What would the world look like if you could, at a single glance, see the private relationships, especially the sexual history, of everyone you pass by? The drama 'S-Line' begins with this provocative and intriguing premise. The letter 'S' in the title is more than just an initial; it carries a multi-layered meaning that symbolizes the complex underside of modern society. It encompasses the keywords of Social, Sex, and Secret, dragging the most private aspects of human relationships to the surface.
As the title suggests, 'S-Line' zooms in on one symbol in particular: 'Sex.' In the world of this drama, a red 'S-Line' follows people like a spiritual name tag above their heads, indicating their sexual history. This line not only displays the number of past partners but also acts as a mechanism that connects to a former partner when they are in close proximity, revealing their past relationship for all to see.
This setup immediately creates massive shockwaves that shake the very foundations of society. For ordinary couples or spouses in a faithful monogamous relationship, this might not pose a problem. However, for those who wish to hide past relationships, or for those who are forced to confront a partner's unknown past, this S-Line becomes a horrifying brand that exposes the truth. While some people have just a single line, others have dozens of intricately tangled lines, turning the streets into a scene of utter chaos filled with invisible threads of past relationships.
The character who has lived with the ability to see this bizarre phenomenon since birth is Shin Hyun-heum, played by actress Arin. For her, the ability to see S-Lines is not a gift but a curse. In her early childhood, her innocent act of drawing the neighborhood's S-Lines as she saw them planted the seeds of tragedy. This single drawing revealed her parents' hidden affairs, ultimately leading to a horrific incident where her father was killed by her mother.
From that day forward, Shin Hyun-heum's life was shattered. Overwhelmed by the guilt that her ability led to her family's destruction and disillusioned with the world, she isolates herself completely. She lives like a shadow, avoiding deep connections with anyone and trying desperately not to see the world's secrets. She attempts to escape her cursed fate through extreme measures multiple times, but each attempt is thwarted by a mysterious, powerful force, leaving her in a desperate state where even death is not permitted.
Then one day, she witnesses a serial killer, his face hidden by a helmet, hunting down and brutally murdering women connected to him by an S-Line. Faced with a tragedy she can no longer ignore, Shin Hyun-heum uses her ability for the first time to try and stop the crime, marking a decisive turning point that pushes her back into the world. In this process, she becomes entangled with detective Han Ji-wook (played by Lee Soo-hyuk), opening a new chapter in the story.
The drama expands its narrative through another central character, Kang Seon-ah (played by Lee Eun-saem). Suffering from severe bullying at school, Kang Seon-ah lives a precarious life under the protection of her homeroom teacher, Kyu-jin (Lee Da-hee), and her detective uncle, Han Ji-wook. Her ordinary life is turned upside down when she coincidentally gets her hands on a pair of "S-Line glasses."
The origins of these mysterious glasses—who made them, why, and for what purpose—are completely unknown, but they grant the wearer the same ability as Shin Hyun-heum the moment they are put on. Initially confused, Kang Seon-ah soon realizes the immense power the glasses hold. She is shocked to discover the secret relationships of her bullies and is even more stunned to witness that her closest and most trusted uncle, Han Ji-wook, is actually a massive philanderer.
Kang Seon-ah begins to wield this special ability as a weapon to protect herself and reverse her situation. With the information gained from the S-Line glasses, she exacts subtle revenge on her tormentors and strategically improves her position as a former victim. Her actions are a stark contrast to Shin Hyun-heum, who considers the ability a curse, showcasing how the same power can be used in vastly different ways depending on one's circumstances and personality, thereby heightening the drama's tension.
Based on the popular Naver webtoon of the same name, 'S-Line' goes beyond its sensational premise to ask a profound philosophical question: 'Is a society where no secrets can be kept truly righteous?' When the transparency of all relationships is guaranteed, do we gain trust, or do we fall into uncontrollable chaos and suspicion? Perhaps, at times, respecting each other's private boundaries is the minimum courtesy required to maintain a relationship. The drama paradoxically makes us reflect on just how precious the 'happiness of ordinary life'—a life so normal we often fail to appreciate its value—truly is.
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