Over My Dead Body

Ming is the practical, anxious figure who discovers the body at their door. He advocates calling the police, but is overruled by others who fear stigma and financial consequences. He becomes part of the concealment scheme, balancing guilt with the urge to protect his family's precarious position.

Meghan is the controlling mother-in-law who fears the apartment's stigma and devaluation more than the corpse. She resists police involvement and pushes the group to move the body to protect their financial interests. Her pragmatism masks a ruthless drive to maintain social standing.

Kingston is Ming's brother-in-law who collaborates in the scheme, driven by self-preservation and the desire to maintain their debt-ridden lifestyle. He navigates shifting loyalties within the group, often acting as a bridge between fear and action. His participation reveals the fragility of trust in a high-stakes concealment.

Boron is the elderly neighbor in 14B who confronts the neighbors over the commotion. His protective attitude toward his own property and retirement plans fuels the conflict. He embodies the clash between old-world propriety and modern moral ambiguity within the building.

Betty is Boron's wife and a fellow resident who gets drawn into the tensions surrounding the corpse. She mirrors the group’s concern with consequences and the need to safeguard their living situation. Her stance reflects the collective anxiety of long-term tenants in a changing neighborhood.

Mary is a taciturn woman in 14C rumored to be connected with sorcery, and she keeps a secret pet. Her enigmatic behavior adds a layer of superstition to the group’s anxiety, offering a possible, though uncertain, source of help. She embodies the themes of mystery and unconventional knowledge within the community.

Bear is a resident of 14D who introduces the man as his own, adding to the confusion and misdirection. He participates in the group’s attempts to drift away from responsibility while maintaining his own safety. His presence intensifies the sense that everyone is protecting their own interests.

Messi is Bear's son who comes into the plot as a reluctant ally, caught between his father's tensions and the others' schemes. He offers moments of reluctant cooperation and practical input, balancing bravado with age-old family loyalties. His involvement shows how family ties complicate moral decisions.

Lee is the security guard who uncovers the body and becomes a focal point of the residents' attempts to control the situation. His eventual heart attack and death underscore the escalating danger and the consequences of their actions. He represents the detection and disruption of their plan within the building’s system.

Sue is a resident of 13A who is getting married the next day and wants to avoid bad luck in the building. She offers to help, notably by smuggling the corpse under her bridal gown and coordinating a tea ceremony plan. Her involvement ties personal life events to the larger moral dilemma, showing how ordinary rituals intersect with extraordinary misfortune.