Season 1 |
Episode Guide
Episode 1 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 2 -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 3 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 4 -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 5 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 6 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 7 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 8 -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 9 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 10 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 11 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 12 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 13 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 14 -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 15 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 16 -| Review Score – 4/5
The Glory is a Netflix original K-drama that has taken the world by storm. When Netflix released part 2 of the show, it topped Netflix’s non english TV series chart with over 48 million viewing hours. The show also spent eight weeks on the global chart.
The Glory follows a woman named Dong-eun as she plots her revenge on her bullies from high school, setting out to make all of them pay for their deeds. It is a thrilling, well-written revenge drama based on actual events. The drama has a great understanding of its characters and the prominent societal issues in Korea when it comes to bullying.
The main lead Dong-eun is on a quest to find justice and has been preparing her revenge since she was 16. On the other hand, we have Park Yeon-jin, a horrible, sadistic human being who enjoys making people suffer. For her, it is a pastime, and she is unapologetically evil. She is the leader of the bully gang and comes with four minions, Lee Sa-ra who is a drug addict trying to pass off as an artist.
We also have Jeon Jae- Jun, a cold, heartless and selfish man. He has a soft spot for Park Yeon -jin, and the two have a secret, but it’s one that she’s kept hidden for so long. There is Choi Hye-jeong too, who comes from a poor background but manages to become Yeon-jin’s puppet without the physical pain Dong-eun endured. She envies Yeon-jin, is secretly in love with Jae-jun and dreams of marrying a rich man. She is only part of the group as part of her survival depends on it.
Lastly, we have Son Myeong-oh; he is more or less Jae-jun’s lap dog. He also dreams of becoming rich and is willing to sell his friends for a quick buck. Nonetheless, he also enjoys hurting others.
Away from the bully gang we have Han Do-Young, the husband of Park Yeon–jin. He is fascinated by Dong-eun and how she plays Go. He is a well-layered character and even though his moral ethics are somewhat questionable, he is a character that viewers can rally behind. He is willing to get his hands dirty to protect his daughter. He may not win Father Of The Year award but viewers can understand why he makes such drastic decisions. But ultimately, what matters is Dong-eun’s revenge plan.
Part 2, focuses on Dong-eun laying the woodwork for her revenge plan. The stakes are amped up as our protagonist goes after her targets, one by one.
The parental figures in this one will likely frustrate you just as much as they did with us. It is surprising how the adults choose to turn away and do nothing while it is their job to protect their kids. This also extends to the teachers who remained silent and the police who helped cover up the bullying. However, all of this feeds into the larger narrative, allowing us to rally for Dong-eun even more.
It was satisfying to see the takedown and Dong-eun being able to move on from the trauma. Domestic abuse is a topic we have not broached enough in media, mostly because it is considered taboo to report these family members. However, Hyung-nam’s character embodies this struggle really well and you’ll find yourself rooting for her too. The show perfectly showcases why some women are forced to stay in abusive marriages. In a way, Hyung-nam and Dong-eun are two broken women trying to get through another day. I enjoyed their scenes and how they tried to help each other find happiness.
For a revenge drama, The Glory is top-tier, however, the last episodes feel a bit rushed and the ambiguous ending will leave you wanting for more. Despite all that though, if you are looking for a compelling revenge drama to watch, then give The Glory a chance, you won’t be disappointed.
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Verdict - 8/10
8/10