Five reasons to watch the drama: script, director, cast, pictures, OST, all in place, and actors' Instagram accounts
- Kimi
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Netflix's latest Korean period drama "Eat Gold" has just been released and has caused a heated discussion across Taiwan. What is the charm of this work that combines multiple elements of period costumes, suspense, and love that makes people keep watching it? Today, we have sorted out five reasons for you to watch it. Let's watch this god-level Korean drama adapted from Jang Da-hye's best-selling novel together!
Super luxurious cast: good looks and acting skills
Role | Actor | Highlights |
Shenhong Lang | Lee Jae-wook | Evolved from "Revelation", he plays the roles of a young master with amnesia and a swordsman. His possessive line "How dare you touch my sister?" has become a meme. |
Shenzaiyi | Cao Baoer | After "Tale of the Nine Tailed", she returns to a period drama, portraying the rational sister's doubts and hesitations in great detail. |
Endless | Cheng Ka-lam | He upgraded from a sweetheart in "Love Bell" to the "second male lead of all time", and his secret love and imbalance scenes are super cruel. |
Hanpyeong the Great | Kim Jae Wook | The "professional villain" who has not played a costume drama for 15 years has returned and criticized the artist for leaking his aura. |
Min Yanyi | Uhm Ji-won | From "Little Girl" to the wealthy family in North Korea, she demonstrates her obsession with "being a strong mother". |
Reason 1: The mysterious and taboo story of "swallowing gold"
The term "gold swallowing" must make many people feel curious and mysterious. In ancient times, gold swallowing was an extreme form of suicide or punishment. Because the gold could not be digested, it would press on the internal organs and eventually lead to gastric necrosis; or because the ancient gold smelting technology was not mature, the impurities were not removed and were toxic, causing septicemia and death.
The plot of "Swallow Gold" revolves around the mystery of the disappearance of Shen Honglang (played by Lee Jae-wook), the young master of the largest North Korean merchant group "Min Merchant Group". Honglang mysteriously disappeared at the age of eight, and suddenly returned as the top swordsman in North Korea twelve years later, but lost all his memories of childhood. The merchant group's owners were ecstatic about the return of the young master, but his half-sister Zai Yi (played by Cho Bo-ah) was full of doubts about his true identity and believed that he was hiding many suspicious points.
The title "Swallowing Gold" symbolizes that when faced with the truth, the characters would rather choose painful silence and destruction than reveal the tearing caused by the truth. What secrets are hidden behind Hong Lang's return? Will the unknown past, like swallowing gold, tear the body apart, leaving death as the only destination?
Reason 2: A strong production team creates an exquisite costume drama
This drama is directed by Kim Hong-sun, the director of "Voice" and "The Guest", whose previous works have provided audiences with wonderful suspense and thriller experiences. The screenwriter Kim Jin-a has written for the Korean drama "DR.BRAIN" adapted from the horror comic book of the same name, and has received good reviews for the character creation and plot rhythm.
Director Kim Hong-sun combines a large number of visual cues and metaphors in "Swallowing Gold" to create a repressive and magnificent North Korean atmosphere; while screenwriter Kim Jin-ah continues to lay out memories and subconsciousness, and is extremely restrained in character dialogues and emotional design, making the overall atmosphere always suspended on the boundary between emotion and truth.
With such a golden combination, whether in character creation or the control of the rhythm and atmosphere of the play, "Swallowing Gold" will definitely bring the audience a new experience that surpasses the standard.
Reason 3: Lee Jae-wook x Cho Bo-ah's forbidden love between a younger man and a younger woman
Lee Jae-wook, who once again reached the peak of his acting career with the "Revenge" series, plays the amnesiac son of a North Korean tycoon "Shen Honglang" in "Swallowing Gold". Although he appears to be indifferent on the surface, the line "How dare you touch my sister" in the trailer has revealed that the character of Honglang is not as ruthless as he appears, and he also shows the taboo possessiveness of a younger brother!
"Swallowing Gold" is also Lee Jae-wook's second costume drama after "Resurrection". His three-dimensional facial features are just right for Korean costume styling. His innate aristocratic temperament is completely in line with the character of the son of a wealthy North Korean businessman. He is even more handsome and domineering in the play.
Cho Bo-ah, who became famous for "Tale of the Nine Tailed", plays the role of "Jae-yi", the half-sister of Hong Lang. Although she is the daughter of a wealthy businessman, she has been bullied by her stepmother for a long time. Facing a depressing life, her lovely brother Hong Lang is her only salvation, but when she was nine years old, Hong Lang suddenly disappeared!
Is the relationship between the two a simple sibling relationship, or a love between a man and a woman who are in love with each other? How this forbidden love between a sister and a brother sprouts and develops is definitely one of the most fascinating highlights of "Swallowing Gold"! Lee Jae-wook's performance is free and easy, interpreting Hong Lang's transformation from confusion to gradual awakening in a progressive way; Cho Bo-ah delicately and movingly shows Jae-yi's repression, self-doubt and heartbeat. The two's rivalry is full of tension and restrained sparks of desire.
Reason 4: Strong supporting cast
In addition to the main actors such as Lee Jae-wook, Cho Bo-ah and Jung Ka-ram, "Gold Swallowing" also brings together a group of powerful actors to add more layers and sparks to the story.
Cheng Ka-lam, who became popular in "Love Bell", plays "Wu Jin", who was born in an aristocratic family but became a wealthy businessman's adopted son to replace Hong Lang as his family fell into decline. During the investigation, he was caught in a dilemma. Will he become the classic second male lead that the audience can't let go of?
In "Little Girl", Yan Zhiyuan plays Hong Lang's mother "Min Yanyi", who in order to find her missing son, spared no expense to inquire about every possible clue.
In "Mad Doctor", Park Byung-eun plays the role of "Sim Yeol-guk", the father of Hong-rang and Jae-yi. He is the top businessman in North Korea, but he is always unwilling to acknowledge Jae-yi's existence.
It is worth mentioning that Kim Jae-wook has also joined the show. He plays the role of Hanpyeong the Great, the king's only brother. He has no interest in power and is only obsessed with art all day long. He is an artist with the best aesthetic vision in North Korea. However, don't forget that Kim Jae-wook is famous for his "villain" roles. Whether he will eventually become the center of all mysteries will also be a big surprise in "Swallowing Gold".
Reason 5: Beautiful and moving costume pictures and OST
The visual presentation of "Swallowing Gold" is also a highlight. The director uses delicate brushstrokes to depict the aesthetic style of the Joseon era. Whether it is the magnificent scene design, exquisite costumes, or the actors' makeup, they are all full of contemporary and artistic sense. Especially when expressing the suspenseful atmosphere, the use of lighting and scenes is just right, allowing the audience to appreciate the beautiful pictures while also feeling the tension and suspense of the plot.
In addition, the soundtrack is also a highlight. It is based on traditional Korean instruments and incorporates modern music elements, perfectly interpreting the complex emotional entanglements between the characters and the suspenseful atmosphere of the plot. Especially in the interaction scenes between Honglang and Zaiyi, the emotional expression of the music is even more impressive.
Check out the IG accounts of the actors who swallowed money
Actor | IG Account | Remarks |
Lee Jae-wook | @jxxvvxxk | The number of followers has exceeded 7.8 million, and he often posts fitness and swordsmanship training videos. |
Cao Baoer | @xxadoraa | The post follows the "Shiba Inu + Yoga" healing approach, and is a veteran dog lover. |
Kim Jae Wook | @jaeuck_kim | A black and white photography enthusiast who occasionally shares his own music. |
Uhm Ji-won | @umjeewon | The update frequency is high, and book lists and art exhibitions are often unpacked. |
Cheng Ka-lam | (No official account yet) | Most of the fans gather in Viki and Soompi communities. |
"Swallow Gold" has a total of 12 episodes and was released on Netflix worldwide on May 16, 2025. Audiences who like Korean costume dramas and suspenseful mystery dramas should not miss this wonderful work that combines high-quality scripts, directors, casts, pictures and music!
Whether you come for the forbidden love between Lee Jae-wook and Cho Bo-ah, or for the exciting suspense, "Swallow Gold" can give you an audio-visual feast! Open Netflix now and uncover this mysterious journey about life, love and revenge!
Comentarios