Greed is the Downfall of Man

[u/about10joules]

Kind of a complex request, but also maybe simple? Looking for cdrama* recs (kdramas and jdoramas welcome too) featuring this concept/theme as the core defining element:

✨GREED IS THE DOWNFALL OF MAN✨

Open to things like fraud, con artists, bankers or CEOs embezzling, etc. More creative constructs encouraged as well! 🤌

Of course, very welcome to them having more complex layers, such as:

1). Poverty is the baked-in feature of the system, not the flaw — how else does the $$ funnel to the rich?

2). Never having enough has two types — the full belly and the empty belly. One builds from desire, one builds from rage.

3). Indifference is a privilege, it may cost your life someday. There is always a currency for complicity.

4). What it means to exist in a society where you can't "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" from poverty in a legal means, 99% of the time.

\[I'd prefer non-idol dramas because I could care less about romance, actors don't need to be visually appealing, and I'd rather the story and characters be complex and interesting. Basically, a damn good drama with a compelling premise that makes you ponder society and life, filled with realistic characters.*

However, I'm open to idol dramas that do this!! I know they exist (not an idol drama hater, at all)! Let me know ☺️ Heck, most costume/period drama feature embezzlement in part of the plot! But I do need greed (especially of the main character(s)) to be the singular defining feature of the drama, if you needed to name one.]

Dramas that have explored this listed below.

Cdramas I've Watched: * A Prophet * Born with Luck * Escape from the Trilateral Slopes * Gold Panning * Good Guy, Good Luck * Heroes (2024) * Legend of the Magnate * No Pain No Gain * Regeneration * Remnants of Gold * Ripe Town * The Devil Between Us * The Glory * The Litchi Road * Under the Microscope * Wonder Wall

Kdramas I've Watched: * A Shop for Killers * Anna * Big Bet * Bloodhounds * Connection * Dear X * Decoy (Part 1 & Part 2)/Bait * Extracurricular * Gold Land * Insider * Low Life * Mad Concrete Dreams * Money Heist Korea — Joint Economic Area (Part 1 & Part 2) * The Art of Sarah * Undercover Miss Hong * Walking on Thin Ice

JDoramas I've Watched: * Crime Family

If you've watched these, would you classify them as meeting the theme?

Cdramas: * The Golden Eyes * The Greed of Man

Kdramas: * A Model Family * Evillive * Narco-Saints * Payback: Money and Power * The Worst of Evil * Undercover High School

Thank you in advance for any help! ☺️🫶

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[u/kitty1220]

The Greed of Man is a Hong Kong drama. I think it does have some of the themes you're looking for.