“…is pure suspense at its best. There was no episode in which I didn’t feel my heart pounding brutally, filled with uncertainty for what was about to happen, and I felt like that up to the last scene of the last episode”.
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First things first
This review has no spoilers.
The last episode of Flower of Evil was broadcasted las week and let me tell you, I still can’t get over it. The plots from Korean dramas are definitely another level, no question about that.
Even though 2020 is filled with apocalyptic events, at least related to K-dramas it’s been amazing, and that makes me very happy because for a while I can forget about this cruel pandemic reality.
Another thing I was happy I did, was not watching this drama since its release (which meant watching 2 episodes per week), because I would’ve collapsed emotionally. A little over a week ago, I was sure that the series was complete so I started watching it marathon-style. After finishing episode 15 I learned I had to wait 3 days to watch the finale. I almost died right there!
Flower of Evil is a South Korean series of 16 episodes, released on July 19th 2020. Its genre is suspense.
Synopsis
Baek Hee-sung is a man who hides his past and true identity from his wife Cha Ji-won, a dedicated police detective. Apparently, they are a perfect couple, they love each other and have a precious daughter who adores her parents. But when Cha Ji-won and her colleagues start investigating a case that leads them to a serial killer, she starts to realize that her almost-perfect husband might be hiding something.
In general terms
Flower of Evil is pure suspense at its best. There was no episode in which I didn’t feel my heart pounding brutally, filled with uncertainty for what was about to happen, and I felt like that up to the last scene of the last episode. That’s what I loved the most about this drama.
From episode 1, I felt attracted by the intro, showing a purple flower animation and a powerful score. Then, the first scene: Hee-sung tied up at the bottom of a pool, drowning, and Ji-won throwing herself in to save him. At that point, Hee-sung wonders if he should tell her the truth. The next scene is about both of them at his workshop, kissing, with a beautiful background song. A scene that shows the amazing chemistry between them. They really are a perfect couple.
Why do I recommend Flower of Evil?
The plot
The storyline is masterly written. It is so intense, that it keeps you at the edge of your seat all the time, with your heart pounding strongly.
You find out something new on each episode, but still can’t get the big picture. It is a masterpiece that explores the mind of the characters, their memories and traumas, their behavior, and how far they are willing to go based on their principles.
The characters
I don’t know where to begin, you must see it for yourself. You watch one episode after another and still can’t figure them out!
Baek Hee-sung is an enigmatic man that confuses you on every turn. It is really creepy to see his two facets, which he switches in one second as if it is nothing.
On the other hand, Cha Ji-won is a kind, strong and smart woman; her motivation is her family, and she loves her job. She would sacrifice anything for her husband and supports him all the way, but she would never cover up something illegal.
They are not the only shocking characters in this series. Baek Hee-sung’s parents, Hee-sung’s real identity, his sister, an old friend, a serial killer, they all have a dark and creepy side.
And not less important, there’s Hee-sung and Ji-won’s daughter, Eun-ha; she is adorable! The relationship she has with her parents is beautiful, but she has a special and very strong bond with her dad.
The chemistry between Hee-sung and Ji-won
The chemistry between the two main characters is undeniable, magnetic. Obviously, both characters were masterly written and their scenes together transmit many emotions: love, passion, complicity, pain, anguish, desire. It is not very common to see a couple at this level in a K-drama. It was very emotional to see them together in all the situations they had to face. In some scenes I cried with them, brutal… Both actors are magnificent, excellent work!
The antagonists of the series
There are many evil characters in K-dramas, those who shock you so much, that leave a mark as characters, as well as the performance from the actors. And then there are the psychopaths from Flower of Evil, that leave you breathless. I don’t want to give you details about them because I don’t like spoilers, but I can tell you that those characters are very well created and developed, and the actors portraying them did a spectacular job, so you will be impressed.
The locations
I really liked two locations presented in this drama. Hee-sung’s home is beautiful. The first floor is occupied by his goldsmith workshop/store and I love its design; it also has a very functional basement for his “various activities”. The second floor is their apartment, which is very cozy, well decorated and perfect for the three of them. That’s where Hee-sung cooks for his wife and daughter every single day.
Because his workshop is downstairs and his wife works for countless hours as a police detective, he is the one who takes care of their daughter, takes her to school, feeds her, and does the chores in general. As a couple, they not only love each other or share a strong bond and intimacy, but they also make a great team as a family. I adore that.
On the other hand, there’s the house where Hee-sung grew up in, located in a small town, far from the city, and it’s really creepy. Throughout the episodes we see many images from that place and they did a great job choosing that location because really, every time they showed it, I felt goosebumps. Just imagine, Hee-sung grew up there with his sister and his father, who was a terrifying man.
The music
I am fascinated by the score of Flower of Evil. Music plays an important part in a production like this one. To me, the score is the soul of a series and this one, was spectacular. About the soundtrack, my favorite song is Feel You, by Shin Yong Jae, it’s so beautiful! You can listen to it on this YouTube link. As for the score, which I loved entirely, my favorite song is Flower of Evil, by Kim Jun Seok and you can listen to it on this YouTube link.
A little ending note
It was a bit hard for me to write this review without revealing any spoilers because lots of things happen in this drama.
In my opinion, Flower of Evil is one of the best series of 2020 and the best suspense series I’ve seen in a long time. So, without question, I give it 5 stars.
I hope that once you see it, you let me know your thoughts, I’d love to know your opinion!
Xoxo,
MJ
*All pics taken from Pinterest.
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