[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Sensible Love" Episode 14

I wouldn't hold it against anyone for giving up on "Sensible Love" at this point. While the concept is good and the performances excellent, by design the story pretty much has to constantly run around in circles. As expected, Hee-tae is still waffling on the question of what to do about Il-ri, which makes his big dramatic statement last episode about how he's not really having second thoughts about the divorce all the more ridiculous.

What is the man even trying to prove at this point? Is he trying to be magnaminous for the sake of being magnaminous? The very fact that Hee-tae's clearly not at all all right with Il-ri and Joon being together begs the question of why the man's so determined to pretend like he doesn't actually have a problem with any of this. Pay note to how Il-ri reacts when Joon incidentally violates her last directive- she's sympathetic to the fact that this wasn't a situation he could reasonably control.

But then, an affair, even an emotional one, that's different isn't it? That's something people can control? I'm not going to make a definite statement on that ethical dilemma- but from what we've seen of "Sensible Love", Il-ri was making a genuine effort to moderate her impulses, and the woman's reactions in the further aftermath of Hee-tae's discovery seem to solidify her sincerity. Really, though, the flashbacks alone indicate that Il-ri has always been a loyal, devoted woman, usually giving far more love to Hee-tae than she expects in return. And that part of her character has been consistent here even in light of Hee-tae's cruel attitude.

What makes the situation particularly awkward is that Il-ri's warmth and love extends to her sister-in-law Hee-soo- a woman who, as we see here, is rather lacking in personal companions she particularly likes. A trip to the hospital confirms another unsettling assumption. If only Il-ri were around, she could be a big help on multiple levels. But as it stands Hee-tae still has trouble appreciating her outside of a jealous, controlling context.

I'm not exactly sure Il-ri and Joon can be said, at the end of the episode, to really be reigniting their relationship. Both of them are actually showing quite a bit of discipline, and their behavior is another reminder of the early circumstances that led to the affair- just general loneliness. The fact of the matter that neither Il-ri nor Joon really have any friends. At best, they just have colleagues. And I can't see them separating again at this point. If "Sensible Love" has established anything at this point, it's that Il-ri and Joon can't just go back to what their lives were like before.

Review by William Schwartz

"Sensible Love" is directed by Han Ji-seung, written by Kim Do-woo and features Uhm Tae-woong, Lee Si-young, Lee Soo-hyuk, Choi Yeo-jin, Im Ha-ryong, Lee Young-ran and more.

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