Bitter Sweet Hell (2024)

Psychological thriller re. gaslighting & family, wonderfully wrapped in the cloak of a black comedy

Psychological thriller meets black comedy. “Bittersweet Hell” is wonderfully staged in many ways. The script may have its weaknesses here and there, but the performance as a whole quickly makes you forget about that. Lee Hye-young clearly steals the show from Kim Hee-sun here. However, it's hard to top her fantastic performance as the eccentric mother-in-law (which alone might make a rewatch worthwhile...). Together they form a resolved mother-mission-duo, both determined to fight the 'WE' of their family, in which they feel deeply at home… even if this 'WE' might have plenty of flaws... Eventually, the cast is also hand-picked in other ways, e.g. with KPop Idols Yeonwoo, Jaechan and Chansung. Overall, I´d say “Bittersweet Hell” offers unique KDrama enjoyment.

The plot is centered around the psychological phenomenon of so-called 'invalidating communication', which is also known as 'gaslighting' – after the play "Gas Light", which became particularly famous in the 1944 film adaptation "The House of Lady Alquist" with Ingrid Bergman. Gaslighting is about deliberately and consistently misleading a partner, family member or close friend. Gaslighting only works among close ones, i.e. trustworthy people. Thus manipulated with psychological tricks and lies, the victims feel increasingly insecure when it comes to their own perception, ultimately preferring to entirely rely on the supposedly valid judgment of their trusted person… who is now able, to fully control his/her victim. In "Bittersweet Hell" various examples of this phenomenon add to the plot dynamics. In passing, the KDrama also explores other socially explosive topics – above all the high value and ideal of ´family´ versus the sobering reality of ´actual family lives´, but also the weal and woe of the mother's role, different parenting styles and sexual orientation.

In my opinion, "Bittersweet Hell" could have used the 16 episodes (there are only 12) in order to better develop some character profiles. The effective production and performance, however, is actually very well making up for some lack of substance here and there. Therefore I´d consider this criticism a suffering on a rather high level… because nevertheless, “Bittersweet Hell” comes along as a great psychological thriller about gaslighting and family, wonderfully wrapped in the cloak of a black comedy.

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A bittersweet saga of lies, secrets, and acceptance

A family is plunged into a thrilling game of cat and mouse as a mysterious blackmailer threatens to expose their secrets. They race against the clock to uncover the truth, confronting the lies and secrets that have festered in their family along the way. Frustrated, they rally together against a common enemy to protect their own

The drama takes an unexpected turn when one of the family members (Jae Chan/Do Hyun) comes out. Initially met with doubt and confusion, the family soon realizes that being gay isn't a phase, and that acceptance is more powerful than societal norms. They vow to protect the son/grandson and his truth, no matter the cost. The family emerges from the bitter darkness of their lies, secrets, and betrayals, stronger and more united than before. This act of bravery and acceptance elevates the drama from a typical thriller to a thought-provoking examination of family dynamics

The ending was bittersweet. Jae Chan/Do Hyun was happy with the boy he loved (sweet), the family members "practiced being strangers" (bitter). Family should be a source of unity and strength, not estrangement, and I wished to see them reconcile, walking hand in hand once more

My rating was going to be a 7.5/10, but the sensitive handling of coming out and support for the gay community deserve an additional 0.5 points. They bumped the final rating to an 8/10

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