This review may contain spoilers
I don't even know if I can say this is a review... but anyways.Story:
It is a slow and sad drama but very powerful and haves a great story if you are willing to watch it.
We all know from other dramas and stories we read on the net about how hard is the education system in Korea and the contest between students to take higher places but this is not from the kids view here the point of view is from the parents perspective.
As the drama moves on you will notice that they main subjects are:
- The high expectation a family haves on their kids and their education and how it affects the family itself and even the neighborhood. Not your regular school drama this is just about the parents way of seen education and what they are capable to do to get what they want from it. (risks & consequences)
- The behavior, sacrifices and attitude society expect from you as a mother, wife, housewife and a woman in a family or neighborhood.
Many other themes are discussed on the drama too: infidelity runs along the WHOLE drama, money, greed, addiction to gambling, humiliation, depression, suicide, bullying, sexual harassment, power, in-laws, values, moral and secrets (LOTS OF THEM).
Acting/Cast:
The acting is spot on. The housewife is played by Kim Hee Ae and I couldn't believe she is the same person that play the extremely powerful Machiavellic leading lady on Midas.Here she is the opposite. She doubts and fears everything. She is an amazing actress got me believing her story it was the real thing the whole drama. Gyeol (housewife son ) was played by Im Je No and he was brilliant. A kid becoming forcefully an adult while keeping his innocence that is what I saw. The rest of the cast... all great actors... I ended having strong feelings for them. (don't want to give you spoilers)
Music:
The music it was mellow kind of indie music. I didn't pay too much attention cause I just wanted the drama to keep on and get resolved. I was really into the story and outcome. Got carried away.
Rewatch:
No. I don't think so. I ended all upset on some episodes... but it gets better. The bad. then good. Still once is enough. Just watch it at least once.
Overall:
I liked it and glad that I watched it. It helped me see/understand more the education issue in Korea and how it affects the values and believes of society. I saw infidelity different layers, acceptance and point of views or aspects in Korea. At some point the issues left me feeling confused to the point of been kind of disturbing. It help me appreciate the freedom I had when I was a student and the freedom I've as a woman.
The last episodes where so good that I didn't even noticed when I got to the last one. And was like OMG this is the end so fast? If you watch it you will understand. It might sound all sad but it haves it's really "funny" good parts. It is NOT a cheesy, action, kisses or tears drama. There is a love story but is not your typical romance. This drama is FULL of real life issues. It is a drama to think and study our humanity and meditate on how we value the people around us and life.
Hope this helps.
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This review may contain spoilers
A career of the dismantling of a wife´s self-esteem and the almost impossible attempt of recapture
A highly valuable socio-critical study about being a wife, a mother, a granddaughter in South Korea today (actually 2012). The KDrama offers an in-depth (at times disturbing) insight into everyday Korean reality around the hierarchical concept of family and the upbringing of children. There is also a lot of local color about the simple everyday life of the lower and upper middle classes.The framework is provided by the madness about education, which in South Korea means that mothers in particular are under enormous pressure to perform (long before it really reaches the pupils themselves). The mothers are expected to support their child for the glory and honor of the family in such a way that it later has the best outlook on a professional career. Career in that sense is starting early...
"A Wife's Credentials" puts a critical magnifying glass on exactly this social dynamic. It also puts the magnifying glass on the disadvantage for women who give up (should give up!) their job with marriage/family life. Additionally, the KDrama also spotlights the issue of sexual assault in the workplace, the stigma of a single parent and finally social hierarchy.
It centers on So-rae, a once-creative young graphic designer and children's book illustrator who (one could say rather accidentally) stumbled into marriage and is now forced to prove herself as a housewife and mother in an ungrateful environment. A little bit of sunshine is provided by her son. However, in the end he too might be taken away from her. "A Wife´s Credentials" is basically illustrating the career of the dismantling of a wife´s self-esteem and the desperate, almost impossible attempt of recapture.
More than once you want to shake and shake even more not only So-rae but also many others. Yet, this is all due to family values and the social context in South Korea (...I wasn't aware of its extent the first time I saw the show). The tremendous injustice that So-rae is confronted with from several sides in addition to what she actually allows and gives in to, is rather disturbing and can eventually get on your nerves. For me as a woman, too, (yet being sozialized in Germany) it was sometimes extremely hard to bear.
This social study of a woman´s life (in South Korea) is painful to look at, yet told in a highly authentic manner. Thanks to veteran high-end actress Kim Hee-ae at its best, So-rae's emotional processes are brought to life even more authentically. With the example of her male protagonist facing the same subject - an unhappy marriage and a potential divorce - the dramatically differing social stand of men and women are presented rich in contrast!
The soundtrack stands in fresh contradiction to the sobering subject matter, which repeatedly embeds the events in a cheerful, confident atmosphere and encourages facing the challenges of life optimistically.
The various side plots profoundly round off the picture of contemporary society of that time. (Compared to more recent dramas, society´s expectations in that respect unfortunately doesn´t seem to have changed).
--------- SIDE NOTE --- Divorces ---
... in South Korea are still hardly socially accepted. At least ´adultery´, which was at the time of the KDrama still an illegal issue, that could be punished (in fact even with years in prison) is no criminal act anymore. However, a law is still in force, prohibiting adulterers in South Korea from starting divorce proceedings. Plus, in order for the divorce to be legal, both spouses must agree. And if so, at least significant monetary compensation must be expected. However, this obviously doesn´t help prevent adultery (especially among husbands) to happen. It´s rather a matter of hypocritical morals - a South Korean study in 2015 found that of surveyed men 50,8 percent cheated at least once. It is among men almost considered normal with no consequences for the valued concept ´family´. Whereas among women it was 9,3 percent - and there it seemingly happens more often at a point within the reationship, when the wife might also be prepared to end the ´failed family project´ - but cannot simply do so.
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At last, I deliberately want to mention the relationship between So-rae and Tae-oh, which is told in such a refreshing way that goes beyond the usual clichés. For once, no silly chastity. No romantic exaggeration. Real. Grounded. Not a hero, who would do everything unimaginable for his loved one so that the sun would rise in the west (...yeah, a little bit, though...) ... Instead, an appreciative, loving, grounded, not completely selfless, but patient partner at eye level and at your side, if woman needs him. Not Mr. Perfect, yet a man, who is prepared and willing to grow in relationship (even if it might be bothersome at times).
Finally, the coherently told story convinces with an ending that provides emancipated happiness - noiselessly, softly and with balanced steps.
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We've all seen her in dramas, the woman who married into a wealthier family, who is faced with comparisons to people that are doing so much better than her and receives lots of pressure from her in law family. What makes this drama and its heroine stand out is the focus on her journey of growing stronger and questioning her status quo in life. That is not to say she's a weak woman at the start of the drama, because she can take a stand for herself when required, but she's just not a person that puts her own needs above everything else.
The drama raises several important social issues, the most prominent ones were the role of wife and mother in a family, education of children and affairs. Some people might be put off by the fact that the female lead starts an affair, but imho the affair topic was not the point of the drama. These two people meet and get closer, because they both feel kind of left behind in their respective lives, but the important point for me was not whether they would stay together or not in the end, but that they began to think about their current situation in life and whether they could continue living that way. I see the affair more as a starting point of their character growth, and especially in the case of the female lead that was really well done.
I keep talking about the female lead, but her character really was the heart of the drama for me. I realize now that I rarely cared about a female character as much as her and Kim Hee Ae's outstanding and relatable performance played a great part in that. She made that character come alive, so that I always felt her pain and was rooting for her to find happiness. The rest of the cast was impressive too, there were several characters that I hated with a passion, but the drama actually managed to make me feel a bit sympathetic for some of them, although that doesn't excuse their previous behavior.
There were some things I wish would have been done a bit differently in the second half, which is the reason I didn't rate it a 10, but those aren't any major flaws. All in all, I highly recommend this if you want to see a drama with a mature approach to its topics.
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There are essentially four Big Topics being put up for analysis in the drama: What it means to be a wife; what it means to be a mother/parent; the current state of education in primary/secondary schools in Korea; and the ramifications of both wanting a divorce and the consequences that come with having that wish granted. It’s difficult to hammer out each of these topics as a separate theme because they are all melded together through three interconnected families: The Hans, the Jos, and the Ohs. (It may be helpful to look up a family tree beforehand to get their relations straight).
The story as its most basic level centers around Yoon Seo Rae (Kim Hee Ae), a married woman with a son who is about to enter into secondary school. It is through Seo Rae that the drama questions what makes a person qualified to be a “Wife,” and to what extent that right extends to being a “Mother.” Does fitting all the qualifications of being a good wife automatically make Seo Rae a good mother, or does being a good mother to her son (adorably played by Im Je No) make her a good wife? In a society that stresses keeping up family appearances and keeping elders satisfied above all, can a “Wife” be more than a vehicle for her child’s success (and thus a mirror for her own parent’s efforts realized)? Can she still focus on herself occasionally and allow herself to feel like a woman - an individual - again? These are the questions the dramas asks through Yoon Seo Rae’s character; the questions with which she herself struggles time and time again as she is tested by her arrogant in-laws and as she grows through her interactions with Kim Tae Oh (Lee Sung Jae), who is the dentist from the description.
But that is only part of the equation that makes this drama wonderfully thought provoking. Through Kim Tae Oh’s wife, Hong Ji Sun (Lee Tae Ran), we see the privatized education craze from the eyes of someone profiting from it; profiting from housewives who will do anything to make sure their child comes out on top. On the other hand, we also see how a marriage crumbles in on itself through no fault of any particular party. Through the Han family, we see a product of the education craze all grown up - Grandparents who feel their society owes them the world for giving up everything to educate their children, and Grown Children who see themselves as the “Noblesse Oblige,” as Han Sang Jin (Jang Hyeon Seong) tells to his son, which is a result of his own perceived privilege. We also see what the idea of divorce does to a person’s mental state when it is out of their reach: Han Myung Jae (Choi Eun Kyung) is a character you’ll love to hate by the end of the drama, but some of her last scenes definitely make you sympathize what it is like to be stuck in a marriage because of filial obligations. While her situation may on a whole feel like Karma-induced retribution, it is also the drama giving us another portrayal of Wifehood in Korea.
There are so many more points I would like to give attention to in this drama. It is one of the best portrayals of character growth and subtle changes in characters I’ve ever seen depicted. Yoon Seo Rae and Kim Tae Oh’s journey throughout the drama is one of the sweetest, more realistic and mature illustrations of dealing with the prickly topic of adultery. Usually, we only get the perspective from the person who is cheated on, but this drama took care to give us both sides; not only that, but also reasons for the reactions of all the families involved, even when the viewer might not agree with those reactions.
I could go on and on, as you can probably tell, but I’ll also point out some things I felt the drama didn’t do enough with in order to make this review more balanced. It didn’t get a 10 from me for a couple of reasons. One, I felt that the topic of education and the impact it has on the kids involved could have been explored more. We get a child who does really well in school and a child who struggles, but we only know this through exposition, not with actually spending time with the child as a viewer. Two, there were some plotlines that were used solely as plot-drivers in the first half that were completely dropped and never mentioned again in the second (the situation with Yoon Seo Rae’s mother; Kim Tae Oh giving out free dental care, etc.) They’re little strings, but they still left some holes, at least in my mind.
I’ll stop here ’cause this review is getting monstrously long. If you couldn’t already tell, I enjoyed this drama immensely and would recommend it to anyone looking for a deeper, intriguing plot line in a drama. If you can stand slower paced stories (there are scenes where you spend a good 5 minutes just watching a person walking, or sitting, or lost in thought; I happen to really enjoy those types of scenes, especially with the wonderful camera work in this drama, but... I understand it’s not everyone’s cup of tea), and if you want to see how a typical family drama in Korea usually unfolds without having to devote yourself to the normal 50+ episodes, then give A Wife’s Credentials a try.
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This review may contain spoilers
There are dramas such as this, that pierce your heart deep. This is such drama. I don't have words how beautifully these series are created. This is not cheesy story plot, unrealistic plot or fairy tale - this is real life. Real life in Korea, from a perspective of parent, educator, neighbor, family member... This is one of those dramas I have to give rating of 10 in all categories. Kim Hee Ae should get an Oscar for this performance - it was so real, it became scary! This drama covers mature subject matters, emotions that will shift you right and left, and finally choices that would lead to consequences. This drama is a must to watch. There are few like this one - that if you watch it, your life would never be the same!... I can't give any spoilers, but all I can say is that, from the fist episode it grabbed me and could not let go. Perhaps for a young adult this would be too heavy to watch, but anyone who is married, have kids, especially a woman, should watch this. The affair did not become a main concern for me but what did was psychological effects of it, peer and neighbor pressure, various "polished" relationships that made this drama whole. Everything done here was brilliant, and I am not just saying that, it truly is a sad melodrama that no person should miss out. The female lead growth was spectacular. Brilliant "jewel" drama hidden among all other dramas, so please if you want something really mature - this one should be your next!.... tip: drama is available on dramacool Was this review helpful to you?
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A hidden Gem
I am surprised that this drama has such low ratings but when one looks at Ahn Pan Seok (APS) list of dramas' ratings then they are not rated as high as I tend to rate them. I, think, his style of directing as well as the story line just appeals to me and my partner. His style of directing and story telling, I think, are simply a masterpiece. As one watches his drama, he invokes multi-sensory emotions: auditory, music, visual such as panning across semi opaque scenes to convey some hidden/private conversations.I would have given this drama a perfect 10, but I think he left out some closing details on some important topics such as the kids. Thus I rated it at 9.5... I shall explain later.
The whole drama had us engaged till the end but in this case I was happy to see that almost everyone got what they deserved. I love a line from this drama "Karma went out and came back again with vengeance".
This was my 4th APS's drama. I have come to love all of them. The only criticism I have about APS is the way he ends his dramas. On the other hand I have come to expect how he will end his dramas and this one did not fail me. By the end of the 15th episode, I was screaming and I knew that he was going to leave me hanging on some important subject that I thought was the main point of this drama.
So.. on to my analysis of this story... BTW.. for me the love story line between Yoon Seo Rae (YSR) and Kim Tae Oh is there to provide emotional support and a main ally in our FL's journey to freedom but the love connection is not the central theme...From my perspective the central theme is personal freedom with the backdrop of Korea's educational system and its importance to the climb social ladder.
YSR is a devoted mother and a housewife. She literally lives for her son Han Gyeol and his emotional well being. She would rather choose high emotional intelligence over high educational qualifications. When her soon to be ex-husband chooses to move to a neighborhood that places a high value on "looking good and looking right", one begins to wonder how long our FL will survive. It was a "no wonder" moment when she falls for the dentist. This overall way of being of the community immediately places the FL's way of being in a conflict that eventually leads to a big separation. In order to prepare for that separation our FL hero finds her voice and eventually her self.
My problem with this drama:
I have already noted that APS tends to leave of unanswered plot lines. What I don't get is: Han Gyeol (HG) care and up bringing was utmost importance to YSR. In the end the ex-husband is drunkard and is gone for the majority of the day only to show up at the end of the day to say "hi". How can a child grow up in such an environment? Why isn't YSR concerned about it?? She simply leaves the choice up to the kid.
However, after having watched serveral of APS's dramas, it an expected end!! Hence my 9.5 rating.
Credits:
Kim Hee Ae - She has climbed to top my list of favorite actor. She won my heart over when she expresses how she was thankful for being ejected from her own house. Her acting skill in that moment were amazing!!
Jang Hyun Sung: It takes skill to be jerk and an idiot. He did an amazing job.
Ahn Pan Seok: I will watch your other dramas and look forward to your next one!! I think the way you tell your stories for 16 hours is amazing. If you ever come across my feedback and find it valuable.. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE fix the way your end the drama. Just give your self another 20 minutes and tie up all the loose ends. Thank you for your creativity.
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Weak...
The drama's biggest flaw is that it lacked focus. Weak chemistry between FL and both men. There were some awkward pauses in dialogue and editing. Scenes and transitions were disjointed often. The writing was too loose, especially the infidelity plot which lacked complexity and nuances to be more "human". Sometimes it felt like watching an indie movie written by college students. The drama desperately needed a better build up, the infidelity happened way too early. The same thing can be said about production which often it felt off, although it didn't seem like a "lower" budget drama at first glance. It was really awful how the sound was peaking every time a character shouted.Go watch "Valid Love (2014)" similar topic but infinitely better.
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The music in this drama, OMG, I kept humming it esp the end songs. Even downloaded the playlist in Spotify. Selection is so good and so sentimental. Transports me back to my youth.
Story is so relatable, cheating is bad? Well yes but in some circumstances as in the main actress, I can see why and she def must divorce the bastard. But I don't agree with Tae Oh's move as his wife deserves time to change. She is a good woman and again, Lee Tae Ran clinched the act superbly.
Overall I love the storyline and was not bored thruout the drama.
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