My Demon Episode: 1

JUNG GU-WON (Song Kang) is a demon whose MO covers all the classics: uncanny magical powers at the snap of a finger, devil-may-care swagger, and an all-consuming yen for human souls. His is a textbook Faustian pitch — he’ll grant unlimited power for a very limited time, only to send you to hell via heart attack in exchange. That said, there’s more to our demon than meets the eye. Holy water doesn’t hurt him. Next to black leather and a sardonic grin, crosses are his favorite accessory. He’s been wheeling and devilishly dealing since at least late Joseon, but it’s hinted that he once was human.

As for our heroine? DO DO-HEE (Kim Yoo-jung) is more than a match for our fiend, in both ruthlessness and flair. She’s the glitzy princess of the Mirae Group, in charge of the award-winning Mirae F&B. Miranda Priestley, eat your heart out! Heads are about to roll when Do-hee learns about a recent article lamenting the sugar content of her company’s flagship drink. This hatchet piece has to be an inside job. However, her warpath is interrupted when the formidable MADAM JU (Kim Hae-sook), Chairwoman of Mirae, demands that she go on a blind date.

As a serial heartbreaker and chronic workaholic, Do-hee is not really one for warm and fluffy feelings. However, when she’s accidentally brought to the wrong ritzy restaurant, she’s confronted by our demon… in one of the most memorable of meet-ugly moments I’ve ever cackled at. It’s mutual disdain at first sight. Do-hee is appalled at his arrogance, Gu-won is aggressively confused, and both thinks the other is utterly unhinged. Jeez, can’t a demon book out a whole restaurant to consume an entire birthday cake on his own in peace?

Well, not without considerable misunderstanding. Earlier, Gu-won collected on the soul of a crime boss; now, the guy’s flunkies are back for revenge. The cake goes flying smack in the direction of Do-hee’s head. She’s romantically whisked out of the way by Gu-won, who’s unable to stand any harm to his beloved… erm, dessert. But as it turns out, today is Do-hee’s birthday — and he seemingly bought her cake! She flees to the bathroom in order to a) touch up her lipstick, b) blush, and c) cycle through all six stages of grief at being attracted to the deranged, sugar-loving hottie currently beating up ten gangsters unbeknown to her.

Alas, her acceptance is short-lived. By the time she returns, Gu-won — fresh in mourning for his cake — snaps at her. Why would he care about her birthday? Hurt, Do-hee resumes her ice princess act. If we ever meet again, she says, be sure to show more manners. I don’t want people thinking you’re my ex.

But Do-hee’s got more on her mind than a botched romance. She’s neck-deep in a succession crisis. Do-hee’s parents died long ago in a car crash, and she was taken in by Madam Ju — who vastly prefers the acerbic Do-hee to her own, more disappointing children. Needless to say, said children take slight issue with this. However, Do-hee’s relationship with Madam Ju is unexpectedly adorable, albeit not without its dysfunction. Do-hee receives an urgent text from her boss-slash-surrogate-mother, directing her to the hospital. Our girl collapses, weeping, over Madam Ju’s sleeping form… only for Madam Ju to sit up, crack an eyelid, and laughingly present her with a birthday cake.

The two proceed to mercilessly bicker, but it’s clear that this is a relationship built as much on love as emotional blackmail. Madam Ju is determined for Do-hee to begin living life, rather than just dwelling on her parents’ deaths — which of course, took place on Do-hee’s much-dreaded birthday. The reason she insists on the blind dates is so that Do-hee can find someone to be on her side! You always taught me, retorts Do-hee, to trust no one. Well, yes, admits Madam Ju. But loving someone means that even if they betray you, you’d understand. You’re that person for me. She gives Do-hee two rings: wear them both yourself, she insists, until you find someone.

Do-hee spends the rest of her birthday brooding on the beach. But when she calls for a cab, everything goes horribly wrong. The car stops. Her driver, a man with a strange, bloody rash on the back of his neck (Kim Seol-jin), lunges for her, telling her that she’s going to die. The reason? Ju Cheon-sook. Do-hee manages to evade his grasp, staggering away from the car. But mist and terrifyingly impractical heels make for a suboptimal escape. Do-hee finds herself trapped between her pursuer — and a dark, looming silhouette up ahead. Gu-won.

My life, reflects Do-hee, feels like it’s shrouded in mist. Is everyone around me a foe? Ultimately, all she can do is trust herself… and take a chance on a demon. She plunges towards Gu-won, calling for help. Sure, he says. But you need to make a deal. Don’t worry about the specifics for now. Do-hee, businesswoman to the core, snaps that signing an unknown contract would be crazy. But with her life at stake… sure, let’s be crazy!

Soon, her attacker’s body is flung against the windscreen. The road borders a river. Do-hee tries to hide behind the railings, but when she looks up, she meets Gu-won’s eyes. He offers her a hand. As she takes it, the tattoo of a cross on his wrist begins to glow. But then, the attacker — whom, evidently, was not as dead as he seemed — drives towards them. Gu-won snaps his fingers… only for nothing to happen. Our heroes are sent plummeting into the water.

Do-hee knows that if she tries to save Gu-won, they’ll both sink. And yet, in her last moments of consciousness, she clutches for his hand. His cross tattoo burns into nothingness — and reappears on her wrist. Mercifully, death by drowning is virtually unheard of in K-drama, with plunges underwater carrying a 1% fatality rate. Our heroes wake on the shore. Gu-won grabs Do-hee’s wrist, as a wave breaks dramatically over them both… only for Do-hee to pass out.

Do-hee comes to in hospital, under the uncharacteristically attentive gaze of her nightmare date. Turns out, Gu-won took her comment about politeness to heart. Now, he’s all gentle reassurances — until her bemused secretary leaves the room, at which point he’s all indignant wrist-grabbing. That, he snaps, is my tattoo. Do-hee’s eyes widen. What’s this tacky, drunken mistake doing on her skin? Clearly, the only answer is to get it lasered… or, maybe cover it up with a tasteful Pororo picture? Gu-won’s answering horrified expression is a thing of beauty.

Insults are flung. There’s an embarrassing sort of scuffle. Gu-won goes for her wrist again, Do-hee goes for a slap, and finds that it — doesn’t connect? At least, not until Gu-won drops her hand, at which point it connects super hard. Gu-won is left with a bright red handprint on his face, a newfound dread of animated penguins, and — most importantly — the utter absence of his demonic powers.Thanks For Next Part2.

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