The K-drama 'Remarriage & Desires,' starring Shin Min-a (신민아), Ju Ji-hoon (주지훈), Lee Jong-suk (이종석), and Lee Se-young (이세영), made its surprise debut yesterday, the 3rd. Despite high expectations for its star-studded cast and lavish palace settings, the initial episodes did not receive universal acclaim. Instead, they quickly sparked a wave of criticism from viewers. Everything from actor casting and costume design to overall production quality became targets for audience complaints, with some bluntly stating, "The production budget must be too low!"
'Remarriage & Desires' has garnered significant attention since its announcement as a K-drama adaptation, owing to the original work's popularity and its stellar cast. Now that the first batch of episodes has aired, viewers have begun sharing their reactions online. While some expressed enjoyment of the plot and performances, many were left disappointed, feeling that the actual production fell short of their initial expectations.
Firstly, some netizens pointed fingers at the casting, suggesting that younger actors should have been chosen for the roles. One commenter stated, "Honestly, this drama should have cast younger actors." Beyond the casting, the costume design also drew considerable disapproval. A netizen quipped, "Why are they dressed like the evil stepmother from 'Cinderella'? I'm almost in tears!" Another viewer mentioned being immediately taken out of the story by the costumes, making it impossible to immerse themselves in the plot.
However, more criticism was directed at the overall production quality, particularly the visual presentation of certain scenes, which many found to lack sophistication. Viewers felt it didn't resemble a high-budget K-drama but rather short-form video skits commonly found on social media platforms. One netizen complained, "Why does 'Remarriage & Desires' look like an Instagram short-form drama? What's wrong with the production team?" Another questioned, "Excuse me, why do the clips from 'Remarriage & Desires' look so cheap?" Some even exclaimed, "What's with this picture quality?"
Adding to the unexpected controversies, Ju Ji-hoon's appearance became a focal point of discussion. A widely circulated social media post prompted numerous netizens to comment on his looks. Some even stated they couldn't tell which scene it was from, describing Ju Ji-hoon as looking like a middle-aged man whose eyesight was starting to decline, with very direct language.
Another netizen further criticized Ju Ji-hoon, noting that he rose to fame with his crown prince image and was considered a handsome actor due to his modeling background in his early career. Now, however, his appearance seems to have changed significantly. The netizen questioned why, in an era where cosmetic procedures and various skincare techniques are widespread, he appears to have aged considerably while working in the entertainment industry. They also speculated whether his styling and personal color choices might have further disadvantaged his looks.
From casting and costumes to visual quality, and even the male lead's appearance, 'Remarriage & Desires' has faced considerable negative feedback shortly after its premiere, creating a stark contrast to its initial high expectations. However, these criticisms primarily stem from the initial reactions of some netizens, and it remains to be seen whether subsequent episodes can turn the tide and regain audience approval.
