The landscape of Korean television changed dramatically with the release of Netflix’s The Glory. A departure from typical romantic tropes, this series plunged viewers into a harrowing tale of school violence and calculated revenge. Written by the legendary Kim Eun-sook and directed by Ahn Gil-ho, the drama captivated global audiences not just with its plot, but with its intricate details, stellar performances, and profound social commentary. Here, we explore the extensive facts and behind-the-scenes trivia that define this masterpiece.
The Mastermind: Kim Eun-sook’s Transformation
Writer Kim Eun-sook is renowned for penning some of the most romantic K-Dramas in history, including Descendants of the Sun, Goblin, and Secret Garden. The Glory marked a significant shift in her career trajectory. Moving away from heart-fluttering romance, she challenged herself with a dark thriller. The inspiration reportedly came from her daughter, who asked a chilling question: “Would you be more pained if I beat someone to death, or if I got beaten to death?” This question became the seed for the show’s exploration of perpetrator and victim dynamics.
Unlike her previous works, Kim Eun-sook focused heavily on the psychology of trauma rather than redemption through love. She meticulously structured the narrative to ensure that the revenge plot did not glorify violence but rather highlighted the desperate need for closure. This tonal shift surprised critics and fans alike, proving her versatility as a storyteller capable of handling grim, realistic themes.
Song Hye-kyo’s Dedication to Moon Dong-eun
Song Hye-kyo, often dubbed the “Melodrama Queen,” underwent a drastic transformation to play the scarred protagonist, Moon Dong-eun. To portray a woman whose life was shattered by malnutrition and trauma, Song went on a strict diet, reportedly eating only konjac rice to achieve a frail, emaciated appearance. This physical transformation was crucial for the scene where she reveals her burn scars to Ha Do-young.
Furthermore, Song Hye-kyo requested that her appearance not be retouched. In an industry obsessed with visual perfection, she insisted that Dong-eun should look exhausted and aged by her suffering. The lighting and makeup teams worked to emphasize her fatigue rather than conceal it, adding a layer of raw authenticity to her performance that garnered critical acclaim.
The Iconic “Scar Reveal” Scene
One of the most talked-about moments in the series is when Dong-eun disrobes to show her scars. This scene took hours to prepare, with special effects makeup artists painstakingly applying the burn marks. Song Hye-kyo stood without clothes for hours during the makeup application and the shoot, enduring the cold and physical discomfort to ensure the scene carried the necessary emotional weight.
Real-Life Horrors: The Cheongju Incident
Perhaps the most disturbing fact about The Glory is that the “hair straightener” bullying scene was based on a true event. In 2006, a similar incident occurred at a girls’ middle school in Cheongju, South Korea. A student was repeatedly burned by her peers using a curling iron, resulting in severe injuries and hospitalization. By incorporating this real-life horror, the series shed light on the severity of school violence in South Korea.
The inclusion of such graphic reality sparked a nationwide conversation about the statute of limitations on school violence and the lack of protection for victims. The show did not merely use violence for shock value; it served as a mirror to society, forcing viewers to confront the lingering pain of victims who never received justice.
The Villains: Casting and Chemistry
Lim Ji-yeon, who played the primary antagonist Park Yeon-jin, took on her first villainous role in The Glory. Known previously for gentler roles, her performance was so convincing that she jokingly admitted she was worried about the public hating her. Her portrayal of a remorseless bully was praised for its chilling lack of empathy, making her one of the most memorable villains in K-Drama history.
- Park Sung-hoon (Jeon Jae-joon): He maintained the mullet hairstyle to emphasize his character’s erratic and arrogant nature.
- Kim Hieora (Lee Sa-ra): To play the drug-addicted artist, she studied the behaviors and mannerisms of addicts to portray the physical toll of substance abuse accurately.
- Cha Joo-young (Choi Hye-jeong): She gained weight for the role to fit the description of a character who had undergone breast augmentation, adding to the realism of her inferiority complex within the group.
The chemistry among the “five villains” was palpable, largely because the actors became close friends in real life. Despite their characters’ toxic relationships, the cast shared numerous behind-the-scenes photos showing a camaraderie that contrasted sharply with their on-screen animosity. This bond allowed them to push the boundaries of their acting during intense confrontation scenes.
Symbolism: The Game of Go (Baduk)
The ancient board game Go, or Baduk, serves as a central metaphor in the series. Unlike Chess, which is about capturing the king, Go is about claiming territory and slowly suffocating the opponent. This mirrors Dong-eun’s revenge strategy: a slow, calculated encirclement of her enemies rather than a direct, impulsive attack. Writer Kim Eun-sook used the game to represent the intellectual battle between Dong-eun and Ha Do-young.
The visual aesthetic of the Go board—black and white stones—also reflects the themes of duality and morality. Dong-eun, often dressed in dark colors, plays with the black stones, traditionally the color that moves first (though in the show, the dynamics shift). The silent intensity of the matches provided a non-verbal medium for the characters to communicate tension, attraction, and hostility.
The Mystery of the Green Shoes
A recurring motif in the series is the pair of green high heels worn by Park Yeon-jin. These shoes symbolize desire, envy, and the twisted hierarchy within the villain group. Several characters are seen wearing or coveting similar shoes, representing their entanglement in Yeon-jin’s life. Theories abounded regarding the color choice; some suggest it relates to color blindness, a genetic trait pivotal to the plot involving Jeon Jae-joon.
Interestingly, the specific shade of green was chosen meticulously. The production team wanted a color that was striking yet slightly unsettling. The shoes became a visual cue for the audience, linking various subplots and characters together in a web of secrets and lies.
Production Secrets and Hidden Details
The Glory is filled with Easter eggs and production secrets that enhance the viewing experience. For instance, the scene involving a snake in the church was filmed with a real snake, not CGI. The actors had to maintain their composure while interacting with the reptile, adding a layer of genuine tension to the scene.
Another interesting detail lies in the title sequence. The opening imagery features the Devil’s Trumpet flower and the Angel’s Trumpet flower. The Devil’s Trumpet grows upwards towards the sky (representing arrogance), while the Angel’s Trumpet hangs downwards (representing the fallen). This botanical symbolism foreshadows the fate of the characters and the inversion of power dynamics throughout the series.
Global Reception and Accolades
Upon its release, The Glory quickly climbed the charts, becoming one of Netflix’s most-watched non-English series. It topped the Top 10 lists in numerous countries, resonating with audiences worldwide who connected with the universal themes of justice and retribution. The show’s success solidified the global appetite for darker, more complex Korean narratives.
The series swept major awards, with Song Hye-kyo winning the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the Blue Dragon Series Awards and Best Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards. Lim Ji-yeon also received Best Supporting Actress accolades, validating the risk she took in playing a villain. The critical success of the show proved that high-quality writing combined with fearless acting creates a cultural phenomenon.
Lee Do-hyun’s Role as the “Executioner”
Lee Do-hyun plays Joo Yeo-jeong, a plastic surgeon who becomes Dong-eun’s accomplice. His character is described as the “executioner” who dances the sword dance. This role was pivotal as it introduced a male lead who was not a savior but a willing partner in darkness. His backstory, involving the murder of his father, provided a parallel narrative of trauma that complemented Dong-eun’s journey.
The relationship between Dong-eun and Yeo-jeong challenged traditional romance tropes. There was no “fixing” the female lead; instead, Yeo-jeong accepted her scars and her mission completely. Their chemistry was built on shared pain and mutual understanding, offering a somber yet touching definition of love in a hopeless place.
The Legacy of The Glory
The Glory has left an indelible mark on the K-Drama industry. It raised the bar for production quality, scriptwriting, and acting. It also sparked necessary social discussions about bullying, prompting the South Korean government to introduce stricter measures against school violence in university admissions and employment.
From the intricate symbolism of the Go board to the harrowing reality of the curling iron, the series is a treasure trove of narrative depth. These 46+ facets of the show—ranging from casting choices to color theory—demonstrate why The Glory is not just a drama, but a significant cultural artifact. It stands as a testament to the power of storytelling to reflect, challenge, and captivate.
