Did they ever deliver on that one.
This is hands down the best drama I've ever watched. It may or may not age into being one of the best things I ever see on screen, but there is a good chance of that happening; and there is no way I won't remember it as a profound influence on who I am and who I was when I first watched it.
That's what this drama is, you see: a zeitgeist. Solely by character study, it captures the frustration of the class divide, and both the actions and the attitudes that preserve it. These it explores from a wealth of perspectives, telling you who a character is by showing you how they think and act. This effortful characterization goes into almost every side character in the show, loveable and hateable alike (and there are good reasons both to love and to hate every one of them); but nowhere as powerfully as when the two leads are in focus.
In classic Movie Appreciation course fashion, it's quite possible to classify them as two philosophical perspectives - Oh Hye Won as the pragmatist and Lee Seon Jae the hedonist - but that's label-gloss, to talk about what they consider important. Large, complex, and tense as the world may be that this show lives in, the whole thing is quite neatly reducible to an extended conversation between these two, arguing about what they care about and how they're going about achieving it.
And providing the throughline, the reason they are having this conversation at all, is the music - grand, melancholic, seductive, consuming. The way the leads are involved in it involves us - you have never in your life listened quite as closely to anything as you have to Schubert's Fantasie as you will while watching Yoo Ah In play it, and Kim Hee Ae listen, transfixed, in the background. Once trapped into paying attention, not once will the soundtrack misstep and let you go. Everything your ears experience for the next fifteen hours, however you divide them up, will have immodest effect on you, and on what you're seeing in even the most innocent exchanges. The story, the acting, the camera, all of it sets you up to be involved, provoked, and entertained - but the music is what makes it matter, in your gut, when even the briefest of glances is stolen, the lightest touch committed. Its presence or absence lends the punch to every word spoken. And in scenes when it's being played by any of the characters - well, good luck trying to focus on anything else.
The pacing is neither slow nor fast. You have the time to savor things, and to appreciate the setting and the world. The external conflict isn't simplistic, for all that it plays second fiddle; it's given its due weight, both in screentime and in how much it matters. Nowhere do you feel redundancy set in; the writer manages to bring some freshness even to the tired chaebol rogues gallery, by not tiptoeing around the foot-level dirty work involved. A little fatigue could set in around the third quarter, but compared to most dramas this is minimal.
The color palette is warm, and the visuals are set up to be striking rather than rich or polished. Superb camerawork, for all that the music is the star of the show; it works organically with the scene and actors, and follows a poetry of its own that becomes more or less subtle depending on the moment.
Rewatching will be for three possible reasons: a)fully understanding the sometimes too-subtle plot, and following the threads that involve the less critical side characters; b) trying to form new perspectives on the show as a whole because we're all wannabe philospohers like that; or c) just enjoying the whole experience again, free to savor every moment of the acting, directing, and music at leisure. The last I do quite often.
tl;dr Like a Tolstoy novel, except I started piano lessons after this show because they make it sexy.
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This review may contain spoilers
A SERIES VERY DIFFERENT THAN OTHERS THAT FALL IN THE SAME GENRE
The series is not for everyone it has very different vibes than usual older woman nd younger man genre nd it involves classical plays as it's main theme as ml nd fl are both pianists or experts in that field especially fl nd ml is just beginning nd meets her so if you don't like classical music that much you might find it a bit uninteresting in initial eps but if you don't mind enjoying classical music then you will surely like it. . Now the synopsis A woman who has been living a fake empty life to achieve her goals to belong to the upper class her greed for fame her whole life then one day a young guy enters her life who belongs from a totally different world nd she sees herself in him as how she was in her beginning times as how she had the passion for music nd she sacrificed it all,Just to achieve a life where she feels empty now nd how that young man slowly nd steadily fills her empty life with daily life joys she missed out in her early days,the things she could have enjoyed in her earlier days the meaning of real home nd more, they face a lot of obstacles together but they still persist until end what you will see in this series is the devotion ml had towards the fl nd how fl slowly here n there made mistakes hurt ml but sacrificed everything to protect him so that his life won't be ruined by the society she took all the blame nd more nd how ml just didn't stop supporting her even after she had nothing left nd she even said to everyone nd ml to express herself I recently re-watched it so I remember I will tell you all exact words she said-"the world of music which i had given up, I wanted to exert my influence, as if I was born with such rights, as if they were embedded in my genes, something that no one could take away from me. Then one day in my life, very unexpectedly... a progress report of my life was in front of me. Then the value that I had long forgotten asked me a question. How will I live the rest of my life? I vividly remember that very moment. It was a highlight of my life. It was the moment when, for the very first time in my life.. Someone devoted himself just for me. He didn't give up his life for me or give a romantic confession. He just.. busily wiped the floor of his place. All he did was try to provide a clean seat for me. But then I realized that I had never received such devotion from anyone. That I had even considered myself as a means for success. Me.. who had abused myself into misery. He did everything he could for me, he loved me, he let me lose it all I could've never done it on my own, he gave me what I could call a real home, so I'm thankful. "This series is not for everyone you need to be patient to fully get into it but how they persisted how fl was so strong throughout the series tried to do everything to protect their connection with each other nd how ml was as her solace in all this they had to go through. The casts are yoo ah in and Kim hee ae you all must know them from their other works they were perfect cast for these roles I definitely liked this series I hope you all will understand this series same way I did.Was this review helpful to you?
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the story is great, about love that can happen to anyone, doesn't care about age and what the world will say. This is about an affair between a naive genius piano boy with a strong independent woman.
the story so good that my heart ache and pray that they will end together.
the different age is about 20 years old and i think its so big, in the beginning i will just try the first episode, if its good then i'll watch it and if its not i'll just watch other, BUT i fell in love with this drama after i watch it, this drama exceeding my expectation.
the music does not need to be asked is wonderful.
a really good romance drama.
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I thought that the chemist between the two leads was FIRE!!! they were definitely the best part of the show which is also why I gave a total rating of 8.5 because the rest of the storyline wasn't strong. I understand why it was what it was, that her being corrupt allowed him to come in and "save" her from herself. But whenver they weren't on screen together I just didn't care about what was going on.
I still really enjoyed the show and have already rewatched some scenes on YouTube. All in all, I'm satisfied. For a kdrama that aired on cable, this is a passionate romance that I'll think back in frequently and may rewatch again one day. Seeing how hye won changed as a person and fell in love, was beautiful.
Also I must say, some of the camera shots were nicely done.
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In Short: This is the most emotionally involved I’ve been with a drama so far. The entire series (including the end) is expertly plotted and acted. Not for everyone, but if you tolerate some thoughtfully slow pacing, this is the melodrama for you.
Pros: Well directed, well cast, well written and beautifully shot. Through a 20 year age difference, the lead couple sizzled in a realistic way.
Cons: Yoo Ah In is significantly older than 20, and you can sort of tell. The acting (and some thoughtful styling and makeup) pulls it off though.
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From my paltry background in literature, I spotted hints of themes and characters I studied in The Great Gatsby, an American classic. I'm really, really impressed that a Korean drama is ambitious to go this far in exploring relationships and universal themes that have been a mainstay of other artistic forms. Whether our characters meet the same fate as Gatsby in the book is up to you to find out.
The posters make the affair look like a sizzling romance, but this show is actually light on the physical passion, and heavy on the emotional tension and chemistry. Music is a conduit for the characters to express their passions and emotions, which is much more beautiful and satisfying than physical passion.
The directing is very controlled. There are no sudden movements or harshly lighted scenes, and the earthly tones of the show help contribute to the withheld tone of the show.
The classical music is beautiful in execution, and its use in the show. The background stories of composers is masterfully integrated into the stories of the characters and relationships. I"m really impressed by this aspect. In that sense, the music itself is a character in the show, influencing and speaking into the lives of the characters. This, I think, is the best use of music in a show.
Kim Hee Ae is also extremely controlled in her acting, hence showing her skills as an actress. This control should not be interpreted as stiff; it is actually vital to our understanding of her character. Similarly, Yoo Ah In does a brilliant job of playing a character who is young, rash and passionate, yet a man, mature beyond his years and full of empathy. They have great chemistry too.
I don't usually rewatch dramas, but if I ever do, I can picture myself watching this. This drama is so subtle and controlled in its direction and acting that it'd probably be easy to pick up different messages and emotions from each scene.
Deserves the critical reception it gets.
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A multilayered masterpiece
I honestly wasn’t going to write a review for this, simply because I didn’t know if I would be able to capture in words everything I felt watching it. This is an art film made into a drama, and done well. The story, cinematography, characters, the lack of artificiality, everything was raw. This is not simply a steamy story about a risque affair. It is a slow, seductive, and painful concerto about finding yourself, your center, your own truth, and letting go.Story: It isn’t writing you can skim along the surface with. You have to discern the undercurrents and figure out what’s hidden in everything they say and do. This is the opposite of flash over substance, despite the salacious title. If you can enjoy watching a chess game played with people’s lives and reputations, if you like dynamic lead characters that grow and transcend, and if you like complex and multilayered relationships contrasted with shallow ones, then this is created for you. It is very reminiscent of Les Liaisons Dangereuses in its style and nature, only with more heart.
It was fascinating to observe how we can get caught up in the needs and expectations of others, augmented by our own ambitions, just by living our lives; as a contrast, we also see what happens when a catalyst comes and changes the world around us. In my own mind I keep picturing the main character as a bird in a cage that others keep tightening around her with their own selfish needs. She stays in it for her own desperate sense of security, complacent enough to the point of not realizing how small her world has become until that world is shaken. It is so difficult to watch her start to beat to her wings against the bars that are stifling her.
Production: The cinematography is brilliant: the way they use raindrops and the set itself to truncate the edges of scenes and create a sense of intimacy, the moody and often bleak monochromatic coloring scale. The music, which this entire film is woven around, transports you, even if you’re a layman like I am. Don’t mistake me, I enjoy music deeply, but I have no real knowledge of it, I only recognize what it makes me feel. I can only imagine how profound it might be to someone who actually understands and has a passion for classical music.
Acting: Phenomenal.
Misc: I'm not one to hand out five star reviews just because I liked something. In a lot of ways, this still raised the bar for me. This is a drama that I absolutely could not binge watch the first time around. I had to save it for a time when I could not be distracted by anything, and even then it was so emotionally charged that I had to pull myself out of it and breathe.
There are some people that are naturally not going to like it because things are still very black and white for them, and they haven’t developed a sense that there is always more to a story than that. This is not for the very young or very idealistic, or for those that have the idea of marriage being some sort of sacred thing, regardless of circumstances or differing reasons as to why it might have been entered into.
Unlike far too many western shows, this completely defies making the parts involving intimacy base or gratuitous. The title is meant to be ironic, and you see very quickly the truth of that. Honestly, after the piano sessions, any physical intimacy is a bit anticlimatic.
As an aside, the ending music can be very startling if you’re as wrapped up in it as I was. It made me jump a few times, I won’t lie. I had to start clipping the end because it became like an alarm clock to me- and I developed an internal alarm clock just so I won’t have to ever use a real one. So be forewarned.
TL;DR: Don’t watch this right now, you won't understand what's going on if you couldn’t even get through a review. (That wasn’t what you expected, was it…. ^.^) But seriously, it is complicated, and you'll have to pay attention.
Also, in all honesty, if you’re thinking of going in with preconceived judgements and a fistful of holier-than-thou notions, please don’t bother, it will only make you frustrated. But if you can give them a chance to tell you the tale, and accept the intricacies of being human, then give it a solid try. I’m not one to condone breaking promises of any sort, but I had absolutely no issues with this often sad but still lovely story.
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Emotionally driven.
For me, anything with Yoo Ah In is bound to be a masterpiece acting wise, and Secret Love Affair is no different in that scenario. The best thing about this drama was the acting that the leads portrayed. The awakening in form of confusion and happiness when they realise they are meant to be because their music resonates with each other. The yearning and desperation as the episodes progress because it has gotten more than platonic. This drama has some of the most frustrating characters and moments. It sheds a light on classism that exists in South Korea, the abuse of power, corruption in art industry, and solidarity and passion among those who really care and some amazing portrayal of friendships.This isn’t a drama you can watch with preset morals because there are some things that make you question yourself. You might feel uncomfortable with infidelity but the background and certain relationships make it seem like it’s almost okay. It’s also incredibly slow moving. It’s more emotionally driven than plot driven. If you’re not invested in the main characters, you will want to stop watching it. It’s only in the last four episodes that you see things progressing faster than they did in the earlier episodes. In my opinion it could have been wrapped up in 12 instead of 16.
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This review may contain spoilers
I notice that I'm really drawn to dramas that include forbidden love, affairs, or things of that nature. The cover art for this drama looked great and the premise was promising so I checked it out. The director of a music program at a prestigious school leads a seemingly miserable life. She is always held at the throat by her boss and the higher-up ladies who are total catty bitches. She is constantly under pressure to do everything right because if she doesn't things fall on her. Plus she is married to a pitiful bum who can't do anything for himself and the only reason he achieved such a high status in life is because of her connections. Then suddenly her life seems to take a better turn when she meets a disadvantaged boy who happens to be a classical piano prodigy. He is full of vigor and talent but he doesn't have the resources or connections to make anything of himself. Upon meeting him and setting him up with a scholarship to the school, Hye-Won and Sunjae form a band that blurs the lines between teacher and student.
The most mesmerizing thing about this drama, aside from the dramatic piano pieces that played during some scenes, were the scenes where Hye-Won and Sunjae played together. That. Was. Truly. Something. I can't even describe it. It was more than two people immensely enjoying each other's company. The way they both played to the drum of their hearts in absolute bliss was almost orgasmic. I wish those scenes never ended because they were the best in the show.
The ending was not exactly the way I thought things would go. Hye-Won got a divorce from her husband and ended up going to prison for crimes that she did for one of the families she was associated with. But despite all this, she said that she had never felt freer in life. Once she discovered that she could lead a life full of love and passion with Sunjae she didn't want to go back, so she literally destroyed her own life to rebuild a happier future for herself. Once she got sentenced told Sunjae not to wait for her to be released and go live his life, but of course, he chose to wait for her(while still pursuing his music career). With no husband or careers to think about, they were free at last to fully embrace each other. That is an ending that is beautiful and more satisfying than having them just be together in the end. Realistically relationships between a younger girl/guy and an older man/woman don't play out as smoothly as movies and tv portray them. Love is messy and complicated and sometimes doesn't make sense. But if it feels right, what can you do? 9/10.
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I was fanning myself over the talk about the duet.
I love it when film captures the smexiness of the piano. Not at lot of soundtrack, which is a good move so that the piano moments are really attention grabbing. Also, you know that Korean soundtracks can be cheesy, so best to keep it empty. Also, that moment when they introduce a riff and you know you're going to love it and it's going to mean a lot to you by the end of the drama.
I love the idea of falling in love with someone's music before the person themselves. Or how you can know a person so intimately just from hearing them play.
I liked the unexpected moments of intensity without the swooping slow motion or romantic riff. The actors don't need the music to portray the emotion.
At first, the age gap was difficult, but as the feelings and the characters became more entwined, it felt more and more natural. And the piano really was the winning factor. I can understand if anyone falls in love over a piano.
They really contrast Hye Won's calm steadiness with Sun Jae's girlfriend's teenage hysterics.
“When a woman reaches forty, dignity is the biggest charm.”
Hye Won
“I will take the filth. That's my specialty.”
I initially thought that she would trapped in a glitzy world due to her husband. But she's actually in the upper rich circles because she's a secretary to a rich family. Hye Won has classy sophistication.
This lady is competent and exciting.
“People who think this is my weakness...are so obvious. I'm not scared at all.”
“I'm only clumsy with you. Outside, I'm cunning beyond your imagination.”
She plays a dangerous game among the conglomerate family all hungry for what they want and wanting to use Hye Won to make it happen. Hye Won holds secret after secret from each family member.
Hye Won's acting is convincing every step of the way. I understood her.
The way she expressed her awkward love for Sun Jae was really subtle and tasteful and how the people around her could tell because she never says more than she has to and suddenly she's volunteering information about this student.
Sun Jae
“Yesterday, I just played what I heard.”
Oh, the smokin' metre just went up a notch. Musical prowess is so sexy.
“I gave everything to that Goddess.”
He's attracted to her mentoring, her approval, her mothering.
Poor Sun Jae, trying so hard to make a good impression when the rich couple comes to his house. It's comical. He treats Hye Won well, because he feels so inferior to her. You can see how dazzling he sees her. And she laps it up.
And the first time Sun Jae actually speaks his mind. And he is indeed a man. How nice.
“You just need to love me. You've got nothing to lose when clearly I love you more.”
Romance
I'm not sure if it was the way the romance was set out or was it purely the age gap/cultural gap that bothered me. But by episode 12 the relationship still wasn't making sense to me.
Someone said she didn't seduce him. But there are a few blurred lines because she's so fascinated with his music, she's hungry for it. And he just eats up the attention.
He's also never shared music with anyone, and to have her, the epitome of all that is graceful, elegant and powerful in the music world...oh the meaning
I'm not sure about Yoo Ah In's portrayal though. I'm not getting the chemistry.
At first, I understood Hye Won's passion for this musical genius. The youth, the freshness, the interpretation.
Throughout the show I had conflicting views on the relationship but by the end I was firmly in the camp of "does not compute".
Musical Moments
Ep. 6 The sweeping music in the shabby conditions is making an effect on me. That despite all this, this is really a beautiful moment.
Episode 7. I'm glad they made sure he was playing the right notes. I'm pitch perfect, I can tell.
Interesting to see how nothing shakes her but a few words from him and she's riled.
Episode 10. What's this piece again? Rachmaninoff Theme of of Paganini – love it.
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