Introduction
The Art of Sarah explores how ambition, luxury, and relentless reinvention can make a person’s constructed persona more tangible than their original self.
The drama uses overlapping flashbacks and multiple perspectives. It’s an engaging watch if you like solving psychological puzzles.
The leading actress’s performance keeps the series compelling and afloat, holding the story together when the narrative structure becomes convoluted.
About the article title, “the real fake”, will be explained in the Spoiler section.
Drama Info
Drama title: The Art of Sarah (Native title: 레이디 두아)
Alternative titles: Lady Doir, Lady Dua, Reidi Dua
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Psychological, Crime
Aired: 13 Feb, 2026
Episodes: 8 | Duration: 44 min.
Director: Kim Jin Min (김진민)
Screenwriter: Chu Song Yeon (추송연)
Where to watch: Netflix
OST
“The Birth of Sarah” by Hwang Sang Jun (황상준)
“Fake” by Elaine (일레인)
“Fake It So Real” by Youra (유라)
“Glow” by 3rd Time/Kim Muse (김뮤즈)
“All Gone” by Seol Ho Seung (설호승) from SURL
Trailer
Synopsis
A body was found in the middle of town. A luxe label on the rise. A detective tests every stitch of a woman’s story that keeps changing. What really happened? (Source: Netflix)
Characters
Main Characters
Shin Hae Sun (신혜선) as Sarah Kim
The Asia Region General Manager of the high-end brand “Boudoir”.
A mysterious figure whose name can be heard anywhere, but ironically, is not easily seen anywhere.
In the world of the most dazzling upper class, the story of Sarah Kim, who was suddenly identified as the victim of an unidentified murder case, begins to be unveiled.
Lee Jun Hyuk (이준혁) as Park Mu Gyeong
Inspector Park is the Team Leader of the 1st Team, 2nd Division, Violent Crimes Investigation Unit, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
The top contributor to the violent crimes unit’s arrest rate.
Always maintaining a perfectly pressed suit, boasting piercing insights and ruthless coldness.
Supporting Characters
Jung Yeo Jin (Park Bo Kyung) – Sarah’s friend
Woo Hyo Eun (Jung Da Bin) – Sarah’s subordinate
Hong Seong Sin (Jung Jin Young) – loan shark
Kim Mi Jeong (Lee Yi Dam) – Sarah’s subordinate
Choi Chae U (Bae Jong Ok) – Chairwoman of Samwol Department Store
Kang Ji Hwon (Kim Jae Won) – Choi’s secretary
My Rating
My rating for this drama was based on MyDramaList’s scoring system, which is from 0.0 to 10.0. For any drama/movie/show I completed, I gave a minimum rating of 6.0 to appreciate the hard work of the production team, and to adjust to MyDramaList’s overall score base. From 6.0, this drama has additional scores of:
+ 0.5 for the revelation of Sarah Kim (psychological/thriller genre). The revelation of the dead body (crime/mystery genre) sucks.
+ 0.5 for the characterization and acting of Sarah/Shin Hae Sun. Other characters are either 2-D or crammed into an 8-episode plot.
+ 1.0 for visualization: cinematography and costume, makeup, props.
Thus, my final rating is 8.0/10. I will explain the details in my review below.
Review
Story and Plot
Story
Beyond the murder mystery, the show explores deeper themes of identity, social inequity, and materialism:
Identity as defined by presentation and social media.
Through Sarah Kim, the narrative shows how a person’s identity can be manufactured and curated through luxury symbols and social media. For example, Sarah Kim acted like she was a new-rich Korean American by shopping at upscale shops and buying whatever she touched.
Moreover, social media spread the Boudoir brand as a high-end, century-old European luxury brand that caters exclusively to the top 0.1%.
Image translation (spoiler alert)
A woman who has changed her identity at least three times over the years. All the testimonies about her were different, but, strangely, none of their words seemed like lies.
Social Inequity and social classification.
Sarah Kim was driven to escape her working-class background and climb to the upper-class of the top 0.1%.
It highlights the division between old money and the nouveau riche, for example, as shown between Jung Yeo Jin (new rich) and Chairman Choi (old rich).
In Episode 6, Inspector Park was denied entry at an exclusive party in his attempt to question Chairman Choi, despite he showed the police badge. However, his subordinate, a rookie police officer, was allowed to enter the venue because his father, an assemblyman, was present at the party as well.
Vanity and Materialism: The drama critiques modern society’s obsession with luxury brands, wealth, and status, using fashion as a symbol of standing that often masks emptiness or moral decay. To achieve success, Sarah Kim went too far to achieve power and status.
Plot
After several episodes, the narrative becomes too confusing, losing its initial attractiveness from the first few episodes. I think that there are several supporting characters with interesting backgrounds. Although we may be intrigued by those backgrounds, with only 8 episodes, their backstories crowded the main plot.
The commentary on social vanity and luxury goods feels is repeated too often, almost in every episode.
By the end of the drama, although the psychological/thriller narrative (the identity revelation of Sarah Kim and her backstory) is interesting and strong enough to keep the viewers on the edge of their seats, the mystery/crime plot is full of holes and illogicalities, which makes the prestigious Seoul Metropolitan Police Department police/forensic work seems a child’s play.
Examples:
- The red herring of John Doe’s body they found at the lake.
- The kidney transplantation sample was stolen from the hospital. Can’t they obtain another sample?
- The haphazard forensic examination of the victim (the surgery scar, hands/fingers, tattoo)
- The cross-check of the Boudoir brand.
- The fake confession, acceptance, and Inspector Park promotion based on a known lie.
Characterization and Acting
Characterization
The Female Lead, Sarah Kim, is a complex character, especially because her entire identity is a meticulously crafted performance. Unfortunately, the Male Lead, Inspector Park Mu Gyeong, is only a two-dimensional character. His character function is only as a plot device to uncover Sarah’s secrets. The supporting characters have interesting backgrounds, but their stories make the plot messy.
Acting
Shin Hye Sun was phenomenal in this drama, her character carries the whole show. Her performance is the primary vehicle for delivering a story’s plot and emotional depth, transforming dialogues into tangible, impactful moments. Her ability to navigate several identities within a single role moves between one character and another seamlessly.
Visualization
Cinematography
The camera work was exceptionally smooth, stable, and professional-looking, utilizing advanced, controlled, or automated camera movements. The result was a polished, cinematic, or high-end look, which was crucial for this fashion-themed drama.
Meticulous set direction with intense attention to detail in staging within the camera’s view, ensuring the set, costumes, and lighting work together to create a specific, cohesive look or mood.
Costume, makeup, and props
With an endless array of high couture, this drama emphasizes visual luxury and metaphorical cinematography to mirror its themes of high-society deception. The production value is heavily invested in set design and props that represent extreme wealth and prestige.
A significant portion of the production effort went into the styling and makeup team to clearly differentiate Sarah Kim’s multiple personas—from a working-class shop girl to a high-society executive—through distinct wardrobe changes.
Conclusion
My takeaway from The Art of Sarah is that the series serves as a commentary on society’s obsession with appearances. It posits that if a lie is crafted perfectly enough that no one can tell the difference, it effectively becomes the truth.
Looking at the polarized drama reviews, showing extreme positive and negative reactions, in my opinion:
If you like psychological/thriller genres, this drama may be for you.
If you like mystery/crime genres, this drama may not be for you.
The Art of Sarah excels in the presentation of Sarah Kim’s sanity, safety, and identity, and evokes the viewer’s mental and emotional dread, rather than the intellectual, puzzle-solving nature of crime mysteries.
Spoilers
All spoilers below are considered major spoilers. Read at your own risk.
What’s with the article title “the real fake”?
Sarah Kim is not her real name. Her real name is Mok Ga Hui. She is a con artist (hence the drama title The Art of Sarah).
Other “real fake” examples in this drama: The Boudoir brand is real, but the handbags are made of fake leather. The real wanted to be fake Sarah Kim. The real Sarah Kim makes a fake confession as Kim Mi Jeong. Inspector Park accepted the fake confession, knowing well she was the real Sarah Kim, to close the case. Inspector Kim, who as a police officer pursues the truth, is promoted based on a fabricated fact. What an irony.
What is the ending? (short answer)
In my opinion, it’s bittersweet.
How is the ending? (long answer)
Bitter: Sarah Kim was sentenced to 10 years. Sweet: She managed to keep the “Boudoir” brand. Inspector Park was promoted.
Who is the victim? (the dead body)
Kim Mi Jeong.
Who is the culprit? (the killer)
Sarah Kim.
What is the killing motif?
Self-defense. Kim Mi Jeong wanted to kill Sarah Kim. During the fight, Sarah Kim unintentionally killed her.
