'A Graceful Liar' tops charts with 7.9% ratings with high intensity plot from first episode

KBS2’s new daily drama 'A Graceful Liar' made a sensational debut on the 22nd, recording a 7.9% viewership rating and immediately ranking first among all channels in its time slot.

Written by Lee Do Hyun and directed by Son Seok Jin, the series immediately captured attention with a story that explores complex family histories and identity struggles. Lee Sia stars as the protagonist Cha Jeong Won, portraying a character burdened by her father’s wrongful murder accusation and her mother’s abandonment with vivid realism.

The drama opens with a scene 25 years ago, with Cha Ki Beom (played by Park Cheol Ho) being taken away by the police while a young Jeong Won breaks down in tears. The story then moves to Jeong Won’s present-day monologue, "Even after 25 years, my mother never came to get me," showing her struggles with a low educational background, repeated rejections at job interviews, and working multiple part-time jobs.

A particularly striking moment comes in a montage set in the present, where Jeong Won, wearing a wedding dress, says, "Han Hye Ra, if I can bring you down, I don’t care if it’s fake. I have to become Joo Young Chae. No, I am Joo Young Chae," leaving a strong impression.

The story skillfully navigates past and present timelines, showing Jeong Won as a department store personal shopper who unexpectedly encounters her high school classmate Joo Young Chae (played by Lee Hyo Na) with her lover while visiting a VIP client’s house. Scenes capturing Jeong-won’s thrill as she first pretends to be someone else at high-society parties are delicately portrayed.

Tension between Han Hye Ra (portrayed by Lee Il Hwa) and Gong Nan Sook (Lee Seung Yeon) also heightens the drama's plot. When the two collide at the department store’s luxury hall and discuss their children’s marriage issues with Jin Tae Seok (Choi Jong Hwan), subtle conflicts between different social classes come to the forefront.

Lee Il Hwa delivers a restrained performance, revealing the maternal love hidden behind the elegant appearance of a wealthy matriarch. In a scene where she views a photo on her daughter Jin Se Mi’s (played by Choi Da Eum) phone and takes out young Jeong Won’s belongings from a secret safe, 25 years of suppressed longing are poignantly conveyed.

The drama’s highlight is the final sequence of the episode. After rejecting an interviewer’s unfair demand and running out, Jeong Won slips in the rain and cries, only for Han Hye Ra to appear and shield her with an umbrella—marking the beginning of a fateful reunion. The interweaving of past separation scenes with their current gaze amplifies viewers’ curiosity about the evolution of their relationship.

The ensemble cast of skilled actors also gained attention. Lee Seung Yeon returns to KBS daily dramas after six years, delivering a powerful performance as villain Gong Nan Sook, who abandons even her daughter in pursuit of desire. Choi Jong Hwan, Park Cheol Ho, Seol Jeong Hwan, and Han Ki Woong also bring depth to their respective roles.

After the broadcast, viewers responded enthusiastically and commented, “Starting with an affair from the opening?,” “The pace is fast and so entertaining, I’ll watch every episode,” “First episode was non-stop action, time flew,” “Starting with an affair and then revenge…?”, “All actors are skilled, it’s a treat to watch,” and “First episode was crazy. Super intense.”

'A Graceful Liar' depicts a mother and daughter meeting as in-laws, embroiled in a war of lies surrounding the wealthy Geonhyang family and their quest for life-changing fortunes. It airs every Monday to Friday at 7:50 PM on KBS2.