This drama got me hooked the most

I have been a kdrama fan since the start of the pandemic, and I would follow the release schedule and watch episodes as soon as they're released. I've had shows that got me curious about the next episode so I rewatched them a couple of times before the finale. But never have I had the need to actually reflect and process the story until The Interest of Love came.

When it was first released on Netflix, I thought it wasn't worth watching. But I gave in and was glad to "binge-watch" 4 episodes in one seating. I was immediately hooked! At first I thought it was similar to Our Beloved Summer in a sense that it's a start-of-the-year summer drama with a really cool OST, but set in a bank. But there's more to that.

I have probably rewatched the entire series up to the current episode (14) at least 3 times already, and here are some of the things I love:

1. It's super uncomfortable to talk about class disparity, but that's the reality. Opportunities are never equal, and more often than not, the rich would easily get what they want without much struggle: education, network, career opportunities, promotion, material things, and even a relationship. The lower your social class, the harder it will be to achieve a comfortable life. Further, it's a huge challenge for those in the lower ranks to be accepted by those on top. Power tripping, impossible criteria, and even unfounded gossips will be thrown at you.

2. It's difficult to understand love and the dynamics of relationships. I tried to dig deeper into the characters and found that their past (including family background, events, experiences etc) defines who they are right now and why they react this way. I read somewhere that the characters in The Interest of Love definitely need a therapist to start with their healing process, because they are all broken at one point. Just like all of us need healing first before being in any form of relationship.

3. The decisions the characters make are very frustrating. While watching the first few episodes I always thought, why did this person choose another lover? Why did this guy suddenly have a girlfriend when finally the one he wants has just broken up with her boyfriend? Why did this guy marry another, then regrets leaving his ex immediately after the wedding? Just like reality, we often regret our decisions immediately after making them, but just choose to stick to it for convenience.

4. I love how symbolisms were peppered across the series. Circle (of life), cigarettes, coin, car, calendar, food (ramyeon vs porridge, offering food and accepting it as a sign of accepting love or forgiveness), even the references to the novels and classical music. During my rewatches, I often had to pause and reflect as to the meaning of what they said. Even the characters' names and meanings reveal a lot about their decisions.

5. The actors are all amazing! From the main leads to the support, they all deliver and exceed expectations. I even had to drop everything that I was doing just so I can process the emotions I felt through the actors! This drama does not require exaggerated moves, but the smallest gestures and voice modulation of all the actors really hit the spot!

6. The cinematography, music, editing, etc are all intelligently done. The reason why I'm so hooked to this drama is because of the emotional attachments that were built up by this team of geniuses! Ep.13 is my favorite because I can still remember how my pulse rate kept on raising through the episode with all the plot twists and revelations! No wonder that episode also gained its highest ratings, thanks to the build-up towards the end of Ep12 that kept us wanting for more! Heck, there was even no preview of the next episode at the end of Ep14 but everyone's still curious as to what will happen at the finale.

I find it hard to move on to another kdrama after being immersed in The Interest of Love. Before, I can easily watch a handful of series at a time and move on easily, but whenever I watch something lighter I miss watching TIOL and end up rewatching a scene (or the entire series) all over again!

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