First impressions can be so deceiving, trailers can be a bit misleading, and even the series titles can be so confusing for the viewers. Like me, if you have watched the trailer but not read the original book, you might think this looks like an interesting murder mystery. Indeed, it’s a murder mystery, albeit not entirely focused on it. Don’t get me wrong, but the murder part and who-murdered-whom-with-what-motive narrative plays a significant role in this hit miniseries; but more than that, it’s worth watching for the mature relationship story at the heart of it. (No pun intended with the heart reference😊)

Based on the novel of the same name by Kim Ryeo-ryeong and adapted for the television by Park Eun-young. It is a story of two dysfunctional couples struggling to maintain their relationships in social circles due to their internal conflicts. In the case of Han Jeong-won and Lee Seo-yeon, it is clear who holds the mental and psychological upper hand to wield power for inflicting maximum emotional damage on their vulnerable partner. However, it’s not so clear in the case of Noh In-ji and Seo Do-ha, where the relationship is marred by denial and betrayal, leaving each other bitter and emotionally empty shells.

Han Jeong-won is a musical producer who was initially married to his childhood sweetheart, Lee Seo-yeon. He had a very traumatic childhood where he witnessed domestic violence inflicted by his rich and arrogant father on his mother, leading to her unnaturally early death. That has scarred him for life by building up a lifelong hatred for his father and pushing him towards recreational drugs. Unfortunately, his narcissistic wife has not helped him in coping with his childhood trauma by making him emotionally vulnerable and ensuring that he continues his addiction. She has taken advantage of this by employing the carrot-and-stick method in their relationship, especially after marriage, so far by enticing him with love and hitting him with additional emotional abuse. Even her decision to turn towards NM (New Marriages) to temporarily get away from him by finding a short-term contractual partner for herself and him originated from her twisted psyche to wield the emotional power on the psychologically damaged mind of Han Jeong-won.

At this point in his life, Noh In-ji enters as a temporary wife working as a contractual bride for NM and has already been part of their weird, secretive business system for 5 years. She has taken up this job after being left emotionally traumatized by her fiancé Seo Do-ha just a few days before their wedding. She thinks that her mother played a part in revealing the truth about her would-be-husband, but she is also not sure whether her stalker, Eom Tae-sung, has a part in this sordid saga.

Then we get to see the present-day murder investigation of an unknown person found in a lake along with a custom-designed trunk while all the actions that led to this fateful day. Simultaneously, we witness how the temporary marriages of Han Jeong-won and his erstwhile wife unraveled over the period of 6 months, coming to such a dramatic end. So, the murder investigation running parallel with the melodramatic events take much of the screen space, keeping the viewers engaged throughout its run time.

Having said that, what kept me hooked in this somewhat predictable relationship suspense drama was the evolving mature relationship between Han Jeong-won and Noh In-ji. Although he has entered this temporary arrangement with trepidation and resistance, he soon starts developing positive feelings towards his new wife. Like any addict, he protests, resists, and even literally begs Lee Seo-yeon to take him back and be together as before. But as mentioned earlier, she finds this as a new way of punishing him by distancing herself with an excuse of a new marriage without emotionally cutting ties with him. Luckily for him, Noh In-ji comes to his rescue and helps him to build back his emotional self by initiating baby steps. Soon, he develops real feelings towards Noh In-ji that costs them more than their relationship and their old lives. It’s interesting to see this unfolding on the screen itself.

For me, the winning factor of this miniseries was the mature, nourishing, and vibrant love story of Han Jeong-won and Noh In-ji. Of course, there are blushing romantic scenes, passionate intimate moments, and heated arguments like any other lovers’ relationships. But what makes their relationship special is the stillness underlying all the love and understanding. It’s not only love limited to finding temporary respite on rebounds but more about cherishing their love for the years to come. It’s like watching a pair of swans gliding past a still lake, being together at heart but still respecting each other to be apart. I have hardly seen such a settled understanding in recent adaptations. It’s certainly worth your time for a binge-watching session.