Perfect Marriage Revenge (2023)

Makjang done right

So, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had seen a bunch of edits on tiktok and when I tried watching episode one it felt very... cheap (im just being honest). It just felt like a very basic weekend (50 episodes) drama. So I basically gave up like 10 mins into the first episode. Idk what drove me to pick it back up but I'm so grateful that I did.

It may seem very makjang like but I began to love it. The cast was phenomenal and the story was just so fun and exhilarating.
I'd advise anyone who's looking for a short and sweet revenge drama to check this out. Because revenge is totally served in the end and it was very satisfying, especially seeing Yoo Ra's demise.

Speaking of characters...
One character I really disliked was the father. Yi Joo's father pissed me off. I hated how she was harsh on her mom but not harsh or disrespectful to him. He basically saw a child get abused for YEARS and did nothing. It shouldn't have to take him being her "real" dad for him to notice the wrongs and mistakes made over the decades. I hated how it was just brushed under the rug when everything came together. To me he was the worst villian in the story. Much much worse than Jungwook and Jung Hye. Because if he didn't provide Jung Hye with that much authority over the household then all the shit that took place wouldn't have happened.

Going off course...
ALL the dads were jerks. Because Do Guk and Jungwook's dad wasn't much better. He favoured Jungwook sooo much and hid all his wrong doings. He didn't even apologize to Do Guk for all the hurt he had to face. He is one of the factors that contributed to Jungwook being the way he is.
Moving on to the other dad... Yi Joo's grandfather. If he hadn't messed up his son's relationship and cut Yi Joo's mom off when she was pregnant none of what took place would've happened (again). So basically all the men in this drama except Do Guk, Sun Kwon and Jaeho were jerks. Everyone of them expect for those 3. And anyone who wants to say that you missed Jaewon, the cute Secretary guy..
NO, I DIDN'T. He was an ass to her when she was living in the future. He literally tried to frame her for everything then, because Jung Hye told him to. Yes, he had his own agenda and that may have been the best way to go about it but I don't forgive him. Even if he redeemed himself when she was transfered to the past. He wouldn't have helped her unless he benefited... which he did.

But anywho....
Yes, it'll be a journey and you'll start maybe disliking characters and feeling like ripping your hair out, as it is a makjang but it'll all come together.
Give it a try and you will not be disappointed.
So yea, that's just my tiny review. Nothing in depth or extensive
One of my fave of 2023. Totally on my top 10 list.

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Binge it if you can

I’ve never read the webtoon so this is based off this show as a standalone drama and not as an adaptation. I started watching this 4 episodes were out because I saw that hair-tying scene on my Twitter/X timeline and it completely convinced me. And the show proved me right — I binged all the released and couldn’t wait for next week. The main leads had amazing chemistry, the antagonists felt like actual threats, and I couldn’t wait to see how the revenge would play out.

As the weeks came around, I still enjoyed the episodes, but I did feel like the show started losing steam.

First, the main leads’ screentime dwindled and we got more and more scenes of our antagonists (of which there were many). It added good tension to see things from their perspective, but it also added frustration. The leads had so much chemistry and tension and we only got to see a few minutes of that every week.

And as more episodes went on, we ran into a different issue: we did get screentime for our leads, but it didn’t necessarily feel like they were progressing. We’d get the same hugs and conversations where they talked about being there for each other and fighting together against the bad guys. These scenes were cute but it felt got sort of repetitive, especially now that we’d gotten all the tension-filled conversations out of the way earlier and it seemed like the next plot development wasn’t happening anytime soon. I still really enjoyed scenes where they cared for each other, but all the stakes felt a little lower by this point, and I started to feel like the revenge was almost too easy. Sides had been chosen, secrets were already revealed, and most importantly, the main antagonists had stayed quiet or had lost too many battles in a row.

Honestly, I was pretty lukewarm on the entire plot by then. Looking back, I don’t remember a singular satisfying moment where our main female lead got to face off against her mother in a moment where I felt like they were on equal footing, where the stakes were high and I truly didn’t know who was going to win. The revenge plot seemed to delve into smaller moments where they would address this one thing first and then that other thing, and I wasn’t sure there was a climax. Even the build-up to some other reveals and to the ML’s perspective felt overdue and a little underwhelming.

Episode 11 was a turning point. Things that needed to be revealed had been revealed, it felt like the revenge had been finished, and the antagonists had been out of the picture — most of which was off-screen, I might add, which made the story feel somewhat incomplete — long enough for The Time Jump to happen. Yes, the dreaded time jump. I’ve never been a fan of the time jump. It’s fine as an epilogue but I’ve never once enjoyed it done in the middle of the story and this was no different. It just felt kind of…weird. Like they didn’t know what to do after all the villains were put away, so they had to bring them back, but had to wait some time for them to be able to. Story-wise, it was a bit confusing to have it happen after everything was seemingly over, but ultimately I don’t think it was blown out of proportion, which was good.

I think part of the plot simmering down also had to do with the female lead, who was really proactive in the first half and then started being more aimless in the second half. Still, I liked the message the drama left us with — that the best revenge for her was having a happy marriage, a healthy family, and a good life. Despite the slowdown, I think this drama had a really good finale episode.

Overall, it was still a pretty good watch — this was my second favorite watch behind Castaway Diva during its runtime, but if I were to recommend it to someone I would suggest binging it rather than watching it slowly. You might be able to retain more momentum that way.

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Everyone gets their yummy desserts

Not all makjang are made equal and I’m glad that this is a good’un in my book.

Makjang storylines, by definition, are meant to be convoluted and outrageous. While for a shortish 12 eps run, it does traipsed through many tropey plots, it is hardly a witch’s brew. I am pleasantly surprised by how well paced, coherent and logical the script is, well, once you get past the whole cancel death shenanigan.

I’ll be honest, the do-over plot device is old hat by now. Every year, there is a new crop with minor variations. This one started fairly typically. Death by misadventure and (GASP) you wake up and get another chance to get things right or in the FL’s case, exact revenge for many years of pain and suffering in the hands of her family.

There are no shortage of shenanigans, foul deeds, mental as well as physical torments. It is full on and yet it feels manageable, relatable. The A-plot needs the darker tropes to make the story work, but it doesn't take them to the extreme just to earn the torture porn badge.

Once the show established the lowest point in their lives, death will do that to you, it is a steady and engaging climb back to the top. Of course, it is never going to be easy for our leads, but they are quite a power couple. They might not be all loved up from Day 1 but their relationship is refreshingly pure and solid. While the FL thought that she is just using the ML as a stepping stone to archive her goals, the ML has other ideas.

I know that sounds bad but in fact, it is quite the opposite. While the motivation of FL’s initial actions is pure revenge, once she takes greater control of her life and learn more of the truth, their relationship changes and evolves. The show changes focus to healing and getting a second chance at life. That is so much more rewarding to watch than a show that is hellbent on Mutually Assured Destruction.

Another gratifying aspect of the show is while the antagonists knows all the dirty tricks, they are not omnipotent. Their plans are effective, even devastating at times, but our leads are not hapless punching bags. They have their wits about them and they have the measure on the evildoers. The show doesn’t jump feet first into non-sensical plots just to meter out endless pain and sufferings to our OTP.

In terms of acting, it is a definite mixed bag. The highly emotional plots and extreme situations are fertile grounds for overacting. Still, I have seen worse. They are within the realm of “normal” behaviours rather than pantomime grade performances.

In the end, I enjoyed this show very much. More because of the leads' growth and their healing journey than the revenge angle. Also, for a change, I can cheer them on without having to facepalm later because the show threw the kitchen sink at them and make them suffer for no reason other than for our “entertainment”. The last ep is purely fan service and I give thanks. It ties up all the loose ends. All key characters are given their moment in the sun (or in purgatory) so we are not left hanging. It is not award winning stuff but it is a solid production.

For some, this might be a weak example of a makjang but I will take it. There are enough troubles in the world today. I don’t usually rewatch this style of drama but I can make an exception in this case. Peace out.

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A show that seamlessly balances of what you're currently experiencing in your watchlist.

Perfect Marriage Revenge is a wild rollercoaster of family drama, betrayal, and second chances that serves up a tantalizing blend of familial intrigue, heartbreak, and a dash of romance that had me hooked from the get-go.

The drama unfolds with intense emotions, unexpected turns, and a hint of romance. It's a captivating series that keeps you hooked with its intriguing mix of family secrets, love triangles, and the quest for justice. Plus, the cast is sizzling hot, adding an extra layer of spice to the already gripping narrative.

I could say a binge-worthy watch, blending the complexities of relationships with a touch of glamour, making it a must-watch for anyone craving a mix of emotional depth and plot twists.

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What a good watch, old fashioned drama fun

I have watched so much this year, high concept, big buget, head line stars, that have not pulled half the weight as this. Its retro, do mature women wear chiffon in the day, completely over the top, bitchfest fun,
The writing and direction mean from from the first couple of lines of any charector, you know who the are and the actors play it up to the hilt.
OK its not realistic, its over the top, but so well acted and directed, no scene does not add to the plot, and they have made the most of what budget they had. Just do not think too closely about about the plot. If you are not hooked in the first two eps its probabely not for you.
Entertainment value a 10

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De-Railed Revenge : A Binge Worthy Melodrama

Perfect Marriage Revenge is an entertaining blend of makjang drama and revenge that follows the journey of Han Yi Joo, who grapples with familial betrayal and seeks to alter her life when a second chance is given to her.

The drama starts strong with an engaging premise and believable chemistry between the leads. However, as the series progresses it begins to lose its initial spark. The focus shifts increasingly to all the antagonists. While their stories and perspectives did add tension and drama, the main lead's interactions felt a bit sparse. Yes, the motivation for the villain's actions did add more depth to the story, but I was frustrated with the wasted potential when the dynamics between the leads were strong and it was just sidelined.

The second half of the story felt very repetitive. The revenge plot, which felt compelling initially, seems to resolve 'too easily' as major conflicts are either sidestepped or wrapped up quickly. While the chemistry between the leads is heartwarming, it felt very fragmentary. I wish they would have focused more on 'her revenge' rather than her being one of the side characters in other people's drama.

Acting-wise, all the actors did believable jobs, but the antagonists often outshone the leads for me. However, there were a few moments like slapping unnecessarily and throwing drinks at each other (Lol!), that reminded me of the chaos which is expected from makjang dramas. xD A whole new level of melodrama!

Despite the issues, the drama wraps up satisfactorily. The idea that true fulfilment comes from personal happiness rather than vengeance was beautiful. Yi Joo finally having a loving family was the perfect end!

Overall, this was a very entertaining watch for me. Though it has flaws, it's a binge-able choice if you enjoy melodrama and over-the-top chaos.
7.8/10

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It served them right!

First of all I'd like to say thank you to the drama. It was so interesting that it got me out of my habit to skip those long scenes. I was like a behaving toddler. Sitting and watching with interest.

Everything was sooooo satisfying and everyone got what they deserved. I only feel bad fo Se-hyeok. Yes I hate his guts but he didn't deserve to be involved again with Han Yoo-ra at the end.

There were things I couldn't predict and I think that was what got me to continue to watch the series. I highly recommend watching it. You may want to throw your tv or laptop out the window sometimes but it's worth it.

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Karma is REAL!

This show was absolutely amazing, I loved the plot and how the main lead got revenge on everyone who wronged her and treated her poorly. I love the vibes of the drama and the main lead's outfits were nice. I love the relationship between the main female lead and the family of the main male lead. At some point, his family became her family and it was so nice to see her finally getting support and comfort after her hard life.

Story :
The story was perfect and interesting. I love how the way everything played out. The main leads get into a car crash to take them both back into the past. This is a chance for the female lead to get her revenge and the male lead to fix his mistakes. It was so nice to see all the people who did the main lead wrong get what they deserved. Revenge is a dish best served COLD. I just don't really like how towards the end, it felt a bit rushed and like the producer was trying to finish everything so quickly, but for 12 episodes everything was pretty well done. It was amazing to see the main female lead get revenge along with finding herself at the same time. She made a ton of friends and allies which helped her overcome her wicked mother and evil daughter.

Music :
The songs were pretty good. Perfect songs are used in the right places, like dark and intense songs for the revenge and nerve-racking part of the drama. The ending song was also really nice but not anything really special.

Acting:
The main lead acting was soooo good. The on-screen chemistry was perfect. The main lead just gave off the best main character energy. The male lead is a huge green flag, and the way he agrees to her terms even if she was just marrying him to use him and his power, he still willingly did it. Like come on, a guy like that is hard to come by. The female lead was also amazing, the way you can feel her anger and sadness in certain scenes. Ugh PERFECT! You know the acting is good when the antagonists in the drama make you hate their guts and you just want to go through the screen and get rid of them. Like they were so annoying and irritating which makes their acting top-tier. LOVED the chemistry between Do Guk and Yi Joo!!!! These two really sold their roles well and actually managed to touch me. You can feel the tension and they were just oozing with chemistry. The smaller couples were also really cute. The female lead is so good as Yi Joo, she played the role perfectly. The male lead also did well.

Ending:
The ending was nice, the fact that the main couple accepted each other and decided to live the rest of their lives happily and not worrying about anything else was so sweet. The MIL and the aunts of Yi Joo's reaction to her pregnancy were so cute. THe ending felt a bit rushed with the reveal of Yi Joo's real mother, how they got separated, etc. Also how the male lead got into a car crash and almost didn't make it, but that was what brought them out of the time loop. Ending the drama with the main couple living happily in their home with their new born child was the perfect way to end the drama providing a satisfying ending for all the viewers watching.

:)

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To be honest, I was surprised by how much international fame this drama gained. Usually, this type of stuff is not very popular and poorly rated. I think the success of this drama came from ml who really cared about fl. It's interesting because I feel like you could feel the makjang vibe everywhere except the main couple (although at the beginning we also had Yi Joo as a damsel in distress).

Personally, with all the makjang cliché scenes, I really enjoyed this drama. The plot itself was interesting, although for me there were no plot twists. What was supposed to be a surprise was rather predictable.

The actors did quite well. They played their roles in the way expected. As for the OSTs, they were really good.

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Bad first impression, but they managed to turn it around

Based on my experience watching episode 1, I really thought I would drop Perfect Marriage Revenge early on. The acting underwhelmed me, the scene-to-scene pacing felt off and slow, and a lot of my pet peeves were hit in the plot early on.

I can’t stand protagonists, especially heroines, who are presented as the ultimate victim of the world’s cruelty, a flawless do-gooder who only suffers due to external, black-and-white circumstances. I just find that boring and irritating. And this is essentially how the FL, Han Yi Joo, is introduced. All of ep 1 is just tragedy after tragedy being committed against our hapless heroine.

HOWEVER. I’m glad I stuck it out for a few more episodes because the writers really turned things around. The characters were rounded out and got more depth. The acting seemed to improve as the actors settled into their roles. Basically, the show turned from a badly produced makjang to a stronger, more nuanced but still guilty-pleasure-entertaining drama.

I loved how we got to explore all the main characters’ inner lives.

FL: Once Han Yi Joo time travels back in her life, she resolves to no longer be a victim. She plans her cold-blooded revenge, but she doesn’t easily take on that role. In stressful times, she reverts to that timid, helpless girl she was, and the writers give her appropriate time to grieve for everything she lost by not standing up for herself sooner.

ML: Sung Hoon as Seo Do Guk did a wonderful job playing Simp of the Year. He was so madly sweetly in love with the FL, he would just glow on the screen whenever he was looking at her. I’m usually not a fan of Sung Joon but this might be the first role I’ve ever seen him in that I loved.

SFL: The heroine’s adoptive sister, Han Yoo Ra, was to me the most interesting character in the drama. She begins as the classic makjang minor villain — a spoiled, hateful brat who lords her power over others and throws tantrums when she doesn’t get her way. Over the course of the plot, we see other sides of her, as well as the effect that being raised by her awful, evil mother has had. I love a mean girl character, and while the PMR writers don’t try to redeem her, they do try to make the audience empathize with her, which was brilliant.
They pulled off a similar arc with the SML, the FL’s original husband who betrays her, though I found him less interesting.

The only completely unapologetic, black-and-white character is the villain mother, Yoo Se Hyeok. And wow, was she evil. Whenever she was around, the makjang vibes returned in full force.

So, I’m glad I stuck it out and gave this surprisingly well-rounded drama a chance to hook me.

TROPES (light spoilers):
- ML falls first, fast, and hard
- transmigration: time travel, return to one’s own past
- contract marriage
- domestic abuse, emotional and physical
- chaebols, succession politics, business drama
- fast burn, good intimacy and great kisses between the leads
- third act breakup (but it’s brief and not a big part of the plot)

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Smokin' Hot Series!

Smokin' Hot Series!

This is pure dynamite @2 episodes in. A blast...of sheer ...unadulterated delight! It feels all the more special....because dang it ...since Lost You Forever, My Journey to You, Alliance and The Legend of Zuohua... it has been a while since we felt so lit..
but.... the buzz baby .....is on!

Things I loved:
First, The ML:
I have been a fan of Sung Hoon since his Secret Romance days...but the general consensus is that his last few scripts could've been better. Thankfully...this script suits him perfectly. Physically...he fits the role. He is a man of substance, broad and big. He is decisive and tough and sure about what he wants....and she appears to be what he wants....but why is that exactly?
Is he a sucker for girls in crisis..or is there a mystery? I am betting there is more to the story. Lol.
But he meets her and she needs a savior..so he rescues her ...and then... presumably he is gonna take her home?
Oh yeah.....it seems like the plan...but it was the way ... he did all of this ...that made it the stuff of dreams.
And please ...notice my restraint as I haven't even mentioned his kisses.... lol.

Second: The FL:
I love this FL..she has been oppressed by her very powerful family and has accepted that as her fate...but an important event has jarred her wide awake... and like any prize fighter...she came out smacking her gloves together and did not wimp out once the buzzer rang! But now.... the fight is on. Because they will be coming for her and I am expecting a dirty fight. But I am laying odds on her and I want ring side seats for the final smack down! Yippeeee

Third: Fizzy Fun:
Yeah, I know this is a completely nonsensical review....but it was so dang fun to watch and sometimes you want something that will make you smile. This one gave us some great moments..for instance, when the two leads were in the hotel lobby and he stood up and put his arm around her shoulders and they walked off to the elevator together...that was the bomb!
Especially since nasty sis is watching with her mouth open.....you gotta love that! And we did!
And when he asked her why she wanted to marry him...and she told him...he smiled and said that is what I needed to hear...
and I am thinking ...really? Revenge is a good reason?
 But I am guessing he wanted her honesty and he got it. So unexpected dialog... that made us believe.
But the best part was how he saw her at her worst (any other guy would be running for the door, right?) but he ignored all of that..and knelt to give her a flower ring! How cool is that? 

And then she misunderstands and impulsively kisses him .....and banged his mouth, hard. Afterwards embarrassed she is frantically waving her arms everywhere and that felt so instinctively legit.
And....ummm... .there might've been a few more kisses afterwards...can't really remember that part....lol.


I am loving the trend of strong FL's like the one we just saw in Alliance...who not only fight back against those who have betrayed them, they also get their zest for life back. It is early for a review but this will be a short series at 12 episodes, and I promise I will be back to update...

@4..It is proving as exceptional as we had hoped it would be., and if we thought it was a simple romance ...we now know better.
This writer is good and the story is much more complex than we first thought.
And those deep cracks just beneath the surface of both families? Well, something is gonna break things wide open.

@7 Hard to imagine..but this series is getting better. There are ppl who say well, it is just a soap opera..but I hate soap operas. This is NOT that! This is clever and inventive writing...with heartfelt, butterfly inducing, rock your socks kind of fun.

@8...Wow, some emotional moments in this one. The scene with her cooking teacher (mother? savior?) was perfect.
And when she met with her long lost housekeeper and they wrapped their arms around each other and held on......
I felt sudden tears.
And if you cook as I do to show your love for others....then the scene with her cooking for his grandmother was especially meaningful and poignant.. It felt as if she was pretending she was her granddaughter for real. Very intuitive and lovely writing..

And the morally bankrupt mom and daughter ahh... well they can't help themselves...they just keep plotting.
But her ex at least...has seen the light!!! That is a good thing, cause he was wearing me out. Lol.
I am counting on gramps and bodyguard...to save the day in the courtroom....
So fingers crossed everybody... this is gonna be fun!

@11 Wow, another marvelous episode. And the thrills keep coming and it ended with another curve ball. This has been so wonderful, gonna be sad when it is over and yet because it was so short, it seemed power packed and I loved it. We are on our tippy toes..and loving every minute!

@ Final: I don't know how they did it, but they pulled off a spectacular series and the wrap up was to die for. Not one boring minute in the entire series. It was good to the last second. Do not miss this one!

Happy Watching!

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