This drama rings hollow through its messy and uncomfortable premise.
Starting from promotional materials, the creators are clear about the direction of Love Affairs in the Afternoon; Affairs are going to disrupt the lives and relationships of each character, and we’ll be there to witness it all. To keep this spoiler-free, I can’t tell you if the drama ends with a sweet happy ending or sweet justice p*rn. I can say that it is uncomfortable, infuriating at points, and barely enticing enough for me to watch all 16 episodes. My recommendation is to judge this drama by its cover (and premise), and if you don’t think you’ll enjoy it, don’t bother watching.Story:
I generally avoid remakes, but a dearth of romance dramas that started in July left me watching LAITA. I did try to drop it at some point after the August drama debuts, but I held on like some completionist maniac. Back to the point - I did not watch the original Japanese drama.
My biggest question throughout was whether the original show was so clear cut about what will happen and how characters will react. The characters in LAITA are surprisingly shallow, and their predictable behaviors took away from the entwined premise. There are twists and turns, but lean back in your chair and think about what happened for three minutes. Then, the story looks plain as vanilla (no offence to vanilla - a true classic flavor).
Acting:
The acting is almost the perfect example of hit and miss acting. I’ll start with the hits. The actors behind the most frustrating characters leave the most memorable memories, making me want to toss my laptop at certain scenes. Shout out to Kim Mi-kyung who went from goofy mother in Her Private Life to the most insufferable mother-in-law in LAITA. The female leads also performed admirably. Park Ha-sun nails that uncomfortable, awkward look throughout the drama, and Ye Ji-won portrays strength through her weakness, though she does suffer from typecasting.
I’ll mention two misses, the first big and the second small. First, the chemistry between the main leads, especially Lee Sang-yeob and Park Ha-sun, is lacking. It may have been enough for a fluffy romcom, but the chemistry is evidently lacking in a drama with supposed gravity, making it hard to relate to their situation. Second, two of the “kids” in the drama are played by a 27 year old and a 14 year old. Shin Won-ho (27) has a fair amount of lines for a support role, and I understand why it may have been difficult to cast an actual teenager. Still, I laughed seeing a grown man acting like a child and interacting with Shin Soo-yun’s (14) character, just another small example of how LAITA interrupts viewer immersion.
Music:
The music, thankfully, was not so forthcoming like the plot and acting. Although, it would be funny to hear a song about kissing a married man, ala I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus except Santa is actually not the dad… LAITA only tiptoes the makjang line and the OST does a passing job of setting the scene and conveying emotion (minus the one “dramatic” soundtrack that becomes borderline bothersome by the end).
Rewatch Value:
The one thing that bumps up this rewatch value is that this is a Japanese remake. Does a vague interest in watching the original count towards the rewatch value of LAITA? I think it counts, so don’t let the score lead you to believe I’ll be watching the Korean version twice.
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Pls hear me out. ( i didnt like the second leads story only the main lead I'm talking about)
At first i started this drama just thinking that it would be a normal romance. But as i progressed through i must say i fell in love. This drama is beautifully written and acted by both the leads. The female is a perfect epitome of a house wife who is in desperate need of love from her husband which she doesn't get. She needed to feel her heart flutter, her stomach filled with butterflies. She never knew these feeling until she saw the male lead who happens to be a teacher. He also feels the same way as the female lead did. Although cheating is wrong i wouldn't say what the leads did in this drama was wrong but it's not right too. The only mistake that they did was marrying someone they don't love but that too they didn't know what love is and how it feels to be in love. This show gave me a lingering feeling which will never allow me to get over this drama. The way i felt while watching this drama as if I'm in love is a kind of feeling i never got with any other series. I have watched numerous dramas but this one always have a special place in my heart. Lee sang yeob did an awesome job and so park ha sun too. They exactly portrayed what they had to. I loved the male leads role and how he silently watches his love in every episode. The drama is in the female's pov and i loved every inch of it. thank you for making this drama. I'll always cherish this drama for my entire life.Was this review helpful to you?
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The Price for Heaven, is the fury that can be Hell
This was an interesting drama about cheating. The neglected cheater , the bored cheater and the indifferent cheater. All can be callous with their actions but the reasons for those actions can at times be understood.This series took a realistic view at how easy it is to slip into cheating as well as how deliberate it can be. Though I don’t condone cheating I could understand why Ji-eun cheated. She was resolved to living the rest of her life miserable with her husband - Chang-gook until Jung-woo walked into her life and stirred an awakening within her. And how could he have not? He was young (her age) good looking and the first person I’m guess in ages who actually showed genuine concern for her. Considering the neglect she’d endured from her husband for three years in him refusing sex with her, showing what seemed like no consideration for her feelings at all and his over the top obsession with their pet birds, no wonder she instantly became intrigued with Jung-woo.
Chang-gook was an awful husband. Severely neglectful and completely inconsiderate of her feelings. I found him extremely annoying . His obsession with those birds made him insufferable, along with his intrusive mother who was more concerned about Ji-eun catering to her son, than them having a balanced marriage. Jung woo’s reason’s for cheating were less understandable, but it was easy to see how he got caught up. He had a savior mentality as evidenced by why he became involved with his wife, but with Ji-eun it went way beyond being her savior. He truly felt a deep connection with her which grew into love.
The chemistry between the leads was perfect. It started sweet and gentle, then evolved into this intense love affair. I enjoyed the push pull of their relationship and the progression of their connection, which became more soulful, deeper over time.
Though I could understand Ji eun’s decision to cheat , I had a harder time understanding Soo Ah’s reasoning. It wasn’t just that she was cheating with one man, she was cheating with multiple men until she found her “true wuv”. And in addition to this she was proud of her cheating and didn’t mind sharing her cheating ways with new women “friends”. Her callousness made it difficult to sympathize with her considering it wasn’t just her husband she needed to consider if she got caught but her children. When her infidelity was discovered her horror and realization at what she’d done was well done and realistic of someone who did care about their family but was selfish and reckless in their actions. However, I never completely bought her relationship with the artist and never thought it would work as they were at different places in their lives.
The focus of the series was on the leads cheating, but their spouses weren’t saints, save for Jung woo’s wife. Ji eun’s husband was behaving inappropriately with the intern and Soo Ah’s husband seemed to be on the verge of cheating with the rising female artist who worked for the gallery. So in turn everyone had wandering eyes and it begs the question what level of intimate activity with someone other than your spouse is considered cheating?
The love and the angst in this was well done as well as the fall out from the cheating. However, I thought the series became overly dramatic in the last few episodes and lost its way. It seemed like one of Soo Ah’s kids went missing almost every episode. Then after neglecting Ji eun for three years Chang-gook refused to allow the marriage to end and just like he’d always selfishly done, wanted to force her to bend to his will, what he wanted without any consideration for her feelings. That had been easy in the past as she was resolved to being miserable so she complied with whatever he demanded of her but in this situation she refused which angered and baffled him.
His ongoing fight to save their marriage was down right ridiculous. Same with Min-Young, Jung Woo’s wife. It was blatantly obvious that he did not love her, had no desire to be with her whatsoever and wished to end the marriage. He told her this flat out. But she was hell bent on forcing him to be miserable with her. The spouses initially attempting to fight for their marriages may have been understood but to dig their heels in and try and force someone to stay with you who absolutely doesn’t want to be with you made no sense. And seemed like drama for dramas sake.
The ending was predictable. I knew Soo Ah and the artist would never work out. I was glad that Ji-eun went off and found herself. She was happy living her life on her terms, which was significant growth from when we first saw her. Though she and Jung Soo didn’t runoff into the sunset, at least their ending implied that this was a
strong possibly.
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Clearly this was enjoyed by those who watched it, the story topic is controversial, which is what caught my attention. I hadn't seen the Japanese version but from what I hear, this in comparison is more hopeful and brighter tone than its previous remakes. The two leads are convincing in their roles: the innocent girl meets cute dorky guy. There is a easy chemistry between them, a lightheartness that complements the music choices, and the cinematography. Her friend, the elegant, more daring older lady serves a great purpose to catalyse the story into action. There isn't over the topness, or over-sentimentality in the love story - instead those sweet moments are peppered along as the story develops, and the pacing is just right: the story telling leaves enough room for surprises that makes you keep watching. The story is satisfying and not too cliche, it never underserves or overserves, it explores the theme of adultery carefully and thoughtfully, not dogmatically. It is clever in setting the right mood, and through each character, we see their struggles, their choices, we see them be slaves into their emotions and face the consequences of life before picking themselves up again.
TLDR: Highly recommend it! The drama is good for a weekly drama dose, it is not too heavy, the directing, cast, story is good and the topic in itself is interesting. I might watch the Japanese one in the not so distant future.
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im not into heavy drama, i prefer light drama or romcoms. but this is one of the few exceptions that is really re-watchable and again and again.the plot. not your typical drama it is realistic. the pacing of story is really great its not to fast nor too slow...this is where you will find how when where they fell in love. you could actually see and feel how the lead actors fell in love and how they chose to fool thier partners.
the actors. i think the female lead is way too timid and naive at first you slowly she unfolds to become more of a fighter...
the lead actor what can i say? this is the first time i appreciated lee sang yeob. usually he is the villain or the 3rd wheel in the story but this time he nailed his character. i didnt realize his eyes were really expressive. oh yes i am.asking for more.lee sang yeob to lead drama. he made my heart flutter and my eyes cry.
the finale.didnt left me hanging..and thats the most important part!
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Came in being hesitant because of the affair aspect but I'm glad I watched it. The acting, story, music everything was so splendid. The constant push and pull can make you feel tired out at one point but realising that this is how it actually is will really make your eyes swell.
I have so much respect for all characters. Seriously learned so much.
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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?
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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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