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asiandramaexplorer

asiandramaexplorer

Strangers Again korean drama review
Ongoing 6/12
Strangers Again
10 people found this review helpful
by asiandramaexplorer
Jan 30, 2023
6 of 12 episodes seen
Ongoing 2
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 4.0
Rewatch Value 6.0

Love and Hate are two sides of the same coin

I had low expectations going into this. This is not a stereotypical light romantic KDrama. I would consider it an adult comedy, a story about what happens to a couple in the real world after the youth romantic stage of the relationship ends. It is a mature comedy about immature people. The ML and FL were college sweethearts who were together for more than 10 years before the ML supposedly commits the big I (Infidelity) word and they divorce. They end up working together in the same law firm specializing in divorce law. As expected, their testy working relationship is muddled with the emotional baggage of their divorce and how it all went down with his infidelity. At times they reluctantly work together because winning the case trumps their personal grievances, other times the FL is so stirred up for revenge; she takes the opposing side. To make matters even more questionable, the ML sets up his ex-wife on a blind date with his good friend with the intention she may marry and he can get out of paying alimony to her. Expect some comedy, adult like jokes, and conflicting messages between the ML and FL on where they stand with each other and with other romantic interests.

The ML character does not fit into the box of the typical KDrama romantic ML:

- At times he is weak, wimpy, emotionally conflicted, lacks direction and conviction in his life.
- He's no rich chaebol heir, his career is in the crap can, he's broke and desperate to the point it leaves you wondering if he'll join the Squid Game.
- He is a divorcee
- While he is slim and seems fit, he looks to be about middle age (there is nothing wrong with that). He doesn't look like a Kpop idol turned Kdrama star. No pale pink lips and airbrushed flawless youthful dewy skin. He's got bags under his eyes and he looks real for his part. In the episodes so far, don't expect scenes of him showing off his chest and six pack abs.

The FL is the opposite of the ML, she's the standard KDrama pretty FL and is at the ascent of her law career. She's a feisty strong willed woman who wants what she wants, so please get the hell out of her way. After two years, the FL is still stunted relationship wise by the divorce and seems to have more trouble getting over the ML compared to the ML with her.

The first episode was so-so, it really picks up by the second episode and I found myself drawn into the relationship of the characters and each divorce case they take on. There's a level of realism they add to the complexity of marriages and human beings, what leads up to their failure, and the aftermath that ensues for everyone involved. There are some pretty good dialog and moments such as the scene between the senior CEO female mentor who gives the FL advice when the FL throws a pity party for herself in her meeting with her mentor. While the story shows the selfishness and not so good sides of the main leads, they do humanize them and you develop a level of compassion for how they got to the point they did in their relationship. I felt conflicted; at times a small part of me wanted them to end up together again or at least want the ML to have some re-ignited passion for the FL instead of his nonchalant manner towards her. Other times I want to slam my fists on the table and shout DAMMIT you guys need to cut this crap out and get the hell out of each other's lives completely.

So far it has defied my expectations, I may update the rating as I watch more episodes.
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