This review may contain spoilers
just four flawed women trying to figure out what they want out of life and love
The series is an anthology, which means that it features four different stories about four different women who don't interact throughout the show. (It comprises 8 episodes with 2 episodes for each story.) But this doesn't mean these stories are entirely separated though, because there's one element you can find in all four stories that will confirm that these four women all live in the same timeline and setting. I'm going to talk about each of the four stories one by one, before I talk about it as a whole.1st story (Eps. 1-2) #23: If I could describe #23's story in one word after watching the others' stories, it would be: VIBRANT. The first two episodes really have a fun, more youthful quality to it, with our heroine being in college and her story starting with her proudly sharing to the audience (that's us) how she managed to place herself in a *secret* "polyamorous" relationship with three men. But she suddenly finds herself in a situation where she's forced to admit to herself the reason why she was doing it and what she was trying to compensate for in exchange. Anyway, this was a fun little story, and while the topic is a little daring (a young woman? dating three men at the same time? without their knowledge?? controversial!!), I think this was the lightest of the four.
2nd story (Eps. 3-4) #29: This was slightly toned down than the first one, with #29 contemplating on running away from her incoming wedding and her awkward fiancé, who she finds she has become too comfortable with. But what really is she running away from? That's what her story of self-discovery is focused on. Our heroine might seem a little fickle, and honestly even I got a little frustrated, but watching her figure it all out was satisfying to watch. I was a little bored in the beginning (I think because I was a little hung up on how much I liked the first story), but by the second half the pace started picking up and got better.
3rd story (Eps. 5-6) #35: The third story takes a dark turn, that it almost felt like it came from a whole different show. (TW: blood, suicide) This was so much more intense than the first two, with #35 going through bouts of insomnia, some PTSD, and occasional panic attacks. She falls in love with a man who she thinks is too good and too kind, not knowing he was carrying a heavy amount of guilt in his heart and dragging some emotional baggage in the form of his wife, whom he is separated from but still legally married to. This was a little hard to watch, but the story was engaging and I honestly can't not pay attention when all that crazy stuff was happening on screen. I found the ending a little too quiet though, especially after the climax crescendoed (I don't think that's a word?) so hard, so the resolution just kinda made me go, "That's it?"
4th story (Eps. 7-8) #42: Seeing as the second half of the series stuck on more mature themes, #42's story is focused on infidelity and trust between a married couple. I liked the questions that were raised here: When is it considered cheating? Is it justifiable to cheat on your spouse if they cheated on you too? Can a couple ever heal from a trust broken between them? Watching an uneventful couple break their routines and lose their cool is uncomfortable for me as a viewer and the way they dealt with things didn't make things easier for either of them. It made me wonder who really was at fault here... Was one person to blame? Or were they both responsible for the cracks in their relationship? It made me, someone in her early-20s, question these things, so I guess I could say that it had quite an impact on me.
As a whole, I think it had solid performances from the four female leads, their love interests were also great as support. I also have to commend Kim Young Ah, who played Ji Sung, the one constant in all four stories. I loved how my perception of her as a viewer changes in every story. It's almost as if we see her character in the eyes of our female leads, making Ji Sung quite the complicated character and arguably the most flawed among those featured on the series.
There's the thing with the cinematography too, with #23's episodes being bright and vibrant, then #29's being slightly more muted, followed by the darker tones of #35's story, and finally, #42's having a gloomier filter. I think this is to signify that each and every person in this world are going through different situations-- we all belong in one show, but we're the main character of our own stories.
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Love, life and the struggle to balance the two
Four moving stories about women trying to find their way in love and life, which doesn’t always mix well together. There are two episodes for each story making it feel like four movies, except the plots aren’t deep enough for a feature movie. However, they are deep enough to keep you interested. I won’t go over each story because Frangirl, who says she rarely write reviews, wrote one of the best reviews I’ve ever read. I would feel insignificant trying to follow that review. Lets just say this drama was worth my time and I think you will feel the same way. If you are interested in the pitfalls that love throws at us as we struggle through this beautiful life we are given, then watch this one. If you are wondering, story four was my favorite.Was this review helpful to you?
Good Enough
Korean Drama " Love Scene Number " has a pretty bold story and doesn't shy off from more explicit topics.The drama is divided into four stories, each of them dealing with the theme of love and relationships the way modern day women deal with. The love stories are realistic and dramatic to the slice of life level, keeping their authenticity and cold realistic view on the subjects. That is not to say that they weren't different from each other. Actually, the only thing that connected them was the mysterious woman that appeared somehow in each story.
The performances, moreover, were all great from everyone in the cast and the cinematography was simple but suited the stories well.
So, overall, 8 out of 10.
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aw ok, so this is not a "sismance/female centered plot"
the 23
I loved this one, it's like the writing of a webdrama with a drama special's quality.
the relationships and the emotions were really realistic, and it really captured my attention though if I knew the whole thing was going to be resolved in 1:40 hours I'd have started it later cuz the pacing was really great and full of info
also this is a great example of "age appropriate" casting, I wish they'd stop forcing 20 year olds with 30 year olds and just give us more "college" dramas.
in some ways, the fl got scared with her "one" true love so she used the other guys to fill in the void, and in the process she belittled the guys to make herself feel like she's not wrong (otherwise she'd feel guilty and is forced to admit the truth)
and once it got out of hand (ie she was discovered) she again blamed the guys for "using" her becasue that'd make it easier for her to leave them too.
but I'm glad she didn't switch to her friend right away, both needed a little time and she needed to accept her feelings for him and take a risk ;)
the 29:
I also loved this one, in some ways it was about a really "quiet" go with the flow character that suddenly reached her breaking point and needed to escape from everything and with that she became her most honest self, she finally stopped trying to not cause problems in what looks perfect on the outside.
the relationship with her mother was the real problem, she was burdened with the fact that her mom was young and alone that she took the responsibility to "raise" her mother and that resulted in over attachment that when her mom wanted to live her life, the fl felt lost and scared.
the 42: *spoilers*
I reeeaallly didn't like it, it's like those movies where the kids accidentally hit someone and they think he's dead so they bury him but it turns out they killed him while trying to cover up?
so basically the fl thinks her husband is cheating so she starts doubting him and their "happy" marriage that she snaps and jumps to conclusions without asking her husband or listening to him. and the husband never really tried to convince her so in the end she goes to cheat back with the husband of the woman she thought her husband cheated with and worse they let her cheat when her dad died so it's just another reason to make the fl look like garbage...
and honestly that writer throwing in hints that her husband might be cheating. like why are people so sick to want to ruin a happy marriage ;/
the 35:
I couldn't get past the 1st part, it was boring and 1d without any real worth or plot ;/
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Surprisingly Elegant
The drama is an anthology which follows four women at different points in their lives and their position or viewpoint of love and what it means to them. This review will explore each story and my biased opinion of how great a drama this was.To preface, I must commend the writing, the casting and the directing for this show which showcased such elegant poise among all four women. There was a hint of melodrama for dramatic effect but it was not overdone.
Love Scene Number 23. As I read the comments I realize that a lot of people view Nam Do Ah as the villain in this first story. But for some reason that was not how I viewed her. To me she was someone who was indirectly hurt who in turn indirectly hurt others. Does that make her bad person? In some ways it does but it just highlights how flawed human beings can be. Even near the end where she is confronted by her amours, they themselves realize that it was never about them but her confused attempt to move past her hurt. This description of Do Ah doesn't do her justice but I hope as a new viewer one would look at her as more than just a liar and cheater but as something more.
Love Scene Number 29. I was pleasantly surprised at how Lee Ha Ram's story caught me off guard. I must admit my expectations for this series was low because I was judgemental about a runaway bride before I saw anything. What i was expecting: Parental pressure to marry the approved suitor with a hidden lover stashed at the side. What I got: A woman who has lived her life for her mother and now doesn't know who she is without her. It's a serious case of unhealthy codependency. Thankfully she realized that there was a serious problem with her life before she made a huge commitment and attempted to figure it out. Lee Ha Ram's story was really a slow burn to self-realization.
Love Scene Number 35. Yoon Ban Ya's character is the one I thought I'd have the greatest connection to but her story turned out to be my least favourite. The melodrama second half really threw me for a loop. I think they were trying to convey a level of desperateness her character was supposed to have but it was a bit overdone.
Love Scene Number 42. I think Jung Chung Kyung's story is my favourite in the anthology. This story was all about the strength and work it takes to keep a marriage strong. And even if you go off the rails that doesn't make it the end sometimes, Sometimes it makes you stronger. Woo Woon Bum was my favourite male protagonist in the series. His presence and role was so complex and reviviting, I couldn't help but cheer for them in the end. What also moved me in this series was Chung Kyung's intensity of her feelings. I really loved how she owed her feelings and refused to let others diminish them or diss them.
Overall the drama was poignant and could be a social commentary and reflect for many women at different points in their lives. It deserves every rave and recommendation it gets.
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#23
this was the lightest and most fun drama out of all 4. watching it was fun and i kinda enjoyed it probably due to a similar age of mine. of course, i couldn't understand or support her action but i really love her confidence when she tried to stand up for herself.
#29
probably because i wasn't about to get married or in a relationship, i couldn't understand her that much. perhaps, i think thats the direction of this story, trying to figure herself out. the first half was a little bit sloww and the second half picked up the face with even more interesting storyline
#35
my least favourite, i don't get where is the meaning of love for her. and the ending was ??? i think it was pointless and the theme of 'at the turning point of their life and figuring out what is love' was kinda a little bit off in this scene. it was super slow too. unfortunately, i didn't enjoy it
#42
this was the darkest, depressing and most matured out of all scenes. it starts off slow and peaceful and slowly becomes messier messier and kinda wrecked? despite it being slow and a little bit draggy i enjoyed this one. the pace was needed to build up the emotions and i love the ending.
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Delusional Love
An interesting mixed bag of ideas with varying degrees of execution. Although the first story #23 was the worst one out of the four stories, the first episode in itself was a really bad introduction for the expected quality of this show. I don't fully agree with the resolution of each story. Although each story presented a plausible real situation, but the drama went for the easy way out and ended each one safely. There was one thing the drama kinda brushed off, the mysterious woman across the fours stories. It seems her purpose was to give the leads a little nudge, but beyond that, we don't know much.Was this review helpful to you?
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Women & love
An anthology or omnibus series about four women in different stages of their lives but that can be seen as an example of a woman's life and struggles throughout the first half of her life from dating, marriage, career to mid life crisis. All of the stories are connected to each other by a common thread, a female friend/acquaintance who shows up in every episode either offering an advice (first two stories #23 & #29) or creating problems (#35 & #42). The numbers in the titles are actually ages of main female character in each episode.#23 A polyamorous woman finds out that dating three men at once is not such a good idea after all!
#29 A woman on the verge of getting married is upset by her own mother's unexpected life choices.
#35 A writer and a one-movie-wonder director is looking for inspiration
#42 A woman takes her husband for granted and can't bear the consequences.
The first story was fun though it showed the dark side of the internet and its power to destroy people's lives. A young woman is also taken on her own game without knowing which makes her wonder if her choices are really well thought out!
The second FL was so annoying; a woman about to get married but only thinking of her mother and never wanting to part with her: such an unhealthy relationship and an immature young woman. Only when she really talks to her mother who clears things up for her, is she able to move forward with her life!
The third story had a very theatrical feel to it: I felt as if I were watching a play. The way the characters moved, the way they talked, the events...everything was rather static and limited. It was my favourite story since even the plot was very theatrical full of lies and deceit.
The last story was the worst. It was about a childless couple, high school friends married for 20 years. She's obviously a ball breaker and he is a conciliatory kind of guy letting her get away with it to keep the peace. Over the years they have become more of a brother and a sister than a married couple (she hides behind a T-shirt so her husband wont see her in a tank top!). Some friends of theirs come back for a school reunion which sends their peaceful equilibrium into a tailspin and making her a jealous screaming harpy!
Omnibus is one of my favourite formats in dramas and this one is particularly well made: the production values are high and the writing is excellent. While the three out of four stories had their roots in reality and were really good (in spite of annoying female characters in 29 & 42), the third one is my favourite: it is a bit over the top dealing with publishing, writing, producers etc. but suspenseful and with a movie kind of ending. The mood was very much like in the thai series 180 Degrees, heavy with secrets and darkness. It is a bit different from the other stories.
Definitely worth the watch but you need to be in the right mood. The drama really manages to paint the women's struggles and questioning in a very intimate way.
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Communication is the gateway to a successful relationship
So I've completed this and honestly I left in awe. Though each episode is not related to each other they all gave out similar conclusion, COMMUNICATION. Communication is key in any kind of relationship especially a romantic one.I found myself most connected with #42 character, I'm almost half her age and I've never been married or experienced what she was going through but the way she portrayed her character: the delivery was exceptionally well done and I sorta felt the emotion of what the character was going through. The questions always linger; am I good enough? was it my fault? when one has been betrayed by a partner. To be honest people cheat because they want to cheat, yes there are contributing factors that can lead one astray but that's where the communication lies. Misunderstandings and trust issues arise, ANOTHER question that can follow is, which is worst a physical affair or an emotional affair? TO me they both hurt just as much so none is worst than the other. Marriage is hard work.
love scene #23, although closest to my age I could not really connect with her for some reason. She thought she had them by the balls but she played both herself and them. She was very much selfish. In my view she had the age but was not mentally prepared to be in a relationship that's why she had 3 different guys to fulfill her needs. in relationships you have to be selfless most of the time than selfish. I did not quite understand the conclusion of her visit but I don't think she should get into a relationship so soon.
If I were that man and my wife to be ran away on our wedding day I would have dug a pit and jump in because that would have been the most embarrassing moment of my life, love scene #29. Sexual compatibility & lack of communication are the biggest factors of relationships ending. Her issue could have been easily resolved if she simply communicated. The sex follows routine, its boring , not exciting/adventurous and she never experienced an orgasm with him YET refused to communicate. This is the man whom she will spend the rest of her life with no need to embarrassed about it and say hey babe I want you to do this, touch me like this, lets go have a quickie. ( The same applies to us women, don't be afraid to let your man know what you want during love making and whether you like it or not sometimes the overthinking that we might make them feel embarrassed is not even that deep and can really save relationships, so communicate) By her opening up to the issue was somewhat resolved and she had the most bomb sex in her life, there are minor factors that played in her behavior on the wedding day but lack of communication takes the cake. So take note and a lesson to us women, communicate and save your man the embarrassment.
#35 was another roller coaster and much more intimate and explicit. I wont say more or less just watch.
All in all, I say they covered their topics decently and the cast did a phenomenal job in the portrayal of their characters, two thumps up.
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