K-Drama Files: ‘Save Me’ is a Thriller Drama on Cults and Blind Faith

With all the good K-dramas premiering almost week after week, it’s definitely hard to keep up with the new ones, as well as the already-completed ones that are sitting in your binge lists for the longest time. However, just like every binge-watcher out there, you’re probably still on the lookout for more dramas to add to your never-ending lists. If that’s the case, then we’ve got your back!

For this week’s K-drama files, we put the spotlight on Save Me and why you should watch it!

The Story

Save Me is a 2017-drama that follows Im Sang Mi, who moves from Seoul to Muji-gun with her family, hoping to start a new life after facing some financial troubles in the main city.

As the family faces trouble in their new home, Spiritual Father Baek Joong Ki of the Goosunwon approaches them, offering them help in exchange for their stay in the religious group’s headquarters. With Sang Mi and her parents getting sucked deeper into the pseudo-religious cult, she must rely on her four former schoolmates to save her and her mom.

The Cast

Seo Ye Ji plays the role of Im Sang Mi — a young woman who unwillingly enters the world of pseudo-religious cults. The actress also starred in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, Lawless Lawyer, and Hwarang.

Jo Sung Ha plays the role of Spiritual Father Baek Joong Ki, who’s the big baddie in the drama. The actor also starred in dramas like Memorist, The K2, Gu Family Book, and more.

Saving Im Sang Mi from the Goosunwon are Han Sang Hwan and Seok Dong Chul. Playing these characters are Ok Taecyeon (Dream High) and Woo Do Hwan (The King: Eternal Monarch). Lee David and Ha Hoe Jung, who play Woo Jung Hoon and Choi Man Hee also star in this drama.

Other members of the cast include Jo Jae Yoon (Sky Castle), Park Ji Young (Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo), and Jung Hae Kyun (Signal).

Watch it if you

… want a look at how religious cults work. Save Me gives the audience at how these groups recruit members, and how they get people in so deep that they won’t easily find a way to get out.

The drama gets darker throughout its 16 episodes and it’s stressful seeing these people think that one man can bring all of them to salvation. As a viewer, it’s infuriating to know how the cult has so many connections in the city — from the police force to the government — that these people can just get away from their sketchy deeds so easily.

If you think you can binge-watch this drama on one weekend, think again. I had to limit myself to one episode a day, especially since the themes of the story can get too much for me. Despite the stress, though, I still pushed through to finish it as soon as I can because I just can’t wait to see how Sang Hwan and Dong Chul will get Sang Mi out of the cult.

If you’re looking for a unique drama tackling topics like cults, faith, Save Me is your best bet. It’s a thriller that does not involve psychopaths and supernatural creatures, but it’ll still get viewers on edge as they watch the main characters struggle to get out of Goosunwon.

—

Save Me is now streaming on Netflix.

Homestream image is from Save Me‘s website.

ALSO READ
K-Drama Files: ‘My Mister’ and Its Story of Loneliness
13 K-Dramas and Korean Horror Films That Will Keep You Up at Night