The Road: The Tragedy of One

User Rating

Current user rating: 82/100 (248 votes)

You need to enable JavaScript to vote

Profile

Drama: The Road: The Tragedy of One
Revised romanization: The Road: 1ui Bigeuk
Hangul: 더 로드: 1의 비극
Director: Kim No-Won
Writer: Yoon Hee-Jung
Network: tvN
Episodes: 12
Release Date: August 4 - September 9, 2021
Runtime: Wed. & Thur. 22:50
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

A story of the secrets, desires, guilts and salvation of residents who live at "Royal the Hill," a place where only the top 1 percenters live.

Baek Soo-Hyun (Ji Jin-Hee) is a popular and respected anchorman. He is known as a journalist with strong beliefs. When he states something on camera, viewers take his words as the truth. Yet, Baek Soo-Hyun has another side. He is cold-hearted. When he wants something, he gets it no matter what. He will use any and all means to get what he wants. He is married to Seo Eun-Soo (Yoon Se-Ah) and they have children.

Seo Eun-Soo is the daughter of the chairman of the Jegang Group and married to Anchorman Baek Soo-Hyun. Her father is powerful enough that he wields heavy influence in the political and economic worlds. Seo Eun-Soo is herself a popular miniature artist. She places priority on her family and she tries to never loses her dignity, but she encounters tragedy. Seo Eun-Soo attempts to protect her family.

Cha Seo-Young (Kim Hye-Eun) is an announcer for a broadcast station. She has everything, including a prestigious job, exemplary educational background, and a beautiful appearance, but she is rarely satisfied with what she has.

Notes

"The Tragedy of One" takes over tvN's Wed. & Thur. 22:50 time slot previously occupied by "My Roommate Is A Gumiho" and followed by "Hometown" on September 22, 2021.
Based on novel "Ichi no Higeki" by Rintaro Norizuki (first published by Shodensha Publishing in 1992).

Cast

Royal The Hill: Baek Soo-Hyun's Family



Ji Jin-Hee	Yoon Se-Ah	Kim Min-Joon
Baek Soo-Hyun	Seo Eun-Soo	Baek Yeon-Woo

Royal The Hill: Cha Seo-Young's Family



Kim Hye-Eun	Ahn Nae-Sang	Yi Seo	Nam Ki-Won
Cha Seo-Young	Choi Nam-Kyu	Choi Se-Ra	Choi Joon-Young

Royal The Hill: Seo Ki-Tae's Group



Cheon Ho-Jin	Kang Kyung-Hun	Jo Sung-Joon	Hyun Woo-Sung	Lee Seung-Hee
Seo Ki-Tae	Bae Kyung-Sook	Seo Jung-Wook	Secretary Jo Moon-Do	maid

Royal The Hill: Hwang Tae-Seob's Group



Kim Roe-Ha	Ha-Min	Lee Ki-Sub
Hwang Tae-Seob	Yang Sung-Ja	Secretary Kim

Royal The Hil



Park Ji-Hoon	Park Geun-Wan
security guard	security guard (ep.5)

Oh Jang-Ho's Group



Kang Sung-Min	Son Yeo-Eun
Oh Jang-Ho	Lee Mi-Do

BSN Newsroom



Baek Ji-Won	Oh Yong	Ju Ye-Eun	Choi Jong-Nam	Lee Si-Young
Kwon Yeo-Jin	Kang Jae-Yeol	Park Moon-Hwa	executive	staff (ep.1)



Kim Ga-Bin	Kwon Ban-Suk
makeup artist (ep.5)	building security staff (ep.10)

Police



Kim Sung-Su	Han Joo-Wan	Lee Chang-Jik	Park Sang-Hyuk	Hong Seong-Gwan
Sim Seok-Hun	Kim Young-Shin	Commissioner Choi Oh-Suk	chief	detective



Gu Seo-Jun	Hyun Bong-Sik	Park Ki-Ryoong
detective (ep.3)	detective (ep.4-5)	police officer (ep.5)

National Forensic Service

Park Yong

medical examiner (ep.3)

NQ Investment



Kim Do-Young	Kim Jin-Goo
employee (ep.5-6)	client (ep.6)

Attorneys



Gu Bon-Seok	Koo See-Yeon	Kang Woo-Je
Seo Jung-Wook's attorney	Choi Se-Ra's attorney (ep.5,9)	Assemblyman Hwang's attorney (ep.8-9)

Past



Park Sang-Hoon	Lee Seung-Yeol	Lee Gun-Ha	Kim Sun-Bin	Choi Jung-In
Baek Soo-Hyun (young)	Sim Seok-Hun (young)	Yoon Dong-Pil (young)	Baek Soo-Hyun's father	Baek Soo-Hyun's mother (ep.6)

Others



Lee Jong-Hyuk	Jo Dal-Hwan	Jang Eui-Don
Kim Seok-Pil / Yoon Dong-Pil	Park Sung-Hwan	director



Seo Myung-Chan	Han Chang-Min	Park In-Chun	Son Sung-Chan	Kang Ji-Hoon
Public Prosecutor General (ep.1)	boy playing video game (ep.1)	Koh Yeon-Joo (ep.1,12)	doctor (ep.2)	TVC announcer (ep.2)



Jung Dong-Geun	Kim Yong-Jin	Seo Kwang-Jae	Ita	Lee Jae-Hak
Baek Soo-Hyun's contact (ep.2)	insurance agent (ep.2)	priest (ep.2)	doctor (ep.3)	public service worker (ep.4)



Yum Jung-Goo	Kwon Hyuk-Soo	Jang Joon-Ho	Hong Suk-Bin	Kim Si-Heon
assemblyman (ep.6)	assemblyman (ep.6)	Psychiatrist Nam Woo-Suk (ep.6)	Misung Scrapyard employee (ep.7)	hotel employee (ep.8)



Ahn Soo-Bin	Kim Sang-Il	Park Bo-Eun	Kim Won-Suk	Lee Yoon-Sang
River Pictures staff (ep.9-10)	Dark Dining staff (ep.9)	nurse (ep.10)	hospital CCTV room staff (ep.10)	doctor (ep.10)

Yoon Bok-Sung

prosecutor (ep.12)

Additional Cast Members:

Kim Si-Kook - car salesman (ep.3)
Kim Jin - (ep.5)

Trailers

Episode Ratings

Date	Episode	AGB
Date	Episode	Nationwide	Seoul
2021-08-04	1	3.365%	3.748%
2021-08-05	2	3.970%	4.839%
2021-08-11	3	2.735%	3.190%
2021-08-12	4	3.201%	3.586%
2021-08-18	5	1.900%	2.119%
2021-08-19	6	2.115%	2.306%
2021-08-25	7	1.845%	2.015%
2021-08-26	8	2.161%	2.243%
2021-09-01	9	1.733%	1.734%
2021-09-02	10	2.470%	2.256%
2021-09-08	11	1.957%	2.126%
2021-09-09	12	2.856%	3.099%

Source: AGB Nielson

Comments

Min Jeong Ho Sep 03 2024 3:41 am I love Ji Jin Hee for his versatility and his sizzling chemistry with Yoon Se Ah in this drama.

Jjang!! Jul 27 2024 11:34 pm I love all the casts and makjang but for this one, kim Hye-sun carried this on her back

Park Min Jul 19 2023 11:28 am It's disappointing when a drama have potentials but falls apart quickly because of lousy writing. The subpar acting by the kids diminished its value even further. The male lead pulled a tremendous effort to help keeping the drama afloat. The villain was poorly written and cartoonish for this genre. There was a necessity of a better dynamic between the wife and husband given the type of story they were telling. Forget the thriller/mystery bait, it quickly turned into another comical melodrama that lacked any real emotional impact. The last episode was seriously sloppy and rushed it will certainly leave you with a sour taste. On the bright side, the OST was pretty good.

sgt_doom Mar 08 2023 9:44 am ☆☆☆☆☆ Spoiler Alert ☆☆☆☆☆

I think this was in Norizuki's novel as well ---- read it years ago so have forgotten ----- but thought at the end of this if only they'd fixed that upper—level gate shut, would have saved everyone a world of trouble!?!?

sgt_doom Mar 07 2023 12:14 am OK, first impressions highly misleading ----- by Episode 10 ---- (great twist) one begins to grasp what an amazing evolving colossal mystery this is ---- truly exceptional high drama/mystery ----- the script was beyond superlative!!!

And ALL the clues were previously set in place ----- recall the murdererd entertainment reporter said he's had the accident with a middle-aged, sophisticated lady?!?!

sgt_doom Mar 04 2023 12:41 am While I found this entertaining it is based on a book in the mystery–horror–thriller genre I never really cared for although the author does leave clever clues to challenge the reader/viewer, like that box with the red velvet lining, etc.

Has two male actors I like, Jin–Hee and Kim Sung–So (don't care for many male actors in general) but Ji Jin–Hee is an awesome actor!

z Nov 05 2022 1:57 am if it's makjang and serious drama, you know what to expect.

... Jan 17 2022 5:34 am I watched yoon seah in a lot of projects but look like this one seem the least impressive of her character.. i have some issue with her expression, that never been happened in her previous dramas

Whack Nov 01 2021 7:31 pm I personally enjoyed the show a lott but thats cause of my personal preference but other than that it was a very poorly extremely poorly written script that never resolves the ending and answer questions. Also female lead always had a in the midst of constipation expression. Each ep was around 1 hr 21 mins which made it around 16 eps long if we compare total run time length with regular 16ep shows despute that the writer could hive answers to many questions. What shame. The script held lot of potential but at the same time carried many plotholes too.

All in all poorly written show BUT i enjoyed it a lot. Last ep was bad but rest were enjoyable.

Joe Trainer Sep 30 2021 6:56 pm About the worst drama I've watched till the end, in large part because people here said nice things about it. Yep, all star cast, a big pile of talent wasted on an utterly boring script and unlikeable characters. There isn't enough bleach in the world to wash the memories out of my brain. The ho hum final episode left me sad that I'd wasted even part of my life on this. I've had colonoscopies that were more interesting.

Kim Yoon Sung Sep 21 2021 3:25 am The cast were all amazing. I just felt that the sizzling chemistry of Ji Jin Hee & Yoon Se A was wasted. They should star again together in a melodrama.

Poly Sep 13 2021 8:58 am Epic and thrilling drama. Veteran actors, superb acting. I just wish there's more about the love story of the male and female lead, and the ending......

maan Sep 12 2021 12:34 am powerhouse of course jjh. I just wish his wife here can do variations in her facial expression (they seem flat). I like the story and the twist. at first I was confused but in the end all the twists were untangled

Carefree Sep 10 2021 5:08 am @Kimchi. I never said they were of the same genre. I was comparing the quality of the screenplay between these two dramas currently airing on the network. Not only is the storyline in Penthouse nonsensical and messy, it is also ridden with more plot holes than a Swiss cheese. However, since this is a wiki page for The Road: The Tragedy of One rather than Penthouse, I'll not delve too much into it here.

Kimchi Sep 09 2021 7:29 pm @Carefree how would this be the same with penthouse they both got two different genres lmao

Carefree Sep 09 2021 1:13 pm This is such a refreshing drama compared to the childish stuff of 'Penthouse'. The storyline is brilliant, believable and keeps you guessing at all times. The plot twist is also cleverly done and really blew my mind. However, the 1st episode was a bit slow and I didn't actually finished it the 1st time because I lost the plot halfway as I wasn't paying full attention to it. This is the kind of drama that requires your full concentration to really appreciate the masterpiece it is. The cast also portrayed their characters really well, albeit I find one or two characters a little irritating.

In conclusion, this is an intelligent, well written drama though it is much darker than your average kdrama. If you are looking for something light, fast pace and easy to watch, this ain't for you. However, if you like mystery dramas and want to watch something that requires critical thinking, then I highly recommend 'The Road: The Tragedy of One'.

Lib Sep 03 2021 7:13 pm One of the best mystery dramas. Excellent twists & turns makes you really pay attention. Great story & directing, you think you figured it out but it takes a quick turn. My top favorite of kdramas

Nana Sep 03 2021 2:31 pm I think baek soohyun is living a very stressful toxic unbalance life. He was never calm. Not even in his sleep. I hope no one in real life live like that.

Vic Sep 03 2021 11:26 am Jang ho and Eun soo drags this drama down, both characters are unbelievable.

The Drama Queen Sep 03 2021 10:39 am Well, I actually have mixed feelings about this drama. The cast is great and their performance quite remarkable, the plot and the story are also both interesting with a lot of unexpected twists and a lot of mystery. The dark atmosphere and the constant chilling vibe add a lot to the intrigue too.

However, I believe that the episodes are unfortunately way too long and slow. Some parts of the story really could have been shortened or accelerated to make the drama more captivating and dynamic. Moreover, the constant back and forth between past and present is making it confusing to properly follow.

In general, I like the fact that we discover the truth as fast as the main lead, but here the pieces of the puzzle are just all over the place and a bit hard to assemble.

Finally, I personally have some troubles relating to the characters, all of them are just dislikable: Baek Soo Hyun is constantly running and stressing, Eun Soo cries all the time and Cha Seo Yeong always has a b**** face and betray people.

Hope the drama will end properly...

Kill-the road Sep 03 2021 2:17 am Watch til ep.10 still confusing and tried to understand what the hell the writer tried to plot the drama. Look at the quality of rating will know how low the score is. Tragedy indeed.

M Sep 02 2021 7:49 am I'm loving the dark storyline, confronting plots (a hint of p*doph*lia from HTS), and superb soundtrack! What's with the FL's and second FL's acting though?? One wears permanent "sad&distraught" expression after episode 1, another is so over the top with her fake laugh and crazy screams. It's hard to watch them.

I hope they will learn from Ji Jin Hee and how he can convey BSH's feelings and agony through his gestures, body language, and eyes. Ji Jin Hee, you gained a new fan! Kang Sung Min also convincingly plays an obsessive creepy trash, he's so good I feel disgusted by OJH.

Overall, it's great so far and I'll continue watching.

Sara Sep 01 2021 11:57 pm I watched Sky Castle and I loved it and now I'm watching The Road and I tell it's totally different in so many levels the only similarity is they are rich and live in a place for rich people.

and please stop compare it to that joke Penthouse, I was planning to watch it but then I dropped it because it's going on a stupid storyline, killing characters then bring them back from the dead or suddenly the have twins O_O

Leah Sep 01 2021 10:52 pm Confusing

JK Sep 01 2021 7:52 pm Gave up watching after episode 6. Story is very confusing and at times need to rewatch to catch the plot. Main character keeps hiding what he knows and it’s going nowhere

Rt Aug 28 2021 2:27 am Jijinhee acting in drama is perfect he is amazing actor

Country bumpkin Aug 27 2021 3:15 pm That was one huge suv. It is for a chaeffeur-driven car. He should drive an x4. Or maybe a 5 series sedan.

Lola Aug 26 2021 1:09 pm I just love Ji Jin-Hee period, anything JJH is amazing!

Kim Yoon Sung Aug 25 2021 5:31 am The Road: Tragedy of One is a very intriguing drama, a quality production with superb acting of great cast. Please watch it if you're not doing so yet.

Bunna1704 Aug 24 2021 7:33 pm The Road: The Tragedy of One is getting better each week. Why it's so underrated. They have Ji Jin hee and other veteran line up cast with superb acting. The plot contains makjang element like infidelity, birth secret, power, ambition, greed - and murder mystery that involving some secret dark past.

But the dark tone and long duration maybe a bit difficult to watch if you are not a drama thriller fans. But, please give it a try.

Tiffany Aug 22 2021 12:38 pm @dralov I'm listening!!

babylms Aug 20 2021 6:06 pm this drama seems more and more interesting......so eager to watch next episode...however things were going very confusing...from my point of view....it seems like jeong wook and sera accidentally hit yong dong pil....while running after joon yoong...

QursyeaHusin Aug 20 2021 11:18 am I cant really breathe while watching this drama ..salute n kudos to all the casts .. !! Very profesional level !!! Tqtqtq

Country bumpkin Aug 20 2021 9:58 am I am so lost. What is happening? Did ep 6. Is this korean viewers' only drama? With certain unspoken korean society values . A shibboleth-type situation? Btw, those ubiquitous bmw's , ....well maybe i just keep quiet.

fettuchini Aug 20 2021 2:38 am been 6 episodes already BUT there isn't a single clue about what's really happening omg. this drama is really really confusing. BSY is busy with his mind and doesn't bother to give any single explanation. this drama tried to be a mystery but the story is too confusing to follow. srsly, this is gonna be the most confusing (not because of the plot twist ya) and unclear drama.

ike Aug 19 2021 8:14 pm I dont understand a single thing about this drama. The story is so confusing for me

Jhen MErCz Aug 16 2021 3:17 am And so,who killed the boy?

Mary Reyes Aug 15 2021 8:12 am No one is protecting their families-they are all blood sucking vampires( this is plain greed- lust - everybody out for themselves. marrying for status and power-lusting at anything that walks- being fooled-that each and everyone of them is a slithering snake- coiled together-resulting in twisted evilness. Then a pig walks in the snakes devoid it and on to the next victim. All of them will see each other in Hell oh what a tangled mess they make in twined in each other rotten stinking stank- of a mess .

Dralov Aug 12 2021 9:14 am I watched the Japanese version which is played by my fav actor Hasegawa Hiroki in 2016. But I think the K version is way more interesting. Penthouse fans, pls stop comparing this drama, oh I can't believe this. This drama has nothing to do with Penthouse in many ways.

S p o i l e r a l e r t !

The culprit who kidnapped JY are SES and OJH. SES actually knows that JY is BSH's son. SES uses OJH because she knows OJH is so obsessed with her and will do anything for her. And I doubt if BYW is BSH's son. I even think he is OJH's son.

Ada Aug 12 2021 7:56 am Kim Sung-soo… been too long… watching only because of him ?

Goldhunter Aug 12 2021 1:05 am It's bizarre story. The writer tried to make it mystery and spying secret on every scene but it is quite awkward to follow obscured story.

Cecily K. Aug 11 2021 12:48 am I didn't realize people were comparing this drama to Penthouse and Sky Castle? IMO, this drama doesn't really highlight/exploit the rich people's lifestyle as much as the two others; instead they focus on the murder mystery and politics. I'm loving the two episodes so far (and the recent plot twist? Yeah this is really makjang lol). Also it'd be fun to see the good, obedient wife somehow has something to do with this big case...

Deewee Aug 10 2021 10:45 am Penthouse is Sky Castle on steroids. Mine is Penthouse without the makjang. The Road is nothing like any of the three, probably closer to Graceful Friends or Stranger

medea Aug 10 2021 4:27 am to be honest penthouse is fun exactly because its a joke lmao

Nan Aug 08 2021 2:58 am Not those penthouse fans on every intense show with senior actors saying it's a copy lmao pls stop being embarrassing (p.s penthouse is a joke how can u even watch it lol)

Kim Yoon Sung Aug 07 2021 8:12 pm Intense will be an undestatement. It seems that it is like no other. The combination of Ji Jin-hee, Yoon Se-ah, Kim Hye-eun and the other cast of the drama is very interesting. They are in sync with each other in creating a drama that will be part of their career highlights. Ji Jin Hee & Yoon Se Ah look great together.

Aegon V Aug 07 2021 8:16 am haha, do you really think Tvn produced it because of a novel? or because of ratings gained by Sky Castle & Penthouse and the Hannam Hill development being in the news lately (with BTS residents), the novel you referenced may have provided the thin plot of a backstory, but that's all it will ever be, the meat will be makjang (same as low level covid era scripts coming out recently mostly written by the assistant writers)

jhh Aug 07 2021 4:40 am This remind me so much of Mine and Undercover! Totally love those dramas!! 2 eps so far and it’s looking pretty epic and thrilling!! Can’t wait for next!!

The Drama Queen Aug 06 2021 9:56 am So far, I have watched the 2 first episodes and I have to say that this drama is very promising! The cast is amazing, each character has a lot of secrets and the twists are really good, though episodes are a bit too long (1h25 for each). I really hope the drama is not going to lose its mystery and suspense.

Btw, if anyone has watched these dramas, the Road is, for me, like a mix between the family and enclosed murder secrets of "Chip In" and the hunt and unexpected twists of "Trap".

Country bumpkin Aug 05 2021 6:14 am Suit in the forest? Ok i play along. There must be a logical explanation later on. I am here for Kim Hye eun eonnie

Mjmn Jul 04 2021 9:32 pm Kim Hye Eun!-Superb actress! Can't wait for this!

Kikie Jun 14 2021 10:34 am Just finished watching Undercover. Waiting to see Ji Jin Hee's new project. The plot already sounds interesting.

Kim Yoon Sung Jun 05 2021 12:55 pm This is going to be huge! I'm so bored with Ji Jin Hee's team-up with Kim Hyun Joo. I'd love to see him with exciting actresses. He is an amazing actor! Let's make this a hit!

Ari May 24 2021 10:07 pm tvN really love to make makjang drama this year

kamote May 23 2021 1:02 pm Ji Jin-hee ? loveeet! I'm soo looking forward for this. After Undercover, i will be waiting for this. please have it available on Netflix.

Preta Apr 19 2021 8:50 am The cast is enough motivation!! Love them ALL!! I'm glad there's better roles for older actors than Ahjussi ahjumma stuff...

Catoes Apr 18 2021 12:00 am Seems like makjang drama..can't wait to see it

Athena Apr 15 2021 10:22 pm Omgg!!! I can't wait. because Kim Hye-eun is here, another stress year except for penthouse, misty, the world of married couple, sky castle. I'm sure that this one is going to be annoying drama. Fighting Kim Hee-Eun

Anna Apr 04 2021 5:52 am Ugh, another Sky Castle, Penthouse and annoying type of drama. Come up with something else already!

Satria Apr 01 2021 10:28 pm Another makjang drama vibes

Hongbaoshian Mar 31 2021 7:22 pm Excited her seeing Ji Jin-Hee again in screen soon, love it❤️❤️❤️ Stay safe n healthy...love??❤️❤️??

tt Mar 31 2021 10:14 am yoon se ah has such a busy and successful year with Snowdrop & TRToO!! fightinggg <3

Ari Mar 30 2021 9:40 am In veteran actors we trust

Binibining Guro Mar 30 2021 9:25 am We will be seeing Ji Jin Hee in the first and 2nd half of 2021. Daebak! And Kim Hye-eun Unnie ? So excited for this

Mykoreanside Mar 30 2021 5:42 am Finally?? Ji Jin Hee is love❣❣❣

External Links

Official Website

The Road: The Tragedy of One

Contents

User Rating

Profile

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Notes

Cast

Royal The Hill: Baek Soo-Hyun's Family

Royal The Hill: Cha Seo-Young's Family

Royal The Hill: Seo Ki-Tae's Group

Royal The Hill: Hwang Tae-Seob's Group

Royal The Hil

Oh Jang-Ho's Group

BSN Newsroom

Police

National Forensic Service

NQ Investment

Attorneys

Past

Others

Trailers

Episode Ratings

Comments

Leave a Comment

Comments

External Links