Black Out: Snow White Must Die

Presentation

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Overview

Synopsis

When Ko Jung Woo was in high school, he was accused of the murder of 2 girls and spent 10 years in jail. Upon his release, a series of strange things start happening in his town. So, he teams up with Detective No Sang Cheol to uncover the truth behind the past murders.

My Opinion (No Spoilers)

This is one of the best thrillers I’ve ever seen! FYI, the story is adapted from Nele Neuhaus’ novel Snow White Must Die if you’re ever interested in reading the book – like myself. Black Out is a masterpiece that takes all the ingredients of a good thriller and mixes them together perfectly. First, you’ve got this eerie and disturbing village atmosphere where everyone has secrets. The male lead chases after the truth and is trying to put the puzzle pieces together. This leads to a lot of twists and turns regarding what happened to the two women he supposedly killed, and trust me they were really unexpected. No matter what you think, you’ll always be surprised – at least I was. Second, the lead is helped by two allies who are the only ones able to see that he may not be the culprit and thus accompany him in his chase for the truth. Third, the drama will make you go through a myriad of emotions from shock to anger, from sadness to fury. By the end, I almost hated every single person who had something to do with the murders. My only comment is that I would have loved to see more about the helpers’ backgrounds (Kim Bo Ra and Ko Joon’s characters). They were really interesting, but lacked a bit of focus. Apart from that, it’s a gem, 100% recommended!

Analysis

• The events of the night
• Characters
  Ko Jung Woo
  The helpers
  No Sang Cheol
  Ha Seol
  The witnesses
  The antagonists
  The friends
  Choi Na Gyeom
  The cops
  The village
  The politicians
• The twists
• The deadly sins
• Title explained
• Themes tackled

The events of that night: Before we deep dive into the analysis of the drama, let me first briefly recap the events of the murder night. Earlier in the afternoon, Shim Bo Yeong (Jang Ha Eun) saw her mother with another man. She got mad and left. Meanwhile, Ko Jung Woo (Byun Yo Han) got into an argument with her in his car in front of his family warehouse about Park Da Eun (Han So Eun). She was Jung Woo’s girlfriend, but Bo Yeong knew that something was off with her. During the night, all friends gathered at Jung Woo’s warehouse to drink, taking advantage of the absence of Jung Woo’s parents. Jung Woo was mad because Da Eun was not texting back, so he stayed home. Yang Byeong Moo (Lee Tae Gu), Shin Min Soo (Lee Woo Je), Bo Young and Hyun Geon Oh (Lee Ga Sub) reunited. Hyun Su Oh was sleeping in the haystack and hidden from the rest of the group. Geon Oh left to fetch more alcohol. During his absence, Byeong Moo, Min Soo and Bo Yeong got into an argument. The young girl criticized Byeong Moo and emphasized his inferiority compared to Jung Woo. He got mad and raped her in a spit of rage. Min Soo followed. Geon Oh came back and saw Bo Yeong bleeding. The latter tried to escape but tripped and hurt her head. While the 3 friends were arguing whether to call 911 or not, Na Gyeom (Go Bo Gyeol) arrived. She was with Jung Woo when events took place, hearing him drunk speaking and asking for Da Eun. When she saw Bo Yeong on the floor and bleeding, she organized the aftermath. She told Min Soo and Byeong Moo to call their parents for help, while she went out to get cleaning tools. The fathers of the 3 friends arrived, police officer Gu Tak (Kwon Hae Hyo) sent Byeong Moo and Min Soo’s fathers out in Jung Woo’s car to get rid of Bo Yeong’s body. On the way, they had an accident and were seen by a witness who confesses 10 years later. Bo Yeong was actually still alive, but Min Soo’s father finished her with a shovel out of fear she would reveal the rape to everyone. People left the warehouse and Na Gyeom was left to clean. Then entered Da Eun with Doctor Park. He killed her because he didn’t want her to reveal their affair. At that same time, Da Eun was on the phone with her grandmother, Su Oh still hiding in the haystack and Na Gyeom filming the scene from the shadows. After Da Eun’s murder, Na Gyeom left. Su Oh took her body and brought it home without his father and brother knowing. After that, Gu Tak fabricated proof using his colleague Kim Hee Do (Jang Won Young) to accuse Jung Woo such as his car, his shoes, the warehouse. The rest is history.

Characters: Black Out manages to weave an intriguing and complex web of characters who all play a role in the events that took place 10 years ago and/or in the resolution of the murder cases. However, they don’t all belong to the same side and some would rather protect their interests over the truth.

Ko Jung Woo: The hero of the drama (Byun Yo Han) is your typical thriller lead. He was accused of the murder of his girlfriend and best friend 10 years ago and was sent to jail before he even had time to defend himself. At the time of the murders, he got drunk and blacked out the night, making it easier for others to charge him. The investigation was sloppy due to the media coverage and the involvement of political figures resulting in Jung Woo being sleep-deprived and forced into a false confession. The system took care of the rest. In prison, Ko Jung Woo suffered from abuse and violence. His crimes, considered despicable by his cellmates, gave them a justification to beat the 18-year old teenager up all the time and to bully him. Upon his release, Ko Jung Woo only has one purpose: finding the truth. He’s convinced that he hasn’t committed the murders, even if everybody else tells him so. His black out that night may be synonymous with guilt for some, but for him it rather demonstrates that he can’t possibly recall actions he has not done. Determined, stubborn and persistent, Ko Jung Woo investigates on his own and keeps on unburying secrets of the community. As an individual, Jung Woo is extremely fair and upright. Though townspeople point their fingers at him, he’s willing to forgive and forget. Just like any thriller lead, Ko Jung Woo is in constant agony. Despite that, he never deviates from his main goal: the truth. No matter the ugly secrets he unveils along the way, he needs the truth to get closure and move on. Other of his great qualities is that he’s kind and magnanimous. He doesn’t blame, doesn’t resent and doesn’t get mad. Instead, he takes most of the burden on his shoulders and tries to solve the case in the best possible way. Finally, Ko Jung Woo is a loyal friend. If one of his friends needs help and understanding, he’s willing to give.

The helpers: In his quest, Ko Jung Woo is accompanied by two other important characters who play a crucial role in the resolution of the case.

No Sang Cheol: Ko Jung Woo’s first and best ally is detective No Sang Cheol (Ko Joon). He’s new in town and has thus no connection to anyone. That’s a key position because he doesn’t have a duty to protect anyone. This makes him neutral in his investigation. Like Jung Woo, he only wants the truth and to make the real culprits pay for their crimes. Nevertheless, the beginnings of the male leads are not easy. No Sang Cheol has indeed a profound hatred for criminals, as his own wife was murdered by one of his suspects on their wedding day. This left a profound scar and trauma in Sang Cheol, resulting in him taking it for granted when a criminal is presented in front of him. His transformation is however visible throughout the drama. The more he gets to know Jung Woo, the more he realizes that there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to accusation. No Sang Cheol is a good cop, unbiased and fair. That’s why he’s the perfect ally for Jung Woo. By the end of the drama, their partnership turns into a real friendship. Both men have come a long way and the case allows them to change and get closer.

Ha Sol: Ko Jung Woo’s second helper is named Ha Sol (Kim Bo Ra). She’s a young woman who’s arrived in Mucheon recently. Indeed, she’s used to be a medical student in Seoul, but ran away after her bosses buried a malpractice case. Like Sang Cheol and Jung Woo, Ha Sol believes in justice. She couldn’t bear to see the victim’s family be blamed or lied to, so she disappeared. Her strong sense of justice comes in handy in Mucheon too, when she joins Jung Woo’s side. She could’ve decided not to get involved and live quietly. Instead, she gathers clues and investigates to the best of her ability to clean his name. Ko Jung Woo’s case is also an eye-opener for Ha Sol. Back in Seoul, she never really dared to reveal the truth about the appendectomy gone wrong. She just left. However, her time in Mucheon and the events that unfolded gave her the answer she was looking for. The truth always comes out and those who did wrong should be punished, no matter who they are. At the end of the drama, Ha Sol returns to Seoul and blows the whistle on her former university professors. She knows that they would make it hard for her to study and find a job, but her conscious is clear at least. When Jung Woo’s suffering comes to an end in Mucheon, he settles down in Seoul where he goes back to university to resume his medical studies (he wanted to become a doctor before his arrest). On the campus, both characters reunite and join hands against others who point fingers at the whistleblower and oldest student.

The witnesses: There were two main witnesses the night of the murders. The twins Hyun Su Oh and Hyun Geon Oh (both played by Lee Ga Sub). On the one hand, Su Oh had followed his friends to the warehouse where the crimes happened. While he was hiding behind haystack, he saw his friends Byeong Mu and Min Soo rape Bo Yeong and her falling down the stairs. Later on, he also remained hidden when Da Eun received a blow on the head, killing her instantly. If Bo Yeong’s body was already taken care of the accomplices, he retrieved Da Eun’s body himself. Su Oh had a crush on her and brought her to his mother’s secret hideout to protect her. Suffering from a condition, Su Oh was unable to accuse his friends. He was also not taken seriously and was locked in a psychiatric hospital for a time. However, this didn’t prevent Su Oh from leaving clues of the events. He kept on drawing the murderers’ faces over and over again. Ha Sol’s close relationship with Su Oh proved to be helpful. She saw Su Oh’s painting and connected the dots faster. On the other hand, Geon Oh was not as lucky as his brother. He became a direct eye witness of Bo Yeong’s killing and disposal. His own father got involved thinking he was implicated in the murder, only to discover later on that Geon Oh had done nothing. To silence him, Geon Oh’s father sent him to the US for 10 years hoping that he would forget and move. This time abroad was utter agony for Geon Oh. He lived in guilt, blaming himself for saying nothing and letting the police put his friend Jung Woo in jail. His return lifts the veil off the events of that night. He confesses the truth to his father and his friend before committing suicide. He couldn’t withstand the guilt anymore. Out of all the characters who were present when the murders took place, Su Oh and Geon Oh are the only ones who feel guilty. The weight of silence – forced silence I should even say – is too much to bear. They are the only ones trying to help Jung Woo uncover the truth and atoning for their sins. They were key witnesses and yet, they still let their friend take the blame. In the end, Geon Oh asks for forgiveness through death.

The antagonists: The suspense and many twists in the drama create a suffocating atmosphere in which those involved are not who we thought it’d be. The antagonists are actually very close to the hero himself.

The friends: Jung Woo’s friends are the ones who initiated the horror that occurred that night. Yang Byeong Moo and Shin Min Soo both raped Bo Yeong after she had argued with them. When she tried to run away, she tripped in the stairs and broke her skull open. Both friends were convinced that she was dead. They were perfectly aware that they were responsible for their friend’s death and that they would have to pay the price. Yet, their cowardice and immaturity made them take another path. Instead, they called their parents and begged for help. Their respective father chose to get rid of the body in order to protect their son. However, the culprits and their accomplices went even further than just cleaning the murder scene. They picked Jung Woo and turned him into the murderer. The only person who was not present that night and too drunk to do or remember anything. Their testified against Jung Woo and watched him be accused of murders he had not committed. Byeong Moo and Min Soo are selfish cowards. Over the years, they even convinced themselves that Jung Woo was responsible for everything. Bo Yeong would not have died if he had been there. Ironically, both teenagers chose service jobs that imply to help others. Byeong Moo is now a cop who helps victims and Min Soo is a nurse who heals victims’ wounds. I think this shows how shameless these characters are. They’ve also been brainwashed by their parents who pushed them to put the blame on Jung Woo and forget the events of that night. I guess their memory is distorted, but they are still well aware that they are to be blamed. Yet, they refuse to confront reality. Even when they are given a chance to redeem themselves, they throw it away. They’d rather believe lies to make them feel innocent and better than to confess they are indeed responsible. I think that that denial of the past is the reason why they managed to go through those years without being swayed. In my opinion, I would say that Byeong Moo is worse than Min Soo. Byeong Moo is the instigator and leader of Bo Yeong’s rape. His inferiority complex and jealousy towards Jung Woo (at the time, Jung Woo was wealthy, a top student with a bright future and appreciated by everyone) precipitate his actions. Blaming him for the murder was just a way to get his revenge on his friend who had not asked for any of this to happen. That’s why Byeong Woo continues to claim Jung Woo is the murderer in the present. If he were to admit he’s the one who’s done it, that would just confirm how inferior to Jung Woo he is because he would’ve killed someone when the latter can continue his life unscathed. As for Min Soo, he’s weak. He’s a follower who’s afraid of repercussions and still needs his parents to solve his problems. He’s incapable of standing up for himself. That’s the reason why Byeong Moo managed to convince him to rape Bo Yeong and then keep silent all those years. Being the coward that he is, it was not difficult for Min Soo to shut his mouth. However, I believe that Min Soo has a bit of a guilty conscience towards the end compared to Byeong Moo.

Choi Na Gyeom: Choi Na Gyeom is another pair of hands. She was also present that night and witnessed both murders: Bo Yeong’s and Da Eun’s. But the reason why she didn’t reveal the identity of the real culprits is because she was and still is obsessed with Ko Jung Woo. She dreams of becoming the center of his attention. She wants his world to revolve around her. To do so, she put him behind bars. Trapped in jail with only one window open to the exterior world, isolated and abandoned by everyone, Jung Woo was left with Na Gyeom to trust and talk to. For 10 years, Na Gyeom was at the center of Jung Woo’s universe. Of course, she disguised her real intentions behind a mask of friendship. She supported him over the years, visited him every now and then and even repeated that she believed him to be innocent. Jung Woo thought she was actually his one true friend. But what he ignored was that she was involved as well. That’s why, she could claim so confidently that he was blameless. When Jung Woo is released, Na Gyeom thinks that she will finally be able to spend the rest of her life with her obsessive love. However, she didn’t anticipate that Jung Woo would not forget and chase after the truth. He also never reciprocated her feelings, despite Na Gyeom’s efforts. At the end of the drama, Na Gyeom loses it. She is convinced that Ha Sol and Jung Woo are a thing, because they spend their time together supposedly to solve the mystery. After everything she’s done, Jung Woo still doesn’t accept her love. Worse, he’s chosen someone else. So, Na Gyeom comes up with a plan. She will get rid of Ha Sol and have Jung Woo convicted. Only behind bars can his attention come back to her. Thankfully, Sang Cheol uncovers the plan before anything happens and saves the day. In general, I would say that Na Gyeom is sneaky, obsessive, and manipulative. She’s an excellent actress who can use her emotions as leverage to get what she wants. She’s also a compulsive liar who knows how to play her pawns to protect herself.

The cops: Jung Woo’s antagonists are not only among his friends. They are also scattered all over the city starting with the police station. Back in the days, his father’s best friend Hyun Gu Tak was the main detective on the case. He knew – or at least thought – that his son was involved in Bo Yeong’s murder, so he willingly destroyed proof and covered up the identity of the real culprits. This allowed him to get back at his old friend for being more successful than him. Hyun Gu Tak was envious that Jung Woo’s father had it all. So, what better way to turn a new leaf than to destroy his friend’s whole world and get a promotion on top of that. Blinded by greed and success, he selfishly led a sloppy investigation and even gaslit one officer on the case. Years after, he continues with his dissimulation by hindering Jung Woo from finding clues. Though Gu Tak says that he’s doing all that to protect his sons, it’s clear that his motives are self-driven. His sons tried numerous times to confess and suffered a lot in the process. But each time, Gu Tak lied and prevented them from acting. All of that because he couldn’t stand losing his reputation, his job as a prominent figure of Mucheon, and his acquired success. I really hated that character to be honest. I couldn’t stand his shamelessness. He constantly refused to admit he was in the wrong. He pretended his children were the reason he was doing all that, but he had no respect whatsoever for his children’s mental state. For me, he’s the reason why Geon Oh committed suicide. Gu Tak failed as a friend, as a father, as a police officer. Instead of elevating him, his actions made him dirty and corrupt until the bitter end. Hyun Gu Tak may be the main villain at the police station, but there are other cops that block Jung Woo’s way. First, you have Byeong Moo who’s a cop at the beginning before the past resurfaces. Then you have Gu Tak’s minion Kim Hee Do. He was working on the case and resorted to illegal practices to get a confession out of Jung Woo. Sleep-deprivation, manipulation of proof, intimidation and so forth were his main weapons that got Jung Woo convicted without a single body found on the crime scene. He was obviously gaslit and used by Gu Tak, but Hee Do’s fault is that he never questioned his superior’s motives. He obeyed and accepted the promotion, thinking he had done a great service to the community. The most frustrating part of having corrupt police officers in the drama is that they are supposed to represent justice. Detectives should be working to find the truth like No Sang Cheol does. Instead, most of those who were there 10 years ago preferred greed and success over justice itself. Thankfully, they were all punished for their actions through prison (Byeong Moo and Gu Tak) and laid off. But this is a small compensation when you think about everything Jung Woo and his family went through for more than 10 years.

The village: Like I mentioned, the teenagers’ parents are involved in the events from 10 years ago. To keep the secret hidden, they turned the entire village against Jung Woo. But they were also trying to cover up their own lies. Indeed, they are two parallel narratives related to Bo Yeong’s parents that need to be explored in order to fully comprehend how the village became one and united against one single culprit. First, Bo Yeong’s mother was suffering from domestic violence. She had also found consolation and comfort in the arms of a police officer: Gu Tak. On the day her daughter died, Bo Yeong saw them together at her house. She felt betrayed by her mother’s affair and left the house running. This scene greatly impacted Bo Yeong’s behavior that night. She became a bit virulent during her conversation with Byeong Moo and Min Soo. Byeong Moo’s ego was hurt by Bo Yeong’s words which precipitated her assault. It’s probable – not sure, but that’s an eventuality – that if Bo Yeong had not surprised her mother with another man, she would not have behaved like that that night. Friends would’ve gathered to drink and enjoy the moment and gone back home. Nothing could’ve happened. Again, it’s not a certainty but a possibility. After her daughter’s death, Bo Yeong’s mother never revealed the truth. She lied and said she had not seen her daughter which blurred the timeline of Bo Yeong’s last moments alive. She also put an end to the affair and remained with her violent husband as a way to punish herself for what she had done. Second, you have Bo Yeong’s father. He’s never done anything for his child apart from brutalizing her and her mother. He was an alcoholic who would then beat his wife up, terrorizing the entire household. After Bo Yeong’s death, her father also felt guilty for his actions and thus exteriorized his guilt by projecting it on the designated culprit Jung Woo. He made life a living hell for Jung Woo’s mother (Kim Mi Kyung) by drinking every day at her restaurant and reminding her that her son was a murderer. He believed his friends who accused Jung Woo and cemented that idea in his mind. To avoid self-reflection, he attacked others and became violent against others. Both parents are indirectly responsible for what happened to Bo Yeong. Though they didn’t kill her, they have created the environment she ended up in the day of the murder. They also never told the truth later on out of cowardice and fear. The rest of the village saw them as poor parents who had just lost their daughter and thus sided with them, despite knowing how unstable the household was. Over the years, everyone in Mucheon stood firm against Jung Woo making it hard to crack the shell of secret.

The politicians: The drama centers a lot on Bo Yeong’s murder, but Jung Woo was also convicted for Da Eun’s. So, there are two investigations taking place at once with converging points in the middle. First converging point is the location of the murder. Bo Yeong and Da Eun were both killed Jung Woo’s warehouse. The second point is that no body was found. When we know that Bo Yeong’s body was thrown away by the parents, Da Eun’s story is revealed much later. She was indeed, killed by her lover, a prominent doctor married to a famous politician of the town. In a spit of rage against Da Eun, he hit her head with a screwdriver. He was scared that Da Eun – a teenager – would reveal their affair to the world. Third converging point is that the police was involved in covering the murders. Gu Tak received his promotion thanks to politician Ye Young Sil (Bae Jong Ok), the doctor’s wife. She wanted to silence the affair in order to protect her husband, but first and foremost her political campaign. When it became clear to Young Sil that her husband’s involvement could not be hidden anymore, she decided to kill him. She sacrificed her marriage for her career. She obviously paid for her crimes at the end, but the way she played her cards was a huge obstacle to overcome for Jung Woo.

The twists: The drama is fantastic because there are so many twists and turns that just pop up in every episode. What seems to be a simple murder case turns into a community scandal in which every one – without exception – has something to do with that events. Some of the craziest twists are: the revelation that Jung Woo’s friends raped and killed Bo Yeong, Na Gyeom’s involvement, the identity of Bo Yeong’s real killers (aka the friends’ parents), and the location of Da Eun’s body (at Su Oh’s hidden room). The drama makes you feel like you’re in Jung Woo’s shoes, suffering and investigating with him. You’re a Sherlock Holmes searching for clues and trying to unveil the truth to the best of your ability. It was honestly exciting, intriguing but also quite frustrating to be in that position. The sense of betrayal is real when you realize the number of people actually involved. It’s even worse for those who are close to Jung Woo. The pace of the drama is perfect to make you follow the intrigue with a keen sense of details and real interest for the culprits’ identity.

The deadly sins: As I was watching the drama, I had a sort of realization that the story was focusing on what’s worse in humans. I associated characters and their behaviors to some of the seven deadly sins, as it was clear that all were ill-intended, shameless and never blameless according to them. Here are some examples:
1. Lust: The doctor married to Young Sil is the embodiment of lust. As a psychiatrist, he often treats vulnerable women who need help and comfort. He takes advantage of that to have sex with them. Doctor Park (Kong Jung Hwan) is a womanizer who can’t help it but cheat on his wife. When Da Eun threatens him to reveal their affair, he kills her. That murder precipitates his fall. He may hide for 10 more years, but his lust eventually takes him down when Young Sil decides to kill him to protect herself. If he had not pursued other women, this would have never happened.
2. Greed: Greed will make you do crazy things. That’s exactly what happens in the drama. For money, a better office, a better promotion, Gu Tak accepts Young Sil’s offers to hide Da Eun’s murder.
3. Sloth: My interpretation of that sin may be a bit far-fetched, but I think it’s worth exploring. Sloth means that you have failed to utilize one’s talents. In the drama, Hee Do’s talent was to investigate as a cop. Nevertheless, he did a sloppy job which resulted in Jung Woo’s incarceration.
4. Gluttony: Here we’re not talking about food but rather drinks. And who spends his time drinking? Bo Yeong’s father. His alcoholism – and gluttony for drinks – push him to become another person, violent and abominable. His drinking addiction is also a root cause to Bo Yeong’s murder and Jung Woo’s attempted murder – remember that Bo Yeong’s father pushed her from an overpass.
5. Wrath: Wrath transpires through the entire drama. Bo Yeong’s father is angry at Jung Woo, then Min Soo’s father, for being Bo Yeong’s murderer. Byeong Moo gets mad at Bo Yeong and rapes her and then at everyone for arresting him. Even Sang Cheol has anger management issues against criminals at the beginning of the drama and resorts to violence.
6. Envy: Envy is at the heart of everything. Gu Tak envies his best friend’s situation and puts Jung Woo to jail as pay back. Na Gyeom’s dreams of possessing Jung Woo without never succeeding.
7. Pride: Young Sil embodies pride. She views herself as more important than anything else and thus is willing to sacrifice her husband if it means she can protect her reputation and political career.

Title explained: It took me a long time to understand the title of the drama. The first part ‘Black Out’ was rather easy. It relates to Jung Woo’s state when the murders took place. He was completely drunk and couldn’t remember anything. It’s the second part of the title that gave me a rough ride. The explanation is only given at the end. It’s linked with Da Eun. After her death, Su Oh took Da Eun’s body to his house and laid her on a bed in his hidden room. Sleeping like Snow White in her crystal coffin, Da Eun remained there for 10 years awaiting her discovery. The fact that she must die is also to be associated with the events. Da Eun had to die for the doctor to stay safe; she had to die for Na Gyeom to have Jung Woo – at least from Na Gyeom’s perspective; she had to die for Gu Tak to protect his sons from the truth; she had to die for Young Sil to protect her political career. She also had to ‘die’ or at least disappear for Bo Yeong to get her friend Jung Woo back. In all configurations and for most characters, Da Eun was problematic.

Themes tackled: We have hovered over some important themes in the drama previously, but let me remind them rapidly: rape (Bo Yeong), domestic violence (Bo Yeong’s parents), infidelity (Young Sil and Doctor Park), injustice (Jung Woo’s wrongful conviction), unfair investigation (Jung Woo’s accusations), obsessive love (Na Gyeom), justice (Ha Sol’s malpractice case, Jung Woo’s proven innocence), grief (Sang Cheol’s mourning of his wife), trust and partnership (Sang Cheol, Ha Sol and Jung Woo’s unexpected trio), secrets (Mucheon’s lies), corruption (Mucheon’s police station and link with politicians).