The finale of Who Is She leaves its audience with a mix of emotions—nostalgia, frustration, and a lingering sense of what could have been. While the drama promised a heartfelt exploration of family, dreams, and second chances, its conclusion feels more like a tribute to the fleeting nature of youth rather than a celebration of the values and convictions that defined its heroine, Mal-soon (or Doo-ri, in her youthful incarnation). The ending, though poignant, raises questions about the show’s priorities and the message it ultimately leaves behind.
The Stalker Subplot: A Convenient Resolution
The drama’s final episodes tie up the lingering stalker subplot in a rather abrupt and convenient manner. Daniel’s elaborate plan to discredit his stalker by staging a group outing feels contrived, especially given the gravity of the situation. The revelation that the stalker was never his girlfriend and that her photos were taken out of context resolves the conflict neatly, but it also undermines the emotional weight of Daniel’s earlier sacrifices. His decision to retire from idol life to protect Ae-shim, his biological mother, is a noble one, but the resolution of the stalker plot feels rushed and lacks the depth it deserved.
Ae-shim’s backstory, while touching, is also underdeveloped. Her decision to give up Daniel for adoption is framed as a sacrifice for her career, but the drama quickly absolves her of any real guilt. Daniel’s acceptance of her explanation and his decision to move on without disrupting their lives feels too tidy, leaving little room for the complex emotions that such a revelation would naturally evoke. The show’s reluctance to delve deeper into this relationship is a missed opportunity to explore the themes of motherhood, sacrifice, and forgiveness.
The Romance: A Spark Without Substance
The romance between Daniel and Doo-ri is undeniably charming, but it often feels like a distraction from the show’s core themes. Their chemistry is palpable, and the moments they share—such as their spontaneous kiss during the staged vacation—are undeniably sweet. However, the romance lacks the emotional depth needed to make it truly compelling. Doo-ri’s declaration that she doesn’t care if the relationship doesn’t work out, as long as she can experience the feeling of liking someone again, feels hollow. It reduces her character’s journey to a quest for fleeting romantic fulfillment rather than a deeper exploration of her dreams and values.
The revelation that Kkeut-soon (Mal-soon’s sister) was the original “Emily” who had a relationship with Daniel adds an uncomfortable layer to the romance. The fact that Doo-ri essentially steps into her sister’s shoes without addressing the emotional complexity of the situation feels like a missed opportunity for meaningful conflict. The drama’s reluctance to explore the potential tension between the sisters undermines the emotional stakes of the story.
The Final Choice: A Morbid Dilemma
Doo-ri’s ultimate decision to stay in her youthful body for six more months, knowing it will lead to her death, is both poignant and problematic. On one hand, it underscores the show’s central theme of seizing the moment and living life to the fullest, even in the face of inevitable loss. On the other hand, it reduces Doo-ri’s journey to a choice between two equally bleak alternatives: returning to her old life or embracing a fleeting moment of youth at the cost of her life. This dilemma feels unnecessarily morbid and detracts from the show’s earlier emphasis on pursuing one’s dreams and reconnecting with family.
The revelation that Mal-soon was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s before her transformation adds a layer of tragedy to her story, but it also shifts the focus away from her dreams and values. Her decision to stay young becomes less about fulfilling her lifelong desire to be a singer and more about avoiding the hardships of old age. This undermines the show’s earlier portrayal of Mal-soon as a strong, determined woman with unwavering convictions.
The Final Message: A Missed Opportunity
The drama’s final message, delivered through a voiceover as Daniel encounters a Doo-ri/Emily doppelgänger, feels out of sync with the story’s themes. The line, “Nothing is impossible in this world. Especially when it comes to relationships,” reduces the show’s complex exploration of family, dreams, and second chances to a simplistic statement about love. It’s a disappointing conclusion for a drama that initially promised so much more.
The show’s focus on relationships, while important, often comes at the expense of its exploration of Mal-soon’s dreams. The moment the idol group takes the stage in the final episode is exhilarating, but it’s also a reminder of how little we’ve seen of Doo-ri’s journey as a singer. The drama spends so much time on unrelated subplots and romantic entanglements that it neglects the very dream that was supposed to be at the heart of the story.
A Tribute to Youth, But at What Cost?
In the end, Who Is She is a bittersweet tribute to the fleeting nature of youth and the sacrifices we make for our dreams. However, its conclusion feels more like an evasion of the difficult choices and emotional conflicts that define a meaningful journey. Mal-soon’s transformation into Doo-ri is a second chance at life, but the show’s reluctance to fully explore the consequences of her choices leaves the audience wanting more.
The drama’s final moments, with its focus on relationships and the possibility of new beginnings, feel like a missed opportunity to celebrate the strength and resilience of its heroine. While the show’s exploration of family bonds and personal growth is commendable, it ultimately falls short of delivering the powerful, uplifting message it promised. In the end, Who Is She is a reminder that sometimes, even the most heartfelt stories can lose their way when they lose sight of their core values.