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Lee Shi-young’s budding romances in Valid Love

For the first time, the previews for tvN’s new Monday-Tuesday drama Valid Love look cute, and dare I say, appealing even. I was scared off by the initial melodramatic conceptual teasers (which made me dislike the heroine), but this is the first peek at the show itself, and the longer trailers depict a sweet coming-of-age romance between leads Uhm Tae-woong and Lee Shi-young. They’re certainly more appealing tonally, at least.

Granted, the drama is still about Lee Shi-young having an affair with Lee Soo-hyuk and loving two men, so I can’t say that it changes my reservations about the overall story. But the drama itself looks much lighter, and the heroine seems adorable and spunky.

The story starts off thirteen years in the past, when Uhm Tae-woong the biology teacher meets Lee Shi-young as a high school student. They meet-cute (or more like meet-embarrassing) when he collides with her on the street after getting circumcised, which she then uses to taunt him with when he walks into her classroom as a new teacher.

At first she leads the other kids in hazing him, but eventually she’s the one who develops a massive crush and chases him. He leaves after she almost dies saving his life in an accident, but they reunite seven years later and end up getting married. I actually wish that were the entirety of the drama, but it’s really only the beginning, because then she meets carpenter Lee Soo-hyuk on the job and suddenly finds herself wondering what it would be like to sleep with another man…

Valid Love follows Liar Game and premieres December 1.

Via Star News

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Means Liar Game comes to an end...

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Nooo! Don't say that. Shhhh. No one has to know. It never ends.

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Superlike!

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Nooooooo! Andweee! Shirooooo! :(

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Why must all good things come to an end? *sobs repeatedly*
And ohmygosh Episode 11 comes out today!

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already interested in this drama just by reading the synopsis, the teaser make it more interesting

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I know right!! I hope it is done well since there's infidelity here aswell...and a good solid ending...*prays*

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How hot is Lee Soo-hyuk!!!

I would seriously just watch a condensed version of this. Condensed to just scenes of Lee Soo-hyuk looking hot. ;)

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I know right. That picture of him with those abs..

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Its really funny tho. I just have this bad stereotype that carpenters should be scruffy D; Lee Soohyuk is so clean looking.

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LOL. Me too, I'd probably just watch Lee Soohyuk scenes.

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Who thought of making him remove his shirt and throw it like that? We NEED more writers like that LOL. I would LOVE it if these were seperate stories..... I'm not sure how I feel about this plot...

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I've honestly never considered Lee Soo Hyuk to be hot before and I have no idea what it is, but he's looking really good here.

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I almost just need Lee Soo Hyuk to speak, that's all. Just speak.

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I agree with this comment

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i am sure i am gonna hate this drama if she breaks Uhm Tae-woong's heart!!!

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Haha we have the same priority!! :)

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me too. lol
I refuse to watch the 2nd trailer in fear of getting heart broken because I want her to end up with Uhm Tae Woong.

I'm considering to just watch meet-cute part and they got married and pretend it ends. But then Lee Soo HOT!

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That's the plan...unless they do the high school stuff in flashes and make me sit through the affair just to watch the cute stuff from the marriage.

The teasers literally made it look like he is a loving husband only to have her go and want to sleep with another man. Who can root for a heroine like that? Bleh.

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But I don't want Uhm Tae-woong to be heartbroken!! ;3;

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still haven't made up my mind if i am going to watch... the part of the trailer showing how they fell in love looks so cute but the plot still bothers me a bit...

still undecided....

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The plot somehow remind me of some manga. Although I like the student-teacher premise but only in manga. I want to keep my fantasy. Maybe I will watch it once it get recapped or more been given.

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Why do I get Noh Min Woo and Lee Soo Hyuk mixed up? Do they look at all alike or is it just me?

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Well, they both have this sort of longer nose and elvish like faces but it's only a small resemblance.

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I'll look more carefully. :)

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you should listen more carefully. They have 2 distinct vocals, haha!

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I know it's just me but I find hard to believe a student would fall for UTW, only because he always looks so old. I almost wish the whole thing was reversed and she just fell for him as an older teacher later in life.
BUT if the story and actors are good they can still sell it. I hope they do.

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You're not the only one. I usually enjoy ahjussi romances but UTW just doesn't cut it for me at all, may it be his looks or even his acting skills. SLS, here I come!

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I would fall for him.

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So would I. In a heartbeat

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Me first.

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Me three

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Yeah, I don't care how "cute and spunky" she is. As much as I love Lee Shi-young, I can't root for a heroine that leaves Uhmforce for Lee Soo-hyuk.

That's like rejecting a chocolate brownie sundae for a popsicle. While crushing the poor brownie under your feet, breaking it's little chocolate ice-cream heart into pieces... :'(

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Preach it. The younger guy does zippo nada nothing for me. Even with his abs of glory.

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I mean its UHMFORCE!!!!

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So true, he's pretty in an abstract way, but I'm not attracted to him. UTW on the other hand, is one hot ajusshi.

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"That’s like rejecting a chocolate brownie sundae for a popsicle." PERFECT DESCRIPTION! Though I'm not sure I even like Uhmmybear because he's hot but because he's warm and sweet. You're right about Lee Soo Hyuk: "pretty in an abstract way" like modern art, an interesting piece to observe *often in the vein of what was I supposed to think again?) but not something I'd want to take home with me.

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I was thinking the same way - I can appreciate LSH like I do art, but he leaves me cold. On the other hand, so many reasons to love UTW - looks, charisma, acting chops, manly scruff, the way he walks like a man and not a runway model... I could go on, but I'll stop lol.

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"That’s like rejecting a chocolate brownie sundae for a popsicle. While crushing the poor brownie under your feet, breaking it’s little chocolate ice-cream heart into pieces… :'("

LMAO, this analogy is perfect.

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ICAM!

Even though I cant say I find him so handsome still something about him when he is acting, shut me down to everything but him. And abses or whatever doesn't do anything for me.

But in this case it is not about him being Uhmforce or not, he is your husband you damn girl!

Btw, wasn't LSH in White Chiristmas? What he has done to his nose? Seems akward 0__o

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*christmas

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As an avid LSH fan, I'll admit I don't know the personality of the characters in this drama. But dang! In real life (at least in Korean variety shows) there is a sweet quality to LSH. He's such an instigator with his friends, a cute prankster troublemaker. That and his wonderful beauty...and I'm sold.

I just hope he actually HAS a personality in this drama..instead of being merely a pretty face.

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I understood totes what you are saying, but still Lee Soo-hyuk is hmph

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I didn't expect the extended trailer to be this...beautiful. Like you said GF, there is something so moving about it that "I actually wish that were the entirety of the drama."

I think this little snippet of the drama (first trailer) could easily stand independent as a lovely short film. Do we have to stretch it, paling its essence?

Oh well...beautiful. Maybe there will be some more hidden gems stored inside the drama as well. Who knows...

Thanks for this GF! <3

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gasp. Lee Soo Hyuk's side profile.

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some days you're reading dramabeans and some days you just got pregnant because lsh's perfect chest

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i literally stopped scrolling and yelled WAIT A SECOND when i saw that pic

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Aaaah, was not going to add this drama to my to watch list. But the extended preview, trailer thingy makes me want to watch it now. It looks like a well produce drama, with more funny moments then expected at least at first... may give this a try.

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I'm really looking forward to it. They could definitely have an entire story with just Uhm Tae-woong and Li Shi-young's story, but that would be just the run-of-the-mill K-drama with first loves reunited.

I am excited to see what happens after a few years of "happily ever after", and how the heroine will struggle with being really attracted to another man while still loving her husband. Should be great conflict if it the writing is good!

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I agree. It seems like they are making it more of a conflict with the age difference as well. She was a high schooler when she started to fall for the would-be husband, even though they married seven years later it's possible nothing happened for her 'till then. I wonder if she feels she was too hasty in a way. Like, it really does sound like a run-of-the-mill first love re-united drama when it's just them. Possibly with Lee Shi Young being that person who just waits forever for that someone to come along again. And not content later down the line when she gets that awaited person–I think that would be an interesting flip on an old trope!

I mean, it's not a nice situation still but an interesting one to watch for me. It could even be possible that she didn't wait but she married UTW because she thought he was some fantasy she held up in her mind all these years. Then, years later, the fantasy fades...I think that's interesting, too.

I don't always have to feel 100% on board with a character to enjoy a drama. I think this one could be cool.

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I had the same interpretation. They got separated on some pretty tragic note. She was disappointed, so she waited for her Prince Charming. He probably felt indebted to her as well, so it was a fantasy/obligation thing, I guess.

Then the illusion of his awesomeness faded, she was an adult by now and it looks like he might be away from home a lot too, which just leaves her with an invisible man again. She probably "wasted" her youth waiting for the unfulfilled and then when it did appear, it wasn't all her high-school self had dreamed of.

Hot guy comes up and she has a chance at a baggage-free relationship with the kind of guy who matches her personality perhaps. It's interesting to see and hopefully will be about more than just lust. I hope the series explores the reasons and emotions of people who go through such issues, rather than end up overly melodramatic for the sake of its melodrama and play on the lust concept because it sells.

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Right! I trust Lee Shi Young, I think she has a knack for picking these characters who seem to be one way but turn out to have this whole other side to them. I don't think it will be and am hoping it won't be all about lust–I trust tvN too. It seems to me like it's really her treading on the road of What If in a "dangerous" way.

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I know what you mean. I think watching a drama with a character that I completely approved of might actually be really boring, because while it is nice in real life to make morally sound decisions all of the time, there just isn't that much material for a drama in there.

And I just think it is so true that in a marriage, there is definitely a certain amount of curiousity, about "what if I ended up with someone else?" Lee Shi-young's character may well love her husband very much, but after a few years monotony and rountine settles in. So when a hot young guy shows up, it is certainly interesting to see how she will deal with her emotions and her love for both men.

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I think she might legit be in love with both of them, which is such an interested premise for Kim Do Woo to tackle, since I don't think she's ever written a "real" love triangle before. I also think since this is going to be told from UTW's character's p.o.v., it might be the kind of thing where we see our heroine's relationship with this other man through his perspective, and his witnessing it is a way for him to work out what his marriage to her really means.

It's so great to bring up the whole fantasy element, cause I've always thought one of the things Kim Do Woo's heroines tackle is reality vs fantasy--choosing reality over fantasy or finding a way to want reality instead of fantasy or slipping fantasy into reality.

Anyway, I'm super excited for this drama!

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I love your take on UTW's pov. I think that would be cool to see both characters wonder if they were the right choice for each other now that you mention it! I haven't watched all of Kim Do Woo's dramas (just Kim Sam Soon) but I always here good things about them. It really gives me hope that this one will be a good watch as well.

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I agree with you…I was all reserved when I first heard about the drama, but seeing the preview I'm actually excited. I think your interpretation is so on point. And though it's not morally commendable, it feels real. I'm excited for Shi Young…I think this would make a nice challenge for her if she depicts it right. Despite all of this, though…this drama better end with her sticking it through the temptations with her husband, though…I really would hate to see Uhmforce broken to pieces.

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I absolutely agree.
Sometimes I do not understand some of the criticism that make the heroine's acts some kind of public moral issue. It is a story that happens within the private environnement of a couple. And it's a fiction...
It sounds like a great show, I can't wait.

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Oh wow, this entire time I was thinking this drama was called Vapid Love, and I only just realized it was Valid Love. LOL
Though I don't know, I believe strongly in marriage and loving only one's husband, so I don't think I can watch this drama :/

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Hahaha so much more appropriate of a title! I don't see how cheating on your spouse can ever be considered "valid". I'm with you, going to skip this one I think. Shame because I love the writer and PD.

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I was interested in this drama because of the leads but the teasers have been "meh" for me.
Although, I am curious about Choi Yeo Jin's character. At the press conference, they mentioned that they intentionally left her character out of the teasers. They teased about her character being a twist/surprise in the drama so I'm definitely looking forward to that. I hope it doesn't disappoint because then it would've been meaningless to cut her out from all of the promotions -.-

but yeah.....Liar Game!!!!! so not ready for it to end T^T

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Hmm…maybe she's Uhmforce's first love?

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Isn't she suppose to be his sister?

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Aw boo! Who's going to comfort Uhmforce then?

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Lee Si Young's mom, who turns up and ALSO falls for both men?

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Oh dang, shirtless Lee Soo Hyuk is so freaking hot. I've never been that attracted to him, but he's really manly here. *_*

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Choi Ye jin! Found my renewed motivation to watch this. I forgot she was in it.

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As I was reading the post, my smile kept widening. But then it took one line: "...suddenly finds herself wondering what it would be like to sleep with another man" to make that smile disappear.

It would've been cute - although teacher/high school student is still slightly icky for me - but adutery, ridiculous coin analogy and two loves are so no my thing.

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I mean, I like UTW but I think some might be turning the drama down based on their feelings for the actor. His checklist of good traits might not trickle into the character. Well...it's not like I can't understand that though. No one wants to see their fave sad, lol, even if it's not really them.

Anyway, I love a morally ambiguous characterization and I think Lee Shi Young's character's willingness to step out of her marriage despite loving her husband puts her right in that category. She can be deeply flawed, she can be flat-out unlikable at times as long as she's interesting. I think that's good, hahaha. I might end up rooting for her–whether it's for her to get some sense or end it with one guy to go to the next or to become a better person. I might end up waiting for the truck of doom to run her over, lol. Should probably still be enjoyable, though. And hey, the guys might not be that great, either. I'll see. >:]

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"I think some might be turning the drama down based on their feelings for the actor. His checklist of good traits might not trickle into the character."

WOAH I didn't even think of that. Excellent point.

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Totally agree with your second paragraph.

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Glad I'm not the only one! Haha

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I so love the Uhm Tae Wong and Lee Shi Young pairing, unexpectedly.. I hate the idea that this drama might make me hate Lee So Hyuk! So I hope it won't make him a bad second lead, like, the one that you hate to hell because he uses dirty tricks and all that to get the lead's heart..
I'm so intrigue with the probability of someone loving two different people. I hope they'll make it good. If they do, then this will be my first ever adultery drama. I mean, dramas are for entertaining purposes right.. so adultery isn't my cup of entertainment. It's just not something that I would be entertained watching, even though it is just fiction.

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I actually really wanna watch now cause I hope that all she feels for Lee Soo Hyuk is infatuation (with those abs, who wouldn't fall?) but the one she truly loves is Uhmforce cause UHMFORCE OKAY YOU CAN'T BREAK HIS FREAKING HEART IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO DO AND LIVE WITH THE GUILT DO YOU HEAR ME LEE SHI YOUNG

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I have to say brava to TvN for these teasers. Thequality is so good! They look like teasers for a movie and they actually have a lot of substance unlike their usual (adorable!) drama teasers.

I was tentatively going to try this but I'm actually really looking forward to it after seeing the teasers. While teachers dating students is clearly wrong, I'm going to give it a pass just this once because the show's already about adultery anyway. But yes, it looks really intriguing and complex and like it's going to try to make all of the characters complicated, real individuals instead of demonizing the cheating partners. While obviously cheating is wrong and incredibly damaging, I like it when narratives try to show it from all the povs instead of romanticizing it (ick) or demonizing the cheaters (unnecessary; it's already, obviously wrong). I would have watched a show just about Lee Shiyoung's character romancing either guy (less so the teacher tho) but this is the show we're going to get so I want to give it a try with an open mind. Just because this is a difficult topic doesn't mean it shouldn't be represented and watching a non-makjang treatment of cheating should be interesting. Thank you!

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I'm totally watching this drama
But.... does anyone else not feel ok with a student-teacher pairing? Is it just me?
But what are the laws there regarding such matters? Is it OK as long as the student is above a certain age..? Or is this dramaland ignoring the rules (as usual)?

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I was under the impression that they just met and she developed a one-sided crush in high-school and that they don't start dating till after the time skip. I hope that's the case.

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It looks like shes in her uniform when hes holding her hand in the movie theatre.

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Yeah like @shountypoo said, she was still a highschooler when she held his hand, and kissed him. That whole first video happened before the time skip.

Tut tut, oh dramaland, you and your ethical issues

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They almost had me when I was watching the teasers...until I reminded by what the story was actually about by the ending of them

I am tired of these shows already...

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this makes no sense, she was willing to die in her husbands place so she pushed him out from harms way, yet she meets a hot guy and then she falls for him? am supposed to swallow that sh*t? if it was just sex , i can understand the guy is hot

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I totally agree .. if she was willing to die for him.. why cheat on him.. i think its because the whole affair concept hs become popular in korean now after secret love affair and crazy love ... but huge tvn dramas... i think i will be skiping this one. I don't think i have the heart to watch UHMFORCE heart get broken... he has the saddest eyes...

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Dude, I feel like her romance with either one of these guys would be awesome, but that the writer couldn't decide which background to go with and decided to mash them together and make a melodrama. UGH.

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As long as it's not super overwrought melodrama, I think this could be interesting. I don't have to agree with what a character does, but I do want it to be interesting, and it looks like Lee Shi Young's character's interest in the other guy will be based on more than lust so, I'm in, at least for two episodes.

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The trailer looks so cute, I so wished it was just a story of the two of them. But then I scrolled down and saw the shirtless photo of Lee Soo Hyuk! He's so beautiful gahh.

The show looks promising, but seeing Tae Woong cry is going to break my heart.

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Hmm the story seems familiar...does it remind anyone of the film The Naked Kitchen, starring Shin Min Ah? I could be way off, but the whole wondering what it would be like to sleep with another man sounds familiar, thematically at least. Either way, I don't think it will be my cup of tea, but the stills look lovely.

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It does remind me of The Naked Kitchen. Not the best movie but the story worked on film..remains to be seen what they do with it in a drama.

As an aside never seen this actress before. She looks good!

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That was a fabulous short romantic film in the first clip. Remains to be seen if they can turn it into 16 hours of Makjang.

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Exactly my thoughts!

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I can't help it. I want a Si Young of my own to worship from afar As it happens, about 8000 miles away, which is pretty far. I'll have to settle for that.

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The curly hair is like o.o

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Gah the long teaser is soo soo beautiful... Awsome!
No wonder, it's from Alone in Love PD-nm ! There is just something moving about the way they told the story from the teaser alone...

I love morally ambigious character (a well written one off course).. There is so many character that I already feel attached to eventhough their action even cross the line. As long as the writers acknowledge their flawed and there is always something to learn from a character like this (once again, a well written one) for example Jae Hee from The Innocent man. .. It's just more hit all the right notes for me to wake me up lol, it's just more relatable eventhough my circumstance are not as extreme as them.. .. Everyone makes mistakes... accidentally loving two men is one of them... I was already experienced it. LOL

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honestly i am team lee soo hyuk. im not one for adultery but from the earilest preview they went on about how the show is about experiancing love after marriage, instantiating that her feelings for umh is not love but infatuation and delusion. plus teacher x student is so gross and wrong to me. so i hope she learns about love and it works out with prince soo hyuk.

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yes i want lee soo hyuk to get the female lead at the end in this drama even i find the student and teacher pair somewhat weird

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I've been swooning over Lee Soo Hyuk..haha.. At least this story is different from the typical other-woman-other-man dramas.. I think this series would end up where the female lead would divorce his teacher turned husband. Then, she'll end up with Lee Soo Hyuk..

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*her teacher

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Please Il Ri and Joon only they match perfectly!

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oooooookay... Hyukie is smokin' hot!

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i don't like the teacher she looks cute with the carpenter but i hope chooses any one person instead of loving two persons which is not good..because it will break both heart

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I prefer Uhmforce because another guy is full make up of carpenter.

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