‘Splendid Melancholy’ is what Sarah’s tattoo reads in Netflix’s latest drama series, The Art of Sarah. Oozing an aesthetically pleasing fountain of sorrow, the phrase is not only a key element to the story but also a rather haunting commentary about the world we live in. A world shining, shimmering, and splendid, hiding secrets that can shake everything you believe in, that is the world of Sarah, and that is 'The Art of Sarah'. 

With every passing minute of the 8-episode series, you peel off a mystery more layered than an onion, while tears refuse to roll down your face for the sheer shock of revelations. A gripping tale of ambition, revenge, and grit, The Art of Sarah establishes itself as one of the most must-see projects on the streamer. 

At its core, the show is a story of a woman who is left alone to fend for herself, while a city filled with millions of people surrounds her. Sarah Kim, played by the versatile Shin Hye-sun, embodies the loner self of Sarah to the utmost perfection. While we see her character pull con after con, we never once get to hate her. Somehow, I could always reason my way out of the sentiment. Sarah is a protagonist you will easily root for until the final 2 episodes of the show. 

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The theme of isolation doesn’t just limit itself to the characters, but it is also projected onto the classes within‌ society. Where the rich have every offering the world has to offer at their disposal, but they still can’t have what a human desires the most: good company. So in a haunting way, while the crowd chases the money and the amenities that come with it, they are in fact chasing nothing but a life filled with loneliness. 

And while Detective Park Mu-gyeong, played by Lee Jun-hyuk, is a cop assisted by an incredibly cheerful newbie cop (Shin Hyun Seung) and his team, he often finds himself alone fighting for what he believes is the truth.

“Truth is like light, and it blinds us, while lies are like beautiful sunsets that make everything look incredible.” This is the line that echoes throughout the show as each lie spins into an even more ethereal and glamorous turn of events. Sarah spends her entire life fighting the pre-established notions of the world. From being a woman who works in a mall and is pushed around by loan sharks, she ends up marrying the biggest loan shark in the city and goes on to build the biggest brand possible, Boudoir. 

This show‌ is a lot like Squid Game for the depiction of realities. While it lacks the ‌childlike games and the jumpsuits, it still highlights the same issues that plague the general population of South Korea, and honestly, the entire world, i.e., consumerism. It paints the bleak but very real picture of the downfall of society to an extent where all we care about is brands, image, and status symbols. And in a chase for these fake luxuries, we end up losing out on actual humans, feelings, and experiences. 

As Sarah takes up and throws away multiple identities, nothing but sheer passion fuels each change. In a way, she might just be one of those stories that, in a parallel world, will be this example of the 'never give up' attitude, but the problem with Sarah is that she takes the 'never' a little too seriously. And the same can be said for Detective Mu-gyeong, who revolts against his superior, infests a lake with piranhas, and literally dives into a sewer in his pursuit of justice. 

So if you are someone who knows their moral and practical boundaries, this Korean drama might just be the show that inspires you to tick off the items from your ‘to-do’ list. 

The roller-coaster ride of The Act of Sarah is worth every penny (minute) you spend on it. A story that keeps on unfolding for 7 long but amazing episodes culminates in a tightly written finale, which, let's be honest, is a scarcity these days. The revelation that Kim Mi-Jeong is the 'fake Sarah' is something that truly ties together every crumb that was left throughout the show. 

“If you can’t tell it apart from the real thing, how can you call it fake?” is the sentence that haunted my brain as the finale unfolded the gruesome murder that started it all. As Sarah and Mi-Jeong stand off, claiming the bragging rights of killing the other. While Mi-Jeong gets to have a life she always desired, if she is the killer, there is also Sarah, who gets to see her dream become a reality as Boudoir continues to grow larger and larger in the luxury fashion industry. But of course, you don't name a show The Art of Sarah, and have her take the proverbial fall into the abyss, as is revealed in the ultimate moments of the series. Sarah is, in fact, alive, maybe for a sequel? 

The Art of Sarah is truly one of those perfect shows where it is difficult to point out a flaw. An amazing performance by the actors, impeccable direction, and a well-written plot, it was truly a treat to watch this K-Drama. Maybe the pacing of the episodes could have been a little better. 

One of my favorite things about this show was the music used in the show. The songs that were picked from the background score, it was truly one of the best parts of the series and definitely something I will revisit often in the coming months. But as Sarah herself says, “the only satisfying thing in this world is the actual word satisfaction.” So I am selfishly unsatisfied and will be hoping to see more of The Art of Sarah. 

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What did you think of The Art of Sarah? Let us know in the comments.