Durian's Affair (2023)

RomCom, crime, historical drama, fantasy & Makjang make the dough for something standalone new

"Durian's Affair" is set among the wealthy - ´here´ (2023) and likewise ´there´ (long gone Joseon days). The time may have changed for Du Ri-an and her daughter-in-law, but the place has not. They are instantly catapulted from their Joseon days to recent today. Some of the wealthy family, who own the property today, have apparently reincarnated again in this family. They are especially well known to Du Ri-an. Now those involuntary time travelling ladies have to deal with the culture shock and the traumatic leap in time that actually seems as incredible as a dream, whereas in their own days they were actually in the midst of grieving over the loss of their beloved son/husband...

This bizarre, four-dimensional dramaturgical setting is providing a load of finely knitted entanglements and arising questions, yet unanswered. What had really happened back then? What's going on today in this family? Why the time jump? So what's next for the two Joseon-day ladies? How is everyone going to deal with this weird practical (and for some even emotional confusing) situation?

This production is full of zeitgeist of the 2020s, in which Anglicisms and Banmal (informal speech) are a matter of course, while in mass consciousness the curtain between different times and spaces has become extremely permeable. Yet, the icing on the cake: relationship dynamics in the fourth dimension. The people of that long gone time are not those of today. And yet... There are notions of their life back then, even if they cannot consciously remember it, as well as the option of making new decisions in their life today. Broken hearts, cupid's arrow, greed and passion, as well as a sense of responsibility or noblesse oblige... it's all mixed up through the perspective of the time-travelling ladies of days gone by. Situation comedy breaks through encrusted structures. The strangely insane is tossing and turning the minds of reincarnates and time travellers alike. Likewise, the strangely familiar is, too.

"Durian's Affair" is one of those KDramas that wants to break with established genres. The South Korean, but also the international market is currently being flooded with excessive KDrama productions. Thus there is increasingly space opening up for experiments... and that's what “Durian´s Affair” is, too. This KDrama is no RomCom, no crime thriller, no historical drama, no fantasy and also no classical Makjang. However, elements of each are richly included. Together they create something independently new. Anyone who is open to such an experiment should sit back, relax, shake off the usual expectations and get involved with the KDrama. It's entertaining. With some open questions that keep the suspension throughout all 16 episodes. There are also love interests. (Yes, plural.) All multi-layeredly entangled across time and space. Additionally, “Durian´s Affair” is even exuding a pleasant scent of humanness.

Be prepared for deliberate Sostenuto! The pacing is characteristic, since the production sticks consistently with the two outdated ladies from Joseon days. And in my opinion, those ladies are the ones who make the show as remarkable as it is. Regarding Du Ri-an and her daughter-in-law, all characters in the show as well as the audience alike can work themselves off. Nice!








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SIDENOTE: --- A reckoning with the lost virtues of a conservative South Korean society ---


“Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.” -Confucius

In my opinion, "Durian's Affair" is kind of a reckoning with pseudo-virtues of a conservative South Korean society. Du Ri-an and her daughter-in-law are catapulted into Seoul 2023 and show the elite clan around the Dan family what true Confucian virtue actually means. At the same time, they are caricatures as those virtues come along as an almost unattainable ideal. The two ladies from back then embody i.e. propriety, righteousness, integrity, benevolence, wisdom and trustworthiness in such an uncompromisingly consistent way that one cannot help but be amazed. Confucian virtues are inextricably linked to patriarchy. But the lesson in this idealistic self-image of a dignified, respectful life is given to us by two women! Adaptably creative, intuitive, respectful and well grounded. Timelessly human, righteous, wise and trustworthy.

Du Ri-an and her daughter-in-law embody the Confucian virtues, but more than that, they have transcended them without realizing it and found an answer for what these (and every other virtue, too,) are actually intended for: A source of self-confidence as a human being and dignity, from which a person can draw strength and grounding - even in the most adverse situations! In general, this as a prerequisite for any human, compassionate, authentic encounters. Those virtues had to be (necessarily, involuntarily) adapted by those ladies into a completely foreign century. (And they prove themselves again and again in every one of the three different households of the Dan family.) So it is actually about the core essence of any virtue: providing a human being with dignity and inner values as a compass – reaching out with the power of respect and thus transcending boundaries of specified classes, too.

The two time travelers come across as idealized caricatures of the bygone Joseon period, that is generally considered virtuous. As foreign ladies in Seoul 2023, they embody rather unreal, almost exaggerated ideals of virtues that are still upheld and (as it turns out) actually largely lost. And yet, the two ladies prove it: true, authentic dignity can grow from the upright embodiment of these virtues. This dignity matches its dramaturgical equivalent in the overall deliberate Sostenuto pacing of the K-drama.

The timelessness of the old values stands in apparent contrast to the growing western internationalized coolness and the elitist arrogant version of the new nobility, which however seems to have lost any grounding unless it is for money. It is rather obvious: a bit more humanness, morality, integrity, wisdom and trustworthiness would be nice here and there. What is offered above all is a shiny facade cushioned by the bank account. More or less covered underneath you find any human topic irrespective of class or wealth: longing to be loved, self-doubt, jealousy, gender issues, fear of aging, love in old age, temptation...

In "Durian's Affair" the head of the family clan may be a (actually surprisingly liberal) woman. Homosexual love can become a topic here, too. And then there are a few more time-sensitive issues in play. Yet, authenticity and sincerity are primarily triggered by the two noble, upstanding Joseon ladies... They may remind one or the other just by their attitude towards life, that human dignity is deeply rooted inside - even though one may have lost or forgotten about it along the way.

Don’t get me wrong. I'm not standing here for Confucian virtues. And neither does the KDrama. But it holds a nicely presented mirror to South Korean society, which to this day may hide behind the 'old, time-honoured' values. For better or for worse. If so, then it might be crucial to fill these virtues with life. Message: The present is far from that. Fascination? Yes. Attraction? Perhaps. But embodied? No. Two ladies from the past must be landing in 2023. (And actually they had to carry their baggage at home back then - a baggage whose weight was characterized by a questionable virtue (also) of the people of that distant time.)

“Durian´s Affair” rejects any kind of idealization. How nice, indeed! Yet it upholds authenticity (as a new and needed virtue?), basic for any respectful human-to-human encounter. As a value! As the true virtue! And with that - against this background - "Durian's Affair" becomes quite a progressive KDrama production. What a delightful surprise!





PS:
And then, the ending. It is open for all you can imagine. Any direction. You choose, where to go next. Drama just like the human condition (la condition humaine.) Like the wheel of existence, fueled by Karma! It goes on and on... A never ending story of birth and rebirth...

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Was the scriptwriter on drugs?

the good(??): Crazy ass plot where all semblance of logic has flown out the window. I really marvel at the scriptwriter's ability to cook up all these plots. Time travelling, mother in law/daughter in law love plot, past lives ... the list goes on. In particular, the mother in law/daughter in law love plot is so mind-blowingly outlandish that it became the sole reason why I even bothered to continue watching this drama. The scriptwriter has written other similarly crazy stories but this really takes the cake. I'm even more surprised that the actors were able to pull this off with a straight face.

The bad: The ending was a shitstorm that made no sense at all and was horribly rushed. Pacing in the earlier few episodes were so dragged out and slow. In particular I noticed that there were many long drawn out conversations among the characters that did not seem to serve any purpose. The time-travelling was also badly explained and till now I still don't quite get it (prob because I skipped around quite a bit) The actress playing Du RI An had only 1 facial expression and 0 charisma and I'm not sure how she even managed to land the lead role.

Conclusion: Watch only if you like to see a hot mess and are ready to turn off your brain for 16 eps.

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No idea what’s going on , but I kind of like it ???

it’s been a long time since I laughed so hard.
the drama was first introduced to me on instagram by the account kdramaswithitunnu. I must admit that I have no clue where this story is going but I like it better then the cliché King the land… sorry not sorry.

on the otherhand I wish I could slap some sense into these jealous women. if there is no trust or you have to fight this hard.. then it’s not meant to be. Although some of the men seam the be missing a backbone. I do hope it grows back by the final episodes


Seriously what’s going on …… I hope there is a season 2 because, I don’t know what just happened in the last episode. It’s like a rollercoasters ride but you get stuck before the drop . Not mad just confused ???

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Durian in Wonderland

This was definately not a show I would recommend to anyone. There were a few very funny moments at the beginning when they first transported but those moments were overshadowed by the utter nonsense and writing that was the rest of the show. Not one of the supporting characters were likable or decent people. The writer must have been on drugs or something when she wrote this script. I noted that she wrote another show which I also disliked so I will definately steer clear of her shows in the future. It was in my opinion one hot mess, the ending was terrible and it was a total waste of talent? Save yourslelf an agonizing 16 hours and watch something else.

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daughter-in-law falls in love with mother-in-law?

I don't know what kind of story this is or how the story goes, but I watched until the end

The beginning of the story was very slow and boring, I almost stopped watching it in episode 1. Episode 2 was quite interesting but the story was really slow. I can't wait to see how the story will develop but it only revolves around meaningless conflicts.

even at the height of its drama, it becomes strange and meaningless. I really don't understand why the scriptwriter chose this type of conflict.

Don't forget the ending that really makes your jaw drop. I don't even understand how the ending became so meaningless at all.

but this is a new experience in watching a drama that is quite strange to see.

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What a weird time-traveling drama full of makjang plot lines

Wow… this is an interesting and unique drama to say the least. I thought I was going to get a typical time-traveling drama, and laugh about how the two Joseon women adjust to the present-day timeline. Little did I know I was on a crazy ride.

I actually thought the first half of the drama was quite entertaining. The Joseon timeline is well-made with a coherent story. Even though nothing was extraordinary, it set the stage for Du Ri An and Kim So Jeo to time travel. I still don’t quite know why and how that happened, but that’s not too important as most time-traveling dramas don’t elaborate on that.

What I like best about the drama is the way these two Joseon women came to adapt and learn to live a different life. There isn’t any over-the-top comedy or second hand embarrassment. Their experience was written in a very likable and natural way. The two female leads are very likable and I root for them to be reunited with their loved ones and love interests.

Unfortunately, the rest of the drama is a big makjang of crazy plotlines of the rest of the characters. First crazy plotline is the lesbian obsession. That daughter-in-law is one of the two annoying characters of the drama. The drama spends so much time with her harassing her love interest that it’s becoming very uncomfortable to watch.

The other crazy plot line is Madam Baek’s romance. Why waste precious screen time on these two lovebirds. I don’t need a whole episode on their date. I would consider their story romantic and sweet if the age gap is not so ridiculous and if they have their own show. Now, it’s just cringey and a waste of space.

The writers seem to have forgotten the drama’s name is “Durian’s Affair” and should have dedicated the most time and effort to Du Ri An and Kim So Jeo. They are the time-traveling duo and center of attention! I want to see the love connection between So Jeo and Deung Meyong. I want to see them slowly falling in love while acting in their drama. I want to see sweet, cute and fluffy romantic moments from this good-looking pair. Additionally, I want to see more sizzling chemistry and longing looks between Ri An and Chi Gam. Unfortunately, these stories become an afterthought.

The ending is up to your interpretation. The modern timeline ending is a lot easier to understand. The Joseon timeline threw a curveball to my understanding with the very last scene.

I won’t say I hate this drama. It was just a bit looney and unexpected. I enjoy the first half so much more than the second half. I don’t think I will recommend this unless you are a fan of makjang and crazy storylines.


Completed: 8/17/2024 - Review #472

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not your typical time travel story and definitely for adults

This is not your run of the mill time travel story. I like that the story lines are both in the past and the present.

The secondary characters appear to have all been re-incarnated. Hopefully past and present will be reconciled eventually.

The first couple episode are confusing but I believe that it's done deliberately on the part of the writer until all the pieces start to come together. The writer is being extra careful to not give hints of what's coming, so every move is a surprise. The action is neither to slow or to fast. I'm really curious to see what will come next.

The writing is good, the acting is superb, the sets are good and the costuming is excellent.

I rated it a 9 and dropped it to an 8 because at episode 12 the story it is getting weird. I am just a little nervous in the direction it is taking. I have to say I hope it has a clear happy ending and at this point i am not sure if it will.

Update- Episode 13 and 14 were better. I like how some of the characters are getting their karma. I can't wait for the remaining 2 episodes there are many possibilities to be explored it will be interesting to see where the story goes., I will not put spoilers in here but I will say it's starting toward the ending and I hope it's happy..

The Ending is not satisfying. You just shake your head and say WHAT WERE THE WRITERS THINKING?

I like clear happy endings and this is not one.; I think they are setting it up for a season 2. I hope it comes. It would have to be after the solar eclipse and focus on the past.

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The story and cast in this drama show promise, but unfortunately, the direction leaves much to be desired. It becomes evident that the creators attempted to cram a complex narrative into just 16 episodes, resulting in a disjointed and confusing viewing experience from the very first episode.

However, it's worth noting that the cast delivers commendable performances, which adds some redeeming quality to the show. Had this drama been given more episodes, it could have allowed for a more meticulous editing process. It often feels like the creators hastily stitched together pivotal scenes and tried to make sense of them by incorporating various disjointed footage.

The climax, in particular, feels rushed and condensed, as if it's trying to wrap up multiple episodes' worth of content in a single installment. While the potential for a great story is evident, it falls short of being well-executed due to the constraints imposed by the episode count. With more time and a more thoughtful approach to storytelling, this drama could have truly shone.

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Many things bothered me about this drama, not the least of which was the Jang Se Mi character, who came across as predatory and creepy. I’ve never liked the drama trope that indicates that it’s a sign of true love when someone ignores a person’s NO and instead aggressively pursues that person (e.g., Secret Garden). Jang Se Mi was particularly problematic because she got too close when the object of her affection was sleeping or impaired or physically weak. I did wonder at one point whether the writer was tryng to play to homophobic fears. In addition, all of the other love lines came off as more crude and tawdry and less romance and roses to me.

The writing seemed so off that I looked up the screenwriter Im Sung Han.

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Really great drama!

Spoiler alert!
Durian's affair. Downloaded it from Dramacool.

Just finished Durian's affair. I loved it!

It's about two women who time travel due to a solar eclipse from the Joseon era to now. At the spot where they landed (same spot as where they lived) a rich family was gathered for the birthday of the mother. Most of the family members were related in some way to the women. And then it shows that karma is a …
The acting was sublime, the clothing of the two women who wore traditional hanboks was beautiful, it all just added up.

The ending wasn’t really clear, left partly to your own imagination. I like to think that Kim Min Joon was reunited with Park Joo Mi while traveling back to the Joseon era together. They were such a lovely ‘couple’ back then. Unfortunally for Choi Myung Gil, who played a 70 year old woman who married a 30 year younger man (good for her!), her husband also got in the pond and disappeared. No clue where he went.

As far as I could tell Yoo Jung Hoo got back together with Lee Da Yeon (her husband in the Joseon era), which I thought was the right thing (didn’t like Ayla at all) because there was so much chemistry between them.

Now I wonder who was who in my past!!

Must say the male actors all looked very very attractive. It’s good to see actors in their 40 – 50’s!

Highly recommend this drama!

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Nice, a must watch

Let me start by saying this, Karma is a bit*h. Whatever you do in this life will affect your next life. All the major characters what they did in past life they got in return in their next life. If you understand the meaning of the above lines. You will understand the ENDING, otherwise you will keep scratching your head that what just happened in the end.

That being said this is one of my fav drama. Durian acting is off the chart. I am happy for Soe Jeo, she got what she wanted. Also, ENDING shows somewhat a situation of parallel universe/world concept, both Durain & her servant left together, this might have happened in another parallel universe. Although I maybe wrong. Writer has left the ENDING open to everyone imagination.

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