"I don’t need a prince to save me, I need an executioner to join the hunt."
The Story:
Moon Dong-eun suffers horrific bullying in high school, including burns and sexual assault, which forces her to drop out. Years later, after careful planning and hard work, she exacts revenge on those who wronged her. Her meticulous schemes and manipulation of her tormentors are both chilling and captivating to watch. She avoids violence herself, cleverly setting things in motion for her adversaries to self-destruct.
She meticulously plots revenge against her former bullies, now successful and seemingly happy. The story follows Dong-eun's dark and determined path as she weaves herself into the lives of her bullies and their children.
But her revenge will not happen alone. She met Joo Yeo-jeong, a medical intern who meets Dong-eun while both are patients at the hospital where he works. Dong-eun is initially skeptical of Yeo-jeong's good intentions, given that he comes from a wealthy family and that his father was once in charge of the hospital where he now works, but sadly was murdered for no reasons which will affect the story later on.
However, throughout the series, the two maintain their friendship by playing Go, a popular board game, in the park. The sad part about they relation is at first, Dong-eun is so preoccupied with her plan for vengeance that she doesn’t notice Yeo-jeong's affection for her. Nonetheless, their fates become increasingly intertwined as Dong-eun gets closer to exact her vengeance on those who wronged her, and Yeo-jeong is willing to go to any length to assist Dong-eun in completing her mission, becoming her executioner.
Also she get help from Kang Hyeon-Nam, a housemaid, she is serving Dong-Eun's as spy, ally in seeking revenge against wealthy individuals. Enduring abuse from her husband, Lee Seok-Jae, she dreams of a better life for her daughter, Sun-A. Through her sacrifices and collaboration with Dong-Eun, Hyeon-Nam secures Sun-A's education but she had to be send and adopted in America for her safety. Despite facing numerous challenges, including abuse and loyalty tests, she exhibits bravery and unwavering loyalty to Dong-Eun.
At the end Dong-eun grapples with the consequences of her actions. The line between victim and perpetrator blurs. Is she truly free, or has she become a monster herself? Meanwhile, the remaining bullies, battered but not broken, sense an opportunity. They unite, determined to expose Dong-eun's dark past and destroy her. A high-stakes game of manipulation ensues, with Dong-eun forced to confront not only her former tormentors but also the darkness within herself.
This is why after she finished her revenge, she tries to commit suicide at the abandoned building where her friend died before her from her bully. But before she can jump off the building, Yeo-jung’s mom stops her and asks her to save her son, she begs Dong-eun not to kill herself because by doing so, she will be killing Yeo-jung as well. Yeo-jung’s mom knows what Dong-eun has been through but she doesn’t think death is the answer. She pleads with Dong-eun to save Yeo-jung from the hell he is going through.
To find inner peace, Dong-eun decides to live and goes to the monk monastery where she spends six months. While there she strikes up a friendship with a judge and asks her if she can transfer Yeong-cheon to a stricter prison. After leaving and meeting with Yeo-jung, she offers to give him some lessons and promises to be his executioner.
My Opinion:
The drama embraces the idea of "revenge is a dish best served cold." It's undeniably satisfying to see Dong-eun orchestrate the downfall of those who hurt her. However, the series also explores the emotional toll of revenge and the moral ambiguity of Dong-eun's actions.
"The Glory" focuses on the lasting effects of bullying and trauma, rather than romance, although her bond with Joo Yeo-jeong is undeniable, with both admitting their feelings. Dong-eun's inner struggles are portrayed realistically, making her a complex and understandable character.
The series makes viewers confront the harsh realities of bullying and the difficulty of finding true healing. Moon Dong-eun's path to revenge starts alone, but she eventually builds a team by her side.
Overall, The Glory gets 5 out of 5 stars.
It's visually stunning and boasts a well-written script that keeps you guessing. This is a must-watch for fans of dark thrillers and revenge stories.
Best Part:
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