Face Me- Episodes 1-2
The premiere episode of Face Me wastes no time diving into the high-stakes world of beauty, ambition, and hidden trauma. At KSH Cosmetics, the celebrated but enigmatic Dr. Cha Jeong-woo takes center stage as the company launches a new beauty center under his leadership. Known for his brilliance and strict principles, Jeong-woo shocks everyone when he refuses to perform a life-changing reconstructive surgery, setting the tone for a character as complex as the cases he handles.
The tension escalates when the police, led by the unrelenting Officer Lee Min-hyung, storm Jeong-woo’s operating room mid-surgery, raising questions about the doctor’s uncompromising ethics. Meanwhile, Min-hyung demonstrates his own brand of justice by apprehending a con artist exploiting her surgically enhanced beauty to deceive men. The parallel narratives set up a clash of ideals between two men determined to control their worlds.
But the emotional core of the episode lies with Kim Da-hye, a vulnerable patient who seeks to erase her identity through surgery, only to face a brutal attack by her abusive boyfriend. Jeong-woo’s reluctant decision to perform emergency reconstructive surgery intertwines his fate with Min-hyung’s investigation into the assault. As Da-hye fights to reclaim her life, she secretly records a chilling confession from her captor, setting up a nail-biting rescue that brings Jeong-woo and Min-hyung together in a dramatic chase.
The episode teases layers of mystery and tragedy. Flashbacks hint at Jeong-woo’s unresolved guilt over his fiancée’s untimely death, while the haunting grief of a patient’s mother, mourning the loss of one twin daughter, adds to the emotional weight. The shocking conclusion—a desperate father taking his own life after Jeong-woo’s refusal to operate—underscores the devastating stakes of his decisions.
Episode 2 of Face Me delves deeper into Dr. Cha Jeong-woo’s troubled past and the ripple effects of his rigid decisions. Flashbacks reveal his late fiancée’s lifeless body in a blood-stained apartment, casting a shadow over Jeong-woo’s stoic demeanor. Meanwhile, his reputation is in freefall after public backlash following a patient’s suicide attempt, linked to his refusal to perform a less profitable surgery. The fallout hits KSH Cosmetics hard, with cancellations and declining appointments threatening the hospital’s standing.
To salvage their image, the chief director orchestrates a press conference, forcing Jeong-woo to attend. The narrative is spun to paint Jeong-woo as a compassionate surgeon, presenting the earlier controversial reconstruction as part of a charitable program for crime victims. But behind the scenes, the cracks in Jeong-woo’s unyielding facade widen.
Detective Lee Min-hyung pursues a lead in the patient’s suicide case, uncovering a tragic history of alcoholism and neglect. The daughter’s quiet confession and plea to close the case leave Min-hyung questioning whether justice can ever truly be served.
The drama intensifies with a new case involving Yoo Min-soo, a man accused of sexual harassment but later revealed to be a trans woman in the midst of gender transition. Min-soo’s injuries and her attacker’s fabricated story pull Jeong-woo and Min-hyung into a tense investigation. As Jeong-woo uncovers key details about the attacker’s height, Min-hyung connects the dots to reveal the boyfriend’s violent rage, which was sparked by a trivial argument at an internet café. The case’s resolution highlights the brutal realities of prejudice and misplaced anger, but Min-soo’s gratitude to Jeong-woo offers a brief moment of hope.
Amid these cases, a sinister thread emerges. Min-hyung uncovers a witness who saw a mysterious man near the victim of the earlier suicide, suggesting foul play and a vendetta against Jeong-woo. As Jeong-woo grows increasingly paranoid, the episode ends with a heart-stopping moment—a speeding car hurtling toward him.
DramaZen's Opinion
Face Me has completely hooked me from the start! The first two episodes deliver a perfect mix of mystery, intense drama, and raw emotion that kept me glued to the screen. Dr. Cha Jeong-woo is such a fascinating character—his cold, perfectionist demeanor hides layers of pain and trauma, and I can’t wait to uncover more about his past. The flashbacks to his fiancée’s tragic death and his rigid principles make him someone you’re torn between admiring and questioning.
Detective Lee Min-hyung adds the perfect balance. He’s bold, sharp, and relentless, but there’s a human side to him that shines through when he connects with victims like Kim Da-hye or starts digging into suspicious cases. Their dynamic—clashing but mutually impactful—feels fresh and keeps me intrigued about where their partnership will go.
The themes of appearance, identity, and justice run deep. Episode 2’s exploration of Yoo Min-soo’s transition was handled with sensitivity while adding layers to the crime-solving aspect. It’s not just about solving cases; it’s about unraveling human stories, and that’s what makes this show so compelling.
What really makes Face Me stand out are the moral dilemmas. From Jeong-woo refusing to bend his principles to the haunting consequences of his decisions, it’s impossible not to feel conflicted. And can we talk about those cliffhangers? Episode 2’s ending with the car rushing at Jeong-woo—chills!
As someone in their twenties, I’m loving how the show tackles deep issues while keeping the drama sharp and thrilling. If Face Me keeps up this pace, it’s definitely going to be my obsession this season.
