The Phenomenon of The Glory
Since its release on Netflix, The Glory has become a global sensation, captivating audiences with its visceral portrayal of school violence and the meticulous pursuit of revenge. Directed by Ahn Gil-ho and written by the legendary Kim Eun-sook, the series has redefined the thriller genre within the K-drama industry. Beyond the gripping plot, there are numerous layers to the production that many fans might not be aware of.
1. The Writer’s Personal Inspiration
The genesis of The Glory came from a deeply personal place for writer Kim Eun-sook. She was inspired by a question from her high school daughter, who asked, ‘Would you be more hurt if I beat someone to death, or if I was beaten to death by someone else?’ This chilling question prompted Kim to explore the psychological impact of bullying and the concept of victimhood in modern society.
2. The Real-Life Incident Behind the Hair Curler
One of the most disturbing scenes in the drama involves a hair curler being used as a weapon of torture. Shockingly, this was based on a real-life incident that occurred in Cheongju in 2006. A middle school student was repeatedly burned with a curling iron by her peers over several days, highlighting that the horrors depicted on screen were unfortunately grounded in reality.
Song Hye-kyo’s Dramatic Transformation
For many viewers, seeing Song Hye-kyo in such a dark, weathered role was a revelation. Known for her roles in romantic melodramas like Descendants of the Sun, her portrayal of Moon Dong-eun marked a significant departure from her ‘Hallyu Goddess’ image.
3. A Minimalist Approach to Beauty
To accurately portray a woman who has spent her life consumed by trauma and revenge, Song Hye-kyo requested minimal makeup and lighting that emphasized her aging and exhaustion. She wanted Dong-eun to look like someone who didn’t have the time or energy to care for her appearance, focusing instead on the internal scars of her character.
4. The Intense Diet for the Scar Reveal
In the scene where Dong-eun reveals her scars to Joo Yeo-jeong, Song Hye-kyo underwent a strict diet for two months. She survived primarily on konjac rice to achieve a gaunt, frail physique that would make her character’s physical trauma look even more devastating and realistic on camera.
The Casting of the Villains
The success of a revenge drama often hinges on how much the audience despises the antagonists. The ‘Bully Five’ in The Glory were cast with precision to create a group of characters that felt both privileged and predatory.
5. Lim Ji-yeon’s First Villain Role
Despite her long career, Lim Ji-yeon had never played a true villain before portraying Park Yeon-jin. She took the challenge head-on, creating a character whose lack of remorse and chilling smile became the face of the show’s evil. Her performance was so convincing that it earned her the Best Supporting Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
6. Park Sung-hoon’s Physical Dedication
Park Sung-hoon, who played the color-blind Jeon Jae-jun, spent significant time researching his character’s condition. He focused on how someone with color blindness would navigate high-end fashion and social status, adding a layer of insecurity to his otherwise arrogant persona.
7. The Chemistry of the Supporting Cast
The chemistry between the bullies was not just for the cameras. The actors, including Kim Hieora and Cha Joo-young, reportedly became very close during filming, which helped them coordinate the intense and often physical confrontation scenes with a high degree of trust and safety.
Symbolism and Cinematography
The cinematography of The Glory is rich with metaphors that reflect the struggle between light and dark, and the slow game of strategy that Dong-eun plays.
8. The Metaphor of Go (Baduk)
The game of Go serves as a central metaphor for Dong-eun’s revenge. Unlike a fast-paced battle, Go is about building territory and slowly surrounding your opponent until they have no room to move. This mirrors Dong-eun’s patient, decade-long plan to dismantle the lives of her tormentors.
9. The Significance of the Title
The title The Glory refers to the dignity and honor that victims lose during the act of violence. Kim Eun-sook explained that victims often don’t want compensation; they want a sincere apology that restores their ‘glory’ as a human being. The drama explores whether such glory can ever truly be reclaimed.
10. Color Symbolism in Wardrobe
The production team used color palettes to distinguish the characters’ statuses. Dong-eun is often seen in muted, dark tones like black and grey, representing her shadow-like existence. In contrast, Yeon-jin wears bright, expensive, and vibrant colors to mask her inner darkness with a facade of perfection.
Behind the Scenes Secrets
Producing a show of this scale involves intricate details that often go unnoticed by the casual viewer.
11. Special Effects Makeup
The application of Dong-eun’s burn scars was a grueling process. It took several hours of special effects makeup for each session to ensure the scars looked consistent and aged correctly over the timeline of the show. The makeup team studied real burn patterns to ensure medical accuracy.
12. The Forest of the Moon
Many of the outdoor scenes, particularly those involving the ‘executioner’ Joo Yeo-jeong, were filmed with specific lighting to evoke the feeling of moonlight. This contrasts with the ‘sunlight’ that the villains bask in, emphasizing that Dong-eun and Yeo-jeong operate in the shadows.
13. The Casting of Younger Counterparts
The casting of the younger versions of the characters received high praise for the physical resemblance to the adult actors. Jung Ji-so (Young Dong-eun) and Shin Ye-eun (Young Yeon-jin) delivered performances so powerful that they set a high emotional bar for the rest of the series.
Impact and Global Reception
The Glory didn’t just entertain; it sparked a massive conversation about social issues in South Korea and beyond.
14. Breaking Netflix Records
Upon the release of Part 2, The Glory reached the Number 1 spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English) list within days. It accumulated hundreds of millions of viewing hours, proving that the theme of justice and revenge is a universal human interest.
15. The ‘Hak-pok’ Phenomenon
The drama coincided with a wave of ‘Hak-pok’ (school violence) revelations in South Korea, where several celebrities and public figures were accused of past bullying. The show provided a platform for victims to speak out, leading to a national discourse on the long-term trauma caused by school bullying.
16. A Rare No-Romance Focus
While there is a connection between the leads, Kim Eun-sook intentionally kept the romance secondary to the revenge plot. In a K-drama landscape often dominated by love stories, The Glory stood out by prioritizing the protagonist’s personal growth and her quest for justice over a traditional happy ending.
Conclusion
The Glory is more than just a television show; it is a meticulously crafted narrative that explores the darkest corners of human nature. From the real-life inspirations to the incredible dedication of Song Hye-kyo and the supporting cast, these 16 facts highlight why the series has left such a lasting mark on the world of K-drama. Whether you are a fan of the genre or a newcomer, the depth of this production is truly a testament to the power of storytelling.
