Come and Hug Me follows the complicated story of a detective (Jang Ki Yong) whose serial killer father murdered the parents of the woman (Jin Ki Joo) he loved when they were teenagers.
Come and Hug Me is such a heart wrenching story. It’s a dark tale with compelling characters that will break your heart. The drama is filled with tension as it beautifully lays out this story. This definitely isn’t an ordinary romance.
Jang Ki Yong plays Yoon Na Moo/Choi Do Jin. As the son of a violent serial killer, life has been a bit difficult for him. And when his father murders the parents of the girl he loves, he is left with a lifetime of guilt that cause him to constantly seek to atone for what happened.
Na Moo is a poor tortured soul. He has a very calm and stoic demeanor, but the emotions just poor out of his eyes. The anguish he feels shines in those tear filled eyes. Then he has to cope with his fears of being like his father. The world seems to constantly compare him to his father, but can he really be the opposite like he wants? This was a seriously fantastic performance from Jang Ki Yong.
Jin Ki Joo is Gil Nak Won/Han Jae Yi. She is an actress with a bright and strong personality who still suffers PTSD from what happened to her and her family when she was young. The tragedy tore her away from Na Moo, but her feelings for him remain which come to the surface when the two are reunited.
And then there’s our villain Yoon Hui Jae played by Heo Joon Ho. He’s the father of Na Moo and is also a notorious serial killer. He’s the definition of a psychopath who shows no remorse for his victims and develops an obsession with his son. He’s someone who can’t be reasoned with which is quite scary.
I’ve been captivated by Heo Joon Ho as an actor since I first saw him in Beautiful Mind. He tends to play villains, and he sure does bring them to life. He comes off as calm, creepy, and powerful. And I always feel like so much is going on behind his eyes. He’s an amazing actor, and he really did this serial killer role justice.
Come and Hug Me sets itself apart from other dramas in many ways. It’s a melodrama that is incredibly dark and sad yet at the same time it has this theme of hope and the possibility that no matter what horrible things have happened in life, you still have a chance to be happy. And believe me, so many horrible things happen to the characters in this drama. One would think it would be impossible to move on from so much tragedy. Especially if a serial killer is still coming for you.
To say that Na Moo and Nak Won have the odds stacked against them would be an understatement. Having one’s parent kill the other’s parents is about as devastating at things could get. Or so you would think. As if that’s not enough, Na Moo and Nak Won continue to suffer for many years after because of Na Moo’s family as well as the public. It’s not easy being part of a case that gained national attention and is now resurfacing with added fanfare.
And both Na Moo and Nak Won suffered trauma and have to deal with the effects of that. It’s so utterly sad to watch the fear that they each experience. And that fear extends to each other. Despite everything, they care for each other dearly. They worry so much for the other, even more than themselves.
They way these two look at each other with eyes filled with love and compassion was so beautiful and sad. These two deserved to be happy, but it seemed that everything in life was always against them. Their love story is one of immense pain and sadness but also so much love. If a couple ever deserved to somehow find happiness, it’s these two.
The drama does explore interesting questions concerning whether being a psychopath is inherited as well as how much family influences what you will ultimately become. The relationship between Na Moo and and his father Hui Jae is about as messed up as it gets. Having a father like that will effect you in some way or another. The question becomes will he follow in his footsteps or become something completely different. It’s a complex question that doesn’t have as simple of an answer as one would think.
There are plenty of other complicated relationships explored including that of Na Moo and his jealous and violent brother as well as their relationships with their step mom and sister. A whole family has their lives destroyed by Hui Jae. Moving forward and living is no easy task as this family continually deals with what Hui Jae has done to them.
I also should highlight the talented teen cast who played the younger versions of Na Moo and Nak Won. Na Da Reum and Ryu Han Bi were absolutely amazing and put so much emotion into their characters. They pulled me right into their story and my heart broke for them.
It’s also a plus that they aren’t just utilized in the beginning of the drama, and we get to see pieces of the back story throughout the show. I loved that we got to stay connected to the pair when they first experienced their tragedies since it shaped so much of what was to come.
Come and Hug Me was beautifully written to highlight these tragic characters and their story. It’s filled with tension from beginning to end with pacing that kept me engaged as this haunting tale unfolded. Every episode and scene is important which is why the drama is so well done. Come and Hug Me really moved me, and it is the kind of drama that will leave a lasting impression.
My Rating: 8.5/10
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