The drama 'The Defects' left a strong impression from its first broadcast, from its unconventional story to Dex's impressive(?) acting.
On the 21st, the ENA Monday-Tuesday drama 'The Defects' (directed by Oh Gi-hwan / written by Ahn So-jung / produced by Group Eight, Take One Studio) aired its first episode, featuring the desperate story of children trying to survive in a crumbling system, making a powerful first hit in living rooms.
It started from the past of Woo Tae-sik (played by Choi Young-jun), who was in charge of clean-up for an illegal adoption secret organization 14 years ago. While handling a job with Gwak Dong-cheol (played by Kim Soo-ro) as usual, Tae-sik realized that what he had considered to be 'waste' was actually live children, leading him into shock. He subsequently hid the 'returned children', including Kim Ah-hyun (played by Won Jina), in a derelict building hideout, teaching them survival training and forcing them to live a life completely cut off from the outside.
Meanwhile, Kim Se-hee (played by Yum Jung-ah), the chairperson of a large hospital and currently running a charitable foundation, caught attention with her chilling two-faced nature. While appearing pleased as a mother watching her daughter during a parent observation class, behind that facade was the cold reality of her instructing Jeong Hyun (played by Kim Jin-young) to commit heinous crimes. Jeong Hyun is a loyal figure who would not hesitate to carry out illegal acts under her orders, arousing curiosity about their relationship.
Amid this, the shocking setting of 'child refund' was revealed. It turned out that Choi Si-woo (played by Kang Ji-yong), who was attending English class with Se-hee's daughter (played by Kim Ji-an), was an illegally adopted child from a secret organization, and due to the mother's refund request, he was pushed into extreme circumstances. Tae-sik tried to secretly rescue Si-woo while evading Dong-cheol's surveillance, but Si-woo's phone call to his mother exposed the plan.
Thus, Si-woo's appearance became the start of another tragedy. Not only Si-woo but also the lives of other children were at stake. Jeong Hyun, who sensed that Tae-sik was saving the children, immediately pursued him, creating a tense chase between the two that heightened the drama's intensity.
At that moment, Ah-hyun welcomed Si-woo, who had come to their hideout, and comforted him. However, upon learning that Si-woo had contacted his parents, Ah-hyun instinctively sensed that Tae-sik was in danger and headed straight for him. As she witnessed Tae-sik's vehicle crash and explode right before her eyes, her heartbreaking scene adorned the episode's ending, leaving a strong lingering effect.
'The Defects' captured viewers with its elaborately crafted world of an unprecedented illegal adoption cartel in just one episode. Its meticulous narrative, messages that directly challenge social taboos, fast-paced development, and precise direction, especially its thrilling action scenes, delivered extreme suspense. Actors Yum Jung-ah, Won Jina, Choi Young-jun, and Kim Jin-young proved their presence with their completely immersive performances, raising expectations for their future activities.
The ENA Monday-Tuesday drama 'The Defects' will broadcast its second episode tonight at 10 p.m. on the 22nd and can also be found exclusively on TVING.
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