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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Unlikable, Flawed, Yet Captivating: K-Drama's New Anti-Hero Steals the Spotlight

From Hankyoreh · (7m ago) Korean Mixed tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A new JTBC drama, 'Everything Will Be Alright,' centers on a flawed, unlikable male protagonist, challenging typical K-drama conventions.
  • The series explores themes of envy, self-deprecation, and the search for peace among friends who have achieved varying levels of success.
  • Despite a lukewarm initial viewership rating, the drama has gained traction on Netflix and sparked discussion for its unconventional lead character.

JTBC's latest drama, 'Everything Will Be Alright,' is making waves not for its polished protagonists, but for its unapologetically flawed and even 'unlikable' male lead, Hwang Dong-man. This deliberate departure from the conventional handsome, capable, and considerate hero is the show's most talked-about aspect, positioning it as a bold experiment in storytelling.

I'm so busy. I have to watch terrible movies and then find websites to criticize them harshly, and when I see a good one, I have to cry my eyes out for two days out of jealousy until I go crazy. I don't have enough hours in the day.

— Hwang Dong-manDescribing his life and emotional state, highlighting his envy and self-criticism.

The series, penned by Park Hae-young of 'My Mister' and 'My Liberation Notes' fame, delves into the complex emotional landscape of individuals grappling with their own perceived inadequacies, particularly when contrasted with the successes of their peers. Dong-man, a 20-year veteran director yet to debut a film, embodies this struggle. His character is initially presented as someone consumed by envy, quick to self-deprecation, and prone to airing grievances – traits rarely seen, let alone celebrated, in a drama's central figure.

Why should my life be to your liking?

— Hwang Dong-manPushing back against a film company representative who questions his life choices.

However, as the narrative unfolds, the drama peels back layers, revealing the anxieties and vulnerabilities beneath Dong-man's abrasive exterior. His seemingly constant complaining stems from insecurity, and his parasitic relationship with his brother masks a protective role. This complexity has resonated with viewers, sparking a polarized yet engaged discussion online. While some find him irritating, others connect with his raw honesty and unconventional path to finding contentment, recognizing elements of their own struggles in his journey. The drama's success on Netflix, topping the 'Top 10 Series in Korea' chart, suggests a strong audience appetite for narratives that explore the messier, more relatable aspects of human experience, even if they don't fit the traditional heroic mold.

You must think, 'He's such a loser, why isn't he miserable and hiding away?' But I'm not as miserable as you think. I'm just as miserable and just as happy as you are. Maybe my life is way more fun?

— Hwang Dong-manConfronting a rival film director, asserting his contentment despite his circumstances.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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