In this week’s review, we want to talk about a drama that totally surprised us and hooked us with its unique storyline, memorable characters, and fantastic acting. Let’s talk about the MBC drama ‘A Bona Fide Killer’.
Based on the webtoon by writer Yoon and artist Gum, this series follows the life of an assassin who decides to get married and settle into a more conventional life. However, after returning from her three-year maternity leave, she finds herself juggling the responsibilities of motherhood and marriage with a secret career that is anything but ordinary.
Yoo Bo-na (Gong Hyo-jin) lives a double life. By day, she is a housewife and mother who also works as a sales team manager. Beneath this professional facade, however, she has another identity: at night, she becomes Kingfisher, a professional assassin who targets criminals who have escaped justice.
Her husband, Kwon Tae-seong (Jung Joon-won), is a journalist and a devoted father and husband. Guided by strong ethical principles, he has dedicated his career to investigating injustice. Earlier in his career, he even focused on tracking down Kingfisher, unaware of how close the elusive assassin might be to him.
Their friend Lee Dong-jin (Lee Sang-yi) works in the Criminal Investigation Division of the police. When Kingfisher returns, Dong-jin makes it his mission to uncover the identity of the person behind the name.
Defender of Justice
When Yoo Bo-na returns to work as Kingfisher, alarm bells ring throughout the police department. The elusive assassin is back, once again taking justice into their own hands by targeting criminals who have escaped punishment or received sentences considered far too lenient.
Kingfisher is known for carrying out these jobs with precision, leaving little evidence behind and making it incredibly difficult for the authorities to track them down.
Although Bo-na has returned to her secret profession, she still considers her responsibilities as a wife and mother her top priority. However, as her assignments become increasingly complicated and new targets come her way, maintaining the balance between her two lives becomes more challenging.
Her husband, Tae-seong, begins to grow suspicious of her increasingly long working hours. Although he cannot quite put the pieces together, he starts questioning what might be keeping his wife so busy.
Despite his suspicions, Tae-seong remains devoted to his family and tries to make sense of Bo-na’s behaviour. He also attempts to convince his friend Dong-jin that Kingfisher might not be the soulless assassin he imagines. Instead, Tae-seong believes there could be a deeper motivation behind the killings, with Kingfisher acting as a figure of justice for those who have been failed by the system.
As Bo-na’s assignments become more complicated, Tae-seong edges closer and closer to discovering the truth about his wife. With her secret life threatening to collide with her family life, he will eventually have to make choices that could change their future forever.
When Action Meets Slice of Life
‘A Bona Fide Killer’ is a drama that manages to combine heartwarming family moments with action-packed storylines centred on the pursuit of justice. Watching Bo-na navigate the challenges of motherhood and marriage while secretly working as an assassin creates an intriguing contrast between the ordinary life she wants to maintain and the dangerous world she inhabits.
What makes the story particularly engaging is the way it explores justice from different perspectives. While Kingfisher takes matters into their own hands, the people closest to Bo-na have their own beliefs about right and wrong, creating tension as their lives become increasingly intertwined.
With compelling characters, a gripping storyline, and an unusual combination of action and everyday family life, ‘A Bona Fide Killer’ has been one of our favourite dramas of the year. It caught us by surprise and kept us hooked, making it a must-watch for anyone looking for something a little different.
If you enjoy action-packed dramas with emotional depth, family dynamics, and a protagonist leading a double life, make sure to check out ‘A Bona Fide Killer’ on Viki, and don’t forget to watch the trailer below!
