K-Drama Review: “Blind” Heeds a Strong Message about Retribution with Zealous Characters in a Dark Plot

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Revenge isn’t always the solution, and Blind ensures that there are fair ways to punish evil.

Bright backgrounds can be blinding and deceiving, so people believe in one’s flawlessness. Living life differently, two contrasting brothers in a seemingly perfect family undergo a series of betrayals in search of the truth.

  • Main Cast: Ok Taecyeon | Ha Seok Jin | Jung Eun Ji
  • Supporting Cast: Park Ji Bin | Jung In Ki | Kim Bup Rae | Oh Seung Yun | Kim Min Seok
  • Streaming Site: Viu
  • Thrill/Addictive Meter:
  • Overall Rating:
  • Rewatch Value:
  • Kdramas of Similar Vibe: Mouse | Flower of Evil | He is Psychometric | Children of Nobody | Big Mouth

Marcie Line watched Blind on Viu

Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 & 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 & 10 | 11 & 12 | 13 & 14 | 15 | Finale + Review |


Blind Finale Highlights

“Regardless of what you had to endure there and what kind of things happened, that’s no excuse for murder.”

Sung-jun rushes to the fishing spot Sung-hoon is calling from. Listening to the call, Sung-jun hears Sung-hoon confronting Ryu Il-ho for covering up the case of Hope Welfare Center and receiving sexual favors from Yoon-jung at the vacation house.

Arriving in time, Sung-jun arrests his father who shot a gun at Sung-hoon. He beats Sung-hoon up after feeling frustrated with his answer of never seeing him as a brother throughout the years.

Eun-ki shows the continuation of the video from the hidden camera to Sung-jun, and he sees that Chief Yeom and his mom ordered Mr. Bae to be killed. Securing evidence from catching Sergeant Gu, Sung-jun arrests Chief Yeom and Minister Na. 

Sung-hoon in prison explains to Eun-ki how he didn’t intend for Yu-na to be killed, showing that Yoon-jae was uncontrollable at some point in their revenge plan. Responding to Sung-hoon, Eun-ki says that his methods were wrong and that she would prove him wrong by using legal means. With that, she begins writing posts and opening up a public booth to raise awareness of the Hope Welfare Center.

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“Live to the very end and live the rest of your life in pain. That’s how you will pay for your sins.”

Mr. Baek stabs Yoon-jae multiple times in the prison bathroom, but both of them die as Yoon-jae also stabs him back. Meanwhile, Sung-jun discovers Charles lifeless while holding a photo of him and Yoon-jae at his restaurant. 

News reaches Sung-hoon and he attempts suicide, but he is brought to the hospital. Sung-jun visits him there and sees the scars on his chest.

Also a survivor from the center, Attorney Park comes forwards to Eun-ki’s booth. He represents Sung-hoon in his jury trial while Sung-jun sits down to testify against him. 

Only wanting to reveal the truth about the center, Sung-hoon admits to his crimes and apologizes. The jury votes for him as guilty, and the judge sentences him to life imprisonment.

At a press conference, Eun-ki reaches out to other victims of Hope Welfare Center and announces she will be filing a tort suit against the government.

Staring at each other, Sung-jun wishes Sung-hoon to be free from the past. Sung-hoon then sees his younger and adult self – leaving the basement of Hope Welfare Center. 

Visiting Eun-ki who is hosting a soccer game, Sung-jun thinks about how different the futures of the children from Hope Welfare Center could have been if an adult like Eun-ki was there for them.

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Blind Quick Plot Recap

All involved in a murder case with a jury trial, two brothers and a social worker seek the truth behind the murders. Ryu Sung-hoon (Ha Seok Jin) is the presiding judge of the case, and he lives strictly by the laws avoiding personal favors.

On the other hand, his brother Ryu Sung-jun (Ok Taecyeon) is a passionate detective who gets suspected as the culprit in the murder case. Jo Eun-ki (Jung Eun Ji), a warm-hearted social worker, believes in Sung-jun’s innocence. Through that trust, they learn about the truth behind the murders and expose the past of Hope Welfare Center.


Blind Series Peak Points

Engaging Game of Deduction

From the start of the trial, figuring out who’s the murderer has been the quest for the jurors as well as the drama’s viewers. Uncovering the mystery behind the murders, every episode presents new hints that shift the suspicions from one character to another.

Though it may have already been going in circles with suspecting Sung-hoon, seeing whether one’s guesses were correct can be rewarding and encouraging to anticipate the next events.

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Impactful Character Transformation

Most of the characters in the series are introduced as decent ordinary humans. However, as the plot progresses, much of their true colors are exposed. Seemingly flawless families like Sung-jun’s shed their real characters and perspectives in life. Kind and sweet characters also like In-seong and Charles can shock viewers with their unbelievable personalities that change the direction of the investigation.

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Fitting Ending of Revenge Plot

Answering the question of whether the murders were justifiable as a form of revenge, the drama clearly delivers its message that it is not and will never be. Killing the characters that have abused and neglected the numbered children may have been gratifying, but the plot strays away from that direction, showing that such does not suffice one’s drive for revenge.

Though Eun-ki’s method represents an ideal way to seek justice, it imparts a realistic and hopeful view of how to punish evil. Likewise, Sung-hoon continuing to live even life imprisoned shows redemption is possible.

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Blind Series Musings

While the plot was organized and structured well, some parts were already somehow predictable, especially with Sung-hoon’s character. The character changes may not be largely shocking being familiarized with evil characters hiding behind their smiles through Mouse and Big Mouth.

For the cast members, there was no one lacking as every character was well portrayed, delivering clear emotional changes. In particular, Park Ji Bin really brought out his character excellently with his smile that was once warm and later sinister. 

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Moving steadily, the drama has more of a serious tone, which can make some parts dull. However, its seriousness also becomes its strength in emphasizing the root of the conflict.

A lot of lessons can be picked up in the drama’s end, seeing that Sung-hoon’s revenge brings unhappiness rather than delight. The gravity of the wrongdoings of the adults in Hope Welfare Center can be enraging.

Eun-ki represents the ideal example of a responsible adult. Moreover, her solution debunks Sung-hoon’s false belief in violent revenge.

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Turning a Blind Eye to the Truth

Perhaps, the word blind was used in multiple ways throughout the episodes to impart a strong message to its viewers. 

Through Sung-hoon’s story, we learn not to be blinded by people’s intimidating credentials to judge people fairly. As well as by one’s revenge, there’s a lot of potential wasted being blinded by it. Most importantly, the drama inspires viewers not to turn a blind eye to injustice and be witnesses of the truth.

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Watch episodes of Blind on Viu.


Photos: tvN Drama

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