[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Unkind Women" Episode 8
By Lisa Espinosa | Published on
Relationships that are too intertwined in dramas can be annoying. They are too convenient and make a world rather insular. However, when an anticipated revelation or meeting occurs, that insular world magnifies the effect - that is what "Unkind Women" has done.
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We've been waiting for Doo-jin to find out what sort of woman his beloved stepmother and for the worlds of the women in Soon-ok's household to collide with Hyeon-ae's. The first realization has come as a huge shock to Doo-jin after a wonderful character buildup on Hyeon-sook's part. It wasn't Hyeon-sook specifically who received development, but her sister, Hyeon-jeong. Hyeon-jeong has worked hard to care for their mother when Hyeon-sook couldn't cut it. That pressure of not measuring up has always weighed on Hyeon-sook and is part of the reason she wants to be exonerated, to free herself of the shackles Hyeon-ae put on her and start anew - to help the family that helped her.
Shifting to Hyeon-jeong, we finally get to see inside her. She feels as alone and useless as Hyeon-sook. The camera work in this episode really highlighted that. It looked down at her like she looks down on herself. A poignant scene ended with her alone in the dark, which said more than words ever would.
Soon-ok and Mo-ran are like fussing sisters, a bit like Hyeon-sook and Hyeon-jeong. They hurt each other and then makeup, hesitant to admit they care. After a fuss this episode, they can see how deeply the other has been wounded and there is a makeup of sorts. Although the interactions this episode made this relationship a bit clearer, its still too convoluted for me to get behind their growth. I'd rather see Roo-oh flirt with Ma-ri or Hyeon-jeong deal with her feelings of inadequacy or Hyeon-ae get closer and closer to receiving punishment.
The romances are coming along splendidly and are entertaining not only in that they are adorable, but in that Roo-oh likes Ma-ri for being an upright woman with a mind of her own. I can always get behind that.
Written by: Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'
"Unkind Women" is directed by Yoo Hyeon-gi, written by Kim In-yeong, and features Kim Hye-ja, Chae Shi-ra, Do Ji-won, and Lee Ha-na.
Lisa Espinosa
Journalist, drama lover, and foodie, Lisa enjoys exploring Korea, speaking the language, and soaking in all that dramaland has to offer. Her Korean husband laughs that she knows more than he ever will about dramas and K-pop. Lisa Espinosa can be contacted via lisa@hancinema.net.