Scheduled for release on July 21, ENA's new drama, The Defects (아이쇼핑 in Korean), promises to be one of the must-see thrillers of the summer. Adapted from a successful webtoon that garnered over 51 million views, this drama plunges into the chilling world of illegal adoption trafficking, highlighting the shattered destinies of children abandoned by their adoptive families.
At the heart of this shocking story are Choi Young-joon (Hospital Playlist, Bloodhounds, Flower of Evil), in a strong new role. He plays Woo Tae-sik, a remorseful former henchman of an illegal adoption network. Discovering the extent of the horrors committed by the organization he used to serve, he does an about-face. In secret, he begins to rescue rejected children, taking them in and teaching them to survive in a world that has betrayed them.
Choi Young-joon in an intense role
The 1st images reveal a transformed Choi Young-joon, both dark and deeply human. His hard eyes and pained face convey the complexity of a character torn between guilt and redemption. Woo Tae-sik is not a traditional hero, but a broken man trying to redeem himself by becoming the protector of those "defectives" whom society has consigned to oblivion.
The production underscores the actor's remarkable performance, capable of expressing deep emotions with great restraint. Her restrained performance promises to bring an essential dramatic intensity to the plot.
The Defects is co-produced by Group 8, behind such hits as My ID is Gangnam Beauty and Taxi Driver, and Take One Studio (L.U.C.A., Your Honor), 2 references on the Korean small screen. A Kdrama to keep an eye on!
The 8 episodes will be broadcast on Mondays and Tuesdays from July 21 to August 12, 2025 on ENA.
