‘My Demon’ promised a fresh story wrapped in fantasy, romance, drama, and intriguing magical elements, but how well did it deliver? After watching, the experiences seem to split into what worked — the visuals, the chemistry *at times,* OSTs, and some secondary performances — and what ultimately derailed what could have been a more compelling drama. Here’s a breakdown of the aspects that made this drama shine in fragments and fail in crucial areas.
**Beginning with High Hopes**
The initial episodes were captivating enough. The setup of Gu Won (Song Kang), a seemingly invincible demon grappling with human emotions, and Do Hee (Kim Yoo Jung), a cunning yet misunderstood chaebol heiress, gave promise of a strong narrative blend of fantasy and romance. However, after Episode 8, the show lost its pacing and direction, rapidly descending into an underwhelming swirl of cliched writing, unconvincing character arcs, and bloated side plots.
At first, the dynamic between Do Hee and Gu Won was enjoyable. Their banter and mutual hesitation built enough romantic suspense to hook viewers briefly. But as the story progressed into forced chemistry and lackluster relationship development, their romance seemed more like a checkbox exercise than a truly organic connection.
**Performance Analysis**
– **Kim Yoo Jung’s Do Hee:** Starting as a headstrong and self-sufficient character, Do Hee was initially well-developed and engaging. Unfortunately, as the drama neared its climax, her fiery personality diminished into trope-heavy damsel-in-distress territory. Watching her continually get saved, relying on Gu Won to “fix everything,” was frustrating for what began as a bold female lead. Yoo Jung undeniably has the acting chops, and while she did a commendable job individually, her development was sabotaged by poor writing.
– **Song Kang’s Gu Won:** There were mixed feelings regarding Song Kang’s portrayal. His “demon” character lacked real depth and emotional pull, making it hard to differentiate him from many of his previous roles. Despite his striking visuals, Gu Won often came off as a naive, hopeless romantic, failing to utilize the centuries-long wisdom you’d expect from an immortal being. Where he could’ve leaned into intense charisma or darker nuances, he remained static for much of the series.
– **Antagonists and Secondary Characters:** Noh Su Min (Kang Seung-ho) as the central antagonist left mixed impressions. While his story arc carried the potential for an intense showdown, his villainy often veered into over-the-top dramatics. On the other hand, Tae Hoon, who played an abusive figure central to the story’s darker subplot, was unsettlingly convincing.
Seok Hoon, as Gu Won’s rival and Do Hee’s steadfast friend, had one of the more refreshing arcs. His wholesome relationship with Gu Won developed unexpectedly into a bromance that was surprisingly heartwarming. However, the lack of bold storytelling restrictions, such as not capitalizing on Seok Hoon as a potential villain, left this element tonally underwhelming too.
**Weak Character Development and Tropes Galore**
Many tropes weighed down the originality of ‘My Demon.’ The reincarnation/past-life trope was shoehorned into the story late into the plot, adding unnecessary complications instead of moving the narrative forward. At times, Do Hee’s reactions — like her frustration at Gu Won’s nature despite knowing from the start he was a demon — felt contrived and illogical.
Gu Won’s disappearance and return should have been a turning point, but the resolution felt abrupt and undeserved, failing to explain the mechanics or stakes behind the event. The lack of attention on building suspense around key twists made scenes like the father’s deal with Gu Won predictable and underwhelming.
**Production: A Tale of Two Dichotomies**
1. **Visual Elements:**
The production team leaned heavily on visual aesthetics. Song Kang and Yoo Jung’s ethereal features were overly accentuated using aggressive color grading, giving the leads a near-unreal texture that was distracting rather than appealing. While certain magical set pieces — like fire scenes and transformations — looked fantastic, the over-polished look made the drama lose its natural emotional rawness.
2. **Music and OST:**
Perhaps one of the show’s biggest wins was its soundtrack. Songs like “Say You Love Me” by Sam Kim and the opening track “True” by YOARI elevated scenes emotionally, even if they were played so excessively that it bordered on tiresome. The symphony of romantic tracks often provided a more cohesive narrative than the story itself. Special mention to “Our Night is More Beautiful Than Your Day” by NewJeans for perfectly complementing romantic montages.
**Highlights of the Drama**
– **Banter and Early Romance:** The initial sparks between Gu Won and Do Hee carried humor and charm, even if it waned down the line.
– **Ga Young’s Redemption Arc:** Ga Young’s journey from a selfish antagonist to someone breaking the cycle of abuse was a rare bright spot in the character-driven narrative. The tender scene where she shielded an abused child at the series’ close was one of the few touching, full-circle moments that carried deep emotional weight.
– **The Bromance of Gu Won and Seok Hoon:** Their frenemies-to-family storyline added some much-needed humor and genuine warmth amidst the otherwise generic arcs.
**Weaknesses and Missed Opportunities**
– **Underdeveloped Plotlines:** Many critical story points, such as Gu Won’s immortality, Do Hee’s father’s past deal, and the morality of human-immortal romances, lacked depth and exploration. Logic and emotional stakes, particularly concerning Gu Won and Do Hee’s relationship given their differing lifespans, were completely brushed aside.
– **One-Dimensional Villains and Filler Side Plots:** Characters like Noh Su Min devolved into melodramatic caricatures, irritating rather than frightening the audience. Similarly, secondary storylines felt like forced padding to extend the episodes rather than organically adding depth to the story.
– **Rushed Climax and Ending:** By the final episodes, the resolution seemed hurried, with questions unanswered or inadequately addressed. Why didn’t Gu Won’s immortality play a more profound role in the conflict? How is his relationship with Do Hee sustainable long-term? These gaps left a sour aftertaste for viewers hoping for a satisfying conclusion.
**Final Thoughts**
‘My Demon’ is a classic case of style over substance. While it dazzles in its visuals, soundtracks, and initial concept, the story’s rapid descent into lazy tropes, underwhelming character development, and lack of logical coherence made it a frustrating watch. The drama had the potential to be a refreshing combination of fantasy and romance but ultimately served as a template for what *not* to do in a supernatural romance. At best, it’s an entertainment filler for those who want eye-catching leads, decent soundtracks, and a few heartfelt moments.
My final rating: **6.5/10.**
If you plan to watch, go in with extremely low expectations. This is not groundbreaking storytelling; it’s a guilty-pleasure drama riddled with cliches, missed opportunities, and beautiful people doing beautiful things.