Not Quite the 'Affair' You’d Expect!

I wanna review both novel and TV adaptation here, so bear with me or you can simply scroll down.

Chao Planoy's books, like many GL novels, are full of red flags. Actually, it’s not just Chao Planoy—many GL novels often have similar issues cos not all novels will be like R4U or TLP. Anyways, in this case, the storyline of 'Affair' feels incredibly contrived, with several parts making no sense at all.

While the TV adaptation made some changes, the novel still struggles with some questionable character dynamics. For example, Pleng, who is insufferably self-absorbed, becomes slightly more tolerable as an adult. Then there's Eak, another walking red flag. But because it’s a Chao Planoy novel, of course, there had to be a guy in the mix. Fast forward to the future, and after being apart for 13 years, Pleng still has no clue about Wan’s life. Yet, she decides to meddle again, pushing Wan to meet Eak—why? It’s baffling. Pleng is, according to me, far too self-centered to deserve someone like Wan. In fact, no one in this novel really deserves Wan—every character seems to fall short. Wan is 100 percent green flag and every time she gets hurt. While the novel tries to redeem its characters in some ways, the overwhelming number of red flags and questionable decisions make it hard to root for anyone, especially Pleng. Wan was quite clear about everything from the beginning and the girl had to suffer a lot due to some twists and turns!

Coming back to the drama, well the casting was great, no doubts here. The background music and OST are well-suited too. And yeah, I can see everyone hating Wan's mom (some are even calling her Lada's mom from TSOU) , portrayed by Um Apasiri Nitibhon, well, it actually means she is an amazing actress for she is playing her role quite well, making it realistic.

P.S.: Pleng and Wan - they could actually be sisters (don't panic, they are not) for they pretty much grew up together in the same house, raised by the same parents. I just don’t get why so many GLs choose these cringeworthy, off-putting storylines. I mean just go through 23.5, Reverse for you and reverse with me, you'll get my point!

Verdict: If you're just looking for some drama and steamy, love-dovey moments, go for it—the leads have undeniable chemistry. However, I do wish the storyline was more gripping and realistic.

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The plot and script are top-notch, with the title cleverly referring to one lead going back in time to save the other. The cast delivers such layered performances that you’ll want to rewatch certain episodes. But I can't give it a perfect 10 out of 10, and I'll explain why.

First of all, Vivi and Wa’s relationship gave me "Frozen" vibes—not entirely, but the sisterly love was definitely there. And it was absolutely adorable. The songs perfectly capture the romantic, emotional, and suspenseful moments, leaving you both happy and sad. For a supernatural romance, the VFX is impressively subtle, and credit goes to the production team, the director, and of course, the author Zezeho, who masterfully wove the fantasy and romance together. As a DC fan, the time-turning scenes reminded me of The Flash, but the unique blend of elements here is remarkable.

Most GL shows focus solely on the romantic connection between the leads, but this one made sure that the precious bond of familial love wasn’t overlooked. Unlike many other GL dramas, this one doesn't end with sudden steamy scenes or a wedding ceremony. Sure, we often expect that between the leads, and we do love it. But just imagine if this kind of ending were shown in a straight romance—people would call it a masterpiece. If you think the show should have ended with lovey-dovey kissing scenes simply because it’s a GL, you’re being biased. Wa and Four shared an emotional hug, which was just as powerful. The show also concluded with Four and Kie resolving their issues, thanks to Wa’s involvement (even though she was unaware of her role in it), hinting that Khun is a good friend of Wa’s—definitely not a potential boyfriend. It was a smart way to wrap up the series, giving supporting characters their due recognition alongside the leads. In my view, that makes the ending of this masterpiece even more meaningful. By the way, the girl who played Kie, Hlinghling did a great job.

So, why can't I give it a 10 out of 10? Well, there were a few plot holes that bothered me. For instance, the scene where Four was about to get shot, and Wa rushed to save her. The police intervened just in time, but that moment felt rushed—it could have been extended for better clarity. Also, I really missed Top (Shogun); he was so charming whenever he was on screen. Lastly, the show ended with Wa witnessing how Four and Kie resolved their rivalry, but it would have been more impactful if Four had turned around and realized Wa had been there for her all along. That small moment could have added an emotional punch to the ending.

When most of the GL shows are dragging plot to 12 episodes without any development, look how R4U did a great job just within 8 episodes. I recommend this drama to everyone, it's worth a shot.

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Lucky Lee has been cast

I’ll watch any series with Lee Joon-gi because I absolutely love him! He's one of my all-time favorite actors in the world of South Korean drama. For this drama, I can confidently say I’d recommend it not only because of Lee Joon-gi, but also because of the compelling storyline. Shin Se-kyung delivered a strong performance, and her role added a lot to the show. And, of course, Lee Joon-gi looks absolutely perfect in historical attire! And, Kim Ok Bin is a great actress, I just realized it more after watching the season 2 and I also have to say, apart from Lee, I liked Ta Gon (Jang Dong Gun).

This is season 2, so if you haven’t watched season 1 yet, you’ll need to start there; otherwise, some parts of this season may be hard to follow. It’s worth noting that Song Joong-ki did an excellent job as the younger version of Eun Seom/Sa Ya in season 1, and Lee Joon-gi is perfectly cast as the older version in season 2. There’s really no point in comparing the two—they both absolutely nailed their respective roles.

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Dream took away the reality!

The novel was a difficult one to read and this drama adaption was no exception at all. Well IDF did some changes but that couldn’t save the drama from such a lower rating. Now, when the story itself is all about miscommunication and then some, drama would reflect it rightly, wouldn’t it? So, Wan and Kimhan's characters have been well portrayed. The background music and songs are amazing, no doubts at all. So, where did it break apart?
1. Some characters' portrayal weren’t well showcased.
2. Some dialogues didn’t even make any sense.
3. Frung portrayed Jessie well but she wasn’t given enough screentime.
4. Flashback and dream scenes are too dramatic.
5. Fay's acting skill needs a lot more improvement.
6. Wan's mom's portrayal was too boring.
7. Wan is an actress but the way she was dressed up was less fashionable than Kimhan's. Doesn't make sense.

Likeable stuff:
Wan and Kim go through a lot of miscommunication and jealousy in the novel and this part was well conveyed by the leads.
May is an amazing actress, She will nail any character. And Looknam is such a cool actress even as a supporting character. Heng is a great actor too, although he never gets his partner in any IDF drama LOL, I hope he gets outta this slump.

The ending, I don't know if the wedding happened in dream or not, might be possible!And so many things from novel were not shown in the drama so it was really hard to sympathize with the leads when they were facing troubles. I'm glad this drama ended but 12 episodes seemed too lengthy.

Anyways, I hope Fay and May get a good script soon, better than this messy one.

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Love will heal what's killing you inside.

I'm so glad that this drama exists. And I would never know that Ji Sung is an amazing actor if I didn't watch this one. I mean he's damn cool , how did he portray all 7 personalities I don't know but he was truly Daebak! Even Park Seo-joon was cool too and I have to say the interaction between Park and Ji Sung as Oh Ri-On and Ahn Yo-na in the cafe was a chef's kiss. The plot is well-written and the OST - Auditory Hallucination - still my most fav OST. Ji Sung has a great chemistry with Hwang Jung-eum but the FL's voice is quite irritating in some scenes. Anyways, I don't wanna give any spoilers, you'll never regret if you watch the show and if you don't watch it, you have a long way to go as a K-drama fan.

Fun fact: Both Lee Seung Gi and Hyun Bin were offered the role of Cha Do-hyun (name of the ML in series), but declined. I'm glad they did. Nobody could play this role other than Ji Sung and he proved it well.

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Love happens when you least expect it

Scarlet Heart: Ryeo or Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart. Ryeo is an externally magnificent and psychologically engaging historical drama with elements of romance, time travel, and political intrigue. Set in the Goryeo Dynasty, it follows Go Ha-jin, a modern-day woman sent back in time who becomes engaged in the complicated lives of royal princes competing for the crown.

One of the drama's most appealing aspects is its captivating cast. Lee Joon-gi (I LOVE HIM SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH) gives an outstanding portrayal as Wang So, the 4th Prince, capturing his character's development from an outcast to a ruthless yet misunderstood leader. IU as Hae Soo exudes warmth and tenderness, while her portrayal occasionally struggles to match the drama of the historical setting. The supporting actors, particularly Kang Ha-neul as the 8th Prince and Hong Jong-hyun as the 3rd Prince, contribute to the intricate power dynamics and love triangle.

Visually, the drama is beautiful, with stunning photography and extravagant outfits that bring the Goryeo period to life. The soundtrack, too, is unforgettable, adding to the emotional impact of critical scenes.

However, in the later half of the series, the pacing is inconsistent and the characters are underdeveloped. While the early episodes are entertaining, the hurried pace to the finale leaves numerous plotlines seeming unfinished. The time-travel aspect, while intriguing, creates more concerns than it answers, and historical mistakes may irritate viewers knowledgeable with Korean history.

The romance between Wang So and Hae Soo is both a high point and a cause of frustration. Their chemistry is apparent, but the tragic, open-ended climax disappointed many admirers.

Overall, Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is a compelling drama, but its narrative problems and heartbreaking finale keep it from realizing its full potential.

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Heartfelt but Flawed

So, the series combines elements of romance, LGBTQ+ themes, and coming-of-age storytelling using the trope of romance, friendship, and resilience within a school setting, incorporating complex relationships. The series' depiction of Itsuki and Fuyu's reunion after overcoming previous pain and family judgment appeals to viewers who appreciate stories about resilience and complex relationships. The relationship between the characters adds emotional depth, making their road to acceptance and happiness interesting for many viewers. I still feel the series could need greater pacing, particularly in its examination for additional characters and subplots. For example, Fuyu's mother's frequent interventions and the reemergence of Fuyu's first love could take away from the main storyline, resulting in unneeded drama that can become monotonous. Some episodes have been quite refreshing and pointed out the real-world conflicts that the same-sex couples face these days. My fav character is the lil one - Hayashi Tsuki, she is the sweetest ever. Anyways, apart from the kid, I truly liked the chemistry between Itsuki (Sugai Yuuka) and Fuyu (Nakamura Yurika), the actresses did well but well, Chise (Yeo Reum) stole the spotlight for some time, she did great.

This season is much better than season one and one more thing, there is not much love scene between the leads, they do get intimate and it was kinda cute - I found it purely sweet. I won't give any spoilers but once we get into episode 6 and 7, real problems arise for Fuyu and Itsuki being two mothers of a kid and whatever they faced in the drama is a depiction of what happens in many places around the world for LGBTQ+ couples. If you have watched season one, it's mandatory to watch season, you won't regret. If you enjoy emotional storytelling with a focus on individual development will most certainly find it interesting, despite some narrative flaws.

Happy watching!

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6 episodes won't do this series justice

Chao Planoy is known for creating nuanced GL stories that explore intense relationships, emotional complexity, and sometimes introducing idiotic guy characters - so I don't know what else to expect from the author. Although this novel was quite cute and tolerable (except for that Toy part, he was such a creep), this is how I felt after reading Mate (this one is purely messy LOL).

Anyways, the casting is great, leads have great chemistry so far and the sequence is okay with me, however, I don't know how they will cover everything in just 6 episodes. I don't like dragging story to 12 eps but this one deserves at least 8. The novel had some interesting twists and turns, I hope they don't miss the important ones otherwise the fun is gone. Kris is like Ongsa from 23.5 prolly Ongsa 2.0, Karn is a bit jealous type, you'll see once the story moves forward, but together they look adorable. Kris's brother is good too. Let's see how the adaptation handles all those specific details from novel, so best wishes to this show.

This series airs right after 'Pluto', and it feels like a dessert after the main course. Pluto moves at a steady pace, without too many romantic or intimate scenes—then Apple comes along like, 'Hold my beer; I’ll take it from here!' I’ve watched the first four episodes so far and had such a great time—lots of laughs and an incredible OST to enjoy. Since the novel has a happy ending, I’m really hoping the drama will follow suit!

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A Sensual Symphony: Visuals, OSTs, and Cinematic Mastery

Among all of Chao Planoy's novels, this one stands out as being less chaotic—well, if you've read Planoy's other works and then watched the adapted shows, you'll know exactly what I mean. Planoy's books are often riddled with issues, but Pluto manages to be a bit more polished. That said, the plot still revolves around twin sisters in love with the same girl, who's manipulating both in a twisted game of control and desire—basically, a tangled web of emotional and physical exploitation under the guise of love. Just wait for the pandora's box to be opened!

Despite the messy plot, GMMTV nailed the casting for the adaptation. Namtan is already an established actress, and Film holds her own as well. If you've seen Ploy's Yearbook, you'll remember these two as the leads, although the storyline there was quite different (loved that drama too). Ciize and Earn are from 23.5, if you have watched it, you already know them. Their acting improved a lot here. It was good to see Kapook as a supporting role, hopefully someday she will be a lead character in another drama. Duangdao Jarujinda as grandma was well suited too (in the novel grandma wasn't mentioned, it was the mom)

The OSTs for Pluto are fantastic, and the way each shot is handled is visually stunning. Some scenes are narrated with an almost sensual undertone, perfectly matching the mood. There's also a lot of clever foreshadowing in the dialogue, which only readers of the novel will fully appreciate.

P.S: Some of you might have already caught spoilers from random comments, but unless you've read the entire novel in one go, you won't fully grasp what's coming in the drama version. If it sticks to the book, expect a happy ending, but not without a few twists along the way. After all, what's a good show without some drama, right? Happy watching!

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