6.8 / 10 (based on 545 reviews)
Everything comes unraveling for three successful women who work on a radio show as twists, turns and troubles plague their seemingly happy marriages.
Genre: Drama, Romance
Main Cast: Sung Hoon, Lee Ga-Ryeong, Tae-gon Lee, Joo-mi Park
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2 seasons, 32 episodes, 70-minute runtime
Shows Most Like Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce) (2021)
Mine (2021)
7.7 / 10 (based on 1430 reviews)
Encaged in a gold-clad life of secrets and lies, two women in a conglomerate family seek to topple all that stands in their way of finding true joy.
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Main Cast: Lee Bo-young, Kim Seo-hyeong, Ja-Yeon Ok, Hyun-Wook Lee
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1 season, 16 episodes, 70.0-minute runtime
Neoneun Naeui Bom (2021)
7.4 / 10 (based on 736 reviews)
A hotel concierge and a psychiatrist with traumatic childhoods form a heartfelt bond when they become entangled in a perplexing local murder case.
Genre: Drama, Romance, Thriller
Main Cast: Hyeon-jin Seo, Dong-wook Kim, Bak Yoon, Gyu-ri Nam
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1 season, 16 episodes, 70.0-minute runtime
Annyeong? Naya! (2021)
7.3 / 10 (based on 701 reviews)
Miserable and unsuccessful, a woman thinks she’s lost all her spark, until one day, her spunky younger self appears in front of her demanding change.
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Main Cast: Kang-hee Choi, Kim Young-kwang, Re Lee, Eum Moon Suk
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1 season, 16 episodes, 65.0-minute runtime
Aetaneun Romaenseu (2017)
7.1 / 10 (based on 3932 reviews)
Jin-wook and Yoo-mi meet at a Gangwon-do resort and get caught up in a series of misunderstandings and accidents. Yoo-mi was charmed by Jin-wook’s sly and playful personality, and they unexpectedly spend the night together. However, Yoo-mi disappears in the morning, leaving Jin-wook feeling perplexed and irrationally angry. Three years later, the two meet again when Yoo-mi becomes a nutritionist at the company cafeteria where Jin-wook works. They pretend to not recognize each other, while fighting their attraction for each other.
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Main Cast: Ji-eun Song, Sung Hoon, Jae-young Kim, Da-Sol Jeong
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1 season, 14 episodes, 47.0-minute runtime
Naneun Gil-eseo Yeon-yein-eul Juwossda (2018)
6.9 / 10 (based on 226 reviews)
Lee Yeon Seo is a complicated young woman. One day, on the street, she meets by coincidence a world class superstar, Gang Jun Hyeok.
Genre: Drama, Romance
Main Cast: Seul-gi Park, Kim Ga-eun, Sung Hoon, Soo-Ah Park
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1 season, 2 episodes
Nevertheless (2021)
7.2 / 10 (based on 6479 reviews)
The intoxicating charm of a flirtatious art school classmate pulls a reluctant love cynic into a friends-with-benefits relationship.
Genre: Drama, Romance
Main Cast: Han So-hee, Song Kang, Lee Ho-jung, Yang Hye-Ji
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1 season, 10 episodes, 70.0-minute runtime
Level Up (2019)
6.5 / 10 (based on 201 reviews)
Ahn Dan Te is the ace director of Yoo Seong CRC, a company specializing in restructuring. He is a true “cold city man” of this era with a poker face that doesn’t express emotions, perfect workmanship, and cold-blooded harshness. Shin Yeon Hwa is the chief development officer of the dying game company Joy Buster, who teams up with Ahn Dan Te. She will start to develop a new game to satisfy him, but they will end up quarreling, creating a lovable comedy for the viewers. The drama between cold Ahn Dan Te and passionate Shin Yeon Hwa will double the excitement by stirring up an odd chemistry.
Genre: Romance
Main Cast: Baro, Byeol Kang, Danny Ahn, Sung Hoon
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1 season, 12 episodes
Yi Guyeokui Michin X (2021)
7.9 / 10 (based on 2131 reviews)
Bothered to realize they are next-door neighbors and share a psychiatrist, a man and a woman find it’s impossible to stay out of each other’s way.
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Main Cast: Woo Jung, Yeon-Seo Oh, Su-Hyun Lee, Lee Hye-Ra
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1 season, 13 episodes, 30.0-minute runtime
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
8.4 / 10 (based on 14512 reviews)
A big-city dentist opens up a practice in a close-knit seaside village, home to a charming jack-of-all-trades who is her polar opposite in every way.
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Main Cast: Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-Ho, Harrison Xu, Lee Bong-ryun
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1 season, 16 episodes, 70.0-minute runtime
High Class (2021)
6.8 / 10 (based on 139 reviews)
A mystery suspense drama about the dangerous lies and hypocrisies hidden behind the perfect lives of the women who live in the top 0.1 percent of society.
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Main Cast: Yeo-jeong Cho, Kim Ji-Soo, Yeong-jae Kim, Ha-Joon Song
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1 season, 1 episode
Law School (2021)
8 / 10 (based on 2537 reviews)
When a grim incident occurs at their prestigious school, justice through law is put to a test by a tough law professor and his ambitious students.
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Main Cast: Myung-Min Kim, Kim Bum, Hye-young Ryu, Lee Jeong-eun
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1 season, 16 episodes, 65.0-minute runtime
In the vast landscape of television, where genres blend and boundaries are often blurred, the South Korean drama “Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce)” has carved out its own niche. This show, which first aired in 2021, quickly garnered attention for its unflinching exploration of relationships, infidelity, and the complexities of love in the modern age. Let’s strip away the hype and look at what makes this drama stand out, without resorting to the usual fluff.
The Premise
At its core, “Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce)” revolves around the lives of three women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, each facing turmoil in their marriages. It’s a straightforward setup that belies the depth and drama that unfold. The show doesn’t shy away from the messiness of life, delving into affairs, the breakdown of communication, and the quest for personal happiness that often leads to unexpected places.
Characters and Their Journey
Boo Hye-Ryung
A radio DJ in her 30s, Boo Hye-Ryung is married to Pan Sa-Hyun, a lawyer. Their marriage, initially filled with love and passion, begins to crumble due to their differing views on having children. Hye-Ryung’s independence and career-oriented mindset clash with traditional expectations, making her a relatable character for many.
Sa Pi-Young
In her 40s, Sa Pi-Young is a dedicated producer for a radio show, married to Shin Yu-Shin, a psychiatrist. Their marriage seems perfect on the surface, but secrets and lies lurk beneath. Pi-Young’s struggle to balance her career, motherhood, and marriage, only to be faced with betrayal, is a storyline that hits close to home for many viewers.
Lee Si-Eun
The oldest of the trio, Lee Si-Eun, is in her 50s and works as a radio show writer. Her marriage to Park Hae-Ryun, a literature professor, faces its own set of challenges, primarily stemming from neglect and a mid-life crisis. Si-Eun’s journey of rediscovery and empowerment is both inspiring and heart-wrenching.
What Sets It Apart?
Realism
One of the most striking aspects of “Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce)” is its commitment to realism. The show doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulties of marriage and the pain of divorce. Instead, it presents these issues head-on, allowing viewers to see themselves in the characters’ struggles. This authenticity is refreshing in a genre often dominated by idealized love stories.
Complex Characters
The characters in “Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce)” are far from one-dimensional. They are flawed, multifaceted, and, most importantly, human. Their decisions, often questionable, reflect the complexity of real-life choices. The show does an excellent job of exploring the reasons behind their actions, offering a nuanced look at what drives people in relationships.
The Soundtrack
While not usually a make-or-break aspect of a drama, the soundtrack of “Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce)” deserves a mention. The music is carefully chosen to enhance the emotional impact of key scenes, adding another layer to the storytelling. It’s a testament to the show’s attention to detail and its ability to use all tools at its disposal to tell a compelling story.
Why It Matters
In a world where the institution of marriage is constantly being reevaluated, “Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce)” offers a timely look at the challenges and changes facing couples today. It doesn’t offer easy answers or quick fixes but instead invites viewers to think deeply about what it means to love and be loved.
Criticisms
No show is without its flaws, and “Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce)” has faced its share of criticism. Some viewers have found the pace slow, while others have argued that the drama sometimes veers into melodrama. However, these criticisms are often balanced by the show’s strengths, particularly its character development and storytelling.
Conclusion
“Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce)” is a bold exploration of relationships that offers a raw and realistic look at the joys and sorrows of love. It’s a show that doesn’t hesitate to delve into the complexities of human emotions, making it a standout in the crowded landscape of television dramas. Whether you’re drawn in by the intricate characters, the gripping plot, or the beautiful soundtrack, there’s something in this show for everyone. In the end, it’s a reminder that love, in all its forms, is a journey filled with both pain and beauty.