The talented actress Song Hye Kyo has made an impressive comeback with her latest project, the Netflix K-drama titled “The Glory.” The series, which premiered on December 30, has already earned a spot on the international streamer’s weekly viewership chart for non-English TV shows, ranking at No. 3 last Wednesday. As of writing, “The Glory” is also the most-watched content in Netflix Philippines, indicating its widespread popularity among viewers.
The R-19 thriller, written by Kim Eun Sook, who also penned hit dramas such as “Descendants of the Sun,” “Goblin,” and “Mr. Sunshine,” is directed by Ahn Gil Ho. The series is split into two parts, with the second half scheduled for release in March. The plot revolves around the character Dong Eun, portrayed by Song, who suffered extreme bullying and abuse as a student and is now determined to seek revenge on her tormentors.
The series also features Lee Do Hyun of “Sweet Home” fame, who plays the male lead character, Yeo Jeong. He is a seemingly innocent and naive man from a respectable background with a “dark side.” The chemistry between Lee and Song is described as “beautiful,” and veteran screenwriter Kim Eun Sook almost opted for a more romantic storyline between the two characters. However, the director reminded her that “The Glory” was a revenge genre piece and not one of her signature romantic-comedies.
During a virtual press conference attended by Asia-Pacific press, including The STAR, Kim elaborated on the role of Yeo Jeong in Dong Eun’s life and vengeance schemes. She stated that their relationship could be interpreted as love or a partnership between a “crazy woman and man.” Kim crafted their relationship to become something she has never done before, where her character is the only one standing in the world.
Lee, on the other hand, shared his thoughts on what drew him to his character. He mentioned that Yeo Jeong is not an explicit character, but he has his own personality, making him curious about the role. Yeo Jeong is a person who “goes with the flow” but changes after meeting Dong Eun. Through her, his inner wounds heal, but he also pokes at his wounds and tries to resolve them.
Lee’s character has conflicting thoughts, trying to help Dong Eun get revenge while worrying about her. He views Dong Eun with curiosity, wondering what kind of person she is. Lee’s favorite line in the series is “Your life will be in ruins once your revenge is over,” which he believes is the first and last time his character earnestly cares for and gives advice to Dong Eun.
When asked about his character’s interpretation of “glory,” Lee believes that viewers will think his character’s glory is gaining Dong Eun’s love. However, he thinks there are two different versions of glory for Yeo Jeong. In “The Glory,” people do bad things to overcome their wounds and have revenge, which could be considered glory for them. Lee questioned whether everything he does for his good has to be positive and glorious.
In conclusion, “The Glory” is a thrilling series that showcases Song Hye Kyo and Lee Do Hyun’s impressive acting skills. With Kim Eun Sook’s writing and Ahn Gil Ho’s direction, the series promises to be an engaging and unforgettable viewing experience for audiences worldwide.
