scarletquill
I could not watch another drama for quite a long time after watching City Hunter, simply for the fact that I felt no drama could live upto it. City Hunter gave me everything that I wanted- action, intrigue, suspense, romance, humour, great music (the theme song 'Sad Run' is AMAZING!). The cast and acting is great (honestly,the fact that Lee Min Ho is the lead was enough for me), the plot has its twists and turns and is very intriguing, some amazing stunts/actions and amazing chemistry amongst the cast.
The drama is not perfect; it could have done better in terms of either developing the romance further or no showing it at all and also, they could have had a better concluding scene. Yet, no drama is ever perfect and this show was very close to perfection.
The only reason why I haven't rewatched the entire drama is because the suspense has already been spoiled for me and without it, I won't have as much fun as I had when watching it for the first time.
Watch this drama for some amazing acting, an intriguing plot and for Lee Min Ho.
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Before starting to watch this drama, I was a bit skeptical because the reviews weren't singing glories of this drama, and most people haven't heard of it. I went for it anyway because a trusted friend recommended it to me, and also because of Uhm Tae Woong and Lee Soo Hyuk.
WARNING: This drama is not for everyone.This drama is not for people looking for a lighthearted romcom. This drama is not for people who do not want to deal with heavy subject matter.
The drama deals with a very intense and heavy content, that of adultery, but it deals with it with great finesse. It is very easy for us, as the audience, to look at it from the outside and take a moral stance regarding adultery. It is very easy for us to blame Il Ri, or Hee Tae, or Joon - especially, Il Ri and Joon for crossing the forbidden boundary. However, life is not always so easy and straightforward. Feelings and emotions can be a murky place to navigate through. This drama unfurls and explores those complicated feelings, those taboo feelings, slowly and with great detail and exposes us to the raw guilt and pain that comes with adultery. A majority of the audience tends to blame Il Ri, for leading both the men on, for not stopping before it got too late. However, I felt that each of the three were to blame in one way or the other; it was a series of events that led them to the situation - events that could have gone different ways, but perhaps were necessary for each character to find themselves and their relationships.
The drama doesn't really take an overt moral stance regarding adultery; it won't try to convince you that adultery is wrong or right. This drama is about growth, about negotiation, about understanding, about acceptance, about confrontation with ugly and painful feelings. The drama doesn't just make the characters undergo these, but the audience as well.
The acting is stellar. Uhm Tae Woong is spectacular as usual. Lee Soo Hyuk gave me so many feels, so much heartache. Lee Si Young could have been better but I honestly cannot imagine anyone else as Il Ri. But really, Choi Yeo Jin mus be applauded for portraying that role with such aplomb. I am in awe. They played the flawed, and fragile characters with such conviction. The same goes to each of the supporting characters.
The drama has a very autumnal/winter concept, which is further emphasized by the fact that it is set in winter and the warm colours that are used throughout the drama. I believe the cinematography focused on an autumn colour palette because of the mature subject of the drama. The soundtrack sets the perfect ambiance for the drama - rather than being jarred with a loud song suddenly playing at dramatic moments, the music and songs just blend into the background, adding intensity to the scenes. There is also a certain nostalgic vibe to it; I don't know how else to describe it.
I will always be partial to this drama for hitting so close to home, for being so raw. Honestly, it is one of those life-changing dramas that make you question, to debate, to deny, and then to accept - much like most of the characters in the drama. I have always maintained that cable dramas (especially TvN and OcN dramas), despite not receiving much attention, are changing the landscape of Korean drama. Valid Love is one such drama. It slows down in the middle, but keep watching. The ending is worth the length of the drama.
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