La Gloria (2022)

Revenge Served with Absolute Perfection

Sometimes with revenge stories the plot ends up half a**ed or it gets bogged down in some silly love story where the person wronged has an epiphany, and decides that revenge is time wasted. But not here.

I liked what Yeo-jeong told Do-yeong, that some people move forward from trauma with forgiveness while others seek revenge. In this case Dong-eun sought revenge and had every right to do so considering the torture she suffered.

Yeon-jin, Myeong-O, Jae-joon, Sa-ra and Hye-jeong were some of the most narcissistic sociopaths I’ve ever seen on streaming. They cared about no one except themselves. Nearly every decision they made, every utterance was about their desires, their life, getting what they wanted or humiliating and ridiculing each other or torturing those whom they deemed beneath them.

Dong-eun’s plan to take down these sociopaths was clever, and the execution brilliant. They were all such horrible people that all she had to do is be a catalyst for their destruction by simply nudging at their weakness. A couple of nudges and their houses of cards came crashing down resulting in them turning on and ultimately destroying themselves and each other.

There were so many great take downs in this series but my favorites were:

Dong-eun going the to visit the teacher who’d beat her for reporting abuse from her classmates. All she had to do was show up which set off a chain of events that cost him his life. It was ironic that
his prestige as a teacher was what led to his demise.

Dong-eun expelling her mother from her life forever. This woman was her MOTHER but she cared not one iota about her. And was an utter menace in Dong-eun’s life. She was almost as bad as Yeon-jin and her crew of bullies. So Dong-eun having her committed to an institution was needed and well deserved.

Yeon-Jin being abandoned by her mother. Everything done to her was sweet justice, especially her ending up imprisoned and now a victim of bullying herself. But her losing her mother who was always her ally, always cleaned up her messes, always supported and encouraged her depraved behavior was an absolute befitting reward for all the horrible things she’d done.

I really enjoyed Dong-eun’s intellect. She knew where to secure allies and how to use them. Moreover, she was always respectful to them and at times helpful. Which was a wonderful contrast to the bullies in this. They had people in their corner but were just as nasty to their allies as their enemies, which in part resulted in them having no one loyal to them when they most needed support.

What was great about this series is that the revenge was always driving the story. There was romance between the leads but thankfully it was sprinkled throughout the series and didn’t overwhelm the main story. And though I thought Dong-eun and Do-yeong had incredible chemistry, making she and Yeo-jeong look like two cold fish together, I was happy that their interactions were kept to a minimum as anything more would not have made sense.

There were very few moments I didn’t like in this, obviously the bullying and torture. I also didn’t like that they kind of left Yoo So-hee’s story up in the air. The audience knew what happened, but they rushed Yeon-jin’s arrest and made it all about M-Yeong-O’s murder with no more mention of Yoo-So-hee. I would’ve liked to have seen her deaf mom learning that her daughter was finally getting justice and also her daughter’s name being cleared in the media considering Yeon-jin had cried and lied on nationally TV saying she killed herself and implied that she was promiscuous by revealing that she was pregnant.

Overall this was a great series. One of the best revenge stories I’ve ever seen.

Leer más

"Have you finished watching this title?" Umm... Is that a trick question?!

"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.

Leer más

Violence in the schools is assault.

I am both a parent and a teacher.

The behavior from the first episode is not “bullying” but assault. Let’s call these attacks what they are. Assault is a crime no matter the age or the perpetrators’ roles whether directly attacking, or making the attacks possible. Rather than the numerous drama series showing the criminals attacking other students always with impunity, expose physical and verbal assault in the school system for what it is: a crime punishable by expulsion and imprisonment.

For the victim to become obsessed and as vicious as the criminals—while understandable—makes her no better. I am still waiting for a brilliant writer like this one to stop the histrionics and go after the criminals and their supporters carefully and methodically and legally until they are expelled and imprisoned. Because it never should have gone as far as it was allowed. And it won’t stop until it is exposed and punished in the courts. That said, everyone in this drama is excellent. Think how much more they could have been in a true revenge story resolved through the courts.

Leer más

Interesting but slightly lagging

The story telling is very quick to establish the victim and the torture she endured but the story wasn't paced in the next 7 episodes. Weak Hero series 1 was very meticulous in each episode that the whole season was some how balanced between each characters and each characters were clearly defined. But here it seems they wanted this to drag so as to make it to the 2nd season(9 -16 episodes). The insignificant details were boring.

Acting wise they did a good job. FL is a legend in K-drama industry so its kind of expected. Maybe too much is expected? I have never seen SHK losing composure in acting though. Production also seems amazing and BGM is fine. Sometimes it does feel like they pushed it too far with the gory details for the drama's popularity.

Nonetheless SHK fans won't be disappointed.

Leer más

Overly slow burn revenge show

First thing, the acting of the younger "bullying" cast was good. The older cast tried in general but were lacking in some aspects.

The story itself makes me watch it longer, as someone who has experience with bullying I want to watch all the bullies pay for their crimes, but the pace is so slow and even after these eight episodes not much has happened.

Personally, I believe that a revenge drama especially of this kind needs to be fast paced and it needs to show results to the viewers that something is being done. But, it fails from the very beginning when the female lead goes to introduce herself to the perpetrators and tell them she wants revenge, & even some of her plans and motives (indirectly/directly) to them, like who does that? Tell the people you want vengeance over the truth?

I also disliked the addition of the male lead, after everything she's faced, do the writers really think that she is in need of a love interest? And the way that after she told him what happened he was immediately "who do I kill for you" he basically left his long time job and changed city to be with her (after she has repeatedly avoided his message and has shown basically 0.0001 interest in him) it felt very far fetched and cringe. It also kind of feels like he is a different entity in behaviour from the rest of the cast, (too cheerful, too polite, and kind) and his character has been pretty useless except teaching her how to play GO.

Leer más

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.

Leer más

WOW

WOW is all I can say for this Kdrama. The acting, the writing, the production, the cinematography was just WOW. Amazing job to the entire cast and crew. Song Hye-kyo has proved once again why she is a famous actress of Kdramas, love how her character could show so many emotions without actually showing them. This series is quite good for binge watching, as you'll get hooked on the first episode.

The story of a woman who suffered severe school violence in high school and also how she's risking her life to complete her revenge. The plot is really good and the characters are well portrayed. One of the best dramas I've watched, as the message behind it is so real and affects a lot of peoples lives both childhood and adulthood. The bullies must be taught a lesson. Stop school violence and give others a chance. Some people try to play God and make sure others will never smile. Trauma us also heavily focused on this show. I can't wait till season 2 comes out!

Leer más

Gripping

This was a fantastic drama! It was so Gripping, it keeps you on the edge of your seat, full of suspense for what’s to come! This is by far one of the Best Revenge dramas I’ve watched! I loved the cast and Hyo, did an amazing job! You can’t help but root for her and her revenge on all those who tormented her. I will say it can be hard to watch at times, the school abuse/violence is horrific. It’s even more disturbing that things like this happen and people do get away with it. The ending of episode 8 left me dying for more, I’m hoping the tables are about to turn.

Leer más

IMPACTADA

Terminei a primeira parte ontem e caraca, demais é pouco para descrever essa obra de arte, de verdade merece muito o reconhecimento que está tendo, já esperava que fosse bom, mas tá mais que bom ta MARAVILHOSO que atuação, que enredo, ansiosa pra terminar com todas as vinganças.
Já dei o play na segunda parte, e não vejo a hora da diva acabar com a raça desses seres, que aliás são uns gatos né, a netflix nem pra colocar uns vilões feios rsrs, aí fica um pouco difícil não é mesmo?
Mas falando sério, será que ta cedo demais pra esse dorama ser considerado o melhor do ano? porque a entrega que ele ta dando é fora do normal.

Leer más

Probably one of the best dramas of 2023

This drama is one of a kind, the storyline, characters just wow, it's probably the first drama where I've binge-watch it in one day.

I did have to look away from the bullying scenes since it was too graphic.
The cast and crew did an excellent job in this drama.
After I finished watching the drama I watched the behind the scenes and it's so weird to see the "bully's" being so nice to Dong Eun I was screaming ITS A TRAP!!!!! RUN DONG EUN!!!!! As you can see from what I've said it just proves what an amazing job the actors did to portray so evil.

I'm so used to Song Hye Kyo to playing a wholesome and happy character to now seeing her in a whole new light just shows how an incredible actress she is

Leer más

Revenge at its best

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to watch this drama. Once I started I ended up binging this drama in two days and now I’m sorry it’s over.

I was intrigued as I watched Dong Eun methodically take down the bullies as she got them to all turn against each other. I felt no sympathy for any of them. Relished in the fact that the Mom and daughter ended up behind bars; and that Yeon Jin lost everything. No surprise that she went nuts because she was already nuts in high school.

The ending was perfection for me. I hate when the perpetrators get off easy.

Leer más