Remarriage and Desires

"Remarriage and Desires" is a drama about Hye Seung, a woman who discovers that her husband is cheating on her with Yoo Hui. The problem is that the story is not that simple. Yoo Hui seduced Hye Seung's husband on purpose, to use him and discard him whenever she wanted, and she does exactly that, blaming him for all the crimes she committed. Hye Seung's husband ends up killing himself and she decides to punish those who destroyed her family.

The idea behind the drama is very good, Hye Seung wants revenge against Yoo Hui, she finds out that Yoo Hui is interested in Hyung Ju, so Hye Seung decides to get closer to him, to ruin Yoo Hui's plans, but that's the problem, Hye Seung kept saying that she had her own character, that she had no ulterior motives when getting closer to Hyung Ju, but that's partly a lie, because her purpose wasn't to seduce him, it was to tell the truth about Yoo Hui, but technically she used Hyung Ju in this process.

The problem with the drama is the development, there are only 8 episodes so everything is done very quickly, there wasn't enough time to shape the story properly. It was supposed to be about new weddings and desires, right?! Honestly, I don't know where the desires went, since everyone was super apathetic, there's no strength, impact in the story, there's no energy of revenge... it's all very boring. Not even the "romance" manages to captivate attention, especially because I didn't see anything romantic.

The relationship between Hye Seung and Hyung Ju is weird, they only saw each other a few times and it was clear that they created a connection because of their children and the traumas they suffered in their marriages because of betrayals, but the story didn't give them enough time to develop a relationship between them. That wedding at the end?! It was ridiculous.

This drama a complete disappointment, I don't even know how it was possible to make a story like this, with such a magnificent cast. Kim Hee Sun was wasted in this production.

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Sublime Sensuality, Exciting Paced Drama but Mediocre Revenge Arc!

This Drama is for YOU - If You LIKE:
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♥ Sublime Sensuality:
I love when romance is built up without excessive acts of service, nudity/sex scenes. To me this drama also was about second chance at love. The main characters are distrustful of being hurt again; hence their romance is built with less words, but rather care, understanding. The sensuality/sexual tension is palpable but not in your face. The leads did not even have a single kissing scene but their moments together were charming. Areumdaun/Beautiful (아름다운) to the core!

♥ Acting par Excellence:
As expected of actors in their caliber - all the characters irrespective of the script, played their characters to perfection.
Kim Hee Sun needs no words, she is flawless. Cha Ji Yeon, Park Hoon, Lee Hyun Wook - I have literally seen them in just one other drama respectively where even their minor roles they had left quite an impression. This drama was even better as they had more screentime to show their talent. I personally will now look up their other works & watch especially for - Lee Hyun Wook! Jung Eugene - I have seen her in many dramas, but she was not memorable until this antagonist role. She brings life to the character that is truly despicable. You'll want to pull her hair, bitch-slap her & hope karma hits her hard - which is only the result of her embodying the character to perfection. Kudos!

♥ Beautiful Cinematography, Screenplay & OST:
Costumes, locations, make-up - everything was minimalist but luxurious & the music is hauntingly beautiful & hypnotic. Both interweave with the scenes & characters perfectly enhancing the viewing experience. The screenplay/pace of drama - is not neck-breaking, but you cannot help but end up watching just one more episode. Inconspicuously, all these factors aid in making this makjang drama keeping it thrilling & (almost)-unpredictable.

What MIGHT BOTHER You:
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✘ The Revenge Served is Very Cold. Almost Frozen.
Given the initial build-up & despicable antagonist(s), I thought the revenge was average. Not unsatisfactory, but neither leaving me with a triumphant feeling as a viewer. I blame the script for weakening it, even though I appreciate that it was not draggy & the 8-episode format is a satisfactory timeframe for this story to conclude.

P.S. I do not want to detail the ending, cause that will spoil it - but it came quite unannounced with no preamble to the twist they gave. Again it is satisfactory cause everyone is hoping for it but an explanation would have been nicer, even if it had been in form of a flashback between the characters.

✘ Some Support Characters felt unfinished
Not sure if there will be a Season 2, but there were some characters like the SML & the owner of Rex whose stories felt rather unfinished. I say rather, cause you can be contend with their ending, but personally I had questions on what will happen to them now that the main plot is resolved.

OVERALL: almost Perfect, succinct thrilling makjang! 8/10
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✦ The above negatives are not deal breakers, but it would have made it a perfect 10/10 drama had they been there.
✦ I am slowly getting into makjang dramas, this being my 3rd after Penthouse & Perfect Marriage Revenge. I did not know I would enjoy this genre as much as I do, but if the quality/story is anything like this one- I cannot help but keep binging!
✦ Remarriage & Desires is special cause it is short & beautifully executed. I even rewatched some episodes, as soon as I finished the drama for pleasure viewing (Scenes like the masquerade, yacht, initial tension between the main leads)
✦ For those who enjoy this genre, or want to explore it (like I did) you should not miss this one.
✦ Will recommend watching the drama first to like the OST more, but here is YT link. Memorable piece as is the drama!
Seori - Wicked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcKMeqRej1g

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A lavish revenge tale that dazzles visually but stumbles in storytelling.​

Remarriage & Desires (2022) – 6.5/10: A Glossy Revenge Drama That Tries to Be 'Penthouse' but Ends Up 'PowerPoint'

💍 THE GOOD:

Kim Hee-sun as Seo Hye-seung – Delivers a poised performance as a woman seeking revenge in the elite matchmaking world.​

Slick production design – Lavish settings and high-fashion wardrobes provide visual appeal.​

Satirical premise – Offers a critique of societal obsession with status and marriage.​
The Envoy Web
⚠️ THE "ALMOST, BUT..." MOMENTS:

Pacing issues – The series' slow build-up may test viewers' patience, with momentum picking up only in the final episodes. ​
Rotten Tomatoes

Convoluted character dynamics – Complex relationships and numerous subplots can lead to confusion.
The Envoy Web
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Repetitive soundtrack – Limited musical themes become monotonous over time.
💔 STANDOUT SCENES:

Masquerade ball – A visually striking event that encapsulates the show's themes of deception and desire.​

Final confrontation – A climactic moment where secrets unravel and motivations are laid bare.​

🎯 VERDICT:

"Remarriage & Desires" presents a satirical look at high-society matchmaking, with strong performances and luxurious visuals. However, its slow pacing and complex plotlines may not appeal to all viewers.​

Watch if: You're interested in a drama that critiques societal norms with a touch of glamour.​

Skip if: You prefer fast-paced narratives with straightforward plots.​

Best paired with: A glass of champagne and a penchant for melodrama.​

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Forgettable

I watched this because of Kim Hee Seon, because she's one of my favourite Korean actors, and unfortunately, her acting was quite possibly the only thing I could like in this show. And even her acting wasn't enough for me to connect in any real way with her character, let alone any other character there. Everyone felt so flat and two-dimensional, which leaves me wondering why all of these extremely talented actors read the script and decided that it would be a role worth taking up. It's not even that the plot was bad - maybe it was the length, but neither the revenge nor the romance plot really made sense. They were both so horribly rushed that it felt forced, and I couldn't see any depth to either. I couldn't connect with either, just as I couldn't connect with the characters or their motives - in any other drama I would have had a horrible case of Second Lead Syndrome, but with this I couldn't even bring myself to care the least bit. Held my attention enough to binge it though, so I'm not rating it as low as I might have otherwise.

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There are better revenge dramas out there.

In summary I thought the plot was clumsy and ill conceived.

I feel like 80% of it is taken up by people traveling to other destinations to threaten another person, and then all of those people have to travel to another destination to talk about it and repeat.

Also they keep styling her like an elderly teacher from the '80s. She has some of the most ugly outfits that I've seen on a K-drama. The frumpiness is unrelenting.

For the most part the actress has a worried furrowed brow expression, and it becomes so repetitive. The dynamic becomes repetitive. The fact that she continually makes things worse for herself she never plays it smart not harder. She always plays it harder and not smart, it becomes agonizingly frustrating to watch.

They provide a little backstory on some of the antagonists, but not enough for some of their motives. What is the matchmaker ultimately trying to accomplish as she runs her business into the ground, for what? What is the attorney using all her embezzled money on? Why is she so upset with Kang Nam-Sik for mentioning marriage when she's the one who bought him a ring? And it is unforgivable that Seo Hye-Seung had that phone the whole entire time and only got it fixed at the end.

I felt like the kids delivered really solid performances though. But that's not enough to make the whole thing palatable.

There are better revenge dramas out there, this one is just not fulfilling.

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Promising but doesn’t pack a punch.

the story is good but then it doesn’t tie together at all and everything just happens very quickly towards the end. like if the man who went to jail had evidence of the girl’s crimes why wouldn’t he show it as evidence to get a lighter sentence??? the main leads have chemistry but there’s no clear point where they develop feelings and then suddenly “Will you marry me?” like huh??? no character development for the male lead. he says “I don’t trust women” bc of his horrible ex wife and then they don’t dig deeper at all 😭😭 it was a mini series when it should’ve had 16 eps.

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Meh

Fell flat. The word that I connected with most on other reviews was "underwhelming". That sums it up perfectly. Didn't feel like FL really won considering all she went through to get there. Even though the villain was jailed at the end, she murders the guy who got out of jail, almost murders the daughter and the FL. Felt like she dealt way more damage than she received. Not much revenge. The "revenge" seemed for the most part about the FL threatening to out her and reveal what she had done. That's it. Not much there.
Also the romance between the leads was practically non-existent. There was nothing written to really explain or show developing feelings between the two. He showed vague interest in her at the party but then goes out with villain and sleeps with her. He also goes out with another woman and accuses FL of deliberately getting close to him VIA tutoring his son. And while he later apologizes for it there is no real show of feelings for her. It's after the boat ride where he is, I guess, fallen in love with her, but there wasn't really anything to show that there. The only thing that happened on the boat was her falling into him when the boat rocked and her taking care of the son's cut. But no real chemistry was shown there. The two leads never even kiss for the whole drama despite how it ends. Weird.

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Fight till the end!!!!

I randomly stumbled upon this short 8 episodes drama and have nothing to watch at the moment I give it a try. It was good, and I enjoy the thrill of the FL going after the second FL and giving her a taste of her own medicine.

All the characters did well and it was astonishing to watch how every character's life is full of riches, but behind those walls---there's deception, insecurities, disloyalty; and miscommunications.

I feel sorry for the FL that her husband of a cheater died but also proud of the FL to reveal the second FL her garbage to the world at the end. Justice was served in the end, and that is all that matters.

In the end, when you think about it the marriage agency can do more damage than good; especially if the people going there are not seeking a genuine proposal.

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why so many low ratings?

I don’t know why this drama has a low rating to be honest I loved everything about this drama it screams wealthy rich from the cars, the fashion, and houses.

Every character played their role very well, especially yoo hui and CEO yoo sun and it was very entertaining to watch them both on scream.

You’ll like it if you liked penthouse, the world of the married, this drama had a lot of new faces for me and I am happy to have discovered new actors and actresses.

The ending had a huge twist and the way the producers left off the show I think there will be another season because so much that needs to be explained and more that needs to be shown, it was cut short and felt rushed after episode 6 and I would like it if they made it 16 ep or at least 12 but overall I would recommend watching this drama

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Greek Gods Dates

My first time to watch both leads in a drama. I don't remember LeeHyun Wook's role in She Would NeverKnow. But, I did watch that drama because of Rowoon and loved it.

I'm honestly not a fan of revenge plots. Like, the main husband cheated so he only gets what he deserves. I mean you reap what you sow. It clearly shows that the wife still loves her husband afterall. I mean, why bother going thru all those when she can just start a better life with her daughter. Well, I guess to clear out husband's name for them not to be bullied in any way may it be for work or school for their child.

I'll point out first the downside of this drama for me. One, is the FL's fashion sense. Like come on, she looked like a 50 yr old woman where her rival looked around in her mid 30's only. I hope she was dressed with something that she'll look like at least in her late 30's or early 40's perhaps. Given that her ML looked like he was just in his mid 30's. Second, given the title, I was kinda looking forward to more romance and steaminess in this drama, but, that felt lacking. Like, come on, I don't remember if the MC ever kissed in a single ep. Third, the finale. Like, the wedding gown is a failure, even the ceremony itself, like why would the ex march her down to the aisle? I mean, it should have been the son of the groom at least.

As for the good point of this drama, as any typical kdrama plot, the first episode will get you hooked with the substance its giving. I liked Hyun Wook, He looks hot in his role. I kinda hope I'd seen how he kissed. I enjoyed the family date in the yacht. I wwas looking forward to more dates of them. Sadly, the finale felt rushed. And yeah, lots of words have been quite eaten here...like the son telling he doesn't want to have a sibling and FL saying, she won't remarry ever in this life.
Justice was served, another good thing. But, how these dating agencies work in Korea is another level. Like, I never experienced such and being classified with your social status...only in Asian countries I think does this thing work.

Overall, not really satisfying drama for me. But, still a decent watch. Gave it an 8 inspite no skinships by the MC.

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