First time to write any review for a movie or series. I decided to make it because of Ji-woo.
About twelve years ago, at one point I wanted to watch her dramas because they were hit and she was really popular, but I didn't, because I didn't like her. In fact at that time I watched Stairway to Heaven until before they reached adulthood only and didn't watch any episode of Winter Sonata even my friends were so crazy about it. Weird huh? I find it weird because I love her now.
Uhm okay now let's talk about Temptation.I'm not gonna give the synopsis because Wikipedia has it for sure. I will give a lot of insights and spoilers though, is that okay?
So if you plan to watch this and you hate spoilers, you better run now! Just kidding!
Another important thing to consider if you plan to watch this is how much you like Ji-woo. If you're Park Ha-sun fan I recommend you not to see this.
The story begins highlighting a married couple undergoing financial crisis. They were on their way to Hong-kong to come after their business partner who ran away with their money. The wife (Hong Joo) was against in coming at first but she still went with her husband (Seok-Hoon).
The couple's dilemma worsen when they figured that their business partner committed suicide leaving them hopeless. He left some money for the couple which made them feel more pathetic. At first I dunno what's gotten into Hong Joo's head when she said she wanted to spend their remaining days in Hong-Kong in luxury using the left-over money.
So yeah they checked in the hotel where Yoo Se-young, a chaebol woman, was also checked in.
Se-young. One of the reason that drawn me to this drama is because of her character. She was described as cold woman who didn't know the existence of life outside business. I just knew she was lonely. You know it's true that what you don't have is what you crave, right? And in her case it was LOVE. It was all she never had. Ji-woo is excellent portraying the hot and cold woman here. She narrated the character so warmly and bitchy. Kudos!
After having so much fun, the married couple retired to bed but Hong-joo sneaked out and left a letter for her husband saying if she died he can use her insurance money to settle his debts. That was just so absurd if you ask me and I feel sorry for her. In the first episode she portrayed the perfect wife, innocent, loving and supportive wife but became irritating later. So much for the jealousy!
Hong-joo was really firm in ending her own life but thanks Goodness Se-young was there to save her.
And so that's how it all started.
Se-young with her influence easily figured why she wanted to end her life. It should also be taken into mind that Se-young and Seok-hoon met first 10years back although their encountered was nothing romantic but matter-of-factly was a bitter memory for Seok-hoon as he was rejected by her for work because she thought he was too idealist.
Ugh, that reminded me of that 'shoes-scene' where Se-young placed the order first but Hong-gyoo was the one who successfully purchased it.
Okay, now comes the mistake that Se-young felt remorseful about but not too regretful. She offered Seok-hoon to stay with her four days, in return she'll pay her the exact amount of his debts. At first Seok-hoon found that offer ridiculous but realizing his wife almost committed suicide, he gave in even his wife strongly disagreed.
He sent her off back to Korea while he stays with the seductress. Sounds like a tryst eh? LOLs, ye I thought so, but since it is Asian drama it's unlikely something too sexy. If you want something like that you can check "Indecent Proposal" out.
So what did they do for four days?
This is really weird as I didn't know what to expect. I found the situation a bit awkward. But what happened was, Se-young only asked him to stay to work with her as her assistance for her business project. She's just too rich to do that, to pay him hefty sum of money, although her real motives was to test the relationship of the couple as they seemed to be invincible. If it was love at first sight, they wouldn't end into this. She rejected him ten years ago, remember?
I'm not gonna justify her actions as she became too much there I must admit. I don't think she was just plain attracted to him. Her reason could also be jealousy, or maybe she genuinely wanted to help them out of their trouble since she already saved his wife's life? I bet the latter is far from reality but I hoped it was like that.
The chaos between the love triangle started when they all came back to Korea especially when Seok-hoon started to work for her company. It jeopardized his marriage because his wife lost trust on him. Partly his fault because he tested himself that nothing will happen even if he was near to that woman.
Meanwhile, Se-young was already starting to admit to herself and to Seok-hoon that she was really attracted to him. She knew it was crazy but just like what she said to her doctor friend she just wanted to endure it as it was her first love @ FORTY. Lol, that's makes me crazy as I never had my first love @ 25. Tsk tsk now.
My only problem in this one is Seok-hoon, how could he re-channel his heart just like that?
He seemed happy with his wife at first. Although, I didn't really feel bad about his first marriage as they didn't have much chemistry but it bothered me that the plot clearly depicted that he and his first wife shared real feelings for each other.
In the end, no matter how much Seok-hoon tried to save his marriage, Hong-joo was firm with the divorce and so he became a free soul.
And so Seok-hoon and Se-young love story started. Geez, can't deny the chemistry of KSW and CJW.
If you're so uptight about what is moral and believe that adultery isn't just about physical then consider yourself warned. Don't watch it as the plot seemed to beat the wife down.
How's it by far? Does it sounds awful? Some may despise it as it favors infidelity but there's just too many things people don't know. There's just lots to learn in it. One thing is that "All you have is all you ever need." But sometimes people don't realize that until it drifts away.
Little details I like..OST, dialogues, her wardrobe (esp. those dangling earrings) and that cute couple Sejin and Hong-gyo even the violin in the background annoys me sometimes. :D
I didn't find any dull moments and enjoyed the process of reconciliation. It kept me entertained throughout. Don't complain if no male characters apologized. I think that's male psychology. Although there was "why-me" scene at the end, it was good they mentioned that she was ill at the beginning. I didn't want to think it was karma.
My sympathy is with Se-young so even if what they had was an ill-fated relationship.
I was worried it'd be another Stairway to Heaven tragedy.Thanks goodness they had an open end. No need for me to cry a bucket!!!
