At the heart of The Glory lies the intense rivalry between Dong-eun and Park Yeon-jin (Lim Ji-yeon). Yeon-jin, the ringleader of the bullies who tormented Dong-eun as a child, becomes the primary target of Dong-eun’s meticulously orchestrated revenge. Throughout the series, every plotline revolves around Dong-eun’s pursuit of justice against Yeon-jin, with the story emphasizing the deep personal stakes of their conflict.
Dong-eun Masterfully Turns Yeon-jin’s Crimes Against Her, Ensuring Complete Downfall
Dong-eun employs Yeon-jin’s own past crimes against her, executing elaborate schemes that keep her several steps ahead. The series showcases a series of darkly clever twists, including the cold case murder of Yoon So-hee, a former victim of Yeon-jin, and the manipulation of a previously indifferent detective to pursue evidence. Dong-eun’s cunning ensures that Yeon-jin is systematically cornered, highlighting her intelligence and relentless pursuit of justice despite the far-fetched nature typical of K-drama narratives.
Song Hye-kyo as Moon Dong-eun (The Glory/Hwa&Dam Pictures)Yeon-jin’s downfall is both public and symbolic: she is imprisoned, loses her husband and social standing, and is forced to confront the consequences of her actions. Alongside her, other characters face exposure and punishment. Myeong-o is killed, Lee Sa-ra’s crimes are revealed, and Jeon Jae-jun is blinded and eliminated from pursuing victims. Even Yeon-jin’s assistant Gyeong-ran suffers tragedy, illustrating the series’s broader commentary on cycles of abuse and revenge.
Dong-eun Faces Emotional Turmoil While Planning New Revenge After Narrowly Surviving
Despite achieving her revenge, Dong-eun grapples with her own emotional turmoil. Contemplating suicide on the roof where her torment began, she is saved at the last moment by Yeo-jeong’s mother. This pivotal intervention allows Dong-eun to step back from the edge, reconnect with her partner Joo Yeo-jeong, and redirect her energy toward a new revenge plot. The series juxtaposes Dong-eun’s meticulous planning with moments of vulnerability, showing that her journey is as much about closure as vengeance.
The finale leaves certain storylines open, hinting at potential future seasons. Dong-eun and Yeo-jeong begin plotting a new form of revenge while Kang Hyun-nam, Dong-eun’s loyal accomplice, is reintegrated into the adventure. The contrast between Yeo-jeong’s impulsiveness and Dong-eun’s calculated approach underscores themes of morality and strategy in vengeance, leaving viewers with questions about whether Dong-eun should continue down the path of retribution and what further consequences may arise.
