South Korean Drama first broadcast in May 2010, consisting of 17 75-minute episodes. Also called "Bad Guy" in some venues.
The plot is a typical twisted Soap Opera, where a forgotten family member plots the downfall of a rich but corrupt family living in Seoul.
Shim Gun Wook was first adopted then abandoned by the powerful Hong family, who own the Hae Shin Corporation, a development and construction company. Twenty years after he was left at an orphanage, he is now a cunning Chessmaster and plans to destroy both the company and the family.
Moon Jae In is a young independent art consultant working with the matriarch of the family to open a new art gallery, who is also raising her sister. She becomes an unwitting pawn in Gun Wook's schemes.
Hong Tae Ra was born as the first daughter in the chaebol family. She has never said no to her parents and went through an arranged marriage, living her life like the typical upperclass housewife.
Hong Mo Ne is the youngest Hong daughter, who missed being pushed into an arranged marriage when it's discovered her fiance is having an affair with an actress.
Hong Tae Sung is the son adopted after Gun Wook was abandoned. He is the younger son, rebellious and angsty.
Hong Tae Gyun is the older brother, who is secretly involved in stock manipulation.
The Death by Origin Story begins when Chae Sun Young falls from a high-rise building to her death in the first minutes of the first episode. It turns out she is Gun Wook's Childhood Friends from the orphanage, and Tae Sung's girlfriend.
- Abusive Parents: Throwing a child out in a thunderstorm is rather extreme, but there it is.
- Arranged Marriage: The older sister of the rich Hong family, Tae Ra, was married to the heir of another company to cement the business and social relationship between the two companies.
- Bilingual Dialogue: Moon Jae In in Japan.
- Chalk Outline: Sun Young
- Could Say It, But...: Gun Wook when talking to the detectives in Episode 11.
- Country Mouse: Moon Jae In
- Downer Ending: Just when it seems to be heading for a Bittersweet Ending it takes a quick nosedive.
- Dramatic Shattering: The glass mask by Hong Tae Sung, and a champagne glass by Shim Gun Wook pretending to be Hong Tae Sung.
- Mr. Fanservice: Hong Tae Sung and Shim Gun Wook, most notably.
- Freudian Excuse
- Forgotten Fallen Friend: Chae Sun Young's murder sets off the story, but she slowly fades into the background.
- Inspector Lestrade: New detective Bum Woo.
- Mommy Issues: Tae Sung is always looking for approval from his stepmother.
- Mouthy Kid: Jae In's little sister, Won In, who talks back, steals beer, tries to buy cigarettes, and hits up strangers for money, all while dispensing advice. All this from a young teenager.
- Not So Stoic: Gun Wook with Jae In, as the series progresses.
- Odd Name Out: The Hong siblings are Tae Gyun, Tae Ra, Tae Sung ... and Mo Ne.
- One Steve Limit: Justified. Both Gun Wook and Tae Sung are called "Tae Sung."
- Onsen Episode: Set in Japan, where several characters go to retrieve the glass mask from the artist.
- Parental Abandonment: Both Tae Sung and Gun Wook against the same parents.
- Rich Bitch: Mrs. Shin
- Room Full of Crazy: If you're planning an elaborate revenge scheme it definitely helps.
- Scars Are Forever
- Shirtless Scene: Shim Gun Wook on several occasions, mainly to point out the scar on his back.
- Single Tear: Most of the main characters do this a time or two.
- Sympathetic Inspector Antagonist: Seasoned detective Kwak.
- Wicked Stepmother: Hong Tae Sung never gets to forget he was adopted.