Korean title: 공작 도시

Origin and release year: South Korea (2021)

Starring: Park Soo Ae, Kim Kang Woo, Kim Mi Sook, Lee E Dam, Lee Hak Joo, Kim Young Jae, Kim Hyun Soo

Before anything, I have to comment about how confusing this drama is. Usually dramas with high profile people who have complicated pasts spend a bit more time on explaining each character. However, Artificial City just jumps head first into all of the complicated relationships and schemes.

Here’s the relationship guide map for if you struggle to keep track of who’s who like I did.

On the topic of characters, there are so many dislikable characters in this drama. It’s all about power plays/dynamics, political alliances, and egos.

I found myself searching for someone to like the entire time because it just felt extremely and consistently negative. There were no silver linings but only evil-intentioned wins for characters you were somewhat unknowingly rooting for.

Other than that, the acting in the drama was spot on. You found yourself hooked to every moment and plot.

I didn’t understand the relationship between Yoon Jae Hee and Kim Yi Seol but I think their ever-changing dynamic and power play is part of what made things interesting.

I won’t even get into her dynamic with her toxic husband and his family.

However, I have to say that the drama dragged out and was too long. It was riveting until about episode 16, then had one interesting episode after that.

It would’ve been better off if it had ended at a 16th or 17th episode.

Don’t get me wrong, it was an excellent drama. It just had a few flaws and quite frankly the ending was awful.

I’m aware that not all stories have happy endings but I have yet to watch a K-Drama that made me feel like I could logically support a sad one.

What did you think of Artificial City?