"The Defects" Screenwriter Talks About Casting, The Drama's Message, And More

Jun 27, 2025

“The Defects” writer Ahn So Jung has shared behind-the-scenes stories about the upcoming series!

Based on a popular webtoon, “The Defects” is an action thriller about children who have been abandoned by their adoptive parents—and their fight for survival and revenge.

Screenwriter Ahn So Jung, who penned the script, said, “I was a reader who enjoyed the original webtoon and was impressed by its shocking subject matter and sophisticated direction.” She continued, “I sometimes come across stories about parents who treat their children as possessions or use them as tools. Although the drama is a work of fiction, I could not help but wonder if similar situations might actually be happening somewhere in real life.”

She added, “Through this project, I hope viewers will be reminded that there is no such thing as a perfect parent or child and take a moment to reflect on the role of a parent and the meaning of family.”

Through the story of Kim Se Hee (Yum Jung Ah), who controls children abandoned by their adoptive parents, writer Ahn So Jung explained that she wanted to portray “the complex emotions of a character whose self-love comes before her maternal instinct.”

She also highlighted another key element: the found family that Kim Ah Hyun (Won Jin Ah) and the other children form together with Woo Tae Sik (Choi Young Joon), who rescues them. She said, “Even if a family is not connected by blood, it can still be warm and kind as long as there is genuine care for one another.”

The writer also shared details about the casting process, revealing, “From the start, I wrote the character Se Hee with Yum Jung Ah in mind. When her casting was confirmed, I got chills. The moment I saw her act, I thought, ‘She feels even more like Se Hee than the version in the script.’”

She added, “Won Jin Ah brought real depth to the character of Ah Hyun, who carries both strength and sorrow, and Dex was the essence of Jung Hyun himself. Even though he does not have much acting experience, he was able to express emotion perfectly with just one look. It was incredible.”

The writer named “adoption trafficking,” “bad parents,” and “narcissists” as key themes of the project. “Because the story focuses on the satisfying revenge of abandoned children, the scenes where abusive parents get payback in their own way will make the story even more compelling,” she said.

In closing, she said, “The subject matter may be provocative, but we put a lot of thought into balancing entertainment with a meaningful message. This is not just another genre piece. It is a story that offers deep insight into family and human nature. I hope viewers will take a strong interest in it.”