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A Brilliant Story Built on Terrible Decisions
The finale remains remarkably consistent with the drama’s central premise: a tragedy of errors fueled by paranoia.The protagonists spend the entire story building an increasingly complex web of lies to avoid prison. The ultimate irony is that the law clears them of the murder, while the real punishment for both families is realizing that they destroyed their lives, their families, and their peace of mind trying to cover up a crime they didn’t commit.
A completely happy ending would have felt false, but sending them to prison would have betrayed the logic of the script itself. Leaving them legally free but trapped in the ruins of their own decisions was the perfect place to end the story.
And this is my only real complaint.
The writer seems to need someone to pay, so the leaked affair video is used to publicly destroy the characters.
To me, it’s narratively ridiculous.
First, because the story had already given them consequences without needing to punish them.
And second, they could have simply sued the police for leaking the video.
Boom. You screwed yourself.
They might have ended up even better off.
If you resolved the murder plot with intelligence and logic, the characters’ final arcs deserved the same level of sophistication—not a last-minute dose of public humiliation.
For a moment, that decision turns an elegant psychological drama into a manipulative piece of cheap melodrama.
But it is one misstep in a script that accomplished something extremely difficult for eight episodes:
It turned a chain of stupid decisions into an extraordinarily intelligent story.
5/5 for the entire season.
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This review may contain spoilers
Theatre of the absurd?
It's hard not to compare The Affair Was Just The Beginning to Mad Concrete Dreams - both came out in 2026, and both ultimately use a situation careening out of control as a major story element. Whereas MCD uses that situation for more sympathetic ends, treating it as actions done by a father trying to provide for his family and specifically his daughter, The Affair swings the complete other way. And by god is it for the show's benefit.No one in this show is a good person. Everyone is willing to backstab each other, to sell each other up the river in order to buy themselves just enough time to get out of the situation they are in. Yes, even the kids. But the adults in the room are nowhere near that - even if they ultimately *try* to protect their children from the act that they committed, they are still willing to ignore so much else to keep up the pretenses of their charmed life together. But where the drama really comes into it's own is the back half of the final episode, where everything is ultimately revealed and the audience, alongside the characters, learn that it was all for naught. That three people are dead for no other reason then the mess that was made wasn't even theirs to clean up.
Considering the pure absurdity on display, you ultimately need to have a core of actors that are willing to get up for the task. Kim Hye-soo lives up to it all and is able to effectively sell being a composed career women one minute, and a vindicative bitch the other. Kim Ji Hoon definitely come to play, as does Kim Jae Chul and Cho Yeo Jung. But in my mind, the true standouts is the two child actors, Do Yeong So and Jeon Si Hyun. I generally have a dim view of Korean writers being able to weave a queer storyline in a way that is ultimately effective for story purposes and not just for shock value (to be frank I think the same for Western writers) and especially considering the age of the two girls, it could have easily gone down a terrible road. But it's done in a way that feels honest and true - and it does eventually play into the wider story as yet another element of a rabbit hole of disjointed information coming into view. It certainly is a joy to see the parents incredulous that their daughters could be in love, and dating on the side.
What really buoys this drama though, is the cinematography and the craft of it all. Korean dramas, even now compared to say, the 'golden' era of the late 2000's and early 2010's Hallyu Wave, can definitely be hit a lot with the stick of being incredibly bland on that front. Considering the inner workings of Korean dramas still being filmed more or less in the moment, it is to The Affair's benefit that there is a deliberate, Swiss watch precision in terms of shot composition. A review below pins it as a Coen brothers sort of aesthetic, and that is without question the best descriptor for The Affair - and also a great compliment to the director and writers that they are able to weave such a deliberate thematic and compositional style without it feeling like a cheap imitation.
More then anything though, what I appreciate most about this story is the length. It's eight episodes of very little fat - every moment is dedicated to the story, either in the moment or wider scope. There's very little navel-gazing, and it's almost certain that any writer or director could have very easily taken one wrong step and done the drama equivalent of rolling their ankle. Certainly have watched a fair few dramas where the writers figure they are smarter then the audience and string things out to the point of popping the balloon and leaving audiences running for the door. The Affair doesn't do that, and it's a wonderful feeling to watch a show have faith in its ability to bring the audiences along for the way, and stick the landing too.
I haven't been watching Korean dramas again for long - really since the beginning of this year - but it is clear that this ranks as one of the finest I'll watch this year. And it's easily going top three, it's that good. Do yourself a favor and watch this. You'll be glad you did.
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I Came for the Affair, Stayed for the Thriller
I genuinely loved this drama! It’s such a good combination of thriller, romance and comedy, and I think that balance is what made it so enjoyable for me. There was enough suspense to keep me curious about what was going to happen next, but the comedy gave the drama some lighter moments and made it really fun to watch.My only real issue was the slow beginning. It took me a while to get into the story, and there were moments where I wondered when things were actually going to pick up. But once it finally got going, IT GOT GOOD. The suspense became much more interesting, and I found myself getting completely invested in the story.
I also really loved the cast. Everyone suited their characters so well, but the chemistry between the leads was definitely one of my favourite parts. Their chemistry was TOO good! There was something about their interactions that made me want more of them.
And honestly, I wish they had explored their relationship a little more. We got the chemistry and the moments that made me want to see more, but I felt like there was so much potential there that could have been explored. I would have loved to see more of their relationship develop and get a little deeper instead of having some parts feel rushed.
The comedy was another highlight for me. It worked really well alongside the thriller elements and stopped the drama from feeling too heavy. I loved those little funny moments that came in between all the tension and made the characters even more enjoyable.
Overall, this was such a fun watch. The slow start almost lost me, but everything that came after made up for it. The thriller aspect kept me intrigued, the comedy kept me entertained, and the chemistry kept me invested. I just wish the romance had been given a little more room to breathe.
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Truly funny in its cruelty. Never fails to entertain to watch rich people ruin their own lives trying to get out of their own messes.
Kim Hye-soo shines as an unsinkable boss and mother surrounded by idiots.
Eight episodes to devour, the story flows so smoothly.
And the music is great in its sarcastic way.
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The affair was just the beginning… and then everything got complicated.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into *The Affair Was Just the Beginning*, but this drama completely pulled me in.The title already tells you that things are going to get messy, but what I really enjoyed was how the story goes beyond the affair itself. It’s about attraction, complicated feelings, secrets, jealousy, and the consequences of getting involved with someone when you know you probably shouldn’t.
The chemistry between the characters was definitely one of the highlights for me. There are so many moments where you can feel the tension without the characters even saying much. And just when you think you understand where the story is going, it manages to throw another complication at you.
That said, this is definitely **not a drama where everyone makes good decisions** 😂. There were moments when I was literally sitting there thinking, *“PLEASE, just communicate for once.”* Some of the characters frustrated me, but at the same time, that frustration kept me invested because I needed to know what they were going to do next.
I also liked that the drama doesn't simply treat the affair as a romantic fantasy. There are emotional consequences, messy relationships, and difficult choices, which made the story feel more interesting than a simple forbidden-romance plot.
Overall, it was a messy, dramatic and addictive watch. It definitely had me emotionally invested, even when I wanted to scream at the characters.
**Would I recommend it?** If you enjoy complicated relationships, forbidden romance, jealousy, emotional chaos and characters who make questionable decisions… absolutely. 😂
**Rating: 8/10 ⭐**
**Rewatch value: Maybe 👀**
**Emotional damage: Yes.**
**Communication skills of the characters: 0/10.**
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This review may contain spoilers
Absolute Cinema
The scriptwriting is totally absolute cinema!! Eight episodes seem just right. The pace was on point. The story was straight to the point, no non-sense. I love how the story built. It was intense from the beginning, but suddenly turned hilarious and chaotic after some point. The plot twists were out of nowhere, I really didn't anticipate them! Since misunderstandings were expected, they maximized it a lot. The cinematography is really really eye-pleasing, surely it's the strong point of this show!The casts were outstanding. Apart from the two main couples, Do Yeong Seo and Jeon Si Hyun were impressive!
Although the storyline is mindblowing, it seemed they took it a bit too far at the final episode. It just focused to much on anything else but the main affair problem. After failed so much tracking Gyeong Hui and Su Jeong, Na Sol out of nowhere successfully tracked them.
Will I recommend this? Absolutely yes. Although the story is not something extraordinary, but it's still very very worth to watch!
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Really fun suspenseful and thrilling drama
This kind of everything-goes-wrong-and-the-mess-keeps-growing template is not new, but they managed to keep it interesting. I think it was quite natural despite the general nature of these types of drama (over-the-top / exaggerated, which is part of the humor). It helps that the main cast's acting was spot on.Was this review helpful to you?
Surprisingly enjoyable
I skipped on this when it came out because I was watching the Early Spring. But for lack of any interesting Kdramas recently, I decided to give it a go.If you just want to watch something entertaining without overthinking, this one's for you. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I wouldn't know if this qualifies a dark comedy, but some scenes had me laughing.
I would recommend this if the genre is your type....
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Unpredictable, Hilarious, and Wildly Entertaining!
Couldn't stop watching from minute one! It plays out like a fast-paced, intrigue-filled story packed with chaotic energy, genius dark comedy, and high-tension climaxes. It feels like a high-stakes classic theater farce—doors opening, people rushing in and out, endless intrigue, and non-stop plot twists and nonlinear storytelling that keep you on the absolute edge of your seat. The director did a stellar job.(Definitely for mature audiences!) I haven't laughed or been this glued to a screen in a long time. High quality, completely fresh, and 100% worth every second. Don't skip this one!
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Masterpiece satire of adult and teen life, really fun
This kdrama is super sophisticated. First, the filming, the music, the acting, the scenes, everything is done with amazing creativity, precision and quality. It is a masterpiece. And it is NOT available on Netflix.Essentially, this kdrama is an exaggerated and metaphorical view of adult and teen life, and requires ability to laugh at oneself, as it shows us what we are really like. The dialogues and scenes are profound.
It is only 8 episodes bc it moves at a fast snowballing pattern and intense suspense, so upholding that for more than 8 episodes would be difficult if not impossible.
Mad Concrete Dreams is not exactly like this. It is also a fast moving snowballing disaster but ... it is based on greed, and not so loving as this drama :)
This drama shows "decent families" that protect each other and care for each other, and just have a few problems :) You get to see the snowballing chaos caused by a spoiled brat teenager, who is lying to their caring - and faulty - parents :)
The theme of this kdrama is realistic family life, with all its crises and patches... No matter what happened, each family ends up as a strong unit.
So this kdrama requires audience that has life experience and ability to think and laugh at itself and life. Ppl who do not have that, will likely give this drama a low rating
Imo this is 9 or 9.5/10 drama - and not a 10 only because it is without meaningful SOLUTIONS. It is only "fun," only a satire, it lacks the deep lasting profound life-lesson messages/solutions required for a 10 star drama.
For solutions, we need another drama from this crew :)
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I would require all video majors to study this drama :)
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The filming, the acting, the music and the plot / dialogue all together make an AMAZING whole. It would take a lot to properly analyze every scene, bc they are full of information.
The filming of it is genius - maybe they are copying someone else but I have not seen anything like this one before, and actors are the key to this
Somehow the camera person was able to capture actors from REALLY funky angles, like ActorDad Lim Jae-hong "dancing around" ie frantically moving to and fro in a public restroom. in dire anxiety and sheer PANIC; trying to check every stall, making sure there is nobody in the bathroom so that he can make a private call, and all shown as his silhouette from a low angle, looking up and seeing his legs moving around with bent knees and head frantically turning. eyes popping out - it was HILARIOUS. You get to see scenes like that only in a cartoon...
Or his cheating partner, reading some nasty divorce papers, at a table under a crystal chandelier - obviously wealthy woman in a wealthy house but dealing with dirty stuff and a nasty ex husband, father of their daughter - and all of it filmed THROUGH the shiny sparkly crystal chandelier - the contrast between the luxurious shiny lights and the darkness on that paper and on the woman's face and in the rest of the house was extremely satirical and tragicomic dark humor. Really carried the point across.
The scenes of Actor's Wife the Influencer being hit on by .... someone lmao I am not going to spoil it - that was slimy educational WOW! moments... and then them going to his apartment..... was HILARIOUS beyond hilarious lmao - I cannot spoil it for you, sorry, it is too good to be spoiled. You will be grateful later that I did not spoil it :)
The story/music/camera/acting all together is totally WICKED, wickedly funny, totally diabolical satire, really showing it as is.
Ah for those of you who are afraid of the word AFFAIR - well most adults experienced themselves cheating on their partner, being cheated on by their partner, and/or seriously impacted by cheating of someone close them like a parent or boss, ...... And many ppl on this earth live in cultures that endorse cheating...
Cheating is like a required rites of passage for adults :( unfortunately .................... every adult has to learn to deal with it. This kdrama shows us what it is really like.
For anyone who is afraid of seeing affairs, dont worry, the message is DON'T DO IT :)
There is 1 kinda steamy scene and 0,5 hinting at steamy scene ... and that's it - and it kinda makes fun of the affair - and is used to show how and why married ppl get to that point of hunger.
Those of you who watch romcoms with pretty oppas taking a shower, you have seen a lot more. So .. dont snivel about this drama.
And for those of you who are afraid of word LGBT+ there is a pair of teenage girls with matching rings, one quick peck on the cheek for 1 millisecond; and 1 quick holding of hands for 1 millisecond. If THAT offends you, then there is no hope for ya.
The drama is just done SO WELL. I hope you enjoy it!!!!!
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Cinematic chaos
This drama is so cinematic—it feels more like watching a movie than a drama. It’s messy, chaotic, dark, and completely unhinged, but somehow that’s what made it such a fun watch. The story keeps spiraling in the most unexpected ways, and the title really says it all—the affair was literally just the beginning. 😂Not a perfect drama, but definitely an entertaining one. And Kim Hye-soo, Cho Yeo-jeong, and Kim Ji-hoon? What a cast. They really carried this messy story in such a fun way
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Chaotic and entertaining, but also too convoluted
This is a story that's worth to waste a bit of your time to see if it's for you or not. It wasn't for me and the main reason is that I didn't like the FL. None of them. Not the characters, not the actresses.I do love original series and gray characters, see Desperate Housewives, but this didn't manage to capture my interest. I tried a few times but after a while I just jumped to the last episode and even that didn't work for me.
I can't pinpoint what the issue was but I think I always need someone to rule about and I couldn't find anyone here. That said, I'd advise viewers to give it a chance.
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