Series Information

• Series Title: My Demon (마이 데몬)
• Network / Platform: SBS / Netflix
• Release Dates: November 24, 2023 – January 20, 2024
• Episodes: 16
• Genres: Dark Fantasy, Romantic Comedy, Thriller
• Director: Kim Jang-han, Kwon Da-som
• Writer: Choi Ah-il
• Main Cast: Kim Yoo-jung (as Do Do-hee), Song Kang (as Jeong Gu-won), Lee Sang-yi (as Joo Seok-hoon), Kim Hae-sook (as Joo Cheon-sook)
• Spoiler Policy: This review contains spoilers for Episode 1 and 2 and some mild spoilers about the main couple.

Synopsis & Premise (Episodes 1 & 2)

The series My Demon is a dark romance that follows the narrative of two unlikely individuals who have a chance meeting. Do Do-hee (Kim Yoo-Jung) is a cynical, chilly chaebol heiress surrounded by enemies who want to take her down, while Jeong Gu-won (Song Kang) is a powerful 200-year-old demon who grants humans a single wish in exchange for their souls after a 10-year period. Their paths initially cross when Do-hee mistakes Gu-won for a blind date, but their lives irrevocably entwine when a hitman comissioned by her corporate enemies target her car on a secluded road. As both plunge into the ocean during the ensuing struggle, Gu-won’s demonic cross tattoo and his supernatural powers magically transfer to Do-hee’s wrist underwater. Rendered entirely powerless without physical contact with her, Gu-won proposes staying by her side as her bodyguard to safeguard his tattoo, prompting the two to enter a chaotic contract marriage to mutually survive, inciting a dark romance born out of corporate backstabbing and deadly threats.

Character & Performance Breakdown

• Do Do-hee (Kim Yoo-jung): Do-hee is a fabulous yet cold CEO of Mirae Food&Beverages, a subsidary of her family conglomerate Mirae Group. She exudes a sense of emotional depth under the veil of a cold exterior. However, her bond with Gu-won brings out a softer side in her that is extremely charming. Kim Yoo-jung masters this balance and portrays Do-hee so delicately and endearingly.
• Jeong Gu-won (Song Kang): Gu-won is the perfect foil to Do-hee’s character profile: he is depicted as a arrogant yet comedic supernatural entity whose primary focus in life is collecting souls and running the Sunwol Foundation, a fine arts organization to assimilate into human society. Son Kang encapsulates this haughty yet charming demonic entity to a T.
• The Chemistry: Do-hee and Gu-won make the perfect visual paair, and their comedic banter and emotional mishaps bring a whimsical element to the high-stakes dark drama. Their romantic evolution is simply enchanting.
• Supporting Cast: In addition to the shining main couple, the comedic pairing of Do-hee and Gu-won’s respective secretaries, Shin Da-jeong (Seo Jeong-yeon) and Park Bok-gyu (Heo Jeong-do), reigns as the primary comic relief in My Demon. Their chaotic workplace loyalty and competing interests drive the humorous side of the series. Secretary Shin’s high-strung, deadpan demeanor sharply contrasts Bok-gyu’s dramatic and flamboyant nature. While Secretary Shin is stubbornly dedicated to managing Do-hee’s intense affairs, Bok-gyu is eternally bound by contract and perpetually annoyed by Gu-won’s arrogant antics. Their dysfunctional yet complimentary dynamic is a mirror to the main couple.

Production, Visuals & Soundtrack

• Visuals & Aesthetics: The stunning design of Gu-won’s Sunwol foundation stands out. The imposing building features rare Joseon-era art and a tucked-away office full of ticking clocks representing each contracted soul in Gu-won’s queue.
• Soundtrack (OST): The opening title sequence song for My Demon is “TRUE” by YOARI (요아리), a track frequently reprised during high-tension scenes between Do-hee and Gu-won. Its hypnotic melody mirrors Gu-won’s dark nature which feeds on human vulnerability—while contrasting it with the raw mortality that draws Do-hee to him. Ultimately, the song captures the high stakes of their dark romance and the profound sacrifices required for them to be together.

Pacing & Plot Development

The story kept its momentum throughout its 16-episode run. After each episode’s conclusion, I was rushing to start the next one. Furthermore, the show had a perfect balance between dark thriller plots and lighthearted moments, seamlessly transitioning from romantic comedy notes to a deeper, thrilling narrative. My Demon proved to be as riveting as it is charming.

Scorecard

Evaluation Category	Rating (Out of 5 Stars)	Notes & Highlights
Chemistry & Romance	5/5	Off-the-charts visual pairing and banter. The synergy of the romantic leads is unmatched in the k-drama thriller genre.
Acting & Performances	5/5	Both Song Kang and Kim Yoo-jung portray their respective roles with such ease and charm. Also the comedic performances of Seo Jeong-yeon and Heo Jeong-do as the secretaries make the series feel believable. The cast is extremely versatile and compliment both the dark and high notes of the series.
Visuals & Styling	4.8/5	The series featured impeccable fashion and aesthetically pleasing cinematography in every shot.
OST & Audio Design	5/5	The series brought memorable tracks that match the fantasy vibe such as “TRUE” by YOARI (요아리) that serve as a thematic motif throughout the series.
Plot & Pacing	4.5/5	The show had a very unique and fun concept, though standard tropes apply such as enemies to lovers and contract marriages. Even though these tropes are reused, the series manages to keep it fresh.
Overall Score		Verdict: A visually dazzling, highly binge-able dark fantasy romance with many cute endearing moments that balance out the darker themes.

Featured Image Credit: SBS / Netflix via HanCinema

Discussion Corner:

• What was your favorite trope execution in My Demon—the contract marriage, the supernatural element, or the enemies-to-lovers office dynamic?
• Did the thriller subplot keep you guessing, or did you find yourself purely tuning in for the romance?

Share your thoughts down below!

Featured Image Credit: SBS / Netflix via HanCinema

Discussion Corner

• What was your favorite trope execution in My Demon—the contract marriage, the supernatural element, or the enemies-to-lovers office dynamic?
• Did the thriller subplot keep you guessing, or did you find yourself purely tuning in for the romance?

Share your thoughts below!