculous and overacting most of the time imo. Too much cursing, shouting and throwing rich kid/ can’t get my way tantrums.
Another character I liked was Ha do Yeong, the husband of Yeonjin. He in all his sophistication did everything right- gave her many chances to repent, and be remorseful of her past actions- but all he saw was the devil in his wife. I’m glad he had a happy ending.
The production and music background was just fantastic! Very modern and updated, chic and sophisticated. The music is like those you will find in US dramas, extremely compelling and draws you in. There were times where the plot became quite predictable, whereby the good guys “always win” and even when it seems they were losing, they were somehow one step ahead. Haha..
It’s a very good recommended watch. Again, be in the right frame of mind when you start this. The first episode is the most difficult as it has 90% of the bullying school scenes. :)
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Very Watchable, If Annoying That Viewers Have to Wait for the Other Shoe to Drop, as Well
Revenge is a dish best served cold--though, cold or otherwise, it is not usually served incomplete.Whatever else can be said about The Glory, the most important thing to know going into it (if you're watching in a timely manner) is that there is going to be a Part 2 that has not come out yet...and that, perhaps, you should wait for that before starting this. Because, as things stand with only Part 1 at hand, the hiatus only serves to unavoidably expose the otherwise mostly tolerable flaws in its storytelling.
The show is entertaining enough, aided in great part by the short-ish length of each episode, which forces the slow unraveling of the overall story to feel like it's constantly moving--even as, 8 episodes in, nothing seems to be happening. Except that also many things seem to be happening; and some of those things may actually matter to the plot. Assuming that the plot is what the show seems to tell us that it is.
Which, if the show were complete (or still coming out regularly), would presumably be fine, because any gaps or loose threads or seeming incongruities could be paused long enough to wait for the rest of the story to (we hope) explain or justify or minimize them as it slow-burns its way (again, we hope) to its climax and conclusion. But, as it stands, there are A LOT of loose threads, and a lot of story beats that don't quite line up, and a lot of story details that feel extraneous to the central plot--and, because it does nothing to act as a chapter closing that pulls any of these things into even a loose kind of wrap-up, Part 1 doesn't feel like a deliberate Part 1 so much as just where it happened to have its halfway point. And so we are left somewhat unsure about what we've just watched, rather than anticipating what could be coming next.
Which is a shame, because--whatever its storytelling flaws or overall quality--The Glory's first 8 episodes are very, very watchable, more than a little entertaining, and often compelling, both in spite of and (ironically) because of those storytelling flaws that make the hiatus so frustrating.
So, yes, this seems very much to be worth the watch--but we're not going to know until Part 2 is out, and we see if the ends really do justify the means.
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THIS REVIEW IS FOR BOTH PART 1&2. I almost passed on this drama because I thought it would be gory and senseless like "My Name," which I dropped, but I'm glad I didn't. Although I did not find this "super amazing" like most people, The Glory, as a story of revenge and redemption, was quite good. I had trouble stomaching the violence that was shown in the first few episodes, and the scenes where Moon Dong Eun was subjected to a curling iron, but this made me so angry that I really wanted to see the comeuppance due to the perpetrators.
Song Hye Kyo is great as the long-suffering victim who is intent on bringing hell on Park Yeon In and her band of bullies. It was oddly satisfying to see how the FL calculates through her revenge plot, not by directly going after the bullies, but by infiltrating those who are around them for years. We see Dong Eun's practiced patience as she waits for opportunities like she does in the game of Go. But sometimes, this waiting gives way to frustration, especially when her plans are thwarted by the very people who are supposed to have your back (ahem, your mother-phuker).
As a thriller, melodrama, The Glory delivers, but if you are expecting romance, it falls flat. Despite the presence of Lee Do Hyun as a romantic partner for Song Hye Kyo's character, Joo Yeo Jung is at most a love-sick puppy following after the woman of his dreams. They are only lumped together for convenience's sake and their kiss was underwhelming. Moon Dong Eun had better chemistry with Yeon Jin's husband, Ha Do Young, but of course, the plotline won't allow such a scandalous pairing. In the end, the perpetrators' supposedly got their just deserts, but I can't help feeling that somewhere down the line, the vicious cycle of revenge will continue again.
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vengeance is best served cold
Great plot and casting, felt like I am watching sequel of penthouseVond je deze recentie nuttig?
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Hautingly 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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THE BEST DRAMA OF ALL DRAMAS!
- AMAZING CHEMISTRY BETWEEN SONG HYE KYO+LEE DO HYOUN...SO BEAUTIFUL!!!- THE GLORY IS THE BEST DRAMA OF SONG HYE KYO+LEE DO HYOUNG. MUST WATCH!
- AMAZING WORK
- THE GLORY MAKES ME WANT TO SEE MORE DRAMAS OF LEE DO HYUONG AND SONG HYE KYO . HOPE WE WILL SEE MORE OF THEM TOGETHER!
- In Glory you will see how good Lee Do Hyoung and Song Hye Kyo acting is! I won't say more. Watch yourself and see...
- Age difference between the Lee Do Hyuong and Song Hye Kyo made this story even better! It's much better to have a mature, experienced and a so beautiful actress like Song Hye Kyo to act than an immature, arrogant girl/young woman that also is not as beautiful as Song Hye Kyo!
- Stop Nitpicking about age, age is just a number!!!
- Those who nitpicks thinks that a number can make a relationsship good or bad....those with experience knows that age is just a number. There are other things that determine the chemistry etc and it's not the age because the age is just a number....
-The older a woman is the more mature she is... Who wants an immature girl??? No one!!!
People don't care when the male is older so why do some start to nitpick as soon as they see an older femaler with a younger male. IT IS NOT FAIR!
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Revenge is best served cold.
Every moment of the 8 episodes had purpose, was intentional and added to this story of seeking redemption for years of pain and lost of honour.MDE (the Female Lead) played by Song Hye Kyo and Jung Ji So had all the believable traits of tortured, fearful, hopeless youth to lifeless yet focused vengeful adult. I liked how the character evolved over time and how the writer skillfully showed that transition in a short period of 1-2 episodes. I am mildly surprised that SHK could pull off silent rage so well. I hope we see the full range of rage from her in the next chapter of the story. I still don’t feel sure of how she would show up given the wreck that was NWABU.
The casting has been great - from the ever in control husband, to the dysfunctional solidarity and toxic relationships of the gang - each aspect has been believably portrayed. It’s terrifying how youth, in its fearlessness and naïveté can be so cruel.
What does it look like to dedicate your existence to revenge? What does it take to be violent? Do these stories exist among us? These gripping, thought-provoking and entertaining 8 episodes are totally worth your time.
ps. still not sure what the role of LDH’s character is. Apart from teaching MDE Go… the emotional connection and her willingness to bare all is a bit of a leap. Knowing her, this too might be part of her master plan after all.
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A short yet impactful and intense drama
This was a story about a high school girl who had dreamed of becoming an architect but was forced to drop out of school after she was constantly and intensely bullied violently and assaulted sexually in school by her schoolmates and even teacher. Now in her adult age, she slowly seek revenge on her perpetrators.This was an intense and fast-paced drama that kept me glued to the screen. There was never a boring moment while Moon Dong Eun (Song Hye Kyo) slowly and strategically took revenge on her perpetrators. Watching it, I couldn’t believe the extent of bully these high schoolers could do to a seemingly innocent schoolmate and even the teacher to her. What kind of morals the teacher had in the first place to become a teacher?
It was refreshing to see Song Hye Kyo in such a character. I did not think she looked out of place, but I wouldn’t say her acting was perfect either. Still it was acceptable overall. I didn't deduct points for acting.
8 episodes passed extremely quickly because you would find yourself clicking on to the next after every episode. It was one of those short yet intense drama that still stayed in your memory after watching and you would want to watch Season 2. Yes, because Season 1 ended in a climax that made audience craving to know what would happen (some dark shadow appearing and jaw dropped when you realized who the shadow of the person was), typical of Korean dramas.
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Even if you don't like revenge/thriller genres, WATCH THIS!
Wow. Just wow. I have no words to describe this wonderful drama. First off, I would like to start out by saying that I don't typically watch revenge/thriller dramas. My watchlist is mostly full of cute rom-coms and historical dramas. But the Glory peeked my interest. So I put it in my watchlist and decided to watch it later. After a while I forgot about it while I was busy watching my other dramas. But recently I've been in a drama slump where I don't know what to watch and want something new to try. The first thing that came to my mind was this show. So I started it.... and absolutely loved it. Trust me on this. I don't watch this type of genre because it bores me and I always find myself forwarding through the show. But that is not the case here.It has action, it has mystery, romance, revenge, etc. I could not stop myself from watching it. And yes, yes I did binge it. This drama was that good. The actors did an amazing job playing their roles, and I could not look away. I definitely recommend this to EVERYONE. Yes everyone. Even the ones that are not into this type of genre. I gave it a chance and I am so glad I did. Even though it was a bit late. 1000/10 recommend.
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A Glorious Comeback
Wow, just finished binge-watching this and I thoroughly enjoyed the first half. To be honest, I never really liked SHK’s past two recent dramas, I dropped Encounter, and Now We Are Breaking Up, because they’re so boring and their plots didn’t impress me. I am glad that she made a good choice of drama this time; hopefully can sustain it until the end.While I still have an issue with her acting on The Glory, I somewhat want a stronger translation of anger and rage in her acting after seeing what the character she was playing as went through. Sorry to say but I still don’t feel the emotion with Hye Kyo. You can disagree with me but it still felt bland for me for now. I am looking for burning rage in the midst of her calmess. I want the gaze that could send chill down my spine. I look forward to the next part, maybe it will be shown there.
But overall, I like the storyline, and the other actors are doing, they’re great.
Lee Do Hyun, wow, that acting at the end of EP6 after seeing her scars, just wow!
The scoring and cinematography are superb!
I am looking forward to March, hope it delivers. So far a 9/10 since I enjoyed it a lot.
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