MBC's new drama tackles a pretty sensitive subject

Cardiothoracic surgeon Min Jun-ho (Yoo Yeon-seok)

Private elementary school librarian Kang Ji-seon (Seo Hyun-jin)

Min Jun-ho is a single dad raising his son Hyun-su alone after losing his wife.

Kang Ji-seon is the librarian at the school Jun-ho's son attends.

During a school event, Ji-seon doesn't know what the invited author looks like and mistakes Jun-ho, who's there as a parent, for the guest. That's how they first cross paths.

Then Jun-ho's son Hyun-su gets into trouble, and Ji-seon is called to the police station in Jun-ho's place. That's when they finally introduce themselves properly.

"You've been through a lot because of Hyun-su, so let me buy you dinner. When would you be free?"

"Oh... I appreciate the offer, but meeting parents outside school is a little... That's why."

"If we ever happen to run into each other again, let's have coffee then."

Jun-ho and Ji-seon are both starting to feel butterflies without quite realizing it.

"This is my usual walking route..."

Jun-ho suddenly shows up while Ji-seon is out surfing, her hobby.

"Instead of coffee... let's have dinner."

And just like that, the date is set.

Someone who is very obviously heading out on a date.

They have a lovely dinner at a restaurant with a great atmosphere,

share a glass of wine, and have a good time.

And then...

Ji-seon wakes up in her own bed.

Something feels wrong, and her stomach hurts.

"Did you sleep well? Thanks for inviting me over yesterday."

Ji-seon sobs as she washes her body with all her clothes still on.

"But... am I coming on too strong? I texted her, but she hasn't replied."

"You drank a lot yesterday, right? I had porridge delivered. Eat it before work."

Ji-seon is so shocked that she doesn't even go to work.

Ji-seon runs to her older sister, her only family.

"I barely... remember anything. Just flashes here and there."

"How much did you drink?"

"I don't know... I think I drank a bit because I was nervous, but it wasn't because of the alcohol."

"I think I told him not to."

"You think you did?"

"I really didn't want that."

"Then did you clearly tell him no?"

"Sis... I don't know either. I don't know. I just can't remember."

"But you said the two of you drank a lot."

"I told you it wasn't because of the alcohol!! Why don't you believe me? I didn't want to sleep with someone on the first date. Especially not with a parent from my school!"

"And don't see that man again. He gives me the creeps. He even had porridge sent to our house this morning, like he was doing it on purpose."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to report him."

"This could make things even harder for you."

"I know. But Jun-hyeon told me that things you absolutely have to say come with an expiration date. If you keep holding it in and only speak up later, it becomes your fault. Don't try to stop me this time."

MBC's Liar, based on the British drama Liar.

It's described as a psychological thriller about the clash between a man and a woman who give completely conflicting accounts the day after a perfect first date.

At the center of it is the highly sensitive subject of sexual violence during a date.

It asks whether someone with an impeccable social reputation really never lies, and whether the account of a "hysterical" victim can be believed completely. My guess is that the drama will confront the reality of how victims are expected to be utterly flawless.

The subject matter could be triggering for some people, but Seo Hyun-jin, who plays Kang Ji-seon, called it "a story about a survivor's desperate struggle," so I think it's a drama worth checking out at least once.

TheQoo · View original source·Request removal