desire-for-madness

I feel like the plot would be promising if the pacing made sense. The pacing is just all over the place, so quick and dramatic without feeling the depth or development. I don't mind other things cuz korean shows struggle with financing, but the pacing is hecka messy. Feels like it was a rushed project with few spaces rented out so they couldn't do more transitional scenes.

or maybe I just like proactive leads hmmmmhmmhmm

I just came to check if the actors were the same here as they are in currently airing "Always Meet Again" (they were), and I was kind of surprised to see this drama at only 7.7 cuz it's absolutely lovely! Certain scenes were some of my faves

Yeah, I agree whilst it's not necessary, I do think it would've been appreciated to enjoy her completely finalize her past, and I think it would've also done loads for the split personality aspect awareness wise. Because honestly they kind of glossed it over without any proper therapy, medication or explanation of how DID works, especially in Korea where mental health awareness is pretty low.

Unfortunately the whole streaming industry has destroyed the traditional format of dramas with limited time and preference of high-payed actors. Hence nowadays many things are lacking. Personally, this is quite disappointing because endings feel rushed, many questions are unanswered and we don't get sweet couple time that is a reward of seeing hot and cold or emotional torture of miscommunication the first 8 episodes. Most dramas nowadays I can't even finish because it just doesn't feel rewarding anymore, since I'm not watching just to see them get together at the end of the season. I want to see them happy together ;(

I think this series should've been 16 episodes (gives more time for them to be together, for realization of hidden truths and more time for healing). Most drama's nowadays are only 12 episodes whilst continuing the tradition of becoming a couple on episode 8, so a lot is lost with the limited time. I think 16 episodes would've given more time for both of them to heal.

Firstly, thank you for your lengthy reply, I'm sure it took a lot of time.

I, personally, just no longer saw the point of this show so I did end up dropping it after ep 7. I'm an avid watcher of drama's, movies and other forms of media, both lighthearted, artistic, or psychologically questionable (which is a personal favorite of mine), I just found that this drama feels like it itself is confused about what it wants to portray. I personally find that entertainment has one of few reasons: entertainment - something to enjoy for comedic relief, impressive action scenes, artistic etc.; commentary or insight- questions psychology, history, social themes, etc.; or emotional relation or growth - I feel seen through the portrayal of my own experiences, growth or understanding of emotional explorations, etc.. It feels that this drama wanted to either go for the entertainment route (it was kinda comedy in the beginning, kinda romance, but then it just became repetitive and unnecessary drama) OR through the emotional route (but again, it's too shallow to be an exploration of what drives infidelity or the affect of it towards surrounding people). The characters, the plot, everything just feels like they themselves don't know what they want (the creators of the show).

If it was a realistic or artistic exploration of themes surrounding infidelity (Secret Love Affair, My mister, 3-Iron, Love Lies, A Frozen Flower, In the Mood for Love etc.), or if it was an character growth or self-exploration through the themes of deceit (Coffee Prince - explores homosexuality themes through girl pretending to be a guy, Before We Get Married - genuine relationship problems that get questionably solved / contemplated through themes of sexual attraction, The Innocent man- deceit for revenge) or a wholesome push-pull traditional type of lighthearted entertainment drama (Business proposal, Would you marry me - very similar motivation, ), it'd give something to gain. But unfortunately, this drama just doesn't have a strong central theme that justifies all this unnecessary torment of a character. It constantly feels like the creators of the show are too afraid to be serious, but don't want a lighthearted comedy either (writing good jokes is very hard). Maybe this is what they think women would like, someone desperately desiring you even though you're problematic... Either way, it was no longer enjoyable for me as there was nothing to gain, so I decided to drop it. But I'm glad some of you enjoy it, I guess. Still, I'd like to think we hold women more responsible for their actions and stop downplaying or viewing emotional male suffering as a desired objective or proof of affection. Healthy relationships should be one of mutual benefit, it should be where both characters are being raised up, and with these comedic drama's you'd think that could be the contemporary goal. :/

It's not about the lack of appreciation for flawed protagonists or complex characters, it's about the execution and how repetitive it is without having a valid reason for its repetitiveness or for its questionable themes. It's about how the show can't seem to figure out what it wants to be, a comedy? It's not very funny... a realistic portrayal of contemplation? yeah, it's not that either. And I did move on, I dropped the show, but that doesn't mean valid critique or voicing of disproval isn't permitted.

Why are we normalizing men coping with their desires for married women? Why are we normalizing a woman (who by her own decision started a fake relationship) accepting advances from another man? He's okay that she almost slept with him, even though she has a husband (don't forget, she also almost partook in infidelity too in his mind). This is just torture on trauma.

He never oversteps? He knowingly refused to inform HER HUSBAND that she was in the hospital. He knowingly tried to kiss her in the cave. He knowingly puts himself in positions where she's dependant or reliant on him. Not to mention (I dropped this show, but from preview of episode 8, he becomes officially engaged with his friend), taking advances towards her with a fiance IS STILL EMOTIONAL CHEATING. From the preview, now there are two couples who are "technically together" but also "technically not" and it's too much of ambiguity to drive any decent character or plot point home. It feels like the writers were trying to entice viewers with forbidden pining, but this is just gross "allowed infidelity" and I'm sick of it. And the FL also doesn't reject this or inform him, even though it was her own decision to fake marry her friend. If I set my heart on something, I'd damn well make sure I did it well, instead of being so here, there, everywhere. This is not character growth, this is character regression.

Just because something turns out to be free (unbenownst to me), if I take it with the intentions of stealing it, doesn't mean I didn't steal it. This whole plot point lost its attraction by being dragged out and literally makes multiple parties suffer unjustly.

Not to even mention the mental torment of having his own family broken by infidelity. This is absolute character destruction, something that will fuck him up and make him question himself for years to come. The writers did him so dirty, pining is great, this is not pining. This is torment.

Could we please stop romanticising infidelity in the 21st century?? I'm currently at episode 7, and whilst the show started out great and I was very into the the plot, this "affection for a married woman" has gone too long. I assumed that the writers would clue in the ML pretty quickly on her desperation for the job that thus made her lie, and then he could secretly sort of protect her from being found out while supporting her and falling more deeply. Instead they continued on this lie, where in his mind 1. She's married, with a child (this isn't just a, your bf is shit, I can do better). The writers completely ignore the fact that she "technically" has a child, and this mental torment of is it ethical for him to like her is unfair on him. 2. She's a liar who deceived him when he found his spark. 3. The friend / husband obviously cares and again, the writers tried 'making his affections for her okay cuz husband kissed another girl' but they keep going the infidelity route not communications and honesty route. This is sick and dragged out, and the drama I was rooting for in the first 4 episodes is now just infidelity packaged as romance (even if it isn't technically infidelity, if one person isn't in the know-how, then it is). Also, can we please stop the white night trend, every episode is him saving her, and whilst it's okay as a plot device, it is just repetitive here and the FL lacks in what she could provide him, because in 21st century it's nice to see both leads supporting each other, not just the ML. This drama feels like it was written 10 -20 years ago, when deception and white knight syndromes were all the rage.

Honestly this show is one of the rare ones that has a yandere and I am all here for this niche representation. Need me some questionably obsessive fictional men~

how the fuck is love disgusting? explain it to me

Korean Drama: Old people are the best
Also Korean Drama's: People should know old people die!

*every single time, old character? goes bye bye, like what did that even add to the plot haahhaha

I loved it! I wished it was longer, it's so rare to get some mystery, haunting drama about love. It was just my type of vibe! I would've loved more episodes of maybe some relationship, but it was so chill!

It's not SAVIOR or VASE :/ those were the only two I could find

Does anyone know the name of the song in the background? It's light, with some piano and some vocals. I can't find it anywhere ㅠㅠ

I really feel that the success of this drama should show that not all dramas have to be dramatic or full of twists, that healthy relationships and quality communication is just as appealing to viewers! Instead we keep getting cancer or amnesia plot twists, instead of cute supportive actions *face palm*

Ah that's cool, thanks for the clarification! I thought it was so random hahaha

Ah that's cool, thanks for the clarification! I thought it was so random hahaha

Ah that's cool, thanks for the clarification! I thought it was so random hahaha