Lee Shi-young breaks hearts in Valid Love
by girlfriday
I was starting to worry that this drama wasn’t going to make broadcast from the scant promo and lack of news on the subject, but we finally get a peek at tvN’s next Monday-Tuesday drama Valid Love. The new drama from writer Kim Do-woo (My Name Is Kim Sam-soon) and PD Han Ji-seung (Alone in Love) looks beautiful and really well-made… it just also looks really melodramatic, which may totally appeal to a great many of you (I’m just probably not the ideal audience for it).
Uhm Tae-woong (Could We Love) and Lee Shi-young (Golden Cross) star as a married couple who met while he was a substitute teacher at her high school, and Lee Soo-hyuk (High School King of Savvy) plays the other man she falls in love with while still married to Uhm Tae-woong. Heartbreak and gnashing of teeth ensue.
What’s startling is that we’re introduced to the heroine’s inner monologue via two teasers, and she narrates over the beautifully-shot images… well, stuff that kind of makes me hate her, to be honest. In the first, she says: “Just because a coin’s front and back sides are different, it doesn’t make it not a coin. My love is like that — it’s just two loves, the same.” That’s the faultiest logic I’ve ever heard, AND you’re using it to try and validate your extramarital affair?
And in the second teaser, she narrates over Uhm Tae-woong’s angsty batting cage session: “I love you — you, and that person too. I’m sorry I love you both.” Uh, so you’re sorry not sorry, is what you’re saying. Gee, I wonder where my sympathy’s gonna go in this drama. It’s okay, Uhmforce, I’m here for hugs.
Valid Love follows Liar Game and premieres December 1.
Via tvN
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Tags: Lee Shi-young, Lee Soo-hyuk, Uhm Tae-woong, Valid Love
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1 fab
November 11, 2014 at 9:18 AM
So my biggest fear just became reality; infidelity is the main plot. &^%&&**%^&*. Why is the cast so good?? Pfffttt
Come to mommy Uhmforce!
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2 Quiet Thought
November 11, 2014 at 9:21 AM
Sigh. I may not be the best moral judge, here, because, anything Li Shi Young says in that voice and with those big, sad eyes, it is going to make perfect sense to me.
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Lixie
November 11, 2014 at 11:25 AM
Does it really work on men? That voice and sad face just annoys me, but I'm a woman. I find that fake cutesy extremely annoying.
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Orion
November 11, 2014 at 1:27 PM
Well, I'm a (straight) woman and a fan. I think she has a nice voice and her melodramatic acting is improving, but would it make me feel for a cheater? Nope. As much as I like her, a character is a character.
But the way Quiet Thought phrased it, it looks like he/she is aware of that distinction too. :P
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Quiet Thought
November 11, 2014 at 3:11 PM
As several wise American comedians have asked: "Have you ever found yourself apologizing to a crying woman even though you didn't do anything wrong and don't even know what she's crying about, just to make her not be crying anymore?"
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3 Chandler
November 11, 2014 at 9:30 AM
OMG seriously. That coin logic is ridiculous. When flipping a coin, you pick heads or tails. You don't get to pick both, otherwise you'd win either way. Life doesn't work that way. Love the PD, but won't be watching this. And that's a certain fact.
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museofmanymasks
November 11, 2014 at 10:40 AM
re: When flipping a coin, you pick heads or tails. You don’t get to pick both, otherwise you’d win either way. hahaha
YES EXACTLY
*Lines up behind JB for hugs.*
Angsty batting cage scene was funny though. If the whole show is ridiculously overwrought I could still laugh at it. Eh such a waste. Maybe the teasers are misleading and its not that bad? It wouldn't be the first time we were tricked by teasers...though its usually the other way around when the teasers are great but the show fails (cough MSH cough)
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bean
November 11, 2014 at 7:10 PM
wheres that thumbs up when you need itttt
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iitu
November 11, 2014 at 11:26 PM
I thought that was the whole idea behind the coin metaphor. She loves both men the same because they are two sides of the same coin but she also knows she can choose only one side. Her marriage happened because she saw only that one side of the coin but then she found out there is another side and know cannot make a decision and doesn't want to randomly flip the coin because society, morality, feelings etc. things that involve actual human beings.
That being said, she did seem a bit self-centered and overly dramatic. The trailer made me dislike her but at the same time really intrigued as to what she is really thinking and feeling.
And Uhmforce <3
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lulu
January 14, 2015 at 11:10 PM
This is a very good analysis. You got the idea right in the head. The story line is very much realistic. I hope that this drama may be viewed by a lot of people because Valid Love is such an excellent drama worth watching.
Nobody is perfect and sinless, hence, we don't have the right to judge people portrayed by the lead actress here.
It is not justifying what is wrong. If you study the background story, the lady played by Il ri lost her father at an early age. Probably, this is the reason why she fell for Hee tae, subconsciously Il ri is looking for a father figure. That's why when she met Carpenter Kim, the love she felt for him is the real love between a man and a woman. And who are we to say that the series encourages extra marital affair? This is very narrow minded.
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Mandy
November 12, 2014 at 3:52 PM
If the thumbs up button still existed, I'd actually click it a few times for your comment!
Seriously... That coin logic fails me. I've always been repulsed with extra marital affairs as a main theme. The fact that they are trying to justify it just makes it worse. Good going drama, drive a lot of your viewers away before even airing episode 1.
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4 Danda
November 11, 2014 at 9:36 AM
Well.I do hope there is another suitor for UTW's character......
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yah
November 12, 2014 at 7:36 AM
Han Soo-Yeon is cast as Uhm Force's first love from college.
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5 anotheraddict
November 11, 2014 at 9:42 AM
Normally, I'd be SUPER excited about a love child from the writer of MNIKSS and the PD of AIL, especially with a good cast like this-- but this is a there I don't want to go to. I'm disappointed, but hey-- there are plenty of other dramas in the see!
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Muenchabench
November 11, 2014 at 9:55 AM
I just looked up the plot description of Alone in Love and was intrigued. How does it rank on the melo-drama scale?
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anotheraddict
November 11, 2014 at 1:39 PM
Lame joke, but the truth is that Alone in Love is a mellow drama, not a melodrama. In fact, it may be the mellowest drama I've seen. There is a tragic event from the past that still has a strong impact on the OTP in the present day, but emotions are handled in a very true-to-life way. There are no histrionics, and almost no drama clichés. The whole thing is lovely and restrained and the PD deserves a lot of credit for that. The writing and the cast are also top-notch. However, because it is so mellow, some people will find it boring, and I think it's best to watch it when you're in the mood for a hot-chocolate-on-a-rainy-day kind of drama.
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Chandler
November 11, 2014 at 3:02 PM
Very true. The thing about Alone in Love is that, despite how mellow it is, it has a way of imbuing wit and humor into it's smaller moments so it makes for a rather enjoyable watch. I loved that about it. And the characters are just wonderful. It's one of those dramas that may not be addicting or completely feel-good, but it surprises each episode with moments and dialogues that just get to you and, ultimately, leaves you feeling rewarded at it's end. Not for everyone, but definitely worth checking out.
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Chandler
November 11, 2014 at 3:14 PM
Ooops, I meant *given how mellow it is, not despite.
The pun confused me because "despite how MELO it is," would also have worked there lol.
nomad
November 12, 2014 at 7:07 PM
The shots, I also really enjoyed seeing the shots in AIL. All of your descriptions fit AIL to the T, I think.
6 Chiisan
November 11, 2014 at 10:09 AM
The important question: is this a drama version of the movie My Wife Got Married?
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Durin20
November 11, 2014 at 2:50 PM
Good question.
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7 4D
November 11, 2014 at 10:22 AM
Eh yeah, the plot does nothing for me. I feel like this would be a lesson in torture for me.
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8 TG
November 11, 2014 at 10:37 AM
Why is it a U.S. coin in the promos? Isn't that weird?
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aafa83
November 11, 2014 at 2:04 PM
That was my question as well!
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9 NileRose
November 11, 2014 at 11:20 AM
This Drama's story is a version from movie Perfect murder Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow and Viggo Mortensen
Also there is an Arabic version called ( as long as) .
Actually I don't like the story itself .
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10 astromantic
November 11, 2014 at 11:51 AM
I actually thought this show was going to be a comedy, oops. COLOR ME SHOCKED
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11 Nessie
November 11, 2014 at 12:03 PM
Guhhh will my love for Lee soo-hyuk be strong enough to make me watch this, as I really don't do melodrama.
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12 Denali
November 11, 2014 at 12:07 PM
Valid love
Am pretty sure that the writer's description of love is worlds apart of mine. Likewise, I find it equally wrong/harmful for all parties involve in an extramarrital affair and to openly swoon over married men. As viewers, haven't our brains been used to fantasize over married actors, yet defending it like it's no big deal, usually because of our TV/computer screen that separates actors from our real world, because supposedly nothing will ever happen between them and us? And yet, if we were to meet them, get to know them, what would we eventually do if they were equally attracted to us? The thing is, once you get used to doing something wrong, it actually turns into right after a while. Just like Lee Shin-Young's character.
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13 nobody
November 11, 2014 at 12:09 PM
Never been really in love with 2 persons at the same time? Enough room in my heart for 2 men if they are that complementary, at least in a fantasy world. Since it's a melo (tvN is surprising me here) we know that it won't end well in the show...
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14 LoveLoveLove
November 11, 2014 at 12:15 PM
hm... I will watch it sounds interesting because i have seen real life scenarios where wife left the husband for younger man and even though it is very vulnerable subject i would like to see what the drama will execute
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15 maddragonqueen
November 11, 2014 at 12:41 PM
I will probably watch this because Uhmforce (and I also have a pretty big soft spot for Lee Soo Hyuk) but uuuuuuuuunnnnmnngggggghhhhhh melodrama.
And the heroine seems totally despicable.
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16 cv
November 11, 2014 at 12:46 PM
Geeez.... cheating... is a no no no.
I'll pass on this one.
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17 Hipployta
November 11, 2014 at 1:06 PM
I heard it's a remake of Perfect Murder/Dial M for Murder and still...N O P E
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18 Aigoooo
November 11, 2014 at 1:06 PM
I just hope it doesn't go too melo that it turns into a comedic farce.
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19 Orion
November 11, 2014 at 1:34 PM
Personally, I don't mind her "logic", because her logic is one I am sure many cheaters have and one that is important for us to understand her character. It's very possible to be confused about one's feelings and like two people. It happens all the time and sometimes, it leads to cheating. Not everyone who cheats is doing so with malicious or indifferent feelings.
What I will mind is if the series somehow condones or even justifies its female lead's logic by the end. So it all depends on what the moral will be. Hopefully, it will be about her discovering this very logic is faulty and that fear/doubt of choosing only hurts everyone involved.
I mean, while she is narrating this, they do show her husband suffering. So I have a feeling her words are meant to sound very dishonest at this point. I can hope, at least. I usually avoid cheating stories because I'll be very pissed if they present it in a positive or overly forgiving light. So the melo tone is actually comforting.
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CaroleMcDonnell
November 11, 2014 at 3:01 PM
Totally agree. I hate adultery but will forgive it if the cheated upon person is a good soul. But dang!!!! There is love and there is loyalty.. I'd think loyalty would count for something? And heck if the adulterous love is valid, i hope that doesn't mean she has to bed him. (Tapping my chest now because of LSH)
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Gidget
November 11, 2014 at 4:06 PM
Though 'adultererous good soul' is a bit of an oxymoron, isn't it?
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canxi
November 11, 2014 at 4:42 PM
Well, though cheating is inconsiderate and wrong I think it's debatable if that actually makes you a bad person (I mean, I don't think you'll have anyone coming to defend your choices, lol). And even that is if we just assume people (or their souls) can be described as simply "good" or "bad", haha.
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skelly
November 12, 2014 at 6:15 AM
Yes, I am also very hesitant because I am very judgy when it comes to marital infidelity (in real life, it is always ugly, ugly ugly) and kdramas have a way of letting off female characters, no matter how horrible they are, with a slap on the wrist and a token redemption.
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Gidget
November 12, 2014 at 3:39 PM
I know! Why is that?
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eny
November 12, 2014 at 6:16 AM
i don't like adultery but watching it could be interesting, we can get good insight about that. I like temptation n bad love, it's about adultary too, that drama is harsh but it reality, it was painfull but really happen in real life
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20 Trina
November 11, 2014 at 1:52 PM
Hrmmm.... I like the teaser but pass. I might watch it later on when I am bored. I have so many other kdrama to catch up already.
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21 ana
November 11, 2014 at 2:32 PM
Last time I read that it's supposed to be a rom-com, I was rolling my eyes. And now they're out of my socket. I don't think I'll be watching this.
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22 CaroleMcDonnell
November 11, 2014 at 2:58 PM
Oh Dang, I HATE being conflicted. Secret Love was so easy because Husband was a douche and there was a whole world of weirdness we wanted heroine to be freed from...but this. ...argh! It seems more realistic so far...at least in its melo way.
It reminds me of that annoying moving about a married woman who loved two men. Her husband and her new lover. And in the end, she lived with both of them..one upstairs and the other downstairs. Yep, it was a Korean movie. My wife has a lover? Something like that. I so hated that movie because the girl was so personalityless in her supposed joyous carefree life...and such an empty canvas on which we ust projected some kind of personality. It felt as if the writer was showing how sweetlly innocent and free-spirited she was and how attractive it all was.
And dang, although I like LSH and his sweet face and wonderful voice, if this woman is anything like that..i shall have to avoid it like the plague. Plus the whole stress thing about adultery. Is she going to represent ahjumma me? Or is it going to be an exercise in free-spirited confusion? We shall see.
Thanks for the update.
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Ek Ladhki Thi
November 11, 2014 at 3:31 PM
I think you mean Naked Kitchen. Gah! That movie made me so mad! As much as I like Shin Mina, I wanted to smack her character into the next century when she reasoned that she deserved both men. Plus, the writer made Joo Ji-hoon cry on a plane while sitting in a foetal position, I will never forgive her for that.
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M
November 19, 2014 at 10:15 AM
She's talking about "My Wife Got Married", 2008, with Joo Sang Wook as the second husband (only reason I watched it).
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skelly
November 12, 2014 at 6:18 AM
The only really successful take on that storyline was The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom with Shirley MacLaine, a 60's foray into wackiness that I think worked because it was just so out there it was coming from another planet. Still remember the inflatable brassieres...
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23 danna
November 11, 2014 at 3:06 PM
If I had to pick between these two men, it would always be Uhm Tae Woong on any given day...Lee Soo Hyuk just doesnt do anything for me ever
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24 jubilantia
November 11, 2014 at 3:17 PM
Dammit, I want to see Lee Soo-hyuk's beautiful face, but not in this context! Never like this! I cannot take the melodramas. Better luck next time, actors I love.
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CaroleMcDonnell
November 11, 2014 at 3:31 PM
if it doesn't get overly-melo i "might could" deal.
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25 Ek Ladhki Thi
November 11, 2014 at 3:36 PM
I think I should say this from the start, the second lead syndrome is strong with this one. I have such a soft spot for Lee Soo-hyuk it's ridiculous. I've never actually seen Uhm Tae-woong in anything though. I love Lee Si-young, she has such a strange real life persona, at least from what I saw on WGM, and I love her acting (Wild Romance forever fan here). So, two of my favourite people in unacceptable situations, just while I was about to take a break from dramas? Sigh, melodrama or no, I'm going to find a way to watch this.
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