Title: 따뜻한 말 한마디 | Ttatteushan Mal Hanmadi | One Warm Word
Genre:Romance, Comedy, Melodrama
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: tvN
Broadcast Period: July 4 to August 23, 2014

Synopsis:

It is a story of two married couples whose lives intertwined because of an affair. Na Eun-Jin is like any other housewife who diligently support and takes care of his husband, Kim Sung-Soo, but when Kim Sung-Soo had an extra-marital affair 5 years after their marriage, Na Eun-Jin’s world was shaken to the core. She began to question her marriage as well as her life as a whole. Although, Na Eun-Jin and Kim Sung-Soo stayed married for their very young daughter, it wasn’t the same anymore and they started living as strangers unbeknownst to their family. While Yoo Jae-Hak, a successful businessman is married to Song Mi-Kyung, who is refined and always appear to be perfect to others. A perfect wife, mother and daughter-in-law with a perfect life or so they thought. Their marriage was arranged from the start by their parents but Song Mi-Kyung is actually really in love with Yoo Jae-Hak,. She was actually happy even if it was initially arranged and her mother-in-law constantly belittles her. She rarely shows emotions or get mad as she is tries hard to be the prim and proper wife that her husband expects her to be. While Yoo Jae-Hak is a perfectionist and has been responsible person all his life, so, after 20 years of marriage with Song Mi-Kyung and two grown-up sons who are now studying abroad, his life became a habit with not much joy until he accidentally met Na Eun-Jin. Then, all their lives changed when Na Eun-Jin and Yoo Jae-Hak fell in love and had an affair against all odds.

Characters:

• Han Hye-Jin as Na Eun-Jin
• Ji Jin-Hee as Yoo Jae-Hak
• Kim Ji-Soo as Song Mi-Kyung
• Lee Sang-Woo as Kim Sung-Soo
• Yoon Joo-Sang as Na Dae-Ho
• Go Doo-Shim as Kim Na-Ra
• Yoon Jong-Hwa as Na Jin-Chul
• Yoon Joo-Hee as Yoon Sun-Ah
• Han Groo as Na Eun-Young
• Lee Chae-Mi as Kim Yoon-Jung
• Yang Ohn-Yoo as Na Hoon
• Park Jung-Soo as Mrs. Choo
• Park Seo-Joon as Song Min-Soo
• Kim Dae-Sung as Yoo Hye-Hwang
• Choi Hwa-Jung as Choi Anna
• Son Hwa-Ryung as Ji-Hye
• Kim Hye-na as Young-Kyung
• Choi Ha-Ho as Young Hye Hwang
• Yoon Jin Young as Yoo Jae Hak’s Secretary
• Sun Hak as Police Officer
• Yoon Hyun Jin as MC on Cooking Program
• Kim Jin Soo as Bank Customer
• Lee Jae Won as Lawyer
• Jo Sung Kyu as Bank Customer

My Review:

I am always curious to watch and see when the K-Drama’s topic is a sensitive one such as adultery because as you know their society is quite ultra-conservative especially on what the public can watch on TV. So, I want to see how it will be executed. Generally, K-Dramas dealt with adultery only as a part and parcel of the entire story but not the main one, thus, it is interesting for me to see the manner it will be tackled. I’ve already seen two so far, Secret Love Affair and this. Unfortunately, both K-Drama were disappointing and sad to say I didn’t enjoy much. True, the topic is not to be enjoyed but to have lessons learned albeit even if the story is fictional, but still, I would like something that can make me sit still and not mind wasting more than 24 hours of watching it. The Secret Love Affair was way too dark for my taste and this one was just way too boring and slow pace. Although, some may disagree with me, but, if I have to choose between the two, I rather have this. Secret Love Affair, although, popular and acclaimed by many, just wasn’t my taste. It was simply too depressing. While with this, if I have One Warm Word for this drama, I was able to at least watch till the 10 episodes until I went ahead and watched the last episode.

So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?

(1) Well, I like that Ji Jin-Hee is an actor here, although, I didn’t like much his character. And, the reason why I stumbled upon this drama is Han Groo. I simply enjoyed her portrayal in Marriage Not Dating, so, I checked on the other dramas she was in it.
(2) I like the interiors of almost all the houses here, so, I enjoyed looking at them and thinking how I can incorporate these designs to my own home.
(3) I like the daughter of Na Eun-Jin. The way she speaks and lay it like how it truly is with all the innocence of a child just speaking the truth is simply refreshing and adorable. As adults, we always have this preconceived notion that our children don’t know and will not be able to understand what’s going on but they do even more than we think. Sometimes, we can actually learn a thing or two from them in plainly saying it.
(4) I enjoyed the OST. It is not spectacular but quite enjoyable especially the English song. For once I get to enjoy an English song sung by a Korean artist.

What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?

(1) It was soooooo slow-paced. In fact, you can just watch the 5 episodes and the last one and you already know the entire story. I read in one review that it was good because it is very real, well, I couldn’t agree more because even the scenes seems to be happening in “real” time, if you get my drift. I tried so hard to last and watch it in its entirety but my mind is already shouting just go to sleep will ya?
(2) If they can’t handle dealing with the intimacy required for a topic like this then don’t make a 20-episode K-Drama. Don’t try hard to make it wholesome when the premise of the story is anything but that. “If you can’t stand the heat then get out of the kitchen”, as the saying goes.
(3) I don’t mind coincidences for a twist in a story but when you often see it in a K-Drama and its only function, I guess, is to bring more life on such a boring presentation, it makes me more want to sleep than further watch it. I’ve always said in most of my reviews, I don’t mind the unbelievable for entertainment sake but just don’t make me feel too stupid for watching it. You’ll know what I am talking about if you do get to watch this K-Drama.
(4) This could have just been a movie and be done in 1 1/2 to 2 hours. They could have probably done better and tackle the issue in a much interesting way similar to the way “Marriage Is A Crazy Thing” film.

Would I recommend this K-Drama?Not really. Oh, but, you can if you want to induce sleep.

My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 2/5 Stars

OST:
01. When the Season Comes (계절이 오면) – Shin Ji Hoon (신지훈)
Play Me:

02. I Love You – Horan
Play Me:

03. Goodbye, Please Stop (이별아 멈춰라) – Jang Yi Jung of HISTORY (히스토리)
04. One Warm Word Opening – Various Artists
05. After Winter – Various Artists
06. Blind In Love – Various Artists
07. Freezing Point – Various Artists
08. Hopefully Waiting – Various Artists
09. Le Beau – Various Artists
10. 스며들다 – Various Artists
11. 위기의 부부 – Various Artists