The Lover (2015)

This drama was cute and interesting, it definitely had a reality tv-vibe to it. It was fun to watch how different couples from different backgrounds, age groups and even with different sexual preferences lived together in one building. It was fun to follow their daily lives, learn about their problems and see the development. I liked how this show pointed out some of the major issues within Korean society with healthy criticism. A lot of old popular songs were incorporated for the sake of the fun, if you know those songs and their meaning to Koreans you will get more out of the show.

The acting was great and, in my opinion, The Lover is one of the best acted drama out there. My biggest problem with the show was how a lot of scenes were stretched to the point they lost all the fun and made me feel like "okay, I get it. Just move on already". And some couples were given waaay more screen time than the others. There were definitely the main couples and the side character couples, which took a bit away from the show. I would have liked it if all couples had the equal standing.

The Lover has a high re-watch value because it's honestly fun and heartwarming. There are only 12 episodes and that¨s great, the show doesn't get any time to get draggy.

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This show. Is a gem. (It's a long review... tough it out, guys, it's worth it!)

It follows four main couples, whose relationships are considered... "questionable..." I suppose by Korean standards: Living together without being married, a huge age difference, homosexuality, and (?) deciding to be married after only dating a few months.

The amount of screen time goes mainly to the first couple, who live together and yet aren't married. The conversations between this couple is realistic and relatable, with laugh-out-loud scenarios or serious and loving relationships that the actors have no trouble in showing the viewer. It was real, it was lovable, it was raw, it was sexual... it was beautiful.

The second couple I found the most entertaining; a thirty-three year old woman is dating a twenty-one year old starving artist who lounges around all day eating ramen obnoxiously. Of course, there's going to be some crazy moments with pillow fights and petty jealousy, but it also showcased some amazing character growth, especially in Young Joon. The couple works together in a sort of symbiotic way, and you can see how much they care for each other. Plus is just hilarious watching Young Joon. That guy's a riot. I image the actors are thinking: "Sigh, the things I do for my career." Because they nailed it.

Dear authors: do you want to get your reader shipping like crazy? Follow this screenwriter's lead when it comes to Takuya, the Japanese traveller, and Joon Jae, the hermit. These two had the sexual tension from the moment Takuya put a single foot in the threshold of Joon Jae's home. Hilarious angles lead to misunderstandings I didn't mind all that much, feeling that second hand embarrassment. This couple probably had it the worst in this series, with only two minutes or so per episode of screen time, but the relationship is developed, and by far my favorite couple. These boys... watching Takuya made me listen to some of Cross Gene's music, and it's really very good. Both of the guys playing these roommates may not be gay themselves, but they made me believe it, with a full course of Awwws and sexual tension.

The fourth couple had next to no screen time through the entire series, and are easily the most underdeveloped couple living in this apartment. I will admit, the competitions between the girl and Man Goo over who was more feminine (who had bigger boobs, longer legs, more successful boyfriend...) were absolutely hilarious, but the relationship between the engaged couple themselves was a rare thing. Which I didn't really mind... I wasn't paying much attention to them, anyway. What little time these actors had to develop their characters, I'll give them some credit there.

The music was very beautiful, and connected in lyrics or tune to the mood of the drama. And luckily, the name and artists of the songs are put on screen for you, so you don't have to look it up!

Overall, this is a wonderful, hilarious, real, and emotional drama that tackles almost any kind of relationship hurdle it comes across, from jobs and careers to confused sexuality and identity. Its a real, relatable drama with relatable characters, and the moments that each of the couples spent interacting with the other couples... (I love Joon Jae and Takuya being so much taller than Oh Do... HEHE) It's a must-watch.

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I rarely write reviews, but I thought I had to for this show. This show is a gem among the dull repetitive, and as you are all aware, completely unrealistic k-dramas produced by the big companies. This show was roll on the floor funny, starkingly realistic about relationships and had the heart and grounded characters to draw you in. The actors were fabulous, and the couples endearing. The music was fantastic and I got a whole list of artist I must now absolutely follow. Take a chance and watch this show, its not for kids, and reflects true adult relationships, none of that fake innocence stuff ( I'm referring to the horrible kiss scenes in dramas that finally happen towards the end). Over all take a break from badly written rom coms and watch The Lover.

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I really like the idea of this series. Seeing different flat scenarios play out. However, I was disappointed by this series mostly because I was under the impression that it was very openly LGBTQ friendly. Which it's really not. When discussing Korean television or film, gay representation is slim but getting more diverse! This show started off cute with Takuya and Junjae, the actors chemistry is actually pretty good. But like many other shows, the build-up and anticipation never pays off between them. Ever. Sure they have a "happyish" ending but nothing is ever confirmed so the show really isn't that open. We don't need blatantly explicit scenes as an audience, but some sort of intimacy is needed to show growth between relationships of characters. Which we never got, but yet their storyline is still the most interesting! Which says quite a lot! Also the humor isn't really my humour, at least the gross-out kind. The innuendo was funny occasionally. I would say if someone rewrote the script in a way that didn't shy away from development between characters, this show could've been really good.

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This is joyful drama that will make you laugh a lot. Each couple is unique in their own way and you better go watch this drama and find out right now!! Yet all couples have one thing in common, they are living together without being married. To me, this sounds rather controversial in South Korea since living like that isn't accepted nor the norm - which you also can see in the drama. People make a big fuss over two people living happily together without rings. I enjoyed every single epsiode. On the chritical side I felt like it was exaggareted sometimes but besides that the actors did a good job. I enjoyed watching these couples. I'm definitly thinking about re-watching this with my boyfriend.

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One of the few dramas that score for me over 7! I don't know if it's because this is the second K drama I had ever watched and thus I feel quite fond of it or because this is the only drama I've found till now that debates on relationships so openly. Even so, this drama is one of the best for me and a must see, if you want to spend a quiet afternoon watching it. The main story is about an apartment building and it's residents, a newly wed couple, two roommates, an unmarried couple who lives together and a woman who's dating a younger man. Each episode is focused on different stories that, most of the times, end in one episode or two. I liked that this drama was so open about the relationships, as it was free of those taboos (there was even a gay couple). The humour was plenty, with the jokes very entertaining without being silly. And for me, that dirty- innocent humour is the main reason why I love this drama. Most of the dramas you can find are about one main story, but the lover is more about laughter, a true comedy rather than romance, even though you'll find yourselves routing for the couples. The performances must be considered for the success of the comedy part, as the actors were a delight. Now, the soundtrack wasn't the best, but good enough. So, 9 out of 10.

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The Lover is a controversial drama about living together despite not being married. In South Korea its very looked down upon and often seen as dirty. This drama exaggerate the stereotypes of couples living together in a funny sexual way but also try to show other sides of the couples story on a more serious note.

As many knows they also try to tackle gay relationships from theirs and those around them point of view.
Since the drama is only 12 episodes and try to handle so many issues it will mostly just be fast deep in a few issues and then a new one will begin. no couple is a like. And for a K-Drama I think the characters personality was very thought through since there was no sudden changes or writers changing the personalty depending on the situation, which I'm used to in Korean dramas.

I loved the acting everyone seemed so natural in their role, especially the older couple.
Sure the exaggeration could be a bit much at times, I still love this drama and would like to rewatch it with a glass of Soju.

Hope the review was some what helpful and that you'll start watching The Lover.

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This is not your typical k drama with a fairy tale romance. This is about 4 couples living in different apartments in the same building. There is one common thing among these couples :they aren't married, but living together. The day to day to activities of these couples are described in this drama.

I liked it because of the ordinary story. Yes it is the story of ordinary people and that makes this extraordinary. Day to day life of ordinary people portrayed realistically is what made me like this drama.

The actors have used more or less their real names which gives a realistic touch to the story. The BL touch of Joon jae and Takuya made it more interesting for me. Honestly, I watched this drama for Joon Jae and Takuya. Takuya and Joon jae deserved more screen time. If you haven't watched it already, give it a try!

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