Right from the beginning I had problems in accepting the whole basic concept of the story (which I won't spoil) as I found it to be too extreme and unrealistic but I carried on watching the drama nevertheless because of the incredibly good acting but also because I hoped that the story would take a more believable twist as the episodes unfolded.
Instead the masochistic turn of events carried on becoming more and more extreme up to the very last episode.
What, in my opinion, made this melodrama special was the outstanding acting of all the four main leads (my favourite was Ji Sung) who had an amazing chemistry amongst them and were extremely talented in portraying their anxieties and distresses.
Personally I will not rewatch this as I couldn't go through all that anguish again, however I heartly recommend it to all melodrama lovers.
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Previously, I had written a very lukewarm review for this drama. Originally, I did not think this drama was anything special. However, upon rewatching a few scenes I found myself enjoying it more than I did the first time. That doesn't make it the best drama in my book, but I found that once I overlooked a LOT of annoying sub plots I liked the drama much better. In fact, I now think that it is one of most unique Kdramas ever.
According to my observation, most Korean dramas start out great and then go downhill towards the end. This drama started fine, had some unbearable moments in between but by the time it picked up, it became very addictive.
For me, majority of it till episode 8 or so was unbearably bad. I personally hate tragedies which take place without contributing anything to the plot. This drama was supposed to be about her boyfriend's betrayal but what we got was a whole lot of useless crying scenes.
There is way too much crying, too many sacrifices and too much loss in the drama without making much sense half the time. Till the time this dramas sets out to redeem itself, it seems like it is too late. I, however enjoyed the romantic conflict which takes place in the second half of the drama. It doesn't make sense too but the characters and actors pull you in and I found myself rooting for them.
In my original review I had said that the bad outweighed the good in the drama. Now, after a certain time passed I can't remember the bad stuff but definitely remember the good parts fondly. This drama was very and still is very conflicting for me. On one hand- I absolutely hated it and on the other hand, I couldn't get enough of it.
I always feel that a drama that manages to get the right reactions out of you is a job done well indeed. Too bad that I couldn't digest the 'sad' part of it otherwise I wouldn't have had any issues with the story at all!
The strongest part of the drama lies in its acting department and the romance. All actors did an amazing job especially the two main leads. The OST is simply wonderful and Ailee's ballad is one of my favorites ever.
I'll be on the lookout for a better or similar drama now. :)
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1beautiful, heartbreaking but also perseverance and healing love
phenomenal melodrama indeed , pretty heartbreaking but beautiful .. i absolutely loved it and i wanted to kick myself for not watching it soon but this year is the year i decided to watch a few gems from previous years that people talked about that I didn't watch and this was one of them .... oh my goodness i put everything on hold to binge this and man was it worth itthe ml has a character development . he's one of the best ml i've ever stumbled across to be honest .. he's gonna be a memorable one indeed... ji sung's acting was just oozing with talent and jung eum was insanely talented and her acting so heartfelt and very exceptional, you literally cry with her she's that good and she looked absolutely stunning here .. sometimes i couldn't take my eyes off of her and o course our handsome ju sung a 9.5 for me and only cause i felt the need for more scenes with them , the sexual tensionn , the angst , the tenderness at times .........ughghhgh guiltiest of pleasures
i'm not one to write detailed reviews or posts about drama so that's about it .. one of the best melodramas and possibly best dramas of its time .. and it holds up so well with time and it's just such a good one when craving a classic i'm willing to rewatch this maybe later .. sadly i want more of them and now i understand why the fans were so happy about kill me heal me reunion .. sadly for me i already watched and adored that one gave it a 10 as well it's also in my fave drama list and i adored them but now that i've seen it all .. guess when i miss them i;ll have to rewatch one of them .. tho i wish i could just forget and rewatch for the first time .. as i'm not much of rewatcher ... ♥♥♥♥
for me these two actors have been a one true match and the best paired together in my opinion both for ji sung and jung wum, they have the best chemistry and ever since i watched kill me heal , shin se gi / cha do hyun and ri jin has always been one of faves but oh well .. imagine if i watched this first and then watch kill me heal me ... myyy myyy i would've felt double the intensity ..... since shin se gi and her resembled min hyeok and yoo jung here .. would've been so satisfying .. t
well anyway i highly recommend this ... the male lead isn't that much of unforgivable jerk like the drama advertised itself to be ... instead you'll see another character who is exactly the real jerk snake so ..... in fact i'd argue the ml is truly wonderful and sweetheart compared to other characters ... man that stopped me from watching thinking he's is inspired from terrible lakron characters ( i don't watch those because how bad it is there) but i thought that he's very low key and a very deep character who has one of the best character development i've seen yet ..
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UPDATE BELOW:
5/21/2023 This is the third time watching this drama and it’s still as good as ever! From the revenge plot to the ensuing a love of intense feeling and deep affection during turbulent times, this drama is a sinful pleasure to watch. The entire main cast played their roles magnificently and the supporting cast did great also.
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Day-time TV eat your heart out! Watch and learn...
By heck they don’t make makjang like they used to! You have to go to J-drama now if you want to find this level of hot, sweaty testosterone on display. Forced kisses, women dragged around, and all things beyond and in-between (there’s even a good splash of Master/slave in there). Beware, shrinking violets, this one is not for you. But if you are of a more robust mindset and like your melodrama vicious, toxic, wet and wailing, then this will absolutely be the ticket.Who else but Ji Sung could be evil incarnate one minute and hot stuff the next, whilst doing a brilliant impression of a belligerent, sulky teenager not getting his own way. Hang Jung Eum takes on the role of the suffering angel with the patience of a snail, the heart of a sticky chocolate pudding and the destiny of a lump of rancid fat. Normally it’s an ahjumma that parades a face like a slapped arse, but here it’s Bae Soo Bin who takes on that role and plays it with relish. As for Lee Da Hee, it’s a masterclass in “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”!
The plot is fairly straightforward and guessable from the get-go, but it still leads you a dance where all the characters are given ample opportunity to balance on a moral knife edge and come up wanting. Prepare yourself for gut wrenching twists, heart rending suffering, and miraculous character transformations. The pain and torment of the innocent (and not so innocent) is offered up as a sacrifice to cruel fate and revenge, and the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune rain down on everyone. And yes, those arrows are pretty outrageous. In anguish, in fortitude, in sickness and in revenge, it’s all supercharged and in there. “No matter how I try to erase you like an incurable disease from my heart” (actual song lyrics, end Ep13). What a wonderful, explosive mixture it is.
It spins along at a rollicking pace, with a touch of middle age sag that tightens up again later. And it all unfolds along well-worn tracks like a pilgrimage to the Wailing Wall. But, by gosh, it’s a thrilling, compulsive ride.
And of course it’s full of characters that in real life you’d give a twenty mile berth to in order to avoid touching them with a barge pole. In fact, all of them wave so many red flags it’s like being at a communist party rally. But hey, this is makjang. Just deserts will be got, and the twisted will be stretched on tenterhooks until they become straight, then woven with remorse and sacrifice until they become the very fabric of the community. Just roll with it and you’ll have sooo much fun.
How can I not give it an 8, for being a perfect example of outrageous, sumptuous makjang, in all its over-blown, toxic glory. Or is it perhaps a 3, for breaking every woke rule in the book. Only you know yourself well enough to decide.
Ahhhh, thanks “Secret” for the explosive laughter. Nothing like it to warm the cockles of your heart and cheer you up every time. That’s when you’re not sobbing of course. Cue violins and angelic choirs…
NB Currently (Jan 2025) showing on VIKI under the title “Secret Love”
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UNDERRATED GEM
Sometimes it pays to scroll through the list of Kdramas, where I’m sure are many gems. Attracting and mesmerizing me was “Secret Love.” A side note: You have to be careful here, there are several “Secret Love” shows, so it becomes confusing. Therefore, it’s important to know the main leads. For this review, it’s a Korean version, 2013, starring Ji Sung, whose wife is Lee Bo Young-love everything she does-marvelous actress, Hwang Jung Eum, Bae Soo Bin, and Lee Da Hee. Like a lot of shows, it’s about class, power, and business marriages. Each actor displayed believable characters and developed them in each episode. Outstanding though, was Ji Sung’s role as Jo Min Hyuk. I’ve seen a lot of K-dramas and other movies. By far, watching Jo Min evidence the transition from lauding his power to having fallen for Yoo-Jung, is the greatest I’ve ever seen. His body language and facial expressions gave recognition that their relationship had changed. Culminating with him kneeling, as if to say, I see you, we are equals-realizing that his focus on her was twofold. It is definitely one for rewatching!Was this review helpful to you?
Brilliant, amazing, marvelous, masterpiece!!
A+++ Acting by all cast, especially Hwang Jung Eum. I have become her absolute fan after this stunning performance. And Ji Sung and Bae Soon Bin are amazing as well. And the story is on another level.Whenever i don't know what to do or whenever i am having hard time, i turn to this drama. I have watched it over 10 times!! You need to watch this drama in order to know what i mean. So many emotions delivered with so much passion and conviction, this remains my most favorite drama till date!
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It's true to it's genre and captivating till the end
I am a bit shocked they managed to put all that drama in 16 episodes but at the same time they could perfectly execute how hate turned into love at a rational manner without any inconsistencies. Most importantly it was very interesting to wonder "who is the victim here? who is the one who is suffering more?". They both did, but not because of each other. He manages to give her everything she deserved and didn't have from her previous relationship, for which he gave up her whole life and she gives him trust. She believes in him, till the very end. That was what made their relationship strong. He also trusted her back and for such a "obsessive" (as would appear to many) man he sure was not jealous or possessive at all. He trusted her words too and even wanted to give the minimum respect to the man who once was worthy of the love of the woman he loves, even if he took away someone so important to him.Overall I found the FL to be strong, consistent and capable. She portrays the emotions very well. But all leads deserve a lot of praise for their acting, the roles of the villains too.
The last episode was well made, it gives appropriate closure to every single character.
I rewatched it after many years and thought of leaving a review until I remember all that happened.
I will probably rewatch it when I forget about it all, because of the chemistry and great acting
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Anyways, this drama turned out to be very interesting plot-wise because it contained many twists and turns, which reminded me of a crime drama (see how the crime is unraveled). The actors had played their role, and I was not aware of what will happen next.
As for re-watch: I might rewatch or i might not. For the most part I found out what happened, so I probably won't watch it again. But I might come back and watch parts of it....
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I have never really been keen on Hwang Jung Eum's acting but she's really good here and makes you really feel for her. I know people say she looks plastic-y but honestly, I find the second female lead more plastic-y for some reason - probably because HJE can emote really well and her facial expressions feel more natural where Lee Da Hee feels a lot more stiff.
Also, Bae Soo Bin is always amazing. I mean, it's hard to believe that I had second-lead syndrome for him during Shining Inheritance and here, I just hate his guts - though sometimes he overdoes it (I mean, that crazy, over the top screaming and face-scrunching every time he sees Yoo Jeong lol)
I'm really starting to ship the leads and can't wait for all the intricacies to unfold so they can both move on, and heal each other's wounds. And SAN
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If all of the above sounds like the recipe for a drama befitting to your tastes, then go ahead, click "add" and set it to "currently watching". I will claim no responsibility in the time it will rob from the next 3-4 days of your life. However, you will thank me.
This melodrama, no no, melo- makes it sound too laid back. This MEGAdrama will hold you. Yea, sure, it has the typical Chaebol-poor girl theme. And I must admit, I found Lee Duk Hwa playing the Chaebol dad quite hilarious when I first accepted that was his role in this show. However, as much as it is typical, it is different. There's so much that is unexpected in the story that you can't help but be a prisoner to it; NEEDING to know what will happen next at the end of every episode. Knowing you have all the episodes right in front of you and trying to show restraint. Say goodbye to those 3-4 days. Apologize to your employer and friends ahead of time.
The story is non-stop drama. Even when it's moving slow, it's moving slow dramatically. In the beginning, you'll be angry. You'll want to drop it at least 5 times. You'll hope and be let down repeatedly. But at some point, all your angst will be rewarded. Trust me, it will. Remember this... it will. The elation you will feel when that point comes will be unmatched. Hang in there.
Bae Su Bin was good in his role, while Lee Da Hee fell flat, in my opinion. The two that make this story riveting are Ji Sung, and especially Hwang Jung Eum. They made it feel real and overwhelming, as if it was truly happening to someone somewhere. Very well matched actors for the main roles, indeed.
I believe this has been the first drama that I ended feeling satisfied. I certainly wouldn't have ever thought that could happen when I started it, but it surprised me along the ride in a way that sets it apart from other dramas. Get your tissues ready, clear out your schedule, and remember... your angst WILL be rewarded.
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