This review may contain spoilers
Marriage does not mean happily ever after
This is not for those interested in puppy love and the beginning stages of romance. This quiet drama is for those who wonder what happens next and are unafraid of an honest answer.
"Matrimonial Chaos" follows the issues of two couples in their early to mid 30s. Hwi Roo and Seok Moo (Bae Doona and Cha Tae Hyun) are on the brink of divorce and wondering how they became so unhappy and detached. Jang Hyun (Son Seok Koo) is an artist cheating on his wife, Seok Moo's first love Yoo Yeong (Lee El). She knows this but tries to turn a blind eye to maintain the stability she has longed for. Their lives intertwine, but not in classic K-drama fashion. They don't fight over each other's spouses as the struggles are more internal to each character. When is a marriage still worth keeping and when is it time to leave?
Story: I really like how mature the story was, despite the immature yet realistic choices that the characters made. I also appreciated that party that the women have in the café and the first big confrontation between Seok Moo and Hwi Roo around ep. 4 (Bae Doona's acting really shone here). Two years after my last watch, I still feel that was one of my favorite parts of the series that can drag on sometimes. The outcome will not please everyone, and you will hate some characters and learn to love others.
Cast / Acting: I think Bae Doona and Lee El should have been showered with awards. But all in all the cast pulled their weight, especially the 4 leads. This was my first time seeing Wi Ha Joon before his Squid Game fame and I was delighted to see how versatile he could be (see "Bad and Evil").
Music: I liked the OST, especially the song "Forgotten" (The Ade).
Overall: Not a laugh out loud comedy but it has a few moments. It's an honest look into modern marriage and what it takes to stick together without losing yourself in the process. Rewatch value might be low for viewers who expect lovey-dovey romance. Personally, it left a good impression because it was so different. 9/10.
"Matrimonial Chaos" follows the issues of two couples in their early to mid 30s. Hwi Roo and Seok Moo (Bae Doona and Cha Tae Hyun) are on the brink of divorce and wondering how they became so unhappy and detached. Jang Hyun (Son Seok Koo) is an artist cheating on his wife, Seok Moo's first love Yoo Yeong (Lee El). She knows this but tries to turn a blind eye to maintain the stability she has longed for. Their lives intertwine, but not in classic K-drama fashion. They don't fight over each other's spouses as the struggles are more internal to each character. When is a marriage still worth keeping and when is it time to leave?
Story: I really like how mature the story was, despite the immature yet realistic choices that the characters made. I also appreciated that party that the women have in the café and the first big confrontation between Seok Moo and Hwi Roo around ep. 4 (Bae Doona's acting really shone here). Two years after my last watch, I still feel that was one of my favorite parts of the series that can drag on sometimes. The outcome will not please everyone, and you will hate some characters and learn to love others.
Cast / Acting: I think Bae Doona and Lee El should have been showered with awards. But all in all the cast pulled their weight, especially the 4 leads. This was my first time seeing Wi Ha Joon before his Squid Game fame and I was delighted to see how versatile he could be (see "Bad and Evil").
Music: I liked the OST, especially the song "Forgotten" (The Ade).
Overall: Not a laugh out loud comedy but it has a few moments. It's an honest look into modern marriage and what it takes to stick together without losing yourself in the process. Rewatch value might be low for viewers who expect lovey-dovey romance. Personally, it left a good impression because it was so different. 9/10.
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