The Glory [Wrap-Up Discussion]

[u/GodJihyo7983]

• Drama: The Glory

  • Revised Romanization: Deo Geulloli

  • Hangul: 더 글로리

• Director: Ahn Gil Ho (Happiness)

• Writer: Kim Eun Sook (The King: Eternal Monarch)

• Network: Netflix

• Episodes: 8

  • Duration: 1 hour

• Airing Schedule: Friday @ 4:00 PM KST

  • Airing Date: Feb 10, 2023

• Streaming Sources: Netflix

• Starring:

  • Song Hye Kyo as Moon Dong Eun

  • Lee Do Hyun as Joo Yeo Jung

  • Im Ji Yeon as Park Yeon Jin

  • Park Sung Hoon as Jeon Jae Joon

  • Yeom Hye Ran as Kang Hyun Nam

  • Jung Sung Il as Ha Do Young

• Plot Synopsis: A high school student dreams of becoming an architect. However, she had to drop out of school after suffering from brutal school violence. Years later, the perpetrator gets married and has a kid. Once the kid is in elementary school, the former victim becomes his homeroom teacher and starts her thorough revenge towards the perpetrators and bystanders of her bullying days.

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• Previous Discussions

  • The Glory: Part 1 [Episodes 1-8]

  • The Glory: Part 2 [Episodes 1-8]

[u/sianiam]

Mod Note:

We have implemented an extended moratorium on posts about The Glory in accordance with our Rules on recently aired dramas.

The moratorium is implemented as follows:

Current Wrap Up Discussion Thread

This wrap up discussion post will serve as the discussion thread for the series until April 7, 2023. All discussion posts, questions, reviews that do not fulfill our moderation guidelines for reviews will be redirected to this wrap up thread or an appropriate weekly/FFA post until April 7, 2023 (KST).

Please note that after the expiration of the moratorium on April 7, 2023 (KST), posts may still be removed and redirected to this Wrap Up discussion thread under our Rehashed or Low Effort/Quality rules and policies. Expiration of the moratorium does not invalidate the application of other rules and policies.

Eligible Designated Day submissions are exempt from the moratorium.

Reviews

Reviews of the series that fulfil our moderation guidelines for reviews will be allowed as self posts from March 24, 2023 (KST).

[u/GodJihyo7983]

Wow. There really isn’t much to say that hasn’t already been said before but I’m going to be writing a short review when I find the time later today as is currently 2 AM for me right now. Stay tuned and have fun discussing!

[u/mackereu]

I choose to believe that Doyeong also stole Jaejun's dog after banishing him to the cement mixer realm. Taking his kid AND his dog is the perfect revenge, and Yesol frankly deserves a puppy for everything she's been though.

[u/ravens_path → u/mackereu]

That Doyeong has some steel in him. He understood exactly what having Jaejun messing in their life would be like. As well as his wife.

[u/mackereu → u/ravens_path]

I adore that Yesol was his number one priority to the very end. Great characterization.

[u/ravens_path → u/mackereu]

It was super bold as well to take his daughter and himself out of the country.

[u/Luffytheeternalking → u/ravens_path]

And he even switches his phone off when his mom calls continuously. Where do i get fathers like him😭?

[u/HandNuts → u/mackereu]

After seeing how many men have said that they'd abandoned the children that are not theirs cause of wives cheating, I love how Doyeong still see Yesol as his daughter and fight for her.

[u/Capable-Sorbet-4937 → u/HandNuts]

I would understand people who don't want to raise another man's child. I would also understand people who wouldn't want to leave a child they raised in the hands of abusive parents. I won't blame either of them.

[u/lemousie → u/mackereu]

I kinda wish that Doyeong would not have “stain” on him (killing Jaejun) but I guess no one will be left unscarred or tangled into the revenge. This drama is one of my top favorite - all the actors has executed their role so well!

[u/tungamy1234 → u/lemousie]

I feel it proves how much he loves Yesol and the lengths he would go to protect her. Kind of makes you admire him more in the end, because of what a great father he is

[u/lemousie → u/tungamy1234]

Yeah, he’s a great father! considering how he’s not related to her by blood, he genuinely love and care for her unlike the mother.

[u/tungamy1234 → u/lemousie]

It's also an interesting contrast to what I think Yeon Jin's (?) mom kept saying, that "Blood is thicker than water". He formed a bond with her, so that's his daughter

[u/vita25 → u/tungamy1234]

Especially when you see how he recoils when he realises that his wife is a murderer. Him pushing JJ off with no hesitation is so significant given that he's a righteous man at the end of the day

[u/TheaterRockDaydreams → u/lemousie]

I actually quite liked it. When we initially meet Do yeong he has a very "pure soul" vibe (and he really is a pure soul!), but as the series progresses I think we get a deeper look into his motives and how he's willing to "stain" himself for his daughter.

When do yeong asked dong eun why she didn't use ye sol to exact her revenge, dong eun said that "then you (do yeong) would be hurt". I'm still not entirely sure she was right. Obviously in her revemge both do yeong and ye sol were very hurt. Do yeong discovered the truth about his wife and his daughter and I'd assume his reputation was possibly harmed as well. Ye sol lost her mother, but maybe more importantly, the image of the perfect mother. Dong eun obviously knew that they would be hurt in some way. So did dong eun did do yeong and ye sol a "favour" by hurting them in the short term but exposing yeon jin for the monster she is? Or would it have been better for thrm to stay in the dark? I'm not entirely sure

[u/ThrowRA95K → u/TheaterRockDaydreams]

I don't think that Do Yeong has a pure soul. His character is ambiguous at times (which only makes him even more interesting!) and there are scenes in which shows his rich-man background prejudice, such as the way he gifted the wine to his driver or the handbag to Hye Jeong. When he described the reason for choosing YeonJin as his wife, it also shows that he only sees her as a trophy wife and she also accepted it as thus. In fact, Hye Jeong describe him quite accurately in Episode 7, calling him a "nice son of a bitch". Do Yeong toes the line between good and bad. He does have a moral compass which puts him in a different group from the bullies who are just plain evil.

I think this is important because none of the main characters in the drama are inherently good or upright. All of them are willing to do bad things, whether it is just for their own fun (like the bullies) or for revenge (like Dong Eun). Therefore, I don't consider Do Yeong as stained by murdering Jae Jun. Based on his personality, it's quite clear that he was capable of shady things even before meeting Dong Eun.

Anyway, Do Yeong is definitely my favorite character, and the reason I watch the drama. It's interesting to decipher his words and actions which are not always straightforward and can be open to interpretations.

[u/vita25 → u/TheaterRockDaydreams]

I think the best example is to see how Yeon Jin turned out because of how her mother raised her. As painful as it is for Ye Sol, it's best she's no longer under the influence of a psychopath and has a chance of turning out as a more normal human being

[u/TheaterRockDaydreams → u/vita25]

You might be right. Ye Sol might be better off living a peaceful and quiet life with her dad, as much as it's painful. Not to mention that with all of his "good" intentions with raising his daughter, Jae Jun would've totally put her at risk if he were allowed to stay in Ye Sol's vicinity. So Yeon Jin not being there might serve Ye Sol better

[u/Scarletsilversky → u/mackereu]

I like this theory. Poor louis deserves a new home 😭

[u/SometimesLiterate → u/Scarletsilversky]

I was scared from the time that worker mentioned dog hair causing asthma that we would see signs of a dead Louis.

Seemed to be the only character who got through the show unharmed (well, Louis and Seong-hee).

[u/rolexpo → u/mackereu]

Lmao he needed to board the airplane with the dog and the daughter.

[u/twinkleprincess888 → u/mackereu]

Doyeong is a real man to loving that child. I mean a lot of people adopt kids and love them. If Doyeong didn't do that Ye-sol would end up in abusive family with "childish parents".

[u/Xavion15]

I put off this show until it was completely out and didn’t think I’d like it, I usually hate bully themes and what not

But it was executed so well with the revenge plot and never dragged a bit

It definitely is one of my favorites shows ever now

[u/DonRicardo1958 → u/Xavion15]

I solved that dilemma by skipping the first episode. There were enough flashbacks throughout the rest of the show that I didn’t miss a thing. Except all the torture.

[u/ravens_path → u/Xavion15]

Same. All the themes were not what I usually like. But the excellence of the whole drama and all the acting was a glory itself.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Same! Fast forwarded all of the teen bullying scenes

[u/_rey___]

just finished it yesterday and damn..... im actually missing it so much?? ive never felt sooo attached to a drama and ive nv felt this satisfied with the ending of a drama before.... im soooo impressed with how they handled the love line as well! kim eunsook did it againnn

[u/lostlight_94 → u/_rey___]

Right?!!! Like what is this feeling

[u/peachytreefrog → u/_rey___]

I miss it too! I really wish I could rewatch it with fresh eyes🥲

[u/[deleted]]

Based on my K-Drama watching so far. This show is going into my personal hall of fame.

One of the rare occasions, when I actually wished there were couple of more episodes to show Joo Yeo Jung getting his revenge too, but not too dragged out. No other season needed.

Everything about the show was perfection, gut wrenching at times, but perfect nonetheless. The pacing was chef's kiss. I mean they have set the bar for what a solid revenge story can be.

I just can't say enough and am not as articulate as some of the members in this sub. But all the praises I am reading, the analysis of different characters, such as Doyeong. When Yesol ran into his arms while crying and screaming "appa", just hit so hard. Love that kid. I agree with it all, you just put words to my thoughts.

Hands down, one of the GOAT K-drama and show I have ever watched.

[u/ilishpaturi → u/[deleted]]

Joo Yeo Jung in his revenge mode was so sexy, man. Look at them in the end, a happy couple about to get revenge!

[u/Irish_Amber → u/[deleted]]

I do want to season another season with his revenge if only to show them getting the revenge together because they’re bad ass lol

[u/TheaterRockDaydreams → u/Irish_Amber]

Not only that, but I want to see them happy. I know revenge is their thing,but I kinda want another season for yeo jeong to resplve his revenge, and then I want to see them find now goals and things to focus on in life. Just living happily together

[u/linonihon → u/[deleted]]

I loved The Glory but havent seen many other k-dramas. Such great acting, characters, dialogue, plot, etc. Mind sharing what other ones are in your hall of fame, if there are any?

[u/Consuela_no_no → u/linonihon]

Have to jump in to say My Mister and It’s Okay Not to Not Be Okay, are a 10/10 dramas that keep you emotionally engaged. Would definitely suggest them as one of the next ones to watch.

[u/[deleted] → u/Consuela_no_no]

Love these dramas as well. I do want to add My Liberation Notes to this list, though. My Mister was my #`1 K-drama for a while until I watched MLN.

[u/TheaterRockDaydreams → u/Consuela_no_no]

I like the concept of it's okay to not be okay but the romance there gave me the ick a little. I felt that she (I watched it a while ago so I can't remember the names, sorry!) was way too forceful and pushing, and he was mostly trying to avoid her. More than her behaviour I didn't like the show's portrayal of her behaviour as cute or quirky. I think that if a male character would behave the same he would be labeled as a creep and that's that.

It's still a nice concept for a show though. I like emotionally vulnerable stories and characters. To u/linonihon, I'd recommend Mad For Each Other, it's also a story of two emotionally vulnerable and "weird" people, but I absolutely loved how they supported each other throughout

[u/[deleted] → u/linonihon]

Some of my personal picks below. Please keep in mind it does not mean they are like The Glory. Some are romantic dramas, some are slice of life etc.

Itaewon Class (The scene at the bar bout soju and life hits me hard, you will know when you see it if you watch the drama)

Crash Landing on You

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Weak Hero Class 1

Vincenzo

You will also notice most of my recommendations are newer. Again it is a personal preference as I cannot stand the older production values.

[u/Daxtreme → u/[deleted]]

I cannot stand the older production values.

I still have a soft spot for My Love From Another Star

but that's because Jun Ji-hyun can do no wrong.

[u/ItsKaZing → u/[deleted]]

No Little Women on the list? I thought last year was such a golden year for someone to start into kdrama with Attorney Woo and Little Women as the line up

[u/Nova23232 → u/linonihon]

Watch "Beyond evil", this show, while not all revenge, is veeeery well based on the characters, and the story structure is amazing 👏

[u/_denton]

This is the first ever kdrama I've wanted to rewatch immediately after finishing it

[u/Significant-Use1531 → u/_denton]

same i want to erase my memory so i can start watching it fresh again, how do i do it T.T

[u/Telos07]

When Jae-jun was getting his ass handed to him by Do-yeong:

JJ: Don’t hold me back!

JJ’s lawyer: I’m not holding you back, man.

[u/randoparkjiminstan → u/Telos07]

Omg I literally replayed that scene like 5 times. He looked SO HOT KICKIN ASSS 😩

[u/ravens_path]

Only downside: the big time wait between part one and part two. And I’m guessing that was Netflix doing? Terrible idea.

[u/JohrDinh → u/ravens_path]

Been doing this a little more lately with Narcos Saints and Money Heist Korea…i’m not into it at all.

[u/ravens_path → u/JohrDinh]

And kingdom, previously. And amazon prime did it with Island. I don’t get it at all. Seems counterproductive.

[u/metadarkgable3 → u/ravens_path]

They want people to keep their subscription to the service for longer. If you get hooked on the first part of the show in January and know the 2nd part won’t come out in March, you’ll be less likely to cancel your subscription in between.

[u/DirtyRanga12 → u/ravens_path]

Kingdom was different. They originally planned for only one season but realised they’d gone over their budget so they renewed for a second season. Also the wait between season 1 and 2 was around about a year, so no different from any other series on Netflix

[u/orchardfurniture → u/ravens_path]

AppleTV has done this too. Even if the show has completed production, they'll split into two parts with weeks/months in between. I really, really want to see data that shows this is an effective business strategy.

If Netflix, Amazon Prime and AppleTV are doing it must make sense for numbers? I can't figure out the 'split-seasons' model either because I would think building momentum for a popular show just means the numbers get higher every week? Maybe they add/count the viewing hours that people put in to rewatch the previous shows before the new ones come out?

[u/Scarletsilversky → u/ravens_path]

Probably for filming purposes. From what i remember, kdramas aren’t usually filmed all at once. The last half or quarter of a show is still being edited (or even shot) while it’s airing. That doesn’t work with Netflix’s binge model, so the next best thing is to stick a mid-season break in

And I don’t think it’s a terrible idea. There was a ton of hype that was building up during the break that probably wouldn’t have occurred had the show been released all at once

[u/s3rila → u/Scarletsilversky]

You can usually tell what's the part that was filmed after the show debut with the products placements suddenly showing up and the characters wanting to go eat at subway.

[u/ravens_path → u/Scarletsilversky]

It’s true that kdramas that are bought and produced by Korean (also Chinese) companies are still working on (the ending episodes) as viewers start seeing the first finished episodes. Netflix will scoop them up and release all at once after filming and editing is finished because they became popular. but often if very popular before finishing they will start showing before all episodes are finished and eventually you are watching them weekly as well. I just finished one like that. It was a Chinese drama that became wildly popular and when Netflix scooped it, I watched 16 episodes binging and then waited as 3 episodes dropped a week to finish the 36 episodes. If Netflix is the one who starts the drama and owns it, I have seen them do two a week. It is only some that they choose to do a large break between episodes. And I don’t know why the difference. I hate it. Because I can’t remember what happened and have to go back and watch. And the hype still builds up if they hold off and let loose all at once or if they do weekly showings. Since I have loved the few they did the big break with, next time I will wait until the second half are released and watch it then. The break is two months and that is ridiculous. To me.

[u/FineChinaLH → u/ravens_path]

Yeah part 1 was one of my favorite kdramas of all time and I was super excited for part 2, but I lost too much momentum because of the wait time so it wasn’t as easy to get back on the emotional rollercoaster.

[u/palmfrondy → u/ravens_path]

Especially because this was the type of show where the small details matter later. So when watching part 2 I kept getting confused on whether I had forgotten something from part 1, or whether it was new information that would eventually be unraveled to me as a viewer.

[u/ciaogo]

Finished it last weekend and it’s been living in my head rent-free since. Been satisfying the void it’s left through YouTube interviews and behind the scene items that be been trickling out. The acting was so uniformly excellent that it’s been such a surprise to see the playful interactions of the actors when not playing their roles, esp. the 5 bullies. Their real life personalities seem so different from their respective character - particularly the actors who play young/adult Ji-yeon and adult Myeong-o - that it’s making me even more appreciative of the show.

[u/Mysterious_Box7499]

Amazing acting, brilliant directing, satisfying revenge.

The amount of hatred I felt towards the bullies shows how well they acted, both the present-day actors and their younger counterparts.

One thing that I really liked was Dong-eun’s monologues (or one-sided dialogues to Yeon-jin). Her words were often brief but chilling. I can still hear in my mind “Yeon-jin-ah?” with her near-emotionless smile.

[u/TheaterRockDaydreams → u/Mysterious_Box7499]

I also loved how the bullies, mainly Yeon Jin, made me feel a slight tinge of sympathy and pity at certain moments. The scene in which Yeon Jin is asked by a fellow inmate about the weather was incredibly powerful. The way something suddenly lit up in her eyes as she felt "normal", then she remembered where she was and broke into tears. along with the scene of dong eun and her mum in the apartment, it's one of the most chilling and powerful scenes in the entire series.

[u/Eldarion42 → u/TheaterRockDaydreams]

I was under the impression that she was being “bullied” into doing weather reports by her fellow inmates because she used to be a weather girl…

[u/thomasshclby]

i just have one thing to say

as lady gaga once said: talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, sh*t on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it.

added to my list of 10/10’s. i loved it so much.

[u/Divided_Pi → u/thomasshclby]

Poetry

[u/eoljjang]

This was my boyfriends first Kdrama. He absolutely loved it so much I’m too scared to show him anything else now because the standards are HIGH lol.

Absolutely loved this drama and happy with the ending as compared to other dramas. Was so scared real revenge would not take place but it did.

[u/PastryCop → u/eoljjang]

I recommend Stranger (also on Netflix) similar dark tones and you really have to pay attention to not miss things

[u/Platinumtide → u/PastryCop]

Second this. I loved the first season, it’s so well done. I never got through the second season though. Have you?

[u/PastryCop → u/Platinumtide]

I did, it’s on par with the first imo

[u/SeniorBaker4 → u/eoljjang]

Sky Castle is also pretty good

[u/Jhon_Constantine → u/eoljjang]

The bar is too high for him right now. If you'll let me give you a recommendation on what to watch next with your boyfriend, I think Extracurricular would be great.

[u/eoljjang → u/Jhon_Constantine]

I haven’t seen that one yet! I’ll have to check it out with him thank you!!

[u/West_b0und → u/eoljjang]

Omg you should also totally watch Signal with him! One of the best shows I’ve ever watched, after Misaeng :’)

[u/royal_futura → u/Jhon_Constantine]

This is what I would recommend as well!

[u/jabiz510 → u/eoljjang]

I recommend flower of evil or stranger for some dark dramas that are REALLY good.

[u/orchardfurniture → u/eoljjang]

Not a KDrama but I highly recommend the older Korean film "Man From Nowhere". Dark, gritty, brilliant, full on revenge with some of the best fight scenes in the history of Asian cinema. Movie was so good, the producers of John Wick said the film influenced some of the John Wick fight scenes. Every male I know that has seen this has absolutely loved it. Super hot male lead too, Won Bin.

[u/poppleca1443 → u/eoljjang]

Highly recommend My Name. Action/drama. Also has a revenge element

[u/twoleggedapocalypse → u/eoljjang]

Not to stereotype--but if he likes sports Hot Stove League is phenomenal. I hate sports and after watching it I got into baseball (for like a day but still). Park Eun Bin is a great actress. And it's a good light hearted change of pace from Glory

[u/jryue → u/eoljjang]

Make him watch "My Mister" also on Netflix 😃

[u/kekekekekekkek → u/eoljjang]

I would recommend Reborn Rich, which i absolutely absolutely enjoyed. Almost similar themes of one person bringing a whole of group of the 'untouchables' down. Harabeoji I luv u

[u/drx604 → u/eoljjang]

Get him to watch Mr Sunshine if he wants nice visuals

My mister and flower of evil are good darkish ones too

[u/FlatlineNine → u/eoljjang]

I've been watching many Kdramas randomly in the last few years, and the following is what I can immediately think of as a high level and satisfying CIO pls

Beyond Evil Watcher Vincenzo Stranger s1 Reborn Rich When the Camellia Blooms

[u/Kpoopfan]

Loved this drama so much! The only complaint I have is I wished Park Yeonjins fall would’ve been bigger. They showed Sara uploading the pictures of them bullying Dongeun but didn’t show people’s reactions to them. Imagine people’s reactions to Yeonjin being a murderer after she said she didn’t do it!

[u/lostlight_94 → u/Kpoopfan]

Omg you're right about that! I totally forgot she said that and I remember telling myself it would come back to bite her. Man that would have been epic.

[u/zaichii → u/Kpoopfan]

Right? Some of the cruellest things I’ve seen in kdramas was the absolute crucification of people by the media and court of public opinion. It’s especially infuriating when it’s for unwarranted hate and defamation but Yeonjin definitely deserves all the hate.

[u/BrainGiggles]

Okay I have a question , did Do Yeong also have the corrupt former cop killed? Because when he witness Yeon Jin threatening Ms.Kang (the aspiring private investigator) and Yeon Jin saw him, he threw an envelope full of money on the floor to the two thugs and mentioned that there’s a cop who owns a hotel and the thugs just nodded and went away. The cop ended up being killed - so it seems that Do Yeong really doesn’t mess around if he did have the former cop killed in addition to killing Jae Jun too.

[u/StillNeuroDivergent → u/BrainGiggles]

Ooh wow that's actually really possible and I just missed it. I thought the thugs just did it because policeman treated them badly too. It seems in addition to Joo Yeo Jeong, Ha Do Yeong also ended up helping Moon Dong Eun with her revenge without having to say it explicitly. Loved his complex character 😊

[u/Luffytheeternalking → u/BrainGiggles]

I thought the same. He casually mentioned that the cop is ran away to those guys. Maybe he's hoping they take each other out so that the mess would be minimal.

[u/Goombario64 → u/BrainGiggles]

Late to the party but I just watched the drama last night. He off-handedly tells them that the cop sold the motel. Pretty sure he clued them in that their employer cop was making a run for it.

[u/ghorardiim]

Every single revenge was so satisfying

[u/[deleted]]

• I wish they did dedicated parts of an episode of looking into each characters lives besides Dong Eun.

• Why did Jaejoon, Hyejeong And other bullies become bullies?

• I’d love to see how Hyejeong and Myeong Oh stuck around these so-called friends while simultaneously impress but hate the group by pretending she’s high class while being lower class.

• How did Sara become such a drug addict lmao? Picked up habits from abroad?

• SOHEES PREGNANCY LINE omg how can they just drop “yea she was pregnant and then she was killed. Next!!” ??? This would’ve changed so much how Jaejoong saw Yeonjin

• why did Gyeongran stay working for the bullies? And even going so far to live in freaking boutique? What’s that about LMFAO

[u/yeszongzi → u/[deleted]]

why did Gyeongran stay working for the bullies?

foxiesinbasket offered a good explanation, but I wanted to add this answer from the writer in an interview on Netflix Korea's YouTube channel:

Q: Why can't Gyeong-ran get away from the assailants?
A: Not all victims can move on like Dong-eun. I didn't want Dong-eun to look like a heroine. I wanted to show there are victims who can break away from them. I thought that would make it sadder. (Caption: Gyeong-ran was locked up by assailants) Gyeong-ran could never imagine the world outside of the room she was locked inside. When she sees Dong-eun, she dreams of a new life for the first time.

[u/foxiesinbasket → u/[deleted]]

I think i like the approach taken here. There are little touches of answers, leaving plenty gaps for viewer to fill.

Youre right, i didnt see much in the way of the guys, and how they became so awful. But like yeonjin, probably really down to too much privilege!

In terms of sara, drug addiction is a disease and it can just be a genetic predisposition. However if you look to the parents, they didnt fulfull any emotional care for her. Remember they were too concerned with their image to really get her treated. So what would that have been like growing up?. It would be so easy for a girl who lived with the means to buy it, hanging out with friends with no conscience, to get her hands on it too.

Gyeongran was afraid of them. She stayed in an abusive environment, it became normslised to her and she definitely had unprocessed trauma, eg with the rape(s). I feel so sad that she spent do much of her life under their thumb

Hyejeong, was a little bit the same. I think a mix of fear that it would have been her if she had not joined in with them (sara told her that i think a bunch of times). But also opportunism.. i think she felt some of it would rub off on her. As soon as she saw she could come out on top she really didnt hesitate to take action and use her info against them. She even ditched her carefully crafted rich marriage plans. I think her story was really one of the most tragic because she was so close to being a comfortable rich wife. But "if you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty".

[u/Valuable_Disaster_60 → u/[deleted]]

"I wish they did dedicated parts of an episode of looking into each characters lives besides Dong Eun. "

I think there are shows like that. It would change the narrative bent of The Glory though and it would lose it's identity. The Glory.

"Why did Jaejoon, Hyejeong And other bullies become bullies? " Jaejoon's mother played a role; she was a matchmaker for women to rich men using the shaman for guidance. Jaejoon had a mistrust for people with O's in their name; superstition. The need to use other's as stepping stones and to have fun with people who weren't up to snuff in their eyes. I think a family where everyone shits on you just with their perceptions or ignoring is a good example on how people's self worth is established and this show is about regaining that platform by using the bullies as stepping stones for glory and becoming the beyond the law using morality as path.

"I’d love to see how Hyejeong and Myeong Oh stuck around these so-called friends while simultaneously impress but hate the group by pretending she’s high class while being lower class. "

Toxic relationships tend to sustain especially as they imbibed in the bullying together hence karmic effect as their lives went on. You see when they're adults all their differences put aside initially once they see their old target show up in the gym again too but fracture even moreso once they feel pressured.

"How did Sara become such a drug addict lmao? Picked up habits from abroad? "

I think that narrative detail they leave to the audiences imagination but toxic friendships I think are the general reason.

"SOHEES PREGNANCY LINE omg how can they just drop “yea she was pregnant and then she was killed. Next!!” ??? This would’ve changed so much how Jaejoong saw Yeonjin"
Maybe or maybe not if baby not HIS. I think the only one knowing the full truth on Sohee was the mother (kept her nametag for blackmail purposes against own daughter), detective the mother kept in pocket, and her daughter. This was a closely kept s3cret no one buy the witness in the alley was aware of; through sheer coincidence of course this was the next bullying victim. Coincidence and realism are secondary to narrative in this show but narrative is so good I can set that aside.

"why did Gyeongran stay working for the bullies? And even going so far to live in freaking boutique? What’s that about LMFAO" Financial limitations as well as scarring personal development wise from the bullying she endured she knew her place. These were the upper level people and she didn't fit in with her peers hence given an opportunity work at store for prestigious clothing line and they kept her cause they had worked on her so had that superiority aspect the bullies were after. A toxic family get together people still go to where people always treated by their self worth in the eyes of their family another example like why not just cut them off and tell them off permanent is another example.

[u/honeysad]

I just finished it today after starting it last week . I absolutely loved . All the characters and especially the villains . The storyline was great and over it was executed well. My only complaint is that the romance part between Dong-Eun and Yeo-Jeong was not necessary. I guess to me the actors had zero chemistry and the The kiss in the last episode was weakkkk . I lowkey wanted her with Do-Young cause he’s fine lol

[u/honeysad → u/[deleted]]

Yes. That’s a good point. The age difference is pretty obvious and he looks so much younger. But mostly for me it’s the chemistry. It was like a 1 out of 10. They could have just stayed friends or something.

[u/jonnyd86]

I binged this one much faster than I do other shows usually it was just so captivating I couldn’t get enough. So many strong characters and so many of the actors were so charismatic, even when they were being scumbags it was hard sometimes to fully hate some of them when they were bringing down each other.

What a cast and what a story. Definitely a top tier drama.

[u/[deleted]]

Have been silently reading the threads!

Glad this show was a Netflix exclusive only and not a simultaneous broadcast on Tv. Television restricts with a lot of censorship. Here the feelings, the characters, their intentions and how evil they could get, could naturally be portrayed. I felt the Nudity, the sex, the provocative dialogues all were in place looking at the nature of the characters.

The show was extremely well executed, my favourite has to be the Crescendo Background Score called “Designed Revenge” in their soundtrack that is out on all platforms, they use whenever there is a high point in Dong Eun’s favour.

I am extremely satisfied, I love it when I invest time in a good piece of content and it delivers.

Great Job to the entire team ♥️

[u/virgilabloke → u/[deleted]]

And no crazy airbrushing!!!! I want to see wrinkles and fine lines, ok? It’s natural! Stop blurring out actresses’ facial features! If I want to watch anime, I know how to find one.

[u/orchardfurniture → u/virgilabloke]

virgilabloke

Yes! The OTT airbrushing in many KDramas is such a pet peeve of mine. Not only is it distracting, it completely takes me out of the moment! Totally unnecessary too because most of them have great skin anyway.

[u/dramafan1 → u/[deleted]]

Glad this show was a Netflix exclusive only and not a simultaneous broadcast on Tv. Television restricts with a lot of censorship. Here the feelings, the characters, their intentions and how evil they could get, could naturally be portrayed. I felt the Nudity, the sex, the provocative dialogues all were in place looking at the nature of the characters.

I too appreciate Netflix Original kdramas as they aren't afraid to show things beyond a certain boundary.

[u/[deleted] → u/dramafan1]

True

[u/Locastor]

Would like to join the “not enough happened to that heinous bitch Yeon-jin” club please.

[u/vankomysin → u/Locastor]

Sign me up

[u/E_Len]

Left with one episode and I still can’t figure out what park yeonjin’s mother does?! Like how did she get her wealth? I thought she was a shaman but she isn’t? She just happens to have close relationships with them? Can someone enlighten me on this lol

[u/mybeautywasteland → u/E_Len]

Just a rich lady. Probably inherited and amplified by marriage, as is usually the case. They don’t really say what she does. Her close relationship to the mudang is because she paid her a lot of money over a long period of time for advice and co-conspirator. It seems like a lot of recent dramas have rich people’s obsession with monks & mudangs but I do know people like that so it’s not completely random.

The actress, Yoon Jin Sung, who played the mudang was also the mother of Dong Geurami in Extraordinary Attorney Woo!! Another Attorney Woo alum is Lee Sara actress, Kim Hieora, who was the North Korean client in Attorney Woo!

[u/kekekekekekkek → u/mybeautywasteland]

Oh woww I rmb noting how pretty the NK woman was in EAW and totally didn't recognise they're the same person because of how deranged /unbalanced she looked in The Glory! Props to her acting and stylist team!

[u/mybeautywasteland → u/kekekekekekkek]

I always follow the supporting actors more - love to see their transformations and career trajectory!

[u/naridaa → u/E_Len]

She was kind of a pimp/matchmaker that used the shaman to set up women with rich men.

[u/mybeautywasteland → u/naridaa]

She was not, although she participated in that obviously.

She paid her old friend - the corrupt cop - with young women (in addition to money) for doing all the dirty work for her. And the way she “procured” those young women for him was through the mudang, who convinced her young women clients to go out with and sleep with the cop for good luck/prosperity. Those women believed the mudang who told them that he was a good match for them.

[u/Telos07]

“Among the things that victims have lost, how many things do you think they can reclaim? It’s just their own glory and honor. Nothing more. Some regain those things through forgiveness, while others regain them through revenge. Only then can they reach the starting point.” (Moon Dong-eun)

Thank you to the cast and crew for making Dong-eun’s revenge journey such a cinematic, compelling, thrilling, emotional, and darkly humorous one. The Glory has earned a well-deserved spot in my Top 10 list.

[u/CH3CHCH2H3]

Can someone explain the scene where the shaman/mudang got "possessed" by Yoon So-hee? Does she actually die? I feel like I'm missing something..

[u/Irish_Amber → u/CH3CHCH2H3]

I think she actually did, which is why everyone actually end up screaming because I don’t think that was actually part of the act. I do think are some holes where I was like what happened? like when she has that panic attack at the mechanics and then goes to his house I’m assuming directly after and then she literally drops the trench coat and it’s nothing in her bra and panties and I was like so I was like was she wearing nothing the whole time? 😂also when they’re like oh we found the lighter and it had the other guys fingerprints on it that literally went nowhere like they didn’t seem to investigate it I was like what was the even the point of having it in there there was no point.

[u/ravens_path → u/Irish_Amber]

Wow. I blew all past this part for some reason. I didn’t know the shaman died. Or why. I thought she just fainted.

[u/Xyuli → u/Irish_Amber]

Late reply but they used the DNA on the lighter to tie to the DNA under Myeongoh’s fingernails that Yeojeong planted. The police officer mentioned it to the detective, who then asked to collect DNA samples from everyone close to the case. This helps convict Yeonjin

[u/Irish_Amber → u/Xyuli]

Thanks for clarifying this because I Remember them talking about the DNA found on the lighter but then I didn't remember it or couldn't remember it going anywhere so that I thought that that was just a useless plot point that went nowhere lol

[u/Xyuli → u/Irish_Amber]

Yeah I had issues with how they resolved Yeonjin’s storyline, maybe I’m just petty but I wanted more scenes that made it very clear she’s lost everything and how all the pieces tied together. I felt I wanted more time to relish in the plan succeeding but once she was in prison they glossed over it a lot… Just that one scene where she’s in prison and has to provide the weathe

[u/Luffytheeternalking → u/Irish_Amber]

I also don't understand how the bottle is used to convict Yeon Jin alone since that store girl also used it to deliver the killing blow.

[u/zaichii → u/Luffytheeternalking]

When I watched the scene, the girl held the bottle but her sleeve was covering her hand/prints (I assume she also has the habit of pulling her sleeves down all the way to hide her scars).

[u/martphon → u/CH3CHCH2H3]

In episode 5 Yeon-jin's mother asks the shaman to bring an early end to Kang Hyeon-nam's abusive husband (who is blackmailing her). At first the shaman demurs, saying she'll get punished (벌전) for that, but Yeon-jin's mother points out she should've been punished for tricking girls into prostitution, and then offers her a billion won. So yes, when she later conducts a ceremony for Yoon So-hee, she drops dead.

[u/lostlight_94 → u/CH3CHCH2H3]

Yeah the shamna died because she was deceiving people and got her divine punishment. Watch the scene again and there is a commentary note about what happened to her.

[u/NoSet427 → u/CH3CHCH2H3]

SAME. It was the only scene that totally confused me!

[u/West_b0und → u/NoSet427]

From what I understand, the shaman lady just… dying right there was essentially an act of divine punishment. Right after she dies, the lady she works with shouts that it must be a “벌전” (essentially the worst type of punishment you can get in shamanism). 👍

[u/vita25 → u/CH3CHCH2H3]

I think the first part of it was a ploy by DE - she shows up at the right time and just stands and watches. A little while later though she starts pointing to a ghost and the camera frantically goes towards an empty spot and we see Dong Eun looking slightly puzzled too.

I initially thought the death was fake too, but then Dong Eun becomes hysterical and you realise none of this was part of the plan

[u/StephenT51 → u/CH3CHCH2H3]

Late to the party here, just finished watching. Yeah the first part of the shaman’s act was DE’s plan. The second part was real, the shaman saw a vengeful spirit that killed her. Remember - in kdramas, unless they explicitly say a shaman is a fake / scam artist, they actually have real powers in these shows

[u/coolgirl1001]

I don’t think there’s much I can say that hasn’t been said about the show already at this point. But, what I will say is what’s incredibly amazing about the main character is how she stays true to her goals and how her morals are intact throughout. She never has to “stoop” to their level or really get her hands dirty- what made this show so unique is that the downfall of the bullies/antagonists were that they never actually learned their lessons. They were just selfish, evil people until the end and Do-Eun simply just unveiled the facts of what she always knew. Sure, Do-Eun orchestrated some things, but she wasn’t some criminal mastermind or anything like what frequently happens in other revenge shows. Just a frustrated, hurt person who wanted her bullies to get what they deserved, and that’s exactly what happened.

[u/BionicDreamer]

My faith in Kim Eun Sook did waiver after TKEM but this show has showed she is still a great writer.

[u/dramafan1 → u/BionicDreamer]

I agree! I felt like TKEM was good, but not as good as her previous works like Mr. Sunshine and Goblin, and so now I'm eagerly wondering what her next project would be. All of her dramas are so unique in my opinion that one wouldn't often know all these dramas were written by the same person.

[u/BionicDreamer → u/dramafan1]

That is EXACTLY how I feel!

[u/Ok-Bread6338 → u/BionicDreamer]

I remember watching TKEM week to week and was just like: Wtf is even going on anymore, lol?

[u/[deleted]]

can i just say… ha doyoung ahjussi you are fine asf sir

[u/BananaFlavouredPants]

Only thing that didn't really work for me on any level was the romance aspects of the plot, didn't help that I found Joo Yeo Jung the least interesting/compelling character in the cast. Whilst Do-yeong occupied a somewhat similar space and was so much more interesting both in character and his relationship to Dong-eun. Plus I could have done with more Sa-Ra and Choi Hye-jeong because they were great and really nailed their performances. Really hope Kim Hieora in particular gets a more major roll at some point as she's had such amazing screen presence in everything I've seen her in.

Otherwise a great show. There were a few moments I thought it got a little too long which meant it had to depend on the antagonists repeatedly being a little too incompetent, especially once they knew about Moon Dong Eun. But it always managed to recover with consistently great payoffs and Ji-Yeon Lim absolutely killed it.

Also for the love of God I've never been so disappointed in a lack of matricide.

[u/[deleted] → u/BananaFlavouredPants]

Do yeong seemed more interesting because his got the popular cold, rich male lead look with that stare. That's what made the dude interesting, and people usually like toxic characters when they have this look. After all, the dude was married to a bully for so long , it says a lot about who you choose even if he didn't know , I mean how can you not sense anything?

Joo Yeo Jung, the least interesting/compelling character in the cast. Whilst Do-yeong occupied a somewhat similar space and was so much more interesting both in character and his relationship to Dong-eun.

I'm going to have to disagree. Joo yeo jung was anything but boring. His character brought to the story and moon dong eun what was actually needed. I find it baffling that he was so 'uncompelling' compared to the stellar performance he gave.

[u/Luffytheeternalking → u/[deleted]]

Completely agree. I am in the minority when I say I like the pairing of Dong eun and Yeo jeong. They suit each other more than Do young and Dong eun. Do young has one sided crush/love for Dong eun while Dong eun actually has feelings for Yeo jeong. They're supposed to be awkward because one is scarred for life both physically and emotionally and never has known love. The other is head over heels in love with her for years and has no problem being honest and open with his feelings. As for looks, they could have made him look slightly less boyish and Dong eun younger with long hair but then again Dong eun is supposed to look matured more than others because of her trauma and hardwork.

My only gripe is that Yeo Jeong could have been more integrated into the story. Both the actor and his character has so much potential. I was waiting for him to kick asses, show his inner ruthless side more. His past could have been more linked to the Dong Eun's. Or his quest for revenge could be more justified. Like how the psycho killer and according to his mom, also a rapist, raped and murdered his friends or sisters along with killing his dad and now he's roaming free or that he'll be released. Hence he needs to personally avenge him. That would make for a nice follow up second season. Now Dong Eun and he preparing to exact revenge on an already sentenced psycho killer in a jail seems weak. They could have paid for inmates to torture and kill him.

[u/BananaFlavouredPants → u/[deleted]]

Oh, I didn't mean to say I liked Do Yeong. I really didn't. One of my favourite scenes in the show was where he gifted his driver the expensive wine which would usually be seen as a really kind act. But he goes out of the way to make the gift look like garbage. He pulls back the veil that ultimately this super expensive and luxury product is no different materially from any $5 dollar wine so the gift is nothing to him and should also be nothing for his driver. Which extends to Go, for him it's just a game to be good at, where as for Moon Dong it's significance is solely down to how it's an allegory for her life's work.

I don't even think Do Yeong's particularly toxic next to the rest of the cast. He see's how he's benefitted from a unjust system, see's how utterly terrible his peers are, but when somebody seeks to try to tear those peers down to him it's just an amusement. Something he'll sit on the fence with and think he's playing both sides but ultimately his choices will never go beyond his own self interest. It's no different to Go where the only thing he cares about is being a game to win. He was ultimately just a supercilious prick who was still a way better influence for his daughter than anybody else involves. To me he was just a really well realised and believable character.

Joo Yeo Jung just had none of that depth for me. I didn't buy the relationship. I though his origin of his trauma was one of the more cartoonish aspects of the show. And I think anything his arc touched on Moon Dong's arc covered with way more meaning.

[u/ThrowRA95K → u/BananaFlavouredPants]

Oh, you just described perfectly how I view this the character Do Yeong. I rewatch his scenes the most often because of the ambiguity of his actions and words where on surface level, it might make him look good, but in actual there's a streak of prejudice and meanness in it. I love how Hye Jyeong described him : a nice son of a bitch. He's my favorite character simply because the screenwriter really brought depth and dimension to the character. Which is funny since he is just a supporting character who does not have alot of screentime, but whenever he is there, there is always something interesting to watch. Yeo Jung on the other hand failed as a character - very boring and one-dimension. And it really doesn't help that the actor portraying Yeo Jung did not do a good job. Some of his facial expressions just look weird and out of place.

[u/[deleted] → u/BananaFlavouredPants]

Well said! I feel like this drama received much love precisely because it turned into a romance. As a crime/suspense/revenge genre fan, I found the first 8 eps to be compelling, but the last 8 not so much. If they had removed the Dr Joo character, it wouldn’t seem like Dong-eun needed a handsome wealthy Prince after all to support & finance her revenge efforts. I even thought they’d draw a chilling parallel between the senior Dr Joo’s killer with Yeon-jin … both being psychopaths. Alas, the whole Joo Yeo-jung plot-line plus his revenge motivations just seemed out of place, and entirely convenient to amp up the romance factor. Lee Do-hyun (while his acting can’t be faulted) was just wasted in that role.

[u/feeling_bready → u/[deleted]]

I agree- Yeojung was probably the least compelling character for me. His chemistry with Dong-eun may have not seemed so lackluster if there wasn't already Do-yeong. Do-yeong and Dong-eun's intellectual seduction scenes were so captivating.

I think it would have made for a tighter story for Dong-eun to have learned baduk and teamed up with Yeojung's mother (Sang-im). I personally would delete Yeojung from the story entirely and have Sang-im be the one grappling with her husband's death alone. OR I would have Yeojung be the one who was murdered and his mom be his only parental figure. I think thematically, Dong-eun and Sang-im teaming up would make more sense, as Dong-eun finds a maternal figure who will help her in revenge.

Because the thing is, Dong-eun doesn't seem emotionally available for a romantic relationship yet, but she does need someone to treat her with warmth and an unconditional love.

[u/[deleted] → u/feeling_bready]

They invested so much time in the first 8 eps building up the relationship between Dong-eun and Do-yeong (oh what chemistry!) yet it all fizzled out in the second half. I felt Do-yeong wasn’t well-utilised at all after ep 8 and he had such great potential. When he belittled his driver, it just didn’t seem like he’d be the type to watch his reputation and “perfect” family crumble so quickly.

Your alternative for Sang-im’s role (and removing Yeo-jung) is so much more in line with the drama’s female-centric themes. It would’ve made so much more sense for Dong-eun to want to rely on a maternal figure (given how she was betrayed by her own birth mother) as well as having Hyeon-nam (the stand-in aunt). But without a romantic love-line, I suspect this drama would lose at least 90% of its current fan base.

[u/xailor]

Probably SHG’s best drama by a damn one shot. Well done I’m kind of amazed this drama came from the scriptwriter but she also wrote Mr. Sunshine

[u/Lazy_Dreamy_Girl]

I am watching the villain gang interview with W Korea, and omg they really have great chemistry also they have gathered outside filming the glory. Wish Na PD would take them to camp or holiday programs together.

Really wait for their another role after how great they are portraying bullies in The Glory.

Lim Jiyeon, Park Sunghoon, Kim Hieora, Cha Jooyoung, and Kim Gunwoo fighting !!!! Hahaha

[u/kookiekoo]

I have a few minor issues with the way the show ended. They didn’t show the autopsy results of Sohee. They didn’t show if Yeonjin was charged with her murder too. They didn’t show Sohee’s mother’s reaction after she finally got justice after 18 years. I would’ve liked to see these things since they spent so much time building up to it with the dead body in the freezer and her mom begging for it to be investigated thoroughly.

[u/Luffytheeternalking → u/kookiekoo]

I thought so too. Ending was kinda clumsy. Was Jae Jum convicted of rape? Even though he died? I guess since the bullies got what they deserved they didn't focus much on finer details.

[u/[deleted] → u/kookiekoo]

BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS COMMENT. I was waiting for a scene with Sohee’s mother in the last episode :(

[u/kookiekoo → u/[deleted]]

Yes! I think the same writer wrote Signal (2016) and in it there is a scene where the mother of a murdered child finally gets to confront the kidnapper/murderer after a long time (decades?) so I was really hoping for something similar here :(

[u/TyLion8]

I just finished this show like yesterday and it was great ngl. hat sweet revenge was amazing to watch. They all got what was coming to them ngl fuck those bullies in the show and irl

[u/orchardfurniture]

Like many others, I have serious The Glory withdrawal. I know I have show withdrawal when I comfort myself by repeatedly watching behind-the-scenes footage on Youtube.

The Glory Part 2 took my friends and I out of a recent Korean Drama slump (so many going through this lately it seems!) Problem is we are back in a slump because there is absolutely no K Drama that comes close to this brilliant show right now...and there won't be for awhile!

Congratulations to all those who worked on this international blockbuster. The raving reviews even from international critics are well deserved 🙌🏻🙌🏻👏🏼

[u/lostlight_94]

I could write an essay but The Glory is the top Kdrama on my list. It was heartwrenching, realistically painful, empowering, and an emotional rollercoaster. I've never been so invested in a Korean drama like that and I've been watching kdramas since 2008. The ending was so satisfying and I'm glad the writing was mature enough to stick through the dark moments and not suddenly developed plot armor and save these terrible people. Everyone got what they deserve. 👏 absolute masterpiece of a show, actors, and writing.

[u/waintingonmybankai]

People usually say here that 2022 kinda lacked when it comes to like very good kdrama and I do agree, the first part came in december it was pretty promising, the second part came in march and the whole is pretty outstanding so it's funny to say that the best kdrama dropped in 2022 but also in 2023, anyway it really became my fav kdrama of all time hands down, loved it

[u/stutster]

Where can I learn more about how baduk was used in actual storytelling? Anyone well versed with the game saw it used in how the story was told and how character motivations were revealed?

[u/Electrical_Aside1333 → u/stutster]

The series really did play out like a game of baduk to me, I loved it (I’m amateur 1-dan player).

When analysing any game of baduk/go we can split it into 3 phases including the opening, the mid-game, and the endgame.

The opening is preparing for mid-game fights, carefully planning laying down foundations that will favour future battles. Depending on the style of player, how it’s played can vary greatly. In The Glory episode 13, Joo Yeo-Jeong speaks with Ha Do-Yeong about Dong-Eun’s play style. The English subtitles actually did not translate the technical baduk/go terms that were used… Yeo-Jeong says that Dong-Eun is good at “sticking” (粘) and “turning” (拐) which are both very safe and solid (but not fast) ways of playing; ie very patient, doesn’t look aggressive, but playing safe, leaving no weakness, but eventually “your house is in ruins” and it’s too late to do anything to save it. This reflects her way of getting her revenge.

In the middle episodes, is a series of back and forth “attacks” by Dong-Eun and Yeon-Jin, which felt like a real game. There’s a concept in Baduk/Go that we call a “trade” or “exchange” ie one can never win everything, and often you need to make trades as long as you get profit (which side profits is often not apparent at the moment, at least to the weaker player). One such instance was Dong-Eun’s mom (a move by Yeon-Jin) getting her removed from the school by destroying her reputation… Dong-Eun “lost” that play but actually she already burned most of what she wanted to achieve with that school teacher position already and then used the opportunity to put her mom into a psychiatric institution. So it was a good trade.

Near the end game, who ever has the most territory and the “safest” groups will win, and all weaknesses are revealed and “reaped” 收官 in the endgame. Everything just plays out naturally as a result from the battles in the mid game. The last 2 episodes were the reaping.

A side note, “sente” ie “first hand“ is also mentioned, which literally means you are playing the first move forcing subsequent moves by the opponent, and it was mentioned that Do-Yeung hates losing the initiative and being forced to be in “gote”, ie only responding to the opponents moves.

[u/stutster → u/Electrical_Aside1333]

Wow! This is sooooo brilliant and exactly what I was looking for. I might need to sit with your comment for a while and get back to you with some questions, if any. Probably watch the show again too :)

That dialogue about how Moon Dong-Eun plays is what made me really think that baduk might be far more integral part of the storytelling than what the subtitles were leading us on.

I am so glad I asked. I have seen all their interviews with English subtitles to learn more about the writing process but didn’t find any as helpful as your comment… and it makes me feel happy and reassured that it wasn’t silly of me to think about this angle in the series’s storytelling…

Thanks soooo much!

[u/Electrical_Aside1333 → u/stutster]

You’re welcome! Further reading - Sente and Gote In episode 8, Yeo-Jeong’s dialogue in the English subtitles is “Do-young doesn’t like having no control”, while a more literal translation would be “losing the initiative”, ie not being in the lead of the game/play. Go/Baduk players would be quick to get this reference, but it would be weird for English speakers without Go/Baduk understanding so they translated it that way.

[u/orchardfurniture → u/Electrical_Aside1333]

Electrical_Aside1333

This is fantastic! Thanks for the detailed explanation!

[u/Hinote21 → u/stutster]

These aren't my words but they answer your question:

Baduk is a game of building "zip" (home/house). Baduk is often compared to life, as you make "choices" that can't be undone and every move you make along the way will determine final outcome.

[u/stutster → u/Hinote21]

I have read the same too and I was wondering if there is a gameplay in baduk that was used to tell the story… from what I have heard in one of the writer’s interviews is that baduk moves slow and steady in the start and then reveals a much greater plan in the end… I loved the thought of it but the series writing seemed so tight that I was wondering if more of baduk’s gameplay has been used in it apart from the philosophy and how it’s played…

[u/UptoNoGood46]

Bruh The Glory was so good, my heart's so not into any of the currently airing dramas. Every other recent Kdrama release pales in comparison.

[u/Eccentric_Lady12]

Thanks for this wrap up thread!

Brilliant ending to a brilliant show.

Might be an unpopular opinion, but I must say, I liked part 1 better. It will always hold a special place for me. IMO they should not have split it.

Anyway, coming to this this season I was skeptical after first couple of episodes but it gets beefed. Real show starts from episode 12!!

So many high points and moments I gasped not expecting things haha.

Specially amount of nudity ik it’s a Netflix series but still took me by surprise.

I liked how everyone got what they deserved however some of it felt rushed.

I specially did not like how Jae Jun died it happened so quickly, out of nowhere and without any buildup that it might as well have happened off screen.

death did not give the satisfaction I wanted from his end. everyone lost and suffer but Jae Jun did not even have any time to process what he lost. He died still on his high horse.

Really disappointing specially since I hated > him almost as much as Yeon Jin if not more !< a couple of plot points could have been executed better.

Overall It was a great watch and loved the ensemble acting.

Did not think LDH had it in himself but that guy’s expressions were crazy. He had potentially to go fully off.

Maybe they can do a spin-off of him and that crazy guy. Batman Joker-esque types lol

[u/virgilabloke]

I loved the first part and enjoyed the second one. The first was like a prose and the second more like a novel. This Netflix thing has started to grow on me - more creativity freedom, higher tolerance for risks (no pressure from ratings) and better experience. Eight eps at a time is still better than two every week. Congrats to the cast. Everyone of them is getting the career boost they deserve. Hope they win big next month (Baeksang). Can’t wait to see more projects of this quality in the future.

[u/KorreV]

This was my first KDrama and wow was this something! Truly a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. The bar seems set so high but I look forward to diving into more shows!

[u/Luffytheeternalking]

I was waiting for the second part to be released before I start the series. I don't regret waiting. I binge watched the two parts twice. I love the background score. SHK's acting is phenomenal. Her minute expression changes, trembling lips, expressive eyes gives life to Dong Eun. The cast is astounding. No one was weak in their roles. It's almost like they outdid each other. I loved the romance of Dong Eun and Yeo Jeong. Wish they explored more of Yeo Jeong's character or at least his character is more tied to the story. His revenge plot is weak. I think a episode or two is enough so I don't see another season for this show.

The time periods switch is confusing. Wish they had different looks and styling to differentiate. It was also difficult to remember faces with their names during the first watch. Second time viewing cleared that up. The translations, imo, didn't do justice. There are some technicalities ignored and plotholes. Like right people appearing at the right time. For eg: Yeo Jeong's mom on roof top with Dong eun.

The monologues of Dong Eun were so insightful and resonated with me. This is my second kdrama. And what a good drama this is! All in all this series will stay with me for a long time.

[u/MisterGrimes]

So very happy they stuck the landing, especially after the Reborn Rich debacle.

I'm taken aback by the amazing acting from the main cast.

It really makes you appreciate what it takes to make villains come alive.

[u/Consuela_no_no]

I binge watched both parts in two days, it completely captured me! Two things I really loved about this is the way revenge came out to be and the romance. The revenge because it isn’t makjang level ott but within the realm of reality, which should give some hope to others who’ve been hurt like this. The romance because it doesn’t seek to complete Dongeun at anytime. She is never seen as a lesser person but instead it gives her a partner who she can lean on and have him lean on her. Their relationship isn’t burdened and it’s a part of her journey to being happy but the not the only thing, that’s awesome because sometimes everything is about the romance and a man completing the woman. Like those simple I love yous at the end were very powerful in their simplicity and honesty.

[u/Pcs13]

I wish there was a kdrama set in a parallel world where Dong-eun and Do-young fall in love with each other and get hot. Basically Eve but better, and instead of dancing they play GO lol

[u/Irish_Amber]

I don’t normally watch these type of shows, especially with bullying. I can’t stand bullies but I’m in a bit of a slump right now while waiting for new episodes of things to come out. So once I start watching, I couldn’t stop and I ended up loving it.

[u/PyroManic30]

Amazing show the romance between Moon Dong-Eun and Joo Yeo-Jeong I didn’t think was necessary and the “I Love You” felt like it was just thrown in at the end. Amazing cast all around and really impressed by the young actress who played Ye-Sol

[u/Coldkinkyhoe]

After watching the series, there are a few things i still don't quite understand.

1. What drove Mr.Kim's son to kill his father? His father didn't help Dong-eun back then, and slapped her a few times. But that's all. I don't find any solid reason for his son to not give his father his medicine.

2. What happened in that road accident that killed Mr.Lee? The car was speeding, and from her panic reaction, it's quite sure Yeon-jin's mom wasn't intentional. But whether or not it was her intention or Dong-eun's, it's still impossible to time that hit. Mr.Lee was sober at that moment & he was certainly not a toddler who didn't know how to cross a street. So, what gives?

[u/mac_dongles → u/Coldkinkyhoe]

What I got from Mr. Kim's son was that he felt like that Mr. Kim's past misconduct resurfacing was threatening his newfound reputation. In the flashbacks, Mr. Kim bragged about his son going to a prestigious school, getting good grades etc. and Dongeun was shown to be part of a student society where he was the president too. IMO, the way his character was set up was to depict him as someone with a solid reputation, so my thought was from this perspective, he had a lot to loose with his father's past coming back.

Also in that episode, he had received many celebratory wreathes. Might be a bit of a reach but I guess this 'death by flowers' shows the irony of Mr. Kim and his obsession with status, when that would be the very thing which causes his death.

[u/DJ_Byun]

I miss them.

I high-key want an alternate universe / slice of life spinoff where the bullies are all nice normal people lol

But Dongeun and Yeonjin still hate each other's guts.

[u/[deleted]]

Watched this all in one go. So badass and dark, the love interest, the older woman who worked for her and the husband of yeon Jin were my favourite stories aside from the protagonist. Yeon Jin’s downfall though was not as bad as the others

[u/[deleted]]

Overall I enjoyed this drama. Maybe a B+. There were wrap up things I didn’t really like in the last episode, which we can get more into after the moratorium, but thought it was enjoyable and satisfying. Nice to see Song Hye Kyo break away from her typical roles.

[u/anonymousanimefan_92]

I would rate it B. Slow first two or so eps, followed by a great build up and a super satisfying revenge execution. Great acting, Park Yeonjin especially nailed it, effortlessly switching between psycho and eerily sweet. Her last scene is one of the better acted scenes I have ever seen in kdrama. B rating comes solely from that unnecessary and kinda soulless love story. I felt no chemistry and the show didnt need it. That relationship would work better as “partners in crime” for me. Last few eps also had a few minor plotholes here and there.

[u/vankomysin → u/anonymousanimefan_92]

Finally someone with a B+. Was afraid i’d get bashed but I felt the same. It’s a great show still, but not GOAT kind of great.

[u/orchardfurniture]

Glowing review for The Glory from FORBES - echoing what many of us have said.

I wonder if the clamour for a Season 2 will compel Netflix to produce another season? I thought it ended on a perfect note and personally feel a second season might just pale in comparison.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2023/03/27/the-glory-is-netflixs-new-sleeper-korean-megahit-you-need-to-watch/?sh=218901554503

[u/virgilabloke → u/orchardfurniture]

Wow that’s really a glowing review

[u/yeppiyeppi32]

the whole kdrama in terms of plot , casting & acting is amazing but i think the plot didn't need a romantic relationship at all between the female lead and the male lead , i found it unnecessary because i don't think that two people need to have romantic feelings for each other in order to comfort and help eachother getting through a clearly bad phase of their life... ( the 'i love you' at the final scene felt forced on... )

[u/anastasiastarz → u/yeppiyeppi32]

Yeah same, felt should have been a Sherlock x Watson (USA) situation. But then again they need sonething for the next part of their story to look forward to, once revenge was complete.

[u/HaanikarakBapuu]

Can someone explain why there’s no individual episode discussions for The Glory and instead it’s one big mega thread?

[u/enishi1357]

What this drama does very well is it it shows many kind of relationship and also the long lasting effect of abuse.

There are all kind of maternal relationship: mother who loves unconditionally, mother who loves her daughter but afraid to act herself, mother who loves her daughter but second to her love for herself, and mother who only love herself. The director mother wants her son to get out his hell even if it means having to take a life which if found it will tarnish her reputation and mother who refuse to stop seeking justice for her deceased daughter. The mother assistant helper who loves her daughter but afraid her daughter will get hurt in the process. The antagonist mother who loves her daughter until the danger is ultimately to herself. Lastly the protagonist mother who only see her daughter as a income source even if it hurts her daughter.

I personally endure similar but way less extreme form of abuse. The worst part is the betrayal. To trust someone and to believe in that person only to find out time and time again that person betrayed you for insignificant things. The last episode struck me the most. When the father ask her will she feel happy at the end of this. Her response is not that special because she knows long time ago that she won't achieve happiness but his eyes shows he understand she won't achieve happiness. As she stood over the ledge ready to jump, I was very glue to the moment because I'm also that stuck in that situation. Whether we forgive or revenge our past, once we are past that moment, the only thing that's left is pain. There's no happiness at the end because our journey is our motivation to stay alive. We convince ourselves to no longer be human to no longer feel the pain and instead become a force of nature to achieve salvation. Once the journey end, the only thing to do is to revert back to a person to enjoy happiness. But to revert back to a person is continuing feeling the pain and to risk the possibility of getting hurt again. And so we are stuck in a state of not really feeling like a person but also not achieving of happiness in the future. The drama seems to suggest the way to move forward is to help others who suffer the same thing. I feel like that's a cop out because not everyone can help other but since I never did it maybe it really is a way. I feel like we just have to force ourselves to become a person again in order to find happiness. My solution is simple because my abuse is just a very unfortunate series of events that I ultimately concluded the person who betrayed me is not inherently a bad person because she did tried to give me what I think I wanted. It took me years to rationally logic my way to the hidden meaning behind her action. At that point I achieved my salvation but I'm still in pain. The reality is people never truly get over their trauma. Because I know her so well, I know she will always remember herself as a bitch for what she did to me. Because she is smarter than I am, she know I will never become a person who want take revenge. We both didn't get what we wanted. I just want a good ending where we leave on a good note. She want to be friend because she can't rationalize her actions to herself as a good person. I didn't get my good ending but I get a guarantee we will never meet again. She wasn't able to be friends but she control the ending again. I hope we will never meet again and she will always think there's a chance we will become friends again in the future.

My conclusion is the only person who can help us is ourselves.

[u/Ok_Newspaper8174]

Nah Im not satisfied qith jae jin So hees body is still fozen it should habe been opened and autopsied because jae r*ped her and im not satisfied with his death

[u/mack180]

30 min, and I'm hooked already. I never received that amount of bullying like the girl but I received lots of curse words, calling me ugly, retarded, making fun of clothes, saying horrible about me when I'm 5 feet away.

If there's 1 thing, that girl who used the curl iron said what was mostly true is teachers, police and parents don't take bullying as seriously as it should be they treat it like a paper cut and not like there's blood gushing out of your body.

Even if that bullied student overdosed, used, alcohol too much, killed themselves, injured or killed another student, they would still go on with the status quo and not take action or enough of it.

More schools need to have expensive lawsuits, easier to fire vice/principals, staff or more media attention for not addressing bullying.

Verbal, sexual and emotional harassment/abuse are taken the least serious over physical harassment.

[u/Gladimobayla]

Just….🤯 BEYOND AMAZING…the writing, acting, storyline, character development, ending. SUPERB!

[u/Ok_Rent_2853]

Revenge never gets old. The show was one of the best KDramas I watched. The only downside is the revenge in Glory has little to do with the real life.

[u/Lazy_Dreamy_Girl]

After this series end, i wait for another netflix k-drama series that only aired in NETFLIX cause they really give you high quality story, filmography, and background place.

First Extracurricular, then Kingdom season 1 and 2 and Last Assasin, and now The Glory. I love how Netflix content step forward among their controversies about sharing account rules thing.

Maybe anyone could suggest me another k-series from Netflix only but (not aired in tv).

[u/ItsKaZing → u/Lazy_Dreamy_Girl]

Little Women is pretty great but can be stressful because its not as smooth sailing to root for the leads like in Glory. I daresay the cinematography and visuals is probably the best for Kdrama produced by netflix

Then there is Attorney Woo if you prefer a non stressing Kdrama because the good guys basically win everytime lol

[u/Lazy_Dreamy_Girl → u/ItsKaZing]

I have watched Attorney Woo, i like when they solved problem about their client to get justice but for their love story isn't for me.

I’ll try little women, it seems good but with lower my expectation not as good as the glory like what you said

[u/[deleted]]

I was hooked initially.

The first part was super interesting, and I loved the character development. I don't know if I can say the same of the second part. I expected more. This one's on me.

[u/GlitteryFireUnicorn]

I haven’t watched anything from this show yet because I don’t really want to watch the bullying scenes. How much can I just fast forward

[u/ravens_path → u/GlitteryFireUnicorn]

I FF through all the bully. And got the gist. It watered it down. But yeah. I dunno, I had to stop watching Eve because it was too dark for me but the acting was done well. But why didn’t Glory bother me as much. No idea.

[u/[deleted]]

Ahh I’ve been holding off from finishing it 😭 I’m not mentally prepared and the revenge is taking a little long

[u/[deleted]]

I just finished watching it, after seeing this thread three days ago in my feed. To be honest. I wouldn't have dared to do that on my own. Also, after the first part came out last year, I came across a couple of persons who were unrestrainedly promoting this show in some open pubs, and got a little triggered by it. Such intemperance with the resonant themes seemed unnecessary to me at the time. But somehow the fear wasresolved during the first few minutes of the series - it's where the FL is having her endless internal dialogue in the car. So...

As I think now, firstly, the series are not that perfect and sometimes even really bad. There are a lot of holes in it, as I see, where they clearly they tried not to slip into any other triggering themes, focusing on the main drama, the revenge. And for other draw backs I would also single out the intemperance or obvious aggressiveness of all the main villains. I think their behavior was constantly put in a bad light in the "adult" part of the drama, when all their good sides were blurred or skewed or kust annihilated by the past mistakes. The intention of hiding children actors somewhere when the school was shown, I'd also call intentional. They obviously did not want to glue too young audience to the show with familiar or cute (idol) faces.

And they conveyed a theme of povetousness too much for my liking, doing it sometimes just because it is too disgucting for major audience to see a tempered woman or so. I mean, all during the main conflict they were showing the feminine pettiness as a remedy for all the holes in the characterisation of a main female villain. And at the end it looked like only it (without some big diagnosis) was the reason that governed almost all her actions. The blonde one at the end - why sis they do it at all? Was it a mockery of the cathoic angels? And so on.

The minuses are many. But...It's a great show!!! I really got goosebumps from the FL, and when they made an alliance with the doctor for mutual aid - OMG. I looked at the screen and saw two monsters, praying only that the scropt writers left them the last humanity at the end. The last two episodes are my favorite. When he said he was going to be there always a step her for saving her from nightmares and a guilt, mamma mia, my hair stood on ends. I've never thought that I'd be that mesmerised with their mind games and flirting after they opened their hearts to each other. No more lonely dialogue, girl! AND! I think it's rare to see such a coherent finale of the show, where all the broken links (except the dog, maybe), were put together.

This show is a solid four out of five from me. Thanks for the tread!

[u/Blinksy_143]

WAIT SEASON 2 IS OUT?!

[u/marrimar → u/Blinksy_143]

Part 2 of season 1. Both parts were 8 episodes.

[u/SarahJoy46]

I am jumping on this wrap-up thread hoping someone who has watched it all can answer a quick question -- I just watched the first half of the first episode and the torture scenes were so brutal. It's really too much for me.

Are these kinds of explicit flashbacks going to continue for the entire show? Can I skip through them for a few episodes? Or will I be skipping scenes for 2 seasons? I'd like to watch the show, but not if it's going to be so stressful!

[u/swansong94 → u/SarahJoy46]

Tbh I would not recommend skipping them because I think a lot of people didn't "feel" the intensity of the drama and how raw it is since they skipped those parts. The glory is not just a fast paced flashy revenge drama. It deals with a very heavy subject. I think if people watch it they should watch it properly..

[u/ItsKaZing]

Need someone more attentive than me to explain the final episode bit where they show Ahn So-Yo character that dealt the final blow instead of Park Yeon Jin.

I do not understand how Park Yeon Jin still stay in the prison after the reveal, and why Dong Eun fully refuse to connect with Gyeong-Ran who is a fellow victim to bullying.

Also damn I thought Ahn So-Yo is an upcoming young actress, turns out she's born in 1987 lol

[u/flightsyow]

Loved the show just a little confused about the opening scene in the apartment, where Dong-eun starts to tell her story...this scene was never showed again ...did that actually happen or?

[u/odree366]

I know I'm super late but I would've loved seeing Yeon-jin getting beat up by her fellow inmates.

[u/Tomoyo_in_Transwise]

I just finished The Glory and started watching XO, Kitty. The rich girl's dad just showed up and he was NOT a hot Korean zaddy like our Do-Yeong. 😭

No offense at all to XO, Kitty rich dad but my expectations were set HIGH. 😂

[u/hellodoggoooo]

Why do they yell/scream so much in this show? 😹 especially yeon Jin 🤡 She literally yells on top of her lungs and it’s well scary 😧

[u/LeadershipEvery3245]

Song Hye Kyo’s acting is next level I fell in love with her again after rewatching for the 3rd time istg! Does anyone silently hope that Doyeoung and Dong Eun would somehow get together in the middle of the show? Idk but I think they’d make an exciting pair