Both characters show a lot of their personality, and I would say Kim Go Eun’s character is too forgiving, too kind, and although she tried her hardest to be tough, she is a people pleaser at her core. Most of her decisions were made to please her best friend, Park Ji Hyun’s character, whether they were on good or bad terms. She was overly loyal to her.
The show is about heartbreak in the form of friendship. As women, we tend to hold our female friendships as something meaningful and almost like a sisterhood, so when that bond breaks, it can be an unimaginable kind of heartbreak.
However, Park Ji Hyun’s character did not seem to share those same values of sisterhood or friendship. She did not value friendship but valued being the best at everything. She just wanted to beat Kim Go Eun’s character. But the ending seemed to teach her that a career is not truly everything, and that women are often pitted against each other in society, both for love and for success.
Kim Go Eun’s character admired Park Ji Hyun’s character and was impressed by how smart and talented she was. She never saw her as competition but rather as inspiration. The show reflects how you can be inspired by someone who may see you as a threat through no fault of your own.
Both actresses are incredibly talented. I cried because of all the trials and tribulations their friendship faced, and it was clear that only one of them had genuine intentions. All the side characters added to their story and the turmoil that made it so emotional.