My initial impression was that this particular vicinity had a severe snake infestation problem (of the two-legged variety). And I surmised that if anyone was to get through this script unscathed, widespread de-snakeification with extreme prejudice would be necessary. Logical choices would have been to build tragic loss(es) into the story-line at some point so as to not lose the audience's emotional consonance with the lead characters. But as the story progressed, certain character deficiencies became less and less critical to the overall resolution of 'When A Man's In Love'.
I can't say how I would have handled this if I had to wait week to week for each episode to be aired, but it was, in the final analysis, worth the twenty hour investment -- at any rate -- and gives several broad-stroke examples of the beauty of forgiveness. Forgiveness for certain persons who exhibit such irredeemable personality flaws that an abrupt writing out of the script, as a final option, may indeed be in order. Just a single character endured the length of the series, having suffered no credibility loss; though suffering repeated incidents of betrayal, deception and malfeasance from the people whom they had trusted most, for the longest time, for the most honorable of reasons; and for that small mercy, I AM grateful...
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The story gets a 7/10 for twists but all in all, it was the usual plot found in many other Kdramas.
The acting/cast did an amazing job in this drama and really portrayed the characters well. In a sense, the cast is what kept me coming back to watch this each week. The main characters portrayed their roles in a way where you felt pity/angst/sorrow/and joy throughout the drama. I felt that a lot of the negative comments revolved around the way the writers wrote certain characters and well, if they stirred your feelings up, I feel like they did their job right. I really admired Song Seung Hun's character in that he was able to draw out emotion from the audience.
The music in this drama was also great. The music was appropriately placed throughout the drama and was actually quite good.
The rewatch value of this drama is low but overall I would say that this was a very good drama to me. I liked the twists and characters and feel that the last few episodes were kind of rushed, but all in all, it was a well cast/acted drama. I give most(if not all) the credit to the great actors in this drama.
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I just finished watching this drama and I was like wow! Let me give you a brief summary. From ep 1 you already knew this drama was going to be a rollercoaster ride. It was crazy to cute and funny and to wtf and to like damn this drama is beautiful. My wtf moment was between ep 10 to 15. It wasn't because the drama was going bad it was because it was becoming unpredictable. I didn't give up because i had to know how this drama was going to end and I didn't want to skip any part of it. This show took a lot of twist and turns, so it wasn't like a regular romcom because I was on a cursing rampage for like 3-5 episodes. However it was necessary because that's what kept me interested. The characters of this drama were complex, but they played their parts so well, that I give the whole cast an applaud. I am really happy that I finally watched this drama because it was on my plan to watch list for a long time since I was scared to watch it because of some negative comments from the drama. It is your choice to watch it or not, but i still recommend it.
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Overall, I found the drama good, but could have been better!
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This drama was pretty shaky. I sped watched the middle but I liked the ending. I think the characters all really started to shine again.
Mi Do - Shin Se Kyung
I haven't heard good things about this actress.
Her acting is appropriate to the scenario because she's depressed. And even if the actress isn't good, the character that she plays is written well. Mi Do is steely, a little volatile and she doesn't mess around. And definitely doesn't back down even if it gets her into trouble. I appreciated her resolve and she's not clueless either.
She's also not intimidated by the second female lead or the second male lead's forwardness.
She's a sad little thing and pretty much never happy which can be super annoying at times.
Tae Sang
Song Seung Heon is really excellent. His character is quite broody but he doesn't make it boring. The way he talks and his body language, he really owns the personality and the mood while still giving a lot of energy.
He handles Mi Do's pride with care. It's unusual to have such a kind chaebol. Tae Sang's character is fabulous until you get to the middle of the drama.
His gangster side does come up now and then. I liked how he is not a character that has it altogether. He is sincere and earnest and he tries so hard.
“Sorry that I'm stupid.”
He freely admits that he's never dated and that he doesn't know what to say. He's adorable. But he learns quickly. And Mi Do lets him know the rights and wrongs. I love him.
Friendship
The side characters are really strong. There are so many great brother relationships in this drama. The loyalty and the comradeship is A+. I like the trust and respect between the men. They are such mother hens to each other wanting to look after their hyung or their dongsaeng.
“You're my friend, my father, and my only family.”
The heroine also has a cute relationship with her brother. I love how much he admires her. He really thinks she's cool and awesome. And I like that she seeks him out when she's down because she knows she's safe with him and he can cheer her up.
Chang Hee
This guy is an awesome domestic goddess and such a great brother.
Jae Hee - “You sound like a grandmother.”
Chang Hee - “It's good to have a grandmother.”
Romance
What romance? This is so very screwed up.The drama should be called “When a Man's Obsessed”.
Tae Sang comes on way too strong.
First Half
Tae Sang and Mi Do have a really good dynamic. It's nice for a change that the girl is a little grumpy and unpredictable and that she likes physical affection. I like how real they feel because they go through their ups and downs and their feelings are all over the place. Their romance isn't clear cut at all. I liked the depiction of their uncertainty, their frustrations, and their struggles to make it work.
“Dad, let me date Han. I can dump him anytime if he's no good.”
I like that Mi Do takes charge of the relationship because he's so clueless. Han's lack of social graces is so endearing.
They have some beautiful cheeky moments together. There were times when I totally shipped the serious Mi Do and the sincere Han together. Other times, I completely felt the ill-fitting romance they were having. I can feel Mi Do's depression coming through and Han's frustration with her apathy. She takes his love for granted and acts like she's tolerating him. But on the flip side I liked her confidence in the romance.
I liked that the push and pull of the romance was a big part of the drama and that the tension surrounding it was a major anticipatory factor.
Jae Hee - Yeon Woo Jin
I was happy to see this actor again. He has a serious make out session. Probably the steamiest I've seen in Kdrama.
Music
I always appreciate a strings soundtrack.
Elders
I like it when there are different mothers because the drama feels less tropey, is that weird?
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Classic must watch.
You would have to be dead inside not to give this Classic a 10. The same way Stairway to Heaven delivers, this love triangle is one you won’t forget. Some may say it’s dated, but isn’t that a shallow thing to say? Yeon Woo Jin’s character brings the smoldering intensity that brings this drama to life. Trust…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..:.:::….:..:::::………………..:::……………………………::::::::::..::::.::::.:..:::?Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
An Ode To Domestic Violence
Reading the comments on this drama is such an infuriating experience because of the hate that the FL gets or how people fixate on her cheating as if the ML isn't viciously abusive to her the whole time... it's bad enough that the story ends with her staying with her abuser, I didn't think I would have to see so many hurtful opinions on top of it.The ML uses emotional manipulation on her, relies on the fact that she owes him money, screams at her, throws things around to scare her, sabotages her chances at independence, takes advantage of her being injured to keep her with him, grabs her violently, goes through her phone, follows her, assaults her... He tries to apologize after bouts of aggression by offering money and extravagant affection... this is literally textbook domestic violence. Not to mention him threatening her sexually when she was a kid, after assaulting her father in front of her.
Seeing people zeroing on her cheating or even calling her selfish is heartbreaking and just tells me no one really understands domestic violence even when explicitly depicted in fiction... Besides the anger at a terrible ending what I felt the most was hurt and sad that she wants to be with the one she likes—the SML—and is stopped in her tracks every time. I was actually enjoying the show bc I thought it was a realistic depiction of domestic violence and what victims go through to escape it, how long and gruelling the process is physically and mentally... but the last episodes were terrible and ended up with this absurd forgiveness of the narrative towards the ML, with no criticism behind it as to why victims so often remain with their abusers. It's just presented as a happy forgiving ending, and the SML suddenly giving up on his love for the FL for no palpable reason.
I didn't find the FL annoying at all. She was poised while struggling with this man twice her age who keeps her trapped financially and physically/emotionally. It truly breaks my heart to see the takes some people have in the comments. I can only encourage people to read up on domestic violence and understand the forms it takes.
All in all, this is a very bad show, but not for the reasons you might expect. Tons of dramas depict abusive/toxic behaviors as cute or romantic, but this one is different, because the way that the script is written and acted is meant to show that this is wrong, that this is domestic violence. At least at first. The deviation from this and toward "we were both wrong, let's start over" (and meant to be seen as a happy ending, not as yet another technique of DV) in the last few eps is what is terrible about it.
Take that as you will... but as someone very well-read on domestic violence and with first hand experience of it, I think if you saw the FL as selfish or nothing more than a cheater, you need to think some more.
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Dwelling emotions!!
The only characters i like are Tae sang and Chang Lee: true brotherhood. All others are trash. I wanted some random nice girl to pop up at the end for Tae sang. “Don’t let momentary pleasure or happiness confused with real one.” - by who? Me?This quote summed up the most of the story.
True/pure love destroy by selfishness. Tae sang is a great character that has every qualities people would die for yet he fails in love . He did get together with FL at the end but it was not as before. SFL sacrifice at the end made me like her more than FL.
This story truly sticks to its title. “When a man’s in love”, he will do everything for the girl he loves.
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I have so many mixed emotions but the ML is <3
this was a love/hate relationship and honestly so tragic. the guy loved the girl so much but she was always into the SML, and then at the end years later she has the audacity to come back. The ML's entire life is just so tragic, and he just wants someone to love who loves him back... The SFL loved him and sacrificed alot, and he accepted her but she sacrificed again for him and he didnt even realize or get with her at the end. He still reminisced on the FL at the end and the FL always had an open door to come back, even though she was the only one cheating the entire time. She doesn't care that SML's brother literally ran her over, but rather was "scared" that ML was going to do something to hurt her the entire time, when he literally wouldn't lay a hand on her bc he has only wanted her. I can see where it feels burdening for FL, but this mans became rich just to provide for you and take care of you, and ONE trip with another guy pushed everything he's done away as a bad thing. Yeah SML cared about the girl's interests but FL never even got to know or ask ML his interests too. It felt like ML was attempting to learn how to date properly bc he didn't want to mess it up, and rather than help him she just cheats and breaks his heart. Idk ML did so many nice things for her, but has SML done all of these things besides getting to know you? I can get an online friend to care about my interests, but finding someone who will break their back and isolate themselves just for me to be happy and have financial freedom so i can reach my goals eventually is just so much more beautiful and touching. SML was always living in his head and unrealistic with his life views, he just blamed everyone else and didn't even listen to the person who experienced the event he was mad about, he just takes and takes whats given and never gives back. He was a snake and sly, and always played a victim and FL loved that. How could FL realistically go for her passions and dreams, when she doesn't have the financial freedom to do those things? It's like SML was manipulating her and using those aspirations to reel her in, when he was living in the clouds but the ML was on the ground working hard so she can achieve those things. Like out of all the things that ML has done for you how can you never believe him and think he did all those poor things with bad intentions towards you like you being dropped from her "dream job", when SFL was out to get you. ALSO, the AUDACITY FL had when ML gave her the clothes, the trip, the experience in Guam and she pretended like had those things and gave the credit to the "happiest days of her life" to the SML who also got to be in Guam because of the ML too??? Like yall both were broke, and act like those dreams can come instantly when in reality yes you need money and ML worked hard and DONATED his money to both of those charity grabbers like they actually believed it was a "scholarship" that they deserved.I honestly think FL liked SML bc he was always beneath her especially in terms of persona bc he was the lowest and always sought revenge and was unhappy even when he already had the girl, whereas ML still looked at the positives and always gave and was generous and forgiving, and FL was intimidated for how great of a man he was that she was just projecting her own guilt and insecurities onto him bc she couldn't handle how much wore of a person she was. Out of all of this, she never cared about the relationship between all of the guys but always herself. I honestly think FL got this personality from her father. her mother was right that she stayed with the dad for love and look where it got her, he was still treating her poorly and making bad decisions. The father never like ML bc he still had an ego and inferiority from him around, and projected onto him as well. The father is the one that went to loan sharks and thugs, and was shocked that thugs did that to him when he didn't have the money. After all those years, when ML literally kept FL's dignity, he paid for his medical bills, provided for his daughter's tuition, etc. he still thought about the "worst" time in his life when he literally brought it to himself and the ML basically saved the father's life from dying by bringing him back/finding him. Like the father really thought money should be given to him and people will understand that he can't pay it back, and then get so hell bent that they tried to get their returns with no benefits?? All of these characters were so ungrateful except ML and (i would also include SFL but she also connived and used all of this info that ML has wanted all of his life for a LONG time to get him back.. and then pity him when others try to do it to him too the same way she did, and she prided on herself for loving ML when she couldn't let him be happy with FL). ML in the end let FL go and was happy for her, and for someone who never loved before he was the only one who TRULY knew what love was which I really admired. He always stayed true to himself, and never changed for the worse.
Although you can argue that ML should have stayed away from SFL if FL had a problem, but he did that eventually and cut ties with her when he saw how it affected FL. FL still kept SML around and had an affair but still had the audacity to get upset about SFL. Also, ML alot of the times couldn't control how SFL acted or when she showed up or what she said and no one believed him when he tried to explain himself. It's ironic how FL never cares to listen to ML's explanation or ever believe his words, yet says ML never gets to understand her or her dreams/aspirations like its a 2 WAY STREET. Break up with the mans, if you like someone else and want to do things with them like atleast be a decent human being..
I give it a 7 bc many dramas can't pull my heart strings or draw emotions like that from me easily and also for the ML <3
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The overall story line was pretty good. i consider a drama good when i have strong feelings about each character. the only character i liked was Tae Sang. As for the other characters, i understand their importance and how their role lead me to liking Tae Sang so much. i did not like how the relationship between Tae-Sang, MiDo, Sung-Joo, and Jae-Hee all played out. my problem with it was how their relationships ended but overall it was very interesting.
the acting and cast was pretty good. it was very convinced. to have a cast that can act out and be convincing with the story line with such awful and cold characters is great.
The music i didn't notice very much. it didn't play a very big role in the drama. i wouldn't rewatch it because for the most part i didn't really like how it ended. with regards to the love story it ended with the usual K-drama happily ever after kind of ending and it was irritating because i imagined it ending in a more "karma catches up with everyone" kind of way.
The drama wasn't to bad. i have watched worse dramas and I've watched better drama's. it had many twist and turns and overall it wasn't too predictable.
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I guess this show tries to be different by showing you how love can make a person do crazy things.
There's also lots of cliches in this drama, including, misunderstandings, family secrets, accidents.
The love triangle/rectangle is convincing, even though you really can't root for any character because none of them were in their right minds. I also agree with other reviewers who said the drama is too long.
My favorite character in this drama was Chae Jung Ahn. Being the second female lead, she loved the male lead deeply but didn't go off the deep end like many cliche female villains. Won't spoil the ending but it was not satisfactory to me though it did tie up loose ends.
Watch this if you love Song Seung Heon or cliche korean melodramas. Otherwise, skip it.
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