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Familiar Wife korean drama review
Completed
Familiar Wife
5 people found this review helpful
by manicmuse
Jan 22, 2019
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 10.0
Most people who see this drama's synopsis will just assume it's another version of "Go Back Couple", and there are definitely major similarities, but I would still treat this as a completely different drama. I admit that this is what made me reluctant to watch myself until a friend recommended it. Without giving away too much, the premise is basically the same: A man who feels trapped in a miserable marriage gets the chance to go back in time and possible change his future for the better. It's a pretty common trope, but the cast really made this one not only entertaining to watch, but a story I really became invested in, in spite of it's pretty unbelievable premise.

One of the best things about this drama is the cast. Every lead and supporting character is exceptional, and makes this a great ensemble. Ji Sung plays the sensistive and passive male lead Cha Joo Hyuk and is matched with Han Ji Min as the extremely aggressive and tempermental Seo Woo Jin. They actually have amazing chemistry, but what they also do well is portray one of the most frustrating to watch couples in all of dramaland. You can probably find reasons to hate both of them, and definitely hate them together, but that's what makes this drama work so well. It really makes you think about what it can take to make a relationship work, and what makes it worth it... or not.

This drama doesn't just focus on the main couple's drama but there is also the entertaining characters working at the bank (I loved all of them), as well as Joo Hyuk's bffs and sister, Woo Jin's mom, and Joo Hyuk's crush. Part of the fun of this drama is how they all interact with each other even when things change. There's also a lot of comedy to keep the story from feeling too depressing, or heavy handed with nostalgia and regret. The whole cast really worked well together. There are also some pretty awesome cameos and references to other dramas that were maybe unecessary, but a nice touch.

I gave the story a slightly lower score, even though I was very entertained from beginning to end, because a lot of it is pretty implausible. It's best if you turn off your logical brain and enjoy the ride. I also had an issue with the mysterious homeless man character, who I really liked as well, but I wish his backstory was a bigger part of the story. However, the writer did do a good job of giving every character some time by the end so there didn't feel like there were any loose ends or unresolved stories.

Would I watch this again. Definitely. I admit that I was so annoyed by the main couple in the first episodes that I would love to rewatch it all with a different perspective. The cast alone is entertaining enough to make me enjoy watching it all again, plus I'm a sucker for stories about learning to appreciate your life even if it's imperfect. I also love "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind", and the mood of this drama reminds me of that movie.

Overall this drama may not have made me cry like other turn back time dramas, but it's not exactly lighthearted either, and I loved how it presented a more realistic relationship with imperfect characters that I wasn't even sure I would want to see end up together in the end. I think thats what makes this familiar scenario stand out from the rest. Instead of the expected grass is not always greener storyline I felt like this was more about actively working to create the life you want while embracing the fact that it won't ever be perfect. I highly recommend this TwilightZoney drama. If I could go back in time I'd assure myself that this one is definitely worth watching. Also, it's a good reminder that happily ever after is in the eye of the beholder.
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