6
50
3
virgievirgie
Lost in Dramaland
Unlikeable Female Lead makes it hard for me to enjoy
Subjective Gut Rating: 6.75
“Valid Love” marks the final least favorite drama I watch for the Clown Challenge of 2024. This is not a horrible watch, but it’s definitely not a fun one. It’s not easy for me to like a 10-year old drama because older Korean dramas usually have loud and irritating characters. “Valid Love” is not an exception.
What I Like:
1. Lee Soo Hyuk/Kim Jun (2ML)
Thank goodness for the handsome Lee Soo Hyuk to keep me going. He’s so young and adorable, and is perfect for the role of Kim Jun. I think Kim Jun is too good for our female lead, Kim Il Ri. Halfway through the drama, I do not want him to end up with Il Ri at all. He was introduced as a cool, lonely and talented carpenter. I enjoy watching him working with his hands and scenes in his workshop. After being alone for so many years, he fell hard and fast for Il Ri, and is a little lovesick puppy for most of the drama. Yes, he was quite clingy, persistent and impulsive, acting on his feelings without thinking things through. The only things he did wrong in this drama is falling in love with a married woman, acting on his feelings and holding on to her for way too long. He deserves so much more! Lee Soo Hyuk plays the role perfectly.
2. Jang Hee Soo
What a creative way to incorporate a paralyzed character in this drama. I love that her personality continues to shine through her conversations with Il Ri. I love her conversations with Il Ri, as if they were soulmates. Having her out of her pajamas into different outfits dancing, eating, exploring the world, is also a fun way to inject some humor into this drama.
What I have Mixed Feelings or Dislike:
1. Kim Il Ri (FL)
I really do not like Il Ri and since the drama revolves around her, this makes it hard for me to like the drama. She was annoying and loud as a teenager. I will ignore the fact that she fell in love with a teacher, since most teens have crushes on their teachers. But when she's a 31-year old woman, she is still acting the same way. I disliked her when she first met Kim Jun and was his painter. She wouldn’t take no for an answer and barge into his life. I will also ignore the fact that she’s a cheater for this review. But the lack of attention and mixed signals she gives to Kim Jun piss me off. She’s selfish and greedy, and flip flops so much and I am not surprised Kim Jun asked her what he is to her. Did I feel bad for her during those 7 years of marriage as a slave daughter-in-law? Yes. But she can’t have the cake and eat it too! Wanting romance from a hot guy who dotes on you, and wanting to maintain the status quo are not compatible.
2. Side Characters
There are way too many secondary characters in this drama and I think this is due to the fact that it’s an older drama. I cannot stand ML’s parents, his brother, FL’s best friend and ML’s male co-worker. FL’s sister and ML’s first love are a little better.
3. Secondary romance
I fast-forwarded most of the scenes involving FL’s sister and ML’s brother. Their romance is childish and repetitive. Their scenes could have been cut, so reduce the number of episodes.
Violence
Not violence as in a crime drama, but there’s a lot of hitting, slapping, pushing and wrist grabbing in this drama. Again, it’s probably because this is an older drama, and beating up your family members is no big deal and also accepted.
4. Jang Hae Tae (ML)
I do not really dislike him, except for the fact that he can’t control himself and does not set boundaries when he’s a teacher. Additionally, Hee Tae is quite a bland character for most of the drama. He’s a good man. But he’s a boring man that takes his wife for granted for 7 long years. That doesn’t justify FL’s cheating, but it explains why it was so hard for Il Ri to resist a young hot guy who gives her all the attention in the world. I do believe he has always loved Il Ri but maybe more like a family member, instead of a lover.
Unfortunately, I have to break out the 2x zoom button for half of the drama. 20 episodes are just too long, with a lot of repetitive dialogs and circumstances. Even though the acting is not bad, I just don’t like Kim Il Ri (FL) and Jang Hee Tae (ML), I would not recommend “Valid Love” unless you want to see a younger, adorable and still very hot Lee Soo Hyuk. Of course, this is very subjective since I am not a fan of older dramas.
Completed: 8/11/2024 - Review #470
“Valid Love” marks the final least favorite drama I watch for the Clown Challenge of 2024. This is not a horrible watch, but it’s definitely not a fun one. It’s not easy for me to like a 10-year old drama because older Korean dramas usually have loud and irritating characters. “Valid Love” is not an exception.
What I Like:
1. Lee Soo Hyuk/Kim Jun (2ML)
Thank goodness for the handsome Lee Soo Hyuk to keep me going. He’s so young and adorable, and is perfect for the role of Kim Jun. I think Kim Jun is too good for our female lead, Kim Il Ri. Halfway through the drama, I do not want him to end up with Il Ri at all. He was introduced as a cool, lonely and talented carpenter. I enjoy watching him working with his hands and scenes in his workshop. After being alone for so many years, he fell hard and fast for Il Ri, and is a little lovesick puppy for most of the drama. Yes, he was quite clingy, persistent and impulsive, acting on his feelings without thinking things through. The only things he did wrong in this drama is falling in love with a married woman, acting on his feelings and holding on to her for way too long. He deserves so much more! Lee Soo Hyuk plays the role perfectly.
2. Jang Hee Soo
What a creative way to incorporate a paralyzed character in this drama. I love that her personality continues to shine through her conversations with Il Ri. I love her conversations with Il Ri, as if they were soulmates. Having her out of her pajamas into different outfits dancing, eating, exploring the world, is also a fun way to inject some humor into this drama.
What I have Mixed Feelings or Dislike:
1. Kim Il Ri (FL)
I really do not like Il Ri and since the drama revolves around her, this makes it hard for me to like the drama. She was annoying and loud as a teenager. I will ignore the fact that she fell in love with a teacher, since most teens have crushes on their teachers. But when she's a 31-year old woman, she is still acting the same way. I disliked her when she first met Kim Jun and was his painter. She wouldn’t take no for an answer and barge into his life. I will also ignore the fact that she’s a cheater for this review. But the lack of attention and mixed signals she gives to Kim Jun piss me off. She’s selfish and greedy, and flip flops so much and I am not surprised Kim Jun asked her what he is to her. Did I feel bad for her during those 7 years of marriage as a slave daughter-in-law? Yes. But she can’t have the cake and eat it too! Wanting romance from a hot guy who dotes on you, and wanting to maintain the status quo are not compatible.
2. Side Characters
There are way too many secondary characters in this drama and I think this is due to the fact that it’s an older drama. I cannot stand ML’s parents, his brother, FL’s best friend and ML’s male co-worker. FL’s sister and ML’s first love are a little better.
3. Secondary romance
I fast-forwarded most of the scenes involving FL’s sister and ML’s brother. Their romance is childish and repetitive. Their scenes could have been cut, so reduce the number of episodes.
Violence
Not violence as in a crime drama, but there’s a lot of hitting, slapping, pushing and wrist grabbing in this drama. Again, it’s probably because this is an older drama, and beating up your family members is no big deal and also accepted.
4. Jang Hae Tae (ML)
I do not really dislike him, except for the fact that he can’t control himself and does not set boundaries when he’s a teacher. Additionally, Hee Tae is quite a bland character for most of the drama. He’s a good man. But he’s a boring man that takes his wife for granted for 7 long years. That doesn’t justify FL’s cheating, but it explains why it was so hard for Il Ri to resist a young hot guy who gives her all the attention in the world. I do believe he has always loved Il Ri but maybe more like a family member, instead of a lover.
Unfortunately, I have to break out the 2x zoom button for half of the drama. 20 episodes are just too long, with a lot of repetitive dialogs and circumstances. Even though the acting is not bad, I just don’t like Kim Il Ri (FL) and Jang Hee Tae (ML), I would not recommend “Valid Love” unless you want to see a younger, adorable and still very hot Lee Soo Hyuk. Of course, this is very subjective since I am not a fan of older dramas.
Completed: 8/11/2024 - Review #470
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