PALE MOON (2023 - ) is a K-Drama that features blended elements of both the romance and thriller genres. While quite a bit slower in terms of pacing, (especially for a thriller!) it is a shorter series than typical k-drama series (10 episodes as opposed to 16 + episodes).
This series is a female centric series and can be considered a bit of an examination of feminist thought, with main themes such as the trodden housewife / middle aged woman seeking new life purpose, learning new skills and advancing herself, finding worth in herself; a woman developing herself to be independent and professional, seeking her own desires and identity; a woman under the control of her husband that struggles to break free despite the societal constraints.
While the characters choices are morally and ethically debatable, the psychological aspects made this an interesting process and excellent food for thought, as well as a conversation starter.
"A thriller drama about Yoo I-hwa, a stay-at-home mom living her comfortable and contented life without desires, but to her husband's indifference. While working as a bank contract employee, she unexpectedly touches money from VIP clients and gradually falls into an irreversible collapse."
This is the kind of drama that could have done without the romance plot, (or at least a subtler one) in my opinion. I understand they wanted that dimension, a love interest, but I felt it wasn't truly believable, interesting and even necessary. I feel it slightly detracted from the impact of the other aspects of this series or perhaps the chemistry was lacking, rather than having the FL find love, strength and happiness on her own and in herself, becoming independent first (and then romance later on, if necessary at all). However, I was happy to see a middle-aged, slightly older female lead and romantic interest. In many other dramas, the middle-aged female in this age range usually turns out to be some kind of villain archetype.
Overall, this was a refreshing change of pace from some of the more overplayed romance drama themes out there, but I do feel like it could have been a bit more of exciting (for a thriller series) as well as adding much more depth, on the psychological and emotional levels as well. This series was still a very well made show and worth the watch. Glad to see drama's switching things up.
