K-Drama Review: Love Doesn’t Have To Be Painful And Abusive In “Love In Sadness”

Putting an end to a miserable relationship, Love In Sadness narrated a bittersweet thrilling journey to freedom and love. 

It pulled heavy heartstrings and bravely gave light about abusive marriage. Through its narrative, Love In Sadness showed how women are delicate yet strong towards love. 

  • Main Cast: Ji Hyun Woo | Park Han Byul | Ryu Soo Young |
  • Supporting Cast: Park Ha Na | Wang Bit Na 
  • Streaming Site: Viu
  • Thrill/Addictive Meter:
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  • K-Dramas of Similar Vibe: Let Me Introduce Her | The Penthouse | Secret | Love Affairs in the Afternoon |

sun_drae watches Love In Sadness on Viu

Love In Sadness


Love In Sadness Plot Recap

Yoon Ma Ri (Park Han Byul | Park Ha Na) is a caring and talented woman who married to Kang In Wook (Ryu Soo Young). Not knowing his true nature, Ma Ri started to notice In Wook’s abusive and obsessive character. 

With that, she was not able to make her own decisions and freely go everywhere she likes, knowing that it angers In Wook. Yoon Ma Ri also attempts many times to report and file a divorce. However, In Wook eventually caged Ma Ri inside her room, where she communicates her sadness and pain through flowers that she painted. 

She then bravely decides to escape and end her suffering. While Ma Ri hides from her husband, she met a plastic surgeon, Seo Jung Won (Ji Hyun Woo), and asked him to help her start a new life and identity.

Seo Jung Won then helped Ma Ri and changed her face like his late wife. Yoon Ma Ri hid from In Wook as Jung Won’s wife, Woo Ha Kyung, and that bloomed romance despite their thorny path. 

https://youtu.be/k_Q3VsiOmZI


Love In Sadness Series Peak Points + Musings *Spoiler Alert

An Eye-Opener About Domestic Abuse

The series pivots around toxic obsession and revealed the reality of an unhealthy relationship. It also proved that helping yourself first and asking for help in any form is the first step to getting out from that cage. 

Loving In Sadness also did not romanticize abuse considering that Kang In Wook also experienced abuse and have had a horrible childhood. And I commend the production team for emphasizing that abuse is still abuse. 

Yoon Ma Ri’s character is also realistic than other drama series characters. Like most women, they can’t help to show sympathy and love, but it does not mean that they are weak and tolerate abuse. 

Ryu Soo Young

I can’t imagine other actors portraying and matching Ryu Soo Young’s performance as Kang In Wook. As I heard In Wook’s background story, I felt what Yoon Ma Ri felt. 

Since he was young, In Wook longs for someone to love him just how her mother protects him from his abusive father. And as he met Ma Ri, he saw the similarities between her and his mom. 

Even though it seems that In Wook married Ma Ri because of his mother, I did feel that he loves her. Considering that he only experienced violence, for him, this is the only thing he knows how he can show his love. 

Ryu Soo Young’s unparalleled portrayal also made their “hide and seek” heart-stopping and sinister. He perfectly portrayed a psychotic yet miserable character that I won’t forget.

Artistically Communicates Through Symbols

Furthermore, even though Love In Sadness tells a heavy narrative, the symbol of flowers made the drama more powerful and meaningful. Yoon Ma Ri painted flowers and sell them hoping someone can understand her message. 

In this drama, flowers play a vital role in communicating their message and adding elegance like Ma Ri’s personality. I love that in every episode it represents a specific flower and its definition.

The series’ title is also a definition from gentian and autumn bellflower, meaning, “Even when in your in sadness, I love you.” In conclusion, this series is one of the most underrated drama series that will mark every heart. 

Watch the bittersweet path to love in Love In Sadness only on Viu.


Photos: MBC

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