Flower of Evil (2020)

A fine wine grows on a vine. -Extraordinary Melodrama, Sensational, Unforgettable.

This is not your typical Melodrama; Suspense hollywood vibe. The title itself is already a masterpiece. Start watching and dig into the story itself, discover how each characters falls into an unprecedented situation and how the power of love will triumphed no matter how desperate the predicament maybe. There is always hope. Just like in real life. I'm in love with how Moon Chae‑won depicted her character as Cha Ji‑won. It is so pure that you can feel it. Definitely one of my favorite actress. Lee Joon Gi as Do Hyun Soo also nailed his part, extraordinary! As well as Seo Hyun Woo Jang Hee Jin. The story telling is in different level. I also love the vfx, the artstyle for the intro with double exposure and the flower props really fits as well. What I love about this is that you can't predict what will happen next. The ost really fits as well. Great choice!!! Overall, this is a korean drama that you can never miss. Even my grandma watched it.

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Best Psychological thriller with a touch of heartbreaking Melo!!!

One of the best, most cohesive Kdrama shows ever. This is a brilliant show consisting of all things that make a drama stand out. Good mixture of genres from nail biting suspense thriller to heart wrenching love story. Even the love shown between the two leads is so mature and settled. The chemistry was off the charts. The acting was immaculate. The instensity and thrilling aspect of the show was incredibly paced. I was always at the edge of my seat waiting to see which way the plot turns now.
I have become a huge fan of Lee Joon Gi. The way he can express only through his eyes is an art in itself.
Episode 11 absolutely wrecked me. The way he can act!!!
And Moon Chae Won gave the same level of performance. Loved the way she portrayed the main lead character as, vulnerable, badass yet conflicted.
This show has quickly become one of my top watched Kdrama


Edit: I have rewatched this show atleast 3 times and planning on starting a 4th time. Each and evry time I find something new and unique to love. How have we all collectively ignored the thrilling and creepy OST of this show. It's so good!!!

This show is without a single doubt my absolute favourite Kdrama ever!!!
No competition.

Off to watch again and live the thrill.

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Ends 2020 with a bang, hooked from start to finish!

This rounded my 2020 dramas off with a bang, and I will have it no other way. Flower of Evil is forever in my top drama list because of how complex everything is and for me it was more of a look at character exploration and growth (and questions of humanity) over the thriller element (which was also amazing, by the way.) There's way too much for me to gush about, so I'll try to keep it as succinct as I can with minimal spoilers!!

THE STORY
So I think it's a bit difficult to talk about Flower of Evil without mentioning the other drama from 2020 that had one of the lead characters struggling with mental health conditions: It's Okay to Not Be Okay. While the main characters can share some similarities in their struggles, it's important to also understand that IOTNBO is a romcom that centers more around the healing element while FOE is more about the thriller/mystery element. I think that FOE is a very well-crafted thriller and psychological drama that takes a nuanced and layered look on mental health like ptsd and trauma over a backdrop of a murder mystery. I commend the writer for really taking the time and effort to get into everyone's heads and while it was a plot-centered drama, the writer didn't throw away the need to write character growth and exploration, which I find very commendable. FOE delivers dynamic characters under a suspenseful storyline that you literally have to binge because of how engaging it is, along with a satisfying and emotionally pulling love story. Ji Won and Hyun Soo were very good foils to explore and the answer of the question: is a monster born or made? was a perfect theme to have in the background. I adore characters that are foils of the villains because it makes them very complex, and FOE delivered it all very well.

The only reason I'm not giving it a 10/10 was the lil amnesia plot added at the end. While I agree it was necessary for him to realize that he can fall in love whilst forgetting it all and for him to actually affirm for himself that he is capable of the very emotions he thought he lacked was important for character growth, but I also personally have a small pet peeve with amnesia plots.

THE CAST
Honestly, I had no problems with the acting and thought everyone did extremely well, particularly the leads (of course). I'm going to focus on three actors in this review.

Lee Joon Gi surprises me every time. Honestly by now, he's a very established actor and has been my OG actor for so long, and I feel like he always grows in everything he's in. He understood Do Hyun Soo's character so well and accomplished such a difficult feat of portraying a character with sociopathic tendencies and other mental health concerns. I feel like he was able to portray HS very believably and maturely and I cannot imagine any other actor taking the role. Side note: I found it so interesting how LJG and Seo Ye Ji starred in Lawless Lawyer together then subsequently starred in dramas with characters that struggle a lot with mental health issues and portrayed it so well. I have a ton of respect for them honestly and best casting choices.

Moon Chae Won was a very good choice for Cha Ji Won (honestly the casting director knows their shit). Her chemistry with LJG and understanding of her character was very prevalent and nuanced, and I enjoyed every moment with her onscreen just as much as I enjoyed LJG's. Her character was smart, charismatic and was quite an anchor in the show. I usually enjoy one or the other of the leads more onscreen, but she really made it level for me! I haven't really watched her dramas before, but she's really making me want to now!

Jung Seo Yeon as Baek Eun Ha was amazing. She's all the stars in my night sky and the light of the show! She's a very talented child actor and that love that Eunha had for her father was perfectly portrayed in her acting! I adore her so much and she left quite the impression on me.

MUSIC
Beautiful. The perfect songs at the perfect moments, and they really fit the schemes of the parts they were played in. I adore Psycho a lot, and I found myself also just playing the full OST album in the background when I do things. Very well done with the music and I have absolutely no complaints!

PRODUCTION/CINEMATOGRAPHY
Perfect. Honestly, the framing of the characters and the lighting in this drama was perfect from start to finish. There were insane moments of the angles being able to tell more about the story than what was told- looking below the surface (a major theme here too) was very prevalent. One thing that really stuck with me was the use of frames, mirrors, shadows, even in the first episode when HS says "She only sees what she wishes to see" and the camera pans to his reflection in an empty picture frame. Beautiful and thoughtful from start to finish.

REWATCH VALUE
The only reason why the rewatch value here is not 10 is because of how heavy the drama is and how much it makes you think. I adore it so much and I truly need to sit down and watch it all at once. I need to have that sort of mood to watch it because once I start I can't stop haha.

CONCLUSION
This is probably one of the best kdramas I've watched, and probably the best LJG drama I've seen so far. FOE will forever remain imprinted in my brain and it left such a great impression on me that only left me hungering for more. I think for me, it was the best 2020 drama with how complex it is, and I sincerely hope that it would be more well known! I have no idea how it continues to remain slightly under the radar for a lot of things even though I've heard it has quite the high ratings when it was airing. I'm currently rewatching it :) Also, not for the faint hearted most definitely and will really attract people who love thrillers, looking at the human mind, or just amazing character growth and acting! Such a thought provoking drama :)

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" I'll like you alot from here on, I'll be good to you for real.."

This is the most real love story I have ever watched in a drama..
I am not a huge fan of crime thrillers and prefer slice of life over any other genres any day. But this drama is certainly not what I expected it to be.
If you are going into this drama expecting the usual thriller kdrama tropes, then get prepared to be surprised.
As this is refreshingly humane and real with so much care given to each and every character. This will make you feel everything the characters are feeling so much so that you will laugh and also shed tears of joy and sorrow with them.
I would also like to mention that both the leads are phenomenal and are really brought the characters to life! The way they portray their individual characters as well as the chemistry is exceptional.
I was already a fan of LGK , but in this drama hid acting was outstanding. I am not sure how he managed to have such control over the small changes to his expression..the switch in his entire demeanor in a matter of seconds left me in awe.
MCW's character made me look up to her, strong and independent yet vulnerable.
The morale is the best part of this drama. It's common and old but true. Even in the most darkest of times..love can shine. Strangely this drama reminded me of the song "Fix You" from cold play.
' Lights will guide you home..and ignite your bones. And I will try to fix you...'

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A true gem in the thriller genre.

A prime example of a well constructed and executed thriller.

There isn't even a one false note in this drama. From an unpredictable script to a great acting. Story unfolds before our eyes with a surgical precision. The viewer is constantly on an edge of his seat, trying to figure out what is going on and what is going to happen. A true rollercoaster of emotions. A must watch for the fans of this genre. Heck, a must watch for everyone, but be careful it is really addicting. If you're up for playing a detective throughout the whole series, this is the perfect show for you.

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I’ve watched 30+ kdramas and Flower of Evil remains my all-time favorite!

I can’t rave about this drama enough! I was hooked from the first episode and the plot only built in suspense from there. Both lead actors delivered stellar performances from start to finish. The raw emotions that they portray are really something else (watch this drama and you’ll see exactly what I mean).

Flower of Evil introduced me to Lee Joongi and I’m so glad it did. He blew me away in this series and he continues to do so in every show that I watch. If you’re a fan of thrillers and strong emotional performances, this drama is the one for you! The plot moves along well with a fast-paced and engaging storyline. I could seriously go on and on about this show, but hey, the best way to know whether you’ll like it is to go experience it for yourself. What are you doing still reading this review? Go watch Flower of Evil! You definitely won’t be disappointed <33

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BEST Kdrama I have seen in a very long time

plot - the plot is thrilling, exciting, unpredictable, definitely keeps you guessing and moves quickly. so many other korean shows move at the pace of a snail, going through insanely unnecessary subplots, time fillers, where i feel like the whole show could be cut in half. but flower of evil snags your interest immediately, and keeps it till episode 15. and then there is the finale which was very fucking disappointing when lee joonki loses his memory. how often do people lose their memories from injuries? not often!!! memory loss story line playing out in kdramas? TOO OFTEN, and is so cliched. to bring something like that in for the last episode while you've worked so hard to create a memorizing plot with characters that have amazing chemistry was really very upsetting. however, since the rest of the 15 ep were so good i still went with 10/10. the product placements were laughable (they did not even try to be subtle) and some part were almost too dramatic but its all good.

casting - solid casting. everyone did a good job. my one complaint was the casting for ep2. the social worker who ended up being the murderer and her reason was because she was tired of going up all those stairs. when i first started watching the ep i was really happy that they casted a plus size actor! you dont see that alot in korean tv/movies. but in the end it made me feel it was to make her seem lazy and overweight in a very horrible way. horrifying casting. i wonder if anyone else feels the same. less makeup wouldve been nice for everyone too. detective cha doesnt need makeup for a scene thats suppose to happen at 3am.

music - good music. the ending theme i enjoyed.

rewatch value - i dont usually rewatch so, but it was a great show!

anyways, this show i def recommend!!! please watch!

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Wow...

Just WOW!! How does someone come up with such a great story and show?!?! This caused me to feel anxiety, happiness, and sadness. Such an amazing show. I didnt think i woukd like it, but it definitely blew me away.
I gave the rewatch value an 8.5 mainly because of the anxiety is caused lol!! The acting was absolutely amazing. All the actors worked well together and the chemistry between Joongi and Chaewon was amazing. It honestly felt like they were a real couple! Little EunHa's actress did so well! Her character was just a ray of sunshine. When she cried, it tore my heart to pieces.
I found it hard to pay attention to the music because of how intense the show was. I was more concerned about what was happening or getting on to the next episode, rather than singing along. But from what i paid attention to, I loved the OST.

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Lee Joon Gi merecia todos os prêmios pela atuação arrebatadora do personagem Baek Hee Sung

Para quem quer sair do romance e entrar no território de suspense e mistério, este é o drama perfeito.
Comecei a assistir de forma despretensiosa sem expectativas.. Sinceramente não esperava que esse drama fosse tão bom e se tornou um dos meus preferidos digno de aplaudir de pé.
Flor do Mal conta a historia de Baek Hee Sung, casado com uma detetive de policia, um homem aparentemente perfeito mas que esconde sua verdadeira identidade e um segredo sombrio. A trama se desenrola quando uma série de assassinatos começa a ser investigada por sua esposa e a realidade de que Baek Hee pode estar escondendo algo de sua esposa vem a tona.
O enredo consistente e inteligente faz você duvidar das intenções do personagem desde o início e cada vez que vão dando mais detalhes, mas você muda a concepção sobre ele.
Se você começa a ver Flor do Mal sem ler a sinopse ficará surpreso com o rumo que o enredo vai se desenrolando. O assassino não é quem você acredita ser até o final e o desfecho é surpreendente.
Lee Joon Gi com uma atuação simplesmente PERFEITA! Uma atuação arrebatadora nota 1000

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Deep romantic tale against a backdrop of crime

A gripping crime story against the backdrop of crime. The story has complexity and even for someone who does not watch crime stories, it was riveting, mainly because of the well etched out characters, both main leads and supporting actors. The romance is front and centre, and deeply moving.

While it deals with painful and difficult subjects like human trafficking, psychopaths, serial killers, the growth of the main lead, the journey of the lead couple through trials and tribulations more than made up for the difficult topics it covered.

I am so impressed by this drama - the writing, the story, the editing, the acting - everything in so on point. The actors in each role have done a stellar job, supported by rich dialogue and story. The comedy is a fine thread flowing through the drama, that shines and sparkles at the most unexpected moments. The ML and the FL are gorgeous and the romance is deeply moving. LJG does the usual outcast, lone ranger role but the depth to his performance is amazing - the deep seated frustration, the helpless of a man who is always at odds with the world, who nevertheless bravely tries his best to make it all work, his angst and frustration speaks through the personality which is repressed.

A must watch; but give it at least four episodes if crime dramas are not your thing, They are not mine and yet I loved it, it is among my top 10 dramas now.

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It’s not perfect but definitely one of the best thillers

Flower of Evil is a thriller and at the same time a melodrama and this can bother some people but for me it was fine as I was really invested in the characters stories. For some people the scenes can be too emotional in the half of the drama but for me it made sense based on the things that was happening in the characters life.

Flower of Evil have a lot of positive things. First, the story about our main lead Hee Seong/Hyun Su is REALLY interesting and made me lose my mind the whole time. I was really curious to know more about these characters and what happened in their past and I couldn’t see plot holes in it, everything made sense for me. Even tho it was obvious for me that Hyun Su wasn’t the accomplice of the serial killer (because come on he’s main lead he couldn't be the villain) I still found the plot pretty interesting and exciting. The relationship between the main leads are awesome as well and the actors had a wonderful chemistry together. The OST was AMAZING too seriously I loved all songs and bgm. The acting was other thing that I loved and all actors did an amazing job here especially Joon Gi, who was fenomenal as usual, Chae Won, who was in the same steps as him, and the actor who did the serial killer, who was amazing too (and seriously hot lol). As I said, this drama have a lot of positive things and I was really addicted to it, I couldn't stop watch. The director certainly knew what he was doing here as almost all episodes were exciting and thrilling. It’s like you finish one episode and can’t move one without watching the next episode lol

The things I didn't liked about this drama was the characters actions in some episodes and the finale episode. First, Hyun Su not noticing that his wife figure out everything was no sense for me because PLEASE she is a police officer and was investigating his case, and on top of that she changed her attitude towards him out of nowhere so it's odd that he didn't noticed anything. And how do they leave their daughter with Hyun Su's sister without any protection from the police? The fact that they didn't think that the serial killer could go after them was ridiculous too. The last episode was one more thing that I didn’t enjoyed, I don't know it looked TOO forced. Memory loss it’s one of the worst things that can happen in a drama because most of the time only drag the plot and doesn't benefit the drama at all. And altought I think I know the reasons why the screenwriter put this on the drama, Hyun Su losing his memories was too random for me, seriously the end could have been way better. It was like EP15 was the finale episode, not the EP16.

But even with some flaws, I can totally understand why this drama was really popular last year and why its considered one of the best thrillers. It is really interesting and captivating and I totally recommend this if you like thriller because I think its almost impossible not like this one.

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