If you are looking for a critical hit from 2014 involving a forbidden romance, you are almost certainly looking for "Secret Love Affair" (Korean title: Bimilae).
"Love Affair" received moderate ratings during its run, with a peak rating of 6.4% according to Nielsen Korea. Critics praised the performances of the lead actresses, particularly Uee and Oh Yeon-seo, who showcased their versatility as dramatic leads. The drama's complex plot and character development were also commended, although some critics felt that the pacing was uneven at times. Love Affair Korean Drama 2014 Free
The story centers on Oh Hye-won (played by Kim Hee-ae), the 40-something head of a foundation's planning team. On the surface, she has it all: wealth, culture, and a prestigious marriage to a wealthy husband. In reality, she is trapped. She acts as a fixer for the corrupt elite, laundering money and covering up scandals for power-hungry tycoons. Her life is a series of gray compromises. Critics praised the performances of the lead actresses,
The show centers around Yoo Soo-jung (played by Song Ji-hyo), a strong-willed and determined woman who finds herself entangled in a complicated love triangle with her husband, Choi Min-woo (played by Lee Sun-kyun), and her lover, Kim Jae-heon. As the series unfolds, dark secrets and hidden agendas surface, threatening to destroy the fragile relationships between the characters. On the surface, she has it all: wealth,
These dramas share similar themes and elements, making them great recommendations for fans of "Love Affair."
For those who finally find the drama, here is what you are in for:
You cannot discuss Secret Love Affair without praising Kim Hee-ae and Yoo Ah-in. Kim Hee-ae delivers the performance of her career as Hye-won. She conveys decades of exhaustion and longing with just a flicker of her eye. Yoo Ah-in, meanwhile, is volcanic. He plays Sun-jae as a bundle of raw nerves and unbridled talent. Their chemistry is palpable; a single piano duet (Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1) is more erotic than most explicit sex scenes in Western television.