The Defects begins as a gritty, emotionally raw tale of children discarded by society—and the dangerous forces that hunt them. With a mysterious underground shelter, a reluctant guardian, and an elite adoption organization hiding sinister motives, the drama wastes no time drawing us into its dark world.
From the very first episode, The Defects takes you into a world filled with horror and mystery, but also heart-rending emotions. This isn't just a story of kids running away—it's a story of kids who have been rejected by the world, who are broken from within and are now trying to understand themselves and find their identity.
Each character in the story is incomplete, but that incompleteness is what makes them real. Whether it is the fear of the kids or the silence of a mysterious man, a truth is hidden in every scene that slowly emerges. You won’t get any fast action or much drama, but what you get is deeply impactful. This drama unfolds its story at a slow pace, but every moment prompts thought.
This is one of those stories that doesn’t make noise, but just quietly touches your heart. And that is its biggest strength.
Quick Drama Facts
Drama Title: The Defects (아이쇼핑)
Also Known As: Eye Shopping, Child Shopping, I Shopping
Genre: Action, Mystery, Thriller, Human Drama
Episodes: 8 Aired: Jul 21, 2025 - Aug 12, 2025
Aired On: Monday, Tuesday
Where to Watch: TVING, Kocowa
Cast and Characters
Won Jin-ah as Kim Ah-hyun
The strongest thread holding this story together. Ah-hyun is a survivor turned protector, leading a group of abandoned children after escaping death herself. She balances pain with purpose and becomes the group’s emotional center. Her growth is already evident within two episodes—from mourning Tae-sik to taking the reins herself.
Choi Young-joon as Woo Tae-sik
Once an enforcer in a cruel adoption scheme, now a man in search of redemption. His past haunts him, but his actions are selfless. His final message to Ah-hyun and the children establishes him as a tragic but noble man. He may be gone, but his presence continues to guide the story.
Yum Jung-a as Se-hee
Se-hee appears calm and composed on the outside, but on the inside, she is ruthless. She is part of a system that discards children like broken objects, and she is unfazed by it. Some things about her are unclear—her past is mysterious, and it seems she may have a past connection to Ah-hyun.
Kim Jin-young / Dex as Jung-hyun
Jung-hyun is a calm but dangerous man. He is tasked with destroying the children's shelter, and he is completely serious about this mission. His actions are swift and violent—he attacks without hesitation. But there is something in his eyes and silence that is completely indecipherable. It is as if there is a hidden battle going on inside him.
Choi Shi-woo
Shi-woo is the latest victim of the system. He was rejected in front of everyone, leaving him heartbroken. He is like an innocent child who has gone through pain and betrayal very early on. The fear and sadness in his eyes are clear, but there is still a calmness and strength about him.
At first, he seems very lonely and scared, but he slowly starts to connect with the other children. His presence shows how important this fight is—because this shouldn't happen to children. Shi-woo is the hope that gives everyone else the courage to keep fighting.
So-mi
So-Mi is a strong and intelligent girl. She has been through a lot, but she is not the one to keep quiet. She always raises her voice for truth and justice. She is afraid, but she is always ready to help others. She is quiet in the group, but when needed, her courage is the strongest.
Joo-Ahn
Joo-Ahn is the funniest and most intelligent boy in the group. He lightens everyone's mood by saying something light-hearted even in difficult times. But that doesn't mean he is afraid—he is the first to stand up when needed. His wisdom and bravery often get the group out of trouble. His loyalty makes the rest of the group feel like family.
Episode 1: A Chilling System of Survival and Secrets
The Defects begins with a deep-breathing moment. We are in 2011, a quiet night, and a man named Woo Tae-sik is ordered to get rid of a heavy bag of cement. It sounds like just another odd job… but when he opens the bag, it is heart-wrenching. Out comes a little girl—alive, scared, but breathing. That moment is life-changing for Tae-sik. Without a second thought, he rescues the girl.
And from there, everything changes. Now, many years have passed, and that same girl is all grown up—Kim Ah-hyun. She is now living in hiding, with children who have been abandoned by society. They have been labeled ‘defectives’ simply because they are not perfect. They all live in an old, run-down bathroom—in a way, it's their own little world.
Tae-sik takes care of them, keeps them safe, like their guardian angel. Their world may be broken, but it has a sense of belonging. There's a little peace amid the pain.
Then one day, that peace is shattered. Choi Shi-woo, an 11-year-old boy, is abandoned by his adoptive mother in a public place where no one would suspect her. It's a chilling sight. Tae-sik does what he does best — he rescues him and brings the little boy home.
But it's not so simple this time. Jung-hyun (Dex), a quiet but dangerous man who works for a powerful and mysterious organization, has been watching. He's figured out something's going on.
Tae-sik tries to save Shi-woo, just like he saved the other children—but things quickly spiral out of control. And then comes a moment that will rip your heart out.
A loud explosion. Tae-sik's car explodes.
The screen goes black, and you're stuck—is Tae-sik dead? What will happen to the kids now? It all feels so surreal that you forget to breathe for a moment.
Episode 1 makes one thing clear—this series won't be easy. It's emotional, it's dark, but most of all, it's real. And it raises the question: For those who get thrown out of the system… is there a place for them?
Episode 2: The Fight Begins With a Dangerous Truth
With Tae-sik's death, everything comes to a standstill. The children's world, already filled with fear and uncertainty, is now completely shattered. Ah-hyun finds one last letter from Tae-sik - in which he blames himself and asks the children not to cry for him. This moment is heart-touching, as it shows how broken Tae-sik was inside.
The danger is now even closer. Jung-hyun brings a bulldozer to demolish the old bathhouse - the children's only refuge until now. Everything changes in an instant. The children try to escape, but in the chaos, they lose their phones - the ones that contained their entire escape plan. Now they have no way out and no place to go.
But Ah-hyun and his friends are not the ones to fall apart. They decide that they will now complete Tae-sik's unfinished battle. They want the truth of what happened to come out. To do this, they make a new plan - to go to So-mi's old house and look for evidence.
There is also a slight smile here - when Joo-ah disguises herself as a girl to distract everyone. The atmosphere seems light for a moment, but it also shows that these kids are no longer just scared - they have become a team.
Meanwhile, Kim Se-hee's true identity slowly begins to come to the fore. The woman who seemed soft and understanding on the outside has a sharp, cunning, and tough personality hidden inside. And then comes a shock - perhaps Ah-hyun is an unwitting part of this whole game. Does she herself not know how deeply she is involved in this conspiracy?
A lot changes in Episode 2 — the strength of relationships, the depth of pain, and questions about one's own identity. The kids aren't just hiding anymore — they're fighting back. And the truth that's about to come out could be bigger and scarier than ever before.
In simple terms:
The kids suffer a major setback in this episode, but they don't break down. They're saddened by Tae-sik's death, but that same grief gives them the courage to fight. Their goal now is not just to survive, but to stand up to the system. At the same time, some hidden truths begin to surface that raise questions about everyone's identities and relationships.
Rating
The Defects holds a strong 9.1/10 rating on IMDb, based on early reviews. Viewers praise it as a gripping survival thriller with emotional depth and no cringe moments. Many say it's already one of their favorite K-dramas of the year.
Personal Note
Do I Have Villain Syndrome? (Probably Yes)
Dex in The Defects is definitely the kind of villain we love to hate… and lowkey want to save. With that intense screen presence, sharp charisma, and just the right amount of mystery, it's no wonder we're falling for him. He’s not a cartoonish bad guy—he’s layered, emotionally guarded, and probably hiding a deeper motive (revenge? trauma? lost puppy complex?).
Final Thoughts
A Tough Watch, But a Powerful Story
The Defects is one of those straight-to-the-point K-Drama series. It depicts child abuse, trafficking, and several other unpleasant realities. Some parts are so heartbreaking that it's difficult to see everything, especially if you're emotional. If you feel that something is getting too much, you can take a break or skip a scene in the middle.
However, if you persist with the story, you will come to realise the deeper meaning of courage, humanity, and battling for the truth. This serial is not created solely to scare people; there is a very real and essential message behind it.
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