The first part of the drama A Lição, “The Glory” in English, arrived on the Netflix platform exclusively in December last year. With a strong cast composed of Song Hye Kyo, Lee Do Hyun and other names, the series introduces us to a woman who dedicates her life in the name of revenge.
Protagonist Moon Dong Eun, played by Song Hye Kyo, is a victim of school violence and sees teachers, and even her own mother, turn a blind eye as she is constantly assaulted. Through cruel but well-placed scenes of physical, psychological and verbal violence, and in the face of a lack of justice, the viewer is led to yearn for revenge with the protagonist.
Song Hye Kyo as Moon Dong Eun in the drama A Lição | Disclosure / NetflixSource: Netflix
The second part of the story, which arrived on streaming on March 10, continued what was presented at the beginning of the plot. With a greater focus on the unfolding of revenge, unlike the first part that also served to introduce the characters, the continuation brings, in each episode, a little more of the ruin of Moon Dong Eun’s targets.
arcs of revenge
One of the highlights was the focus given to other characters who were in the background at the beginning of the drama, as in the case of Joo Yeo Jung, played by Lee Do Hyun. In the second part, his story is explored, he becomes a key player in the protagonist’s revenge plans, in addition to discovering that he also has his own plans.
Lee Do Hyun as Joo Yeo Jung in the drama A Lição | Disclosure / NetflixSource: Netflix
In the course of the drama, Dong Eun herself and the viewer accompanying her, realize that there are many more victims in this story. Which revolts us, but also gives us ecstasy as minor “revenge” takes place while the great plan is being executed.
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Full of symbolism, the drama shows how the characters are freeing themselves from their bonds, as the aggressors fall. As is the case with the red lipstick worn by Kang Hyun Nam, the woman who works for Moon Dong Eun, played by Yeom Hye Ran.
Yeom Hye Ran and Choi Soo In as Kang Hyun Nam and Lee Sun A, respectively, in the drama A Lição | Disclosure / NetflixSource: Netflix
We cannot fail to mention the performances of millions that are delivered in the entire drama by the entire cast. The wonderful Song Hye Kyo, as expected, did not leave anything to be desired. We even call attention to the dear Im Ji Yeon, who played the sordid Park Yeon Jin and gave us one of the most hated new characters in the world of k-dramas.
Being of the melodrama genre, in general, the production develops more slowly, which is far from being boring, but can be a negative point for some people. Little by little, we are satisfied with the small steps taken by the protagonist in her revenge plan.
reflections of reality
Im Ji Yeon as Park Yeon Jin in the drama A Lição | Disclosure / NetflixSource: Netflix
With a tangled plot composed of diverse characters and stories, the drama explores the rottenness inside the various institutions of society, such as the family, the police, the church and the school. In addition to opening up the sordid power games in a society marked by social inequality.
Production makes us weigh our perceptions of right and wrong, makes us question whether justice is really effective and acceptable. Being a fictional production, we can delight in the death or punishment of someone we consider “bad”, but would that be “right” in a real world?
The outcome of the story was satisfactory, although some characters “deserved” more. There were those who found the end of the character Lee Sa Ra, played by Kim Hi Eo Ra, very light in contrast to everything she did. But wouldn’t the loss of sanity be more than enough punishment?
Kim Hi Eo Ra as Lee Sa Ra in the drama A Lição | | Disclosure / NetflixSource: Netflix
It was interesting to realize that despite having Moon Dong Eun’s little finger, the downfall of each of the characters came from choices they themselves made by being lousy classmates, lousy friends, lousy human beings in general.
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In addition to seeing criminals paying for their crimes, either by going to prison, with their lives or in other ways, we end the drama with good feelings to see that our protagonist found some relief after so many years of suffering, and also managed to realize that despite having met many horrible people in her path, she also managed to find love, friendship and respect in people who liked her.
Song Hye Kyo and Lee Do Hyun as Moon Dong Eun and Joo Yeo Jung, respectively, in the drama A Lição | Disclosure / NetflixSource: Netflix
“When you get your revenge, will you find happiness?” We hope so, Moon Dong Eun!
the lesson left
Speaking specifically of South Korea, in recent times, many allegations of school violence involving idols (artists from the kpop industry), actors, sportsmen, celebrities in general, have come to the fore.
The success of the production revived old cases and ignited new debates on the subject. Contradictorily, the director of the drama A Lição, Ahn Gil Ho, was accused of having practiced bullying with classmates at school – he assumed he had committed the acts of violence and apologized.
?? | K-drama director Ahn Gil Ho #TheGlorywas involved in a case of school violence when he studied in the Philippines.
A post on an online community accused Principal Ahn of assaulting schoolmates, and he acknowledged the assault and apologized. Understand the case! pic.twitter.com/HFO3POHDtt
— Dramaland Brasil (@DramalandBR) March 13, 2023
It is now hoped that the wide reach of k-drama will shed light on these issues, that victims will be heard and embraced, and perpetrators will be duly penalized. In addition, it is more than necessary to think, whether for the South Korean reality or even the Brazilian one, ways to prevent bullying from continuing to be something recurrent.
