This drama performs like an up-and-coming magician who did not quite live up to its name. First, the set-up looks interesting: all the characters are there, playing their own roles, wearing fancy clothes, complete with the sob-backstory so they can seem more endearing. Then, we are razzled-and-dazzled with more glitter with a snap of a finger or ten. Hoping you don’t notice the loopholes, the writers juggle things around, employing slow motion and time travel tricks to mesmerize and confuse you. Then they attempted to throw you a red-herring, but it’s not really a red-herring because they made the villain so obvious that you think, “it can’t be that easy, right?”

Well, that’s what “My Demon” ends up being and the lackluster acting from Song Kang isn’t helping the show. Though he’s easy on the eyes, and albeit playful, I couldn’t believe that people are supposed to fear this guy! It’s like sending Bugs Bunny to play Batman. I was expecting for the banter between Gu Won and Do Hee to carry throughout the show, but after he realized his warm feelings for her, the “Demon” became a sap.

It was a good thing then that Do Hee wasn’t entirely hopeless even after entering a contracted relationship with the devil himself. She stuck to her guns despite the obstacles thrown her way. I also loved her relationship with the Chairwoman. I wish there was more of that in the show.

The rest of the characters are cardboard cutouts with one dimensional personalities. Frankly, the only thing that prevented some of them from disappearing into the background are the actors’ performances.

The comedic relief provided by the unlikely tandem of Park Bok Kyu and Shin Da Jeong is quirky at best and cringey at worst. I guess we can say the same about the Gang boss, whose minions were just there to fill up the screen.

In the beginning, “My Demon” looks like it had a good concept, but the writing and execution were lacking. If you take this drama with a grain of salt, you might enjoy the visuals.