“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, fracture for fracture. The one who inflicted the injury must suffer the same. I don’t know. That sounds too fair to me.” – Moon Dong Eun
When it comes to psychological thriller K-dramas, few can match the intensity, complexity, and emotional depth of ‘The Glory’, a gripping 2022 South Korean Netflix series. The show follows a woman who, years after enduring brutal high school bullying, returns to exact revenge on her tormentors. Starring Song Hye-kyo in a powerful role, the series explores themes of bullying, trauma, and the long-lasting scars violence leaves on its victims. Split into two parts, ‘The Glory’ delivers a tightly woven, emotionally charged storyline that has sparked global conversations about abuse, justice, and healing.
Series: The Glory
Where to watch: Netflix
Cast: Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, and Jung Sung-il
Written by: Kim Eun-sook
Directed by: Ahn Gil-ho
The Plot
The show follows the story of Moon Dong-eun (played by Song Hye-kyo), who once dreamed of becoming an architect but was forced to drop out of school after facing brutal bullying from Park Yeon-jin (played by Lim Ji-yeon) and her gang. Years later, she dedicates her life to planning her revenge. As part of her plan, she becomes a homeroom teacher at Semyeong Elementary School, where Yeon-jin’s daughter studies. ‘The Glory’ dives deep into the emotional scars left by bullying and the complicated path of seeking justice.
The Characters
Moon Dong-eun (played by Song Hye-kyo) / Young Dong-eun (played by Jung Ji-so)
A homeroom teacher at Semyeong Elementary School and a former victim of relentless bullying and physical abuse in high school by Yeon-jin and her group. She was forced to drop out, but later spent years planning her revenge against them.
Joo Yeo-jeong (played by Lee Do-hyun)
A plastic surgeon who used to work at Seoul Joo General Hospital, where his mother is the director. During university, he taught Dong-eun to play Go and developed feelings for her. He later joins her revenge plan, driven by his own desire to punish the man who murdered his father, a doctor who died trying to save a patient.
Park Yeon-jin (played by Lim Ji-yeon) / Young Yeon-jin (played by Shin Ye-eun)
A weather presenter and the ringleader of the group that bullied Dong-eun in high school. She’s also responsible for several cruel acts, including the death of another victim. Dong-eun eventually becomes the teacher of her daughter.
Kang Hyeon-nam (played by Yeom Hye-ran)
A domestic abuse victim and mother of a teenage daughter, she worked as a housekeeper for the president of the Semyeong Foundation. Hyeon-nam agrees to help Dong-eun in exchange for help escaping her violent husband.
Jeon Jae-joon (played by Park Sung-hoon)
The heir to several luxury businesses, including a country club, boutique, and resort. He is color-blind and was part of the group that bullied Dong-eun in high school. He is also the biological father of Yeon-jin’s daughter, Ye-sol.
Ha Do-yeong (played by Jung Sung-il)
The CEO of Jaepyeong Construction and Yeon-jin’s husband. Unaware of his wife’s past, he gets caught up in Dong-eun’s revenge plan. After learning the truth about Yeon-jin’s actions, he divorces her and moves to the UK with their daughter, Ye-sol, hoping to give her a better future.
What made the show popular?
- Compelling revenge narrative: The theme of revenge runs through every episode of the show and gives viewers a sense of catharsis as the protagonist carefully plans and successfully carries out her revenge against her bullies.
- Strong and emotional performances: The cast delivers powerful performances that truly resonate with the audience, especially Song Hye-kyo as Moon Dong-eun and Jung Ji-so as young Dong-eun.
- Highlighting social issues: ‘The Glory’ shines a light on the harsh reality of bullying and violence, the deep impact it leaves on victims, and how society often fails to protect them.
- Intriguing storyline: The layered revenge plot, shifting timelines, and slow but deliberate execution of Dong-eun’s plan keep viewers hooked and anxious to see what happens next.
- Relatability with real-life issues: Despite its dark themes, the show struck a chord with many viewers who have experienced bullying or abuse. Inspired by real-life incidents in Korea and beyond, the drama offers a sense of justice and healing through Dong-eun’s journey.
- International impact: ‘The Glory’ quickly gained worldwide attention thanks to its gripping plot and emotionally satisfying portrayal of revenge.
To sum up, ‘The Glory’ is more than just a revenge story; it’s a reminder that sometimes, revenge can feel like the only form of justice. The careful execution and chilling precision of Moon Dong-eun’s plan, and the way she turns her pain and scars into strength to walk a difficult path and rewrite her destiny, leave viewers with a powerful message: healing doesn’t erase the past, but it can shape the future.
Written by – MANSHA CHAUHAN
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Really loved this drama . Characters were so interesting.