Before you proceed, please be aware that this review contains significant spoilers about the plot and characters of ‘Matrimonial Chaos’. If you haven’t watched the drama yet, we recommend doing so before reading further to avoid any spoilers.

Jo Seok Moo never thought he would get married, but his relationship with Bok Gwi Ju changed all that.  Now, 3 years down the road, their clashing personality have caused him to regret his decision.  And when Gwi Ju agrees to the divorce, Seok Moo is relieved.  But the legal process of getting divorced is much easier than actually breaking it to their families that they have ended their marriage.  So, they agree to live together, as roommates, until they can find the right time to tell their families the truth.  

But as they explore life beyond marriage, Seok Moo runs into his first love and her husband, who live nearby.  And since the couple are also going through a rough patch in their relationship, the four of them form a surprising friendship.  And seeing the other couple gives them a fresh perspective on their relationship.

Jo Seok Moo is prickly, stubborn, and difficult to get along with.  He had once dreamed of becoming a singer, but after audiences seemed unmoved by his performances, he gave it up and took a job he hates working for a security company.  This disappointment, plus a strained relationship growing up with his father, has left him cool and emotionally detached.  Instead he prefers to spend his time alone without people around to disturb his peace.

Cha Tae Hyun played this role with just enough humor to keep his character from feeling totally selfish and cruel.  I thought he was well-suited to the role and gave Seok Moo a nice depth.

Kang Hwi Ru was traumatized after her apartment was burglarized.  But the kind security agent who answered her emergency call seemed understanding and patient.  And the pair develop a close relationship that soon turns to marriage.  But the pressure to meet Seok Moo’s often unrealistic expectations of her takes its toll on her life.  So, in a moment of anger, Hwi Ru agrees to divorce him, even though she still loves him and would rather stay together.

Her father’s upcoming surgery makes it impossible to tell her family the disappointing news of her divorce.  So she continues to live in their house, as she comes to terms with what she wants to do with her life now.  Her close relationship with Seok Moo’s grandmother also makes her situation complicated.  But Hwi Ru is determined to make the most of her life, whether she has to do that alone or as a couple.

Kang Hwi Ru has always wanted to write and illustrate her own children’s book.  But she has never told Seok Moo that all the “doodles” she leaves around the house are actually her life’s dream.  She is free-spirited and easy-going, and although she may seem lazy or sloppy, she has a keen understanding of the people around her and an accepting nature that helps her love Seok Moo, even when he is acting unreasonable.  

Bae Doo Na is a quirky and interesting actress. I love to watch the way she develops her characters and the unique qualities she seems to bring out in them.  I loved her as Hwi Ru and I sympathized with her character and her journey to rediscover the hopes she once had for her own future.  

Kim Shi Ho is a young musician who meets Hwi Ru at a party.  He is interested in her, even though she is much older than him.  But although the two develop a friendship, Hwi Ru never returns his romantic feelings.  Shi Ho also has an unexpected history with Seok Moo that makes things even more complicated..  

3. Strong Supporting Cast:

It feels like a disservice to even refer to Yoo Young and Jang Hyun as secondary characters.  They contribute significantly to the main plot and honestly the drama would not have been the same without them. Their characters and their friendships with Seok Moo and Hwi Ru add layers to the narrative and the dialogues making the drama richer and more enjoyable.

Although ‘Matrimonial Chaos’ leaves the story of Seok Moo and Hwi Ru open-ended, everyone does get a happy ending of sorts.  Now that Hwi Ru knows about Seok Moo’s past career dreams, she begins to understand some of his personality quirks better.  And when Hwi Ru publishes a book based on their love story, Seok Moo finally gets a glimpse into Hwi Ru’s perspective and feelings.  This allows them to begin building a bridge in their relationship.  

When Yoo Yeong finds out that she is pregnant, she is unsure if she is ready to trust Jang Hyun again.  But when he starts to open up to her about his past and how that has made him scared to give his heart to anyone, she starts to wonder if they can start fresh.  When Jang Hyun hears about the baby, he begs Yoo Yeong to finally marry him for real and she eventually agrees.

One year later, we see Yoo Yeong and Jang Hyun married and taking care of their son.  Now that their marriage has found some stability, Jang Hyun seems content and grateful for the chance to be a husband and father, while Yoo Yeong seems brighter and less emotionally detached.  As for Seok Moo and Hwi Ru, they have also found some stability, but for them that does not include marriage.  It does still consist of plenty of nagging and bickering, but there is also some grace and understanding that make it all worthwhile.  

But for some, this focus on conversations may not hold your interest.  The story is very slow moving and prefers talking about situations rather than actually showing them.  At times, the action itself is almost non-existent.  But this cast is excellent, so if you enjoy slow-paced, realistic, character driven stories, this one is definitely worth a watch.  I give ‘Matrimonial Chaos’ an 8 out 10 ramen.

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