SOULESS
BAEK HEE SUNG
IN
FLOWER OF EVIL
FLOWER OF EVIL
STILLS
TVN recently released stills of their upcoming drama, Flower of Evil. What springs to mind
about the image of Baek Hee Sung in
the stills is that Baek seems to be
in a trance. His expression seems to be frozen and his eyes are emotionless.
Soulless.
What pain is buried deep inside him that he has to put on a
mask to bury his emotions?
Let’s guess the reason for his soulless look.
Baek Hee Sung’s secret past vanishes as
soon as Do Hae Soo (Jang Hee Jin), his older sister who is
estranged from him, completely disappears from his life. Both do not want to
be identified as the offspring of a serial killer. The stigma attached to the
families of serial killers is unbearable. People perhaps suspect that there is a
chance that they might have inherited their father’s tendency to kill. Baek probably numbs his pain and suffering with a mask. His life becomes an
empty shell.
However, Baek Hee Sung has been given a gift, a second
chance in life by Baek Man Woo (Son Jong-hak), his adoptive
father, the CEO of a university
hospital. Is it the hand of fate?
Baek Hee Sung starts life anew and
reinvents himself. When he is older, he becomes a metalcraft designer who
creates beautiful objects.
Baek Hee Sung and Cha Ji Won could not avoid fate. When they meet, her body
language gives her away. She crosses her arms. Tension. But, Baek’s smiling and pleasant
countenance disarms her. Though Baek has a smiling face, he seems to emit a
cold aura. The homicide detective is mesmerised by the duality in his character.
Cold, yet warm. She is hooked. What’s more, he seems to come from a
reputable background. After all, his father is the CEO of a university hospital.
 
They marry and their union produces a daughter whom he loves.
Father and daughter have fun together; they even prepare a healthy breakfast together while Cha Ji Won looks on happily before she leaves for work.
The family celebrates birthdays or anniversaries. Are they in
their apartment or in a restaurant? One can spot the reflection of beautiful hanging lights
in the large glass windows. The dazzling lights are a reflection of the happy and beaming Baek family.
What is interesting about the stills is that the home décor and
workshop décor are similar. Is the workshop in the same building? The Baek’s have used the eye-catching brick
wall as a design element. The brick wall adds texture and character to the
rooms. The design contrasts the rough-hewn rustic bricks with the smooth wood or
steel furniture. Baek’s artistic skills as a designer are brought to the fore in the modern and trendy décor.
But, like their relationship, the raw brick walls run the risk
of disintegration through time. The brick walls, which have not been sealed
and protected, are vulnerable to decay.
Why, Cha Ji Won,
through her relentless investigations into a murder case, has unwittingly
undone all the good done to him by his adoptive father.
He probably retreats into his shell and reverts to his
introverted self.
The puzzling thing that strikes the viewer is Baek Hee Sung’s tanned leather apron is
not factory made. The apron consists of two thick straps sewn onto a crudely
cut piece of leather. Function rather than design is the focus. It is heavy duty and ideal for a butcher or a
blacksmith. Is Baek being thrifty
or has he other plans in mind?
Baek’s expression is like that of
his apron. Bland and nondescript.
Has Baek Hee Sung changed?
He looks sinister in his black hoodie, a style used by the criminal society. His
appearance provokes a fearful feeling. Baek
is like a killer determined to spring into action in the darkness. One
might feel a surge of panic when one observes him. But, Baek is at home.
 
TVN’s Flower of Evil,
the most highly anticipated drama of 2020, will premiere at 10:50 p.m. on 29
July 2020 (Wednesday-Thursday drama) in South Korea while TVN Asia will air it at 9:45 pm on
30 July 2020 (Thursday-Friday drama). The 16-episode drama is written by Yoo Jung
Hee, directed by Kim Cheol Gyu, and produced by Monster Union and
Studio Dragon.
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