Have you all tuned in to writer Kim Soon Ok’s latest makjang K-drama? And if your answer is no then, why not? If you’re a fan of thrilling makjangs, then you shouldn’t miss watching Um Ki Joon and Hwang Jung Eum’s “The Escape of the Seven!” It’s from the creators of “The Penthouse” and “The Last Empress!”
Ever since it was announced that writer Kim Soon Ok would be gracing us with a new K-drama, I had a strong inkling it would be even crazier than “The Penthouse.” Well, my instincts didn’t disappoint. This drama has just unveiled its first few episodes, and trust me, it feels like we’ve already covered a 16-episode K-drama’s worth of plot. It’s remarkably fast-paced, and you’re in for an unpredictable ride.
Introduction of the Crazy Main Characters
One of the highlight features of “The Escape of the Seven” is its ensemble of main characters. Just from the title, you can deduce that it involves seven incredibly crazy lead characters. Let’s dive in: we’ve got a mother who’s exploiting the daughter she abandoned 15 years ago for her grandfather’s wealth, a gangster, a high school student pretending to have a perfect life and willing to go to any lengths to become an idol, an entertainment CEO ready to discard anyone deemed useless, a gynecologist who’s comfortable with bending the truth for her own gain, a teacher going to great lengths to protect her secrets, and a police officer willing to manipulate evidence and bend the law to climb the ranks.
It’s quite unusual in the world of K-dramas to have all lead characters portrayed as villains, with no clear character to root for, unlike “The Penthouse,” where Shim Su Ryeon was the fan-favorite. The only redeeming character here appears to be Min Do Hyuk, the gangster. “The Escape of the Seven” promises that we will see a bloody retribution that feels like divine punishment for these evil individuals.
A High School Student’s Shocking Revelation
Perhaps one of the most jaw-dropping moments in the first four episodes is the revelation of Han Mo Ne’s true identity. Initially introduced as the epitome of beauty, personality, talent, and wealth, it turns out her life is an elaborate facade. Han Mo Ne doesn’t have parents living abroad, and she isn’t the kind-hearted friend she pretends to be.
She initially poses as a friend to a new transfer student but uses and bullies her for personal gain. To add to the shock factor, it’s revealed that Han Mo Ne, a high school student, is pregnant and gave birth inside their school. What makes matters worse is that she pins the entire incident on the innocent transfer student who had treated her as a friend.
A Highschool Student vs. Adults
Probably the most crazy aspect of this drama has to be the fact that the adults are collectively ganging up against a high school student! Bang Da Mi seems to be the punching bag of the series. Her own mother mistreats her, using her only to extract money from her grandfather. Her grandfather, in turn, instructs her to stay away from her adoptive parents, who have cared for her for the past 15 years.
Her school life isn’t much better, with her only trusted friend turning out to be a complete backstabber. Even her homeroom teacher is on a mission to get her expelled since Da Mi has stumbled upon her secret. She also gets entangled with gangsters and an entertainment CEO who made up a scandal where she gives birth in school and is supposedly dating her adoptive father. To make matters worse, her grandfather’s mistress, who is also a gynecologist, forges documents to make it appear as though she is pregnant. This high school student’s life becomes an absolute nightmare, and it’s baffling to see the lengths the adults will go to in order to make her suffer.
Bang Da Mi Is Missing & Chairman Bang’s Death
Usually, in K-dramas, the third and fourth episodes are still focused on character introductions and plot setup. “The Escape of the Seven” doesn’t play by these rules! In these early episodes, we’ve already witnessed someone going missing and another person’s death, and it’s all due to the crazy main characters.
Watching this drama unfold from a third-person perspective can be immensely frustrating. We can see all the craziness and evil deeds being perpetrated, yet we can’t do anything. This drama is giving me the same level of stress that “The Penthouse” did, but I’m absolutely hooked and can’t stop watching. While this drama might leave me feeling frustrated, I genuinely appreciate how it keeps me fully engaged, often prompting me to watch an entire episode in one sitting. This is precisely what I love about makjang K-dramas!
There are still countless questions racing through my mind, and I can hardly wait to uncover what happens next, especially since Um Ki Joon has yet to make an appearance. I’m eagerly anticipating the character he’ll bring to life. So, don’t miss out on “The Escape of the Seven,” airing every Friday and Saturday and available on KOCOWA+ with professional English subtitles!
