Tempted (2018)

Fast-paced and easy watch

I feel like I'm missing something when I read the other reviews because I genuinely enjoyed this drama. It's a solid drama and maintains an appropriately fast pace.

Storyline: Perhaps this is why some folks end up disillusioned, and it could be that reading a handful of reviews before watching set the stage for my expectations. At no point did I find myself rooting for the ML and the second FL (the friend), which left me open to embracing the central relationship. In fact, the second FL's character acted out in such selfish ways right from the very beginning that it made sense to me that at some level that turned the ML off given his natural disposition was more sweet. The incorporation of the friend groups added depth to the plot, a detail I thoroughly appreciated. While there were moments where characters' choices gave me pause, viewing it through the lens of 20-year-olds often brought clarity – after all, sound judgment isn't a given with underdeveloped frontal cortices. One critical aspect left unaddressed was when Soo Ji's mother fell for Shi Hyun's father, a key piece to comprehend her willingness to endure such adversity.

Acting- The entire cast delivered commendable performances. Particularly, Soo Ji emerged as the most captivating character, benefiting from the strongest parts of the script.

Overall, the drama proved to be an enjoyable and easy viewing experience.

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This drama is definitely not for everybody.

The storyline and the relationship between each character can easily confuse anyone, so if you're searching for some light, funny story, I don't recommend you watching it.

After watching the first 3-4 episodes (the drama consists of 32 episodes) I was reaaaally excited, I liked the whole plot, actors/actresses and dynamics between the 3 main characters. Then the storyline started to get confusing for me and I really had to focus so I would still know what was happening.
I stopped watching it for a while, but then I realized that I do want to know how it all ends. So I read a looot of reviews but most of them were negative ones. Obviously, if someone wants to watch/continue watching a drama, they rather read positive reviews, that's why I focused on only those. And I don't regret it! I continued watching it but due to personal matters I stopped again (I needed light and easy stories).
Weeks later here I am, I finished the drama and I'm writing a review. Let me tell you something: the last circa 10 episodes were so amazing that I finished it in less than a day.

What I want to demonstrate here is that watchng this drama requires attention, patience and the will that you want to see the outcome. I really liked this drama because its topic is not 'we're some rich kids", but more powerful and complex issues.

If you feel like you like drama and conspiracies then you definitely should watch it.
If you feel like you're alone and nobody understands you then you definitely should watch it.
If you think living as a rich person is childsplay then you definitely should watch it.
If you happy and you know it clap you-... Oh wait that's not it.

All in all, this drama is not for everybody.

P.s.: I started to watch this drama because of Kim Min Jae. I can firmly say it was/is worth it.

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not bad, not great

well yeah, I will agree on one thing. Both Tae-Hee and Se-Joo were annoying and whining bitches. They were so full of themselves that I almost felt sorry for Si-Hyun and Soo-Ji. Soo-Ji was actually very practical and brave kind of girl. Yeah since she was the second lead so she gotta show some evil moves but even that wasn't as irritating as Tae-Hee's normal behaviour. I mean... Yeah Si-Hyun did hurt you and that was wrong, but you gotta get acts straight girl! Everytime Si-Hyun comes with an apologizing puppy face, you melt down. I mean.... C'mon!!!! Have a personality of your own dude!!! But anyway, Soo-Ji carried the show way better than I had expected. Y'all can try it out once

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don't press the play button

If nobody liked this show, then why did it get this rating? :) I understand that some users are trying to convince us that it’s good, but it’s going to be really hard to persuade those who have actually watched it. The show centers around a love story with a revenge plot, and considering how often these themes are explored in K-dramas, it definitely lacks originality. Every scene is quite predictable and simple. Up until the 10th episode, almost nothing happened; the pacing was really slow, which made me lose interest while watching.

There were way too many unnecessary characters, and I couldn't see how they contributed to the story at all. For those looking for depth in emotions, you're going to find a pretty shallow love story waiting for you. Does anyone understand why and when Kwon Shi fell in love with Eun Tae?

abandoned and humiliated her in front of others; despite this, she was too foolish to blame herself and couldn’t grasp the situation. Moreover, even though this was one of the key scenes of the series, it failed to evoke any excitement.

I also don’t understand the praises for their friendship. They are just three people manipulating each other. They claim to be the most important people in each other’s lives, yet they hide so much from one another and are not honest with each other. Moreover, they are not good people. No, I can’t justify their behavior by blaming it on their families or traumas. They have no valid reasons for what they do; they hurt each other and others as well. That’s enough for me not to like them.


Oh, I have no words for Eun Tae’s close friend. I hope no one has a friend like that. She was definitely the worst-written character in the series.


They are deceiving themselves because they are not honest about their feelings. Lee Se Joo, in my opinion, was the most caricatured character. Especially during the moments when he was being spoiled, I found his acting to be insincere. Yes, it was a mask he wore, but he still couldn’t make a leap in his performance. Despite everything, he was the only one who genuinely seemed to be interested in Soo Ji.

The family relationships among all the characters didn’t seem to capture anyone’s interest in the story. The love triangle between the parents and the coincidences that occurred were almost comically simplistic.

In the plot section, they jumped into the story suddenly, almost like it wasn't even the first episode of a new show. They introduced the topic in a way that was quite complicated, which was really confusing. Like everyone else, I wanted to give up watching after a few episodes, but let’s admit it, it was pretty hard to do that with Woo Do-Hwan in it. But even his presence wasn't enough to save the show. His character was also pretty shallow and underdeveloped.

Of course, I can’t skip over the directing skills and the poor screenplay. It was a complete lack of skill. The transitions between scenes, the superficial way emotions were portrayed, the dialogues—all of it felt very basic, almost like a cheap movie done carelessly.


I’ve always loved themes of love born from hatred. K-dramas have always been quite generous with this topic! :) But this show didn’t give us any warmth other than the warm feeling that Woo Do-Hwan’s sweet smile brings to our hearts. I haven’t seen our female character in any other drama; she might be a pretty girl on her own, but I couldn’t find anything about her that would make anyone fall in love with her. If I had to describe her, I wouldn’t even know what to say. Is she innocent? Beautiful? Does she have a good personality? No, I couldn’t find anything. She didn’t have any qualities to make a man who has loved someone else since childhood fall in love with her. Moreover, it wasn’t even love at first sight. That’s why even the romantic scenes weren’t impactful because none of us understood why he loved her.

Honestly, there’s no need for a long review of this show. Despite all this, I finished it because I felt uncomfortable leaving something I started unfinished. If your time is valuable and you have a million other things to do—or even if you have nothing else to do—please don’t waste your time watching this show.

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If you want to know about it you have to watch the drama to know your views on it

Story plot is overally good. It started well but afterwards it was not so well plot. Ending has some small small thing that gave a closure but still expectation was not satisfied. I think some character need in some scene but they don't get that and some characters story was not completed. But if you watch it then only you know it. Ya it's sometimes depressing, frustrating can't get over it as a audience. We want both friendship and love can get equal screen. Both to be valued.

4 character are main but don't understand what actually they trying to do. They just involve and tangled but separated not having proper reason.

Eun ta hee - She has very powerful character which is strong when in times of her love but not a good character. I mean that she suffers a lot yet she doesn't understand others feeling. If you can forgive one you have to forgive all because they all are equally responsible. She doesn't listen any other when times of her love only believe in him. Then why can't she understand friendship. I don't want to write much if I started then I don't know I can't control myself to write but it may be not good to other viewers they might be get spoiler. You have to see to understand it.

Kwon si hyun - He has good character development from starting to end. But when he going towards further he forgets his base. I know you find better in fact best according to you i don't deny it but how could you left them alone who were with you from starting. What they do is wrong but you are also equally responsible then how could you forget all. You can keep love and friendship both. Actually you don't deserve their friendship. Sorry if I am rude I don't want to rude but I also suffer with the character don't know how but understand them so well. I also understand your situation but you have a chance to keep three most favourite people in your life but you didn't all the thing you said was just in vain. You don't deserve to be their friend. You have to trust them they understand you if you have them time and just talk clearly but no you just left them.

Choi soo ji - she did wrong thing but everyone knows why she did that. How she feels inside. Suddenly one precious thing will lost. Her friends know her well but who we think, she think was the one who will be always with her he slowly slowly disappeared from his life with not a valid logical reason. If all of them started something then why only one to be suffer. I literally felt so sad for her. You deserve much more good thing only believe in your self. You are so lucky that you have someone with you like se joo who is just their without any relationship just be there everytime you need someone. Only he is the best thing of your life. Be strong my girl. They don't deserve you. You and se joo have to be stay forever.

Se joo - only good and best character in the series. He tried everything to keep everyone happy. He tried keeping both friendship and love. Such a good person, good friend, good boyfriend and everything is good. He just want that all of his friends to be happy in their personal life but also keep their friendship. Till last he is the only one tried so hard. But everything has a limit till when he will be tried. Then one day he will stop. But at least not a bad closure he get just small tiny time of him with her love in the end. He deserves so much but thankfully they gave him a beautiful closure. I really love the character. You are the main and only reason for viewers to watch them for you we keep connected to the series.


Every character touches our heart or connect with us only when the casting mean the actors did fabouls job. Only for them we understand character. And to the whole team who were behind it from director, producer to the whole team of set, light, edit, script, dialogue and etc you did a very good job . It has not a great story but still a story so thank you for all your hardwork.

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Denso

Esse dorama é um pouco diferente dos demais que assisti, ele tem muita coisa acontecendo ao mesmo tempo ou em seguida, que chega uma hora que falta até ar e você fica com ansiedade para o próximo episódio. Maratonei em um dia virando à noite porque fiquei bem submersa na história.
Acredito que talvez tenha pecado um pouco pelo excesso de drama por coisa boba e resoluções muito rápidas sem digerir de fato, mas pensando pela narrativa de ser o primeiro amor e toda essa descoberta saindo do ensino médio e ingressando na faculdade e vida adulta faz total sentido.
Vi muitas pessoas reclamando do final, mas acho que precisou se passar 5 anos para que o amadurecimento ocorresse entre o quarteto principal e ficou claro que eles se afastaram, mas sempre se preocupavam ou lembravam do outro.

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Surprisingly Addictive

I did not finish this drama when it first came out but recently decided to rewatch from the beginning and ended up binging the whole drama. After finishing the drama, the plot really was not that deep or dark compared to the posters and everything. I was never really surprised by what was gonna happen next. The trio was also not even that charismatic group for me to root for-- was kinda annoyed at Soo Ji and Se Joo most of the time. Honestly, I was just there for Tae Hee and Si Hyun because of how attractive they were and that they had good chemistry together. I would recommend watching it if you're just looking for something brain-dead to watch.

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Story and Casts: Firstly, I reaaalllly love the cast at first. I really anticipated for Joy and Woo Do Hwan's chemistry, and honestly, I watch this drama because of them and Moon Gayoung. The early episodes are really good plotting, but when I continue to watch for this long, I realised that the storyline has a long-winded type plot and that makes me stop at 26. The story boring and decrease my interest more I watch it. I don't really wanna give the spoiler but I recommend you to not watch this if you can't resist twirl and complicated-mostly no ending story.

Acting: Even though I anticipate and appreciate the casts especially for Joy, Dohwan, Gayoung and Minjae, but really Joy needs improvement in her acting. Not gonna lie, sorry not sorry but every single gesture she gives, it cringes me. Not just Joy but more I got into the story, all characters acting seems more off than before, I couldn't see the feeling and vibe they made. Since I stop watching this, I get why this drama has the low rating. Sorry MBC or whom say this review ridicule the drama but hate to say this is my individual thought.

Music and Cinematography: Meh for me, feels like the old school drama. BUT I love when Ga-young has part plays her cello. Overall the bgm was good but sometimes they ruin the vibe and it really makes me want to laugh for some reason. Too overreact and distract-at the end annoying.

Overall: Really amusing to watch and behind that the story was good and just reminder, you need to prepare yourself to skip many scenes.

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As someone who has read the original novel and even watched an american movie adaptation, I can say this drama did bad in terms of capturing the whole essence of the story. I believed it focused on the wrong stuff, and downplayed a loooooot of elements. Would've wanted for at least 5 characters dying in the drama (a lot more in the original) just so those alive would feel the burden of their choices. But this story looked like a half-baked effort of modern day, young adult adaptation

Story
This is the first kdrama ever that I liked the latter parts of the story more than the start. Even some of my favorite dramas, W and Pinnochio, have fallen victim to having a blazing start but kind of fizzled as the story is about to end. After the first 4 episodes, I contemplated about stopping this drama just because the plot driver looked really bleak, and stupid for me. It's nowhere near the original plot of the original story annnnnd even if I didnt compare it to the original, it sounded stupid. You'd start a bet to take revenge on your friend's ex by seducing his first love? Wtf no one goes to that extent irl.

Anyway, I decided to stick through with the story just because I'm familiar with the original french novel and while it's a bad adaptation, I still wanted to have a sense of closure. We can all foresee the story from the start; we already knew the secrets will eventually blow on their faces as the story progressed but Surprisingly enough, I actually felt emotions. I felt surprised about finding out who Soo Ji's mom's secret lover is, felt anger upon knowing that Soo Ji's mom was responsible for the car accident, felt bittersweet for Tae Hee's Dad for doing all for the one he loves, yet getting so little in return, and sadness, frustration, and despair when Tae Hee finally talked to ShinHwan about what the fuck he did with her. My favorite emotion of the story nevertheless is feeling stupidly happy for Seo Joo, who did everything his crush wants but ultimately decided to fuck things up with his friends in the end because he felt like he wanted to be selfish for a change. That's a unique kdrama character is too be honest.

I kind of expected the ending to be happy just because it's part of the kdrama formula:
- Rich lead guy
- Poor lead girl
- Absurdly good looking second lead
- Optional hot-as-well pairing for the 2nd lead
- One-dimensional, close-minded annoying parent(s)
- Lead guy and lead girl don't like each other at the start >>>> decided to talk a bit >>>>> likes each other immediately
- Unecessary/overused slowmo when the lead guy gazes the lead girl
- Rain starts to fall unexpectedly, lead guy and lead girl dont have a fuckin umbrella or share a single one
- Happy ending, regardless if anyone dies.

I dont mind the happy ending though. For a rather weak to decently strong build up, i dont mind the happy ending at all


Acting
I didnt like Joy in her first Kdrama but I loved her on this one. She played the role of naive, innocent looking cutie who didn't want no fucking around in the first place. Contrary to how others think, I believe she played the role really well cause I actually thought she was innocent in the entire series. I loved her chemistry with Woo Do Hwan as well; their scenes together didnt look forced or awkward; it felt innocent, sincere, and stupid just like how teens/young-adults deal with love anyway. Do Hwan has the same aura as Kim Woo Bin for me; bad boy perfect lead. I loved Seo Joo and Soo ji as well; both were jealous of their own desires. Soo Ji wanted all the attention and appreciation for herself and went to drastic measures to make sure she gets what she wants, even if it is at the expense of others. Seo Joo is selfish for wanting to please his crush and please her alone, disregarding his own emotions and intentions just for his feelings to be reciprocated. Everyone else, especially all the adults (parents) in the drama were all annoying. Ultimately, all the characters felt stupid, frustrating and unique that I actually had a refreshing experience watching this. Something new personality wise

Music
Music was mehhhhhhh normal though I did like some songs. It wasnt bad, but it wasnt a standout as well (coming from a part time musician myself)

Rewatch Value
Should I ever decide to rewatch this in the future, My reason would probably be due to my fondess of the 4 leads. Not with the story, but just their accurate portrayal of flawed characters.

Overall
To conclude, if you're gonna ask me if I can and will recommend this for anyone to watch? The answer is no. Watch it at your own curiosity for the show everyone speaks bad about. If you'll ask me if I liked the show, I'd rather describe it as a refreshing take of flawed characters interacting within a stupid plot driver, but actually produced a rather decent story. But if I really have to answer if I liked it or not, I would say yes (for reference, some of the kdramas I hate are Black, Cheese in the trap, and Bride of fucking Habaek, which is the stupidest kdrama ever produced for me)

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Despite hating Joy's acting, I had high expectations for this drama since I've seen Woo Do Hwan in some of his dramas like Save Me and Mad Dog. But in here, even though his acting was superb, the story itself was a disappointment. It was very tiring to watch each episode as the drama progresses. I thought maybe it could get better in the ending but still, even the ending disappointed me. I felt like it was rushed and it just wanted to give us a happy ending for both sides. Also, what happened to Hye Jeong? To Tae Hee's friend? Did Ki Young got punished? I have so many questions in mind that I can't put them all in here. But then again, it might be the director's choice to have an open ending for them.

When it comes to their acting, Joy really gave her best to convey the emotions Eun Tae Hee had throughout her journey in this drama. Although there are times where I really can't absorb her acting since her eyes doesn't have any emotions at all. It seemed like she's always mad when she's not supposed to. But to give her a credit, her acting improved somehow since The Liar and His Lover. She should be careful in choosing projects next time. Maybe she can follow Krystal's steps by taking support roles first to improve her acting more. There's nothing wrong in being a supporting role.

For Kim Min Jae, I felt sad a little because his previous dramas were amazing. He shined in there but in here, it felt like he was done dirty. He was like "cleaner" of the mess which he pointed out in the drama. They could've given him more because he has so much talent but I guess I can't judge what the Director is thinking. For Moon Ga Young, after seeing her in her previous dramas like Jealousy Incarnate, she really shone in here. Her acting improved as well although her character was a little bit annoying though she's my favorite one.

I guess the PR for this drama was just overwhelming that I had so much expectations for this that it disappointed me.

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