My Precious (2024)

For mature audience (not in a sexy way)

PSA: One thing that I really appreciate on MDL is that little thing called "tags". It helps you know what you're getting into before deciding to watch a show. Sometimes, I feel they are misused (I had a little rant about it already actually). But most often, they are used the right way. For example, for this drama, you can clearly see "extramarital affair" as a tag, this will help you know if this is catered to you or not. Take me for example, I wouldn't watch a drama with the tag "heavy torture", then give it a 1star and complain about all that torture in the show. Why? Because that would be immature, and irrational.

This show is about real people, living real situations. It's not a romcom, it's a drama, as in, heavy themes being employed here. It's really well acted, produced and written. I found the story absolutely compelling. All the characters were very 3D, and their motives made all the sense in the world. This type of story is very common place actually, even though it remains a taboo topic (illegitimate children being raised in the household). I am not a cinema buff, but even I was able to appreciate the cinematography. I also never really pay attention to the music, and this time around I was hearing it and appreciating it (the use of happy music in very bittersweet moments for example).
What I mostly care about in dramas are the acting and the story. I already gave my opinion on the story, very good.
As for the acting, all the actors did a really good job, especially the two leads. I've known Tanaka Kei from Ossan's Love, let me tell you, this guy can act. You will see a completely different character, deeper, darker and also more restrained. But Matsumoto Wakana (FL) definitely gave him a run for his money, she is great in this.

IN SUMMARY: Watch this if (1) you are a grown up who wants to see grown ups going through grown up things, (2) you know fiction is supposed to make us think of situations that may or may not have happened, so that we can walk a mile in someone else's shoes, (3) you're just a cheating cheater who cheats ;D
PS: there are worse things someone can do to their spouse than cheating. Like raping them for example. Just sayin'

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Interesting Ethical Dilemmas and A Surprising Ending

A drama with real life issues that challenge modern and cultural ethics and values. I thought it was interesting. I wasn't expecting the ending that we got.

It was frustrating to see how the woman's mistakes were judged vs the man's. The woman had an emotional affair that lasted a short period of time and ended in a one night stand and accidental pregnancy. The man was verbally and emotionally abusive of a long period of time and eventually r*ped her (it doesn't matter if you're married or not. Sexually forcing someone is r*pe, and in my opinion as a DV survivor, is even more traumatizing than if it were a stranger.)

I won't make excuses for the woman's behavior (although that I will say that I can understand how easy it would be to seek comfort in what seems like a safe and understanding place in those circumstances). An affair, no matter the circumstances, is breaking the vows made in marriage. It would be one thing if she'd tried to leave or divorce him, but he was so abusive that she couldn't, but at that point, she hadn't even tried. I can also see why she was lying and keeping things like paternity a secret to protect the child, but....

However, abuse in any form is also a breech of those vows. It bothers me that this show barely even treats that like the huge problem that it is. The woman is judged and ostracized for her mistakes, while the man seems to struggle a bit with his own faults, no one bats an eye at the HUGE things he did wrong.

I also hated how the one lady was forgiven so easily for lying about the ML's identity/death to keep him to herself. There were huge consequences for others that resulted, but no one seemed to care.

The ML's character arc was interesting. Can becoming a parent change someone like that for the better? Could a new baby really become a "guiding post" like we saw here? I don't know. It's interesting to consider. Personally, I think that when someone has been treating their spouse so badly for so long due to displaced anger, self-hatred, and resentment, it won't change that easily. It could definitely become a catalyst for change and self-reflection, but real change takes time, and we only had 6 months and 10 episodes. But then, we also have him seriously consider drowning himself and the baby? Seriously. *facepalm*\

I hated so many of the FL's choices. Like not telling the guy that he was the father even when everyone else and their dog already seemed to know. If he was some awful person she was hiding the baby from, that would make total sense. But he was a nice guy who cared about her and the child's wellbeing, so....

But, it was an interesting and thought provoking drama that I don't regret taking the time to watch.

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