Secret Love Affair: Pacing?
I've seen a lot of comments recently complaining about the pacing of SLA. Things along the line of 'it's so slow', 'it was so interesting', 'everyone is in an affair, let's get to the drama', etc. etc. ad nauseum.
My first reaction was to lash out by sending evil feels their way for not understanding SLA for its quality. But before I could get drastic (voodoo dolls or something to that effect :P), I realised that these comments are probably coming from some reasonable places.
1. They're looking for some hot scenes because Yoo Ah In is just a hottie.
If you like young guys, then I understand. But I hope those viewers understand that the drama isn't portraying a lustful relationship. This 'love affair' is just that. It's about what love and passion really means. Not just in a relationship but in life. Yes, the show started from an intense place (the online chats, etc.). But just beyond a simple ploy to keep you interested, it was just being honest. Most relationships start with that lustful thinking but get deep very fast.
TL;DR: It's not about sex, but passion. So keep your pants on, please.
2. They want k-drama melo.
Ok. This is a charged statement, I know. But hear me out. Korean mini-series that have dramatic storylines are prone to being melodramatic than actual drama. Hence, the King of Ratings skit on Gag Concert - they're always going for makjang stories to keep the ratings up. jTBC is a cable company so they don't have to bank on ratings to keep surviving, unlike SBS, KBS & MBC. So, they don't have to ensure that every episode is filled with intensely packed dramatic events just to keep interest. This isn't to say that SLA isn't melo. I mean, who are these women at the Arts Centre? Throwing glass at friends and subordinates...SLA is melo but not makjang so they can afford to develop a story at an appropriate pace. And I love this. That's what I loved from the past few episodes. Rather than crazy events, I love how each episode keeps me tense. All the characters are on their toes and so am I.
TL;DR: This isn't your standard melo. Personally, it's better and how a melo really should be. So don't expect a twist behind every corner.
I'm loving the pacing. I'm loving how the characters are slowly unraveling to show that they're really all just mere shells of who they pretend to be.
(or maybe i'm just biased.)
