Ok, don't get me wrong, love affairs was a good drama in every way and I enjoyed it. It's just that my expectations partly ruined the drama for me. I expected to watch hirugao again with Korean actors and what I got instead was a Korean version of it. Admittedly, when I started seeing the drama as a separate thing, my pleasure increased so note to everyone who watched the original and liked it. In retrospect, the positives, ultimately, outweigh the negatives which makes this a worthy drama.
Before I delve deeper into the aforesaid pro and cons, i should give a general idea of the drama for those who have completely no idea what this is about. Love affairs is a romance (melo)drama with the trope of infidelity mixed to keep things interesting. There are two companion stories going on, based on the female leads. Both women having their own affairs, depicted from completely different mindsets of completely different people. First story is almost completely based on romance, while the second story is a bit more harsh and stays closer to reality in my opinion.
THE GOOD
First of all, my favourite part of the drama, the poetic monologues and continuous symbolisms. Not something easy to miss. The main female lead, who is an aspiring writer, gives constant poetic, inspiring, beautifully written and moving monologues in the background, based on love, its positive and negative effects along with the pain of loving someone unavailable and forbidden. In the same lines goes the symbolism, also quite easy to catch, with virtues like love and faith being likened to places, beings ect symbolizing the sad reality of the characters. Obvious but very sweet and idyllic setting a scenic atmosphere.
I generally appreciated how the drama kept the original's base story and general idea. I acknowledged how they tried to recreate scenes, sceneries, even designs and decorations from the original, adding plot devices that, truth be told, made the drama only better. They extended an 11 episodes drama in a 16 full hour drama quite successfully. It wasn't really boring, and even when it was dragging, the episodes were easy to watch.
The drama in its core wants to deal with the concept of happiness. It wants to set that as our personal goal and work towards that. Taking a leaf from hirugao’s original book, it sets its tone in two failed marriages, trying to showcase how people settle down for the wrong reasons ending up unhappy and then how they try to battle with that everlasting soul-eating dissatisfaction. The message, sadly, doesn't make its way across all the time, but I appreciate how they tried to keep the core message of the original story.
I especially liked how they introduced more perspectives than the people only directly affected by the affair, showing a more widened idea of infidelity's repercussions. There were character additions to intensify the drama and bring comic relief, while others were given more prominent roles that its original Japanese counterpart. They all made sense and were successfully executed. No complaints here.
The romance takes the main wheel in the drama. For those who like romance, this will be a pro. Everything happens by the book, there are a lot of cliches though, which might turn some people off.
Finally, as far as music is concerned, they tried to pull some “secret love affair” classic music atmosphere here, which was, on the whole, also quite successful.
Generally, the drama tries to (sometimes successfully sometimes not) give a more artistic feel to the plot with monologues, symbolisms and sophisticated music. Effort taken under consideration!
At this point let me give a shoutout to the 2nd couple’s storyline. Ye Ji Won's character and general plot was saved from the Over-koreanization and stayed quite true to its roots of finding yourself, growing up, understand past mistakes, and working towards happiness through a path of difficult choices that will ultimately help you grow and mature. I especially appreciated certain scenes that were magnified by her luscious acting, showing that the choice of our significant other should be based on a person that will help us and inspire us to work harder towards our dreams and not be an emotional and energy vampire that just sucks the life out of us. This is the core foundation of walking towards happiness and this storyline beautifully showed that. Being this drama's saving grace, this story line had the realness the drama demanded, the amount of drama that was appropriate, the load of pain that made sense and the much needed and deserved character development that just made you love and root for her till the end!
Thankfully, the drama offers the aforementioned rightful development for all its characters by the end (despite being quite frustrating till that point). Ending in a very positive note that we should live and be happy for us, follow our dreams, not let anyone dictate our lives. Happiness comes firstly from within. The ending was healing.
THE BAD
Even though this was a pleasant watch, I cannot overlook the fact that almost instantly I got disappointed by the direction this took and ended up quite infuriated in half of the characters for reactions and choices that felt completely foreign (even laughable) to me, for the sake of (unnecessary) drama.
Now comparisons are bound to happen. The original featured some perfectly shaped, well rounded, deeply setted in reality characters, showing each side even when it didn't really want you to take their sides (their= the cheated individuals – aka hirugao was more precise and neutral).
For the sake of romance, the Korean version failed to do that. I never really saw the cheated characters as people. To me they were degraded to mere plot devices so as to keep the main couple apart. I wholeheartedly disliked this. Hirugao respected everyone and did not reduce any character to a caricature version of a human being for the sake of romance. This should not be the intention of infidelity dramas.
Speaking about romance, I disliked it for the most part. All the cliches in the book won't make me root for a couple who pretty much has no chemistry just because they run in the rain together, sorry. I need and demand more.
Moreover, misuse of the concept of adultery. Adultery is here used as a mere plot device to keep the main couple apart and nothing more. There is much more to all of this that being a reason for the main characters to hurt for not being with their loved one. The drama does show a more widened spectrum of its consequences like the society's backlash but it still focuses too much on the romantic part. I needed more.
What's more, too much back and forth. Especially during the middle episodes the story of the main couple kept going in circles till the end, ending up to it dragging and I just never got the characters Choices. I get that this is the Korean culture and shit is different but this just felt over exaggerated again for the sake of romance drama. I've seen a big number of adultery dramas to know that things aren't (or aren't supposed to be) like that anymore. Too much effort to dramatize the wrong, in my opinion, situations (aka the romance).
It is obvious I think that my main problem here was over focus on the romance and this is why I said in the beginning, if you like romance, this is for you. Mishandled in my opinion, over-koreanized to the point it lost part of it’s original charm, without finding new life as a Korean drama. A lot of missed opportunities.
ACTING
Well… the acting overall was ok, there was sadly limited chemistry between the Main leads and I have to admit that park ha sun's crying scenes weren't very satisfying or even believable. That being said, Ye Ji Won completely saved it being her usual flawless self.
RECOMMEND
Long story short, you into some romance melo and you enjoy adultery without it being too harsh or serious? Give this a try. In my honest opinion there are many better infidelity dramas out there if you’re into that. Between this and the Japanese version, the Japanese is seas ahead, but it depends on the viewer as well. It's not a bad watch if you are a fan of the genre or just have nothing else to watch.
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The only thing I didn't like is how there is very little epilogue of the two leads together
I usually don't like drama centered on adultery. Of those I've watched, I am always on the side of the cheated partners, even if the story lets me understand why the cheating happened. However, in this drama, I am completely on the pairs who committed adultery. I also understand why they didn't just break off with their current relationships. There are times that I sympathize with the cheated spouses, but most of the times, I am cheering for the cheating couples. I am not too invested with the 2nd affair but the main couple really got me. I understand their emotions all throughout the drama, even on times that they don't have much dialogue or not overly showing emotions. Even the subtle show of emotions in their eyes, change in their facial expressions or little gestures showed enough for me to understand. I almost dropped it on the 1st ep but the more interaction the main cheating couple have, the more I become gripped by the story. I didn't give it 10 stars coz I would have liked it more for the main leads to have longer reunion scene after all the shit they've gone through. The ending is still good enough for me to like it but I really think that it's just rushed and not as satisfying as I would like it to be.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
If you decide to watch it, dont drop it if you start disliking first 2 episodes.I was also ready to drop it, as I got bored by beginning of ep 2, and I disliked 2nd female lead's affairs as she already had 2 kids, but I guess she wasnt much to be blamed for the way she acted due to being ignored a lot by her husband who didn't show her any love in years or care.
And I really hated male lead's wife, 3 years apart, and she felt like a controlling wife in some things if you see the drama.
I did a lot of skipping around and also thanks to first 10 episodes being recapped found on google, as I cared mostly following story line that involved main female/male leads, that being the main reason I decided to keep on watching this drama and also hearing it had HAPPY ENDING FOR THEM and side stories wasnt too much interested, they didnt seem much interesting to me.
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I liked the main leads; their chemistry was good, and you could see their emotions in their eyes for each other every time they met.
From beginning, you could see they are lonely souls who were stuck in broken marriages, female lead wasnt receiving any love over 3 years and female lead's husband called her "mom" to 2 birds he cared and loved more and gave attention instead of his wife.
Male lead lived alone for over 3 years as his wife was doing school in U.S., so he felt loneliness and his love for his wife was gone.
EPISODE 1 got me hooked if you noticed when the two main leads met; they felt like lonely souls and without understanding there felt like sparks being awaken within each other's soul from that first encounter at the mark.
And I enjoyed a lot their encounter at the park, 2 broken souls and emotions flying in their eyes, I wont spoil anything major.
But first few encounters, their souls felt awaking each time, as female lead was leading a tired and lonely life before she met male lead.
Male lead was a just leading a lonely life.
They talk about their first encounter around ep 13-14; so you will understand it better if you watch this drama.
<> So, in overall beside skipping a lot this drama, secondary characters, I did enjoy a lot this drama and since it had a happy ending, unlike the japanese version that had a sad ending for the main leads.
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Acting : Overall, it was really good ! All the actors were really good at portraying their character's emotions, changing with the time.
Music : The music was ok ? Very good at keeping in the melancolic atmosphere, but nothing that I will remember...
Overall : A very underated drama that everyone should watch ! If you're hesitating because of the subject of having an affair, don't worry ! It shows 2 different types of women, and how both deal with it, and it end up being harsh and painful for the both of them...
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I am So Glad I Found This Gem
Gotta be honest, watching the adultery/infidelity-ish kind of story makes me frustrated. However, the first episode hooked me right away! While watching this series, I can't help but compare the two female leads. Son Jieun character is really depressing to watch. Yoon Jungwoo... I can't really understand him at first. I don't see any problems in his marriage. Their affair somehow feels artificial to me. On the other hand, Choi Sooah and Do Hayoon affair is really good on screen. I liked Park Jimin and Lee Ajin subplot too (not considering their actual age gap). All in all, this is a good adaptation!Was this review helpful to you?
Surprisingly real, mature, and addicting!
The bindweed flower plays a pivotal role in this drama, and its meaning drawn in slowly and deeply is mentioned several times by the leads. The drama follows the same course, it is slow at first but then it draws you in deeply and intensely especially after the tenth episode. I really felt for and with the characters. Love Affairs in the Afternoon commits to its theme of infidelity unlike some other Korean dramas with similar themes. I was surprised how honest and unapologetic the drama is in terms of feelings and emotions of characters cheating on their partners. The romance between the leads is written beautifully and there is a tenderness with which their relationship is dealt with, that drew me in and stayed with me even after the show ended. Some subplots like that about the birds is awkward and plays far more of an important role than it should have even if they were trying to make some metaphorical remarks about love but still the plot keeps moving and always throws something new at you especially in the latter half of the show. I found the romance between the leads very compelling and I wish the show kept its focus on them. I can see how Soo Ah's story is important as well, but I couldn't help but wait for her story to pass and for the other two leads to be on screen. However, I did enjoy the friendship between Soo Ah and Ji Eun and how both women supported each other throughout. I think the strongest aspect of the show is its story and its overall message of finding one's most authentic self. It is written from a very open , honest, and empowering stance. I found out only after watching the show that it is a remake of a Japanese show, so I credit them for such a strong and honest voice.I felt that the acting and OST could have been better, which would have added more depth to the show. Also, given how passionate Ji Eun and Jung Woo's relationship is, I felt the show is somewhat conservative with showing physical intimacy between them which is not necessarily an issue and keeps it subtle, but it could have been shown more realistically. I started watching the show for Lee Sang Yeob as the ML and I wasn't disappointed although I felt he could have been more expressive in some scenes. Park Ha Seun as Ji Eun is not as convincing early on in the show, somehow she can't capture the sadness and loneliness as well but she gets better as the show moves forward. I also found some pieces missing or never explained throughout the show, such as the drama shows both leads' in-laws but you never get to see their parents. Maybe it is implied that Ji Eun is an orphan or something, but it's strange that you never get to see her parents or anyone on her side even when she is suffering. I could have missed it, but if she's an orphan it makes sense why she found it hard to leave her husband at first. Also beware that the show is straight up melodrama, so even if infidelity is handles very realistically, some aspects seem exaggerated, especially how both spouses handle the situation and it can be rather annoying and dated to watch. Overall though, I was surprised by the depth of this drama and I may even watch it again just for their beautiful love story. It also had one of the most satisfying finales that gives closure to all characters. I'm happy I stumbled across this drama on Viki only recently. I'm surprised it was not on my radar before, it certainly is a good romance melodrama if you're into that genre.
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Different Than Expected, Entertaining, Light
My 4 categories are Acting/Cast, Writing, Direction/SFX/Music, Entertainment Value.I was in the mood to watch some marital drama. I was hoping for abusive husbands. I just like depressing shit.
Acting/Cast: A decent cast with decent acting. Actually, I'm only familiar with three of the actors. The ones that I'm not familiar with did a great job. I would say that Lee Sang Yeob (이상엽 - the male lead who is a teacher), Park Ha Sun (박하선 - the female lead), Choi Byung Mo (최병모 - the husband of the second female lead), and Shim Hye Yun (심혜연 - the little girl) were the actors that stood out to me the most. The two leads in particular, had really good chemistry together. 7.5/10
Writing: Contrary to the drama's title, this drama isn't very risqué...at all. This is either a good or bad depending on the reason for watching. This drama was less about the cheating and more about the psychology behind the reasons for ending up in an affair, losing themselves, and trying to find freedom. I liked the use of the birds and the bird cage as symbols throughout the drama. Right when I saw birds in cages I knew what was going on. I had some issues with the writing, however. I don't like how horrible they made the female lead's husband seem in the beginning. I would have been fine with it if they had kept him horrible, but he becomes a nice, normal person very quickly. They kind of did the same thing with the second female lead's husband, but at least he was horrible for a longer period of time. Also, the male lead's story bothered me a bit. I think he has the least justification for cheating. He could have easily left his "wife". So, it just made him look really bad. Another issue I had was with the second female lead's affair. I didn't understand how they fell in love. It was left ambiguous from what I could gather. Also, the second female lead seemed to change pretty drastically because she fell in love with this guy, but I don't understand why. She's a morally gray character (maybe even more of a villain) who proudly and regularly cheats and encourages the female lead (and even manipulates her) to cheat on her husband as well. Suddenly, it's like she becomes a hero and I guess we're supposed to just forgive her. Despite all of these issues, I think I enjoyed this drama as much as I did because of the dialogue writing and the pacing. The ending is also good. 4/10
Direction/SFX/Music: The SFX and the music is fine; nothing special. The direction, however, was very well done. I liked the vibe of the drama, the pacing, the shots. It had a nice feel to it that made it easy to watch. 5.5/10
Entertainment Value: I binged this drama. I would say that none of the relationships in this drama are enviable or desirable in any capacity, but it was still entertaining to watch. I was scared for the women because in the beginning there's a house fire that was started due to an affair. I was rooting for them to find freedom without any bloodshed because none of the characters really deserve that. They all just seem like relatively normal people that found themselves in depressing situations. Another reason I found this drama so entertaining was because of the focus on the psychology of the characters. I was interested to see how each of the spouses would react once they found out about the affairs. 7/10
Overall, I gave this drama a 6/10. A 6 or higher is in my recommended zone. I was really surprised I liked this as much as I did. No abusive husbands though. I would compare this drama to My Liberation Notes (which I had also rated a 6/10). Although, this drama isn't as dialogue heavy, which was nice. If you like life dramas and aren't looking for something too adult, then you might like this.
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I dont get the message at all. Very different from Japanese Version.
The Music is PERFECT..... IF IT PLAYED IN ROMANCE MELLOW DRAMA, but, this drama is not Romance Mellow Drama Right??? As The Produser Said.
Just watch it if you are in Affair right now, maybe it will help you to be more convinced with your forbidden love. Because this drama Helps you to know that "Affair is Really Beautiful", .
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Not for me, slow pace, lost interest
This was a very draggy show for me, i skipped from ep 6 to 16 just to get it over with, many people like this show and that’s fine, it does have deep meanings to it and I’m not siding with anyone, everyone will take something different from it, but it was just to slow for me and it also had to many couples, you have 3 main couples and then is just splits from there, with everyone cheating, either emotionally of physically. Relationships are about give and take equally, communicating, and listening, if that’s a problem, then the relationship has a problem.Was this review helpful to you?
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The Produser Said "Hyemi Stephanie Produsernya bilang "I didn't think it was a romance about married people who cheated"After 1-12 Episode I have Watched. This is All about ROMANCE ABOUT MARRIED PEOPLE WHO CHEATED.
So , If you Dont Like Cheating, Affairs, Or Hell.
Don't watch this drama, The ROMANCE about Married People is Bigger than The MESSAGE from HEAVEN. You'll just Love the ROMANCE between 2 married persons who cheated, This drama after 1-12 episode is like "IT'S OK TO DO AN AFFAIR".
I Think last 4 episodes will not Enough to GET THE MESSAGE in People Heart.
A have watched the Japanese Version "HIRUGO", and that is way way better than the korean version, Because the korean version just give you that "ROMANCE" .
OverAll, Bad drama. I don't get the message because the ROMANCE is FILLING this Drama Mostly.
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I vaguely remember plot point similarities throughout, but rest assured that the Koreans did make it into something drastically different. Even if you watched the Japanese version, I still highly recommend watching the Korean version... The main characters' chemistry was there (albeit very different from my Saito x Ueto feels) and the acting was superb.
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