[Mar 23] "Hide" Ep 1: Rating, Recap, Review

On March 23, JTBC’s “Hide” had a good start. This mystery show with Lee Bo Young, Lee Moo Saeng, and Lee Chung Ah got a rating of 4.1% for its first episode.

"Hide" episode 1: Recap & review

The first episode suggests that the series is likely to be quite popular. It will be exclusively available on Coupang Play. 

The drama begins with a glimpse into the past of Moon-young, who is seen fleeing with her debt-ridden father during her school days. Oh Kwang-rok appears as Moon-young’s father, who starts behaving oddly after meeting a man he calls a friend. On a rainy day, soaked to the bone, he appears before Moon-young, who has gone to bed, and declares that he must die for her to live. After witnessing this scene in a half-asleep state, the timeline shifts to the present.

Moon-young is a former prosecutor turned lawyer. As the representative attorney of Cha Woong Law Firm, she has been leading a happy life with her husband, Cha Seong-jae. Seong-jae, born as the son of a prominent family in the maritime region, seems to have grown up without any hardships. It appears that he has inherited the law firm from his father, aiming to continue his father’s legacy as the co-representative attorney alongside Moon-young.

Once known as a fierce prosecutor, likened to Wolverine for her tenacity, Moon-young has since built a harmonious family life after meeting her loving husband, Seong-jae. His dedication to their daughter clearly shows his commitment to family. 

However, Seong-jae suddenly disappears right before a trial, vanishing without a trace. In this urgent situation, with the lawyer missing, Moon-young takes over the case.

The case involves Geumshin Corporation, where Seong-jae worked while in Seoul. The company has been buying up land to build a resort. During this process, a man resisting the sale is killed by an employee, Yoon-seon, who hits him with her car. There are witnesses who claim to have seen the man jump in front of the car, and a trial is underway regarding this incident. Moon-young, who attends the trial, senses a strange atmosphere.

Yoon-seon despairs upon learning that Moon-young has taken over the trial in Seong-jae’s absence. Meanwhile, the department head of Geumsan Corporation, Ma Kang, displays a grim expression. The witness, Do Jin-woo, seems to have a connection with Ma Kang, which raises suspicions. The atmosphere between Ma Kang and Jin-woo is notably tense, and the trial can't proceed. Following the absence of the responsible attorney, Yoon-seon also disappears after excusing herself to the restroom.

What could be the truth behind Seong-jae’s disappearance? Yoon-seon suspects that Seong-jae fled to live alone. Ma Kang is furious over Seong-jae’s disappearance. This situation suggests that Seong-jae was deeply involved with these individuals. Moon-young seeks help from her prosecutor friend Shin Hwa to find Seong-jae and discovers a shocking truth: Cha Woong Law Firm is buried in debt.

Seong-jae had kept this fact hidden from Moon-young, not wanting her to worry, and hinted at a significant sum of money coming in soon, suggesting his strong involvement with the Geumshin Corporation case. Moon-young’s suspicions turn into conviction when she meets Yoon-seon, who claims that she was framed for the man’s death because of Seong-jae. Yoon-seon had come to the courtroom believing she would be acquitted since Seong-jae had instructed her, but she fled when the attorney changed.

Moon-young could have learned more from Yoon-seon, but too much information in the first episode would spoil the fun. Yoon-seon, frightened by the appearance of Do Jin-woo, whom she thought was not following her, runs away, saying she can't trust Moon-young. “Hide” presents a mystery from the beginning but manages to pique interest by laying out the case in broad strokes.

Seong-jae seems to have been struggling with financial issues and sought help from Geumshin Corporation. He may have been involved in their illegal plan to acquire land for the resort. His disappearance before the trial suggests something significant happened, which seems to be the crux of the case. 

The ending of "Hide" episode 1 reveals Seong-jae’s death. A car burned in a fire is found at the bottom of a hill, with a body inside. The identity card and wedding ring suggest it might be Seong-jae. The body is too charred to recognize the face, hinting at a possible twist in the story. 

The preview for episode 2 shows Moon-young seeking the truth about her husband. In the process, Jin-woo seems to discover the scene of Yoon-seon’s death, and Ma Kang threatens Moon-young. Ma Kang’s declaration of war, holding Moon-young by the throat, suggests the emergence of a ruthless villain. Given the modern setting, it’s unlikely that Seong-jae’s death is faked, as dental records can easily confirm identity. Unless the disguise is meticulously crafted, Seong-jae is likely dead.

The story appears intriguing, especially since Ha Yeon-joo’s character, played by Lee Chung-ah, has not yet fully joined the narrative. It’s curious what role she will play, hoping it’s not a cliché affair with Seong-jae. 

Additionally, there’s curiosity about whether Moon-young’s past, shown in the introduction, is meant to emphasize her psyche or if it’s connected to the current events. If it’s the latter, it could lead to a compelling narrative with impressive continuity.

(Sources: yna.co.kr, naver.com)