“Toxic love is an addiction that lures you in with glimpses of happiness, only to trap you in a cycle of pain”- Isabella Garcia

These words would definitely resonate with Jung Da-On’s (Kim Jun-Seo) soul, because the very definition of relationships seems to spell disaster for him. Despite the fact that there are three different men vying for his attention & affections, only one actually cared about his mental wellbeing. This says a lot about their inadequacies, obsessive behaviors and narcissistic attitude. The storyline dwells a lot into their deliberate attempts to wreak havoc in Da-On’s life, so they could exercise control, not one of them being bothered about the viscous cycle of pain he has endured over years. He was constantly played, dictated and his boundaries were pushed; simply because they couldn’t stand seeing with someone else. This mentality is a caricature of most toxic relationships where the victim is physically & emotionally abused. While the story does gleam over these gory details, it also showcases innocent love at its best. As against Shin Jae Min (Kim Ho-Young) & Kim Su Hyeon (Cha Jung-Woo) who force their will on Da-On; Ju Seong Hyeon (Cha Sun-Hyung) wants to stay beside him, cherish him and love him unconditionally, the kind of love that sets you free.

Jung Da On & Shin Jae Min

Having known each other for more than a decade, Shin Jae Min is the perfect predator; he has been preying on Da-On’s delicate sensibilities by making him dependent on him. Whilst in college, he drove a wedge between Da-On and his then crush, Kim Soo-Hyun; simply because he couldn’t stand to see them together. He proposed this ridiculous deal where Soo- Hyun faked their relationship. The deal seems ludicrous, because Soo Hyun obviously knew about Da-On’s affections for him. Why he chooses to fool Da-On is beyond me? But with this insipid decision, he handed over control to Jae Min who choose to victimize Da-On, keep him under his thumb and play him like a fidel. Jae Min is extremely obsessive, so much so, that he choose to commit suicide with Da-On when he learned about his abusive tendencies. Some people are better off alone or should be shut in the psychiatric ward!

Kim Soo-Hyun & Jung Da-On

These two actually had a cute, adorable relationship during their college days. Da-On was quite smitten with Soo Hyun who adored him. If they had been honest about their feelings for each other, Soo Hyun & Da-On could very well be the campus couple. But Soo Hyun choose to follow Jae Min’s ridiculous deal and the lie tore them apart. Moreover, Soo Hyun’s temperament is definitely not at par with Da-On’s sensitive nature. Watching him beat the hell out of a classmate scared Da-On for life; obviously he didn’t know that the said classmate was trying to abuse him when he was unconscious, as ordered by Jae Min. These three are caught in a viscous cycle of deception and betrayal; and although I feel bad for Soo Hyun, because he is a victim as well, at the end of the day, he was never the right choice for someone sweet like Da-On. Their relationship was meant to be doomed!

Jung Da-On & Joo Sung-Hyeon

The ones that are meant to be together will reconcile sooner or later. Da-On’s relationship with Sung-Hyeon was kind of unhinged. Sung-Hyeon fell first but Da-On fell harder. After being abused emotionally by two men he trusted the most, Sung-Hyeon seemed like a fresh breathe of air. His sunshine disposition light up the dark corners in Da-On’s dissolute life. Sung-Hyeon was patient, expressing his affections positively whilst respecting Da-On’s boundaries. After being with two men who treated him like a doormat, Sung-Hyeon’s caring nature was a welcome change. He has always been a loner, with no one in his corner to worry about him. Sung-Hyeon showed him what true love looks like and frankly, they make an endearing couple.

Is it a Worthwhile Watch

If you can get past the compulsion to pluck these two men out of Da-On’s life and put them on a spaceship to Pluto, then the show is an enjoyable ride!

“Secret Relationships” breeds on toxicity; 90% of the storyline displays Jae Min’s obsessive tendencies and Soo Hyun’s aggressive behavior. While it might sound addictive, there is only so much Da-On can handle, being pushed around by two men, whom he trusted implicitly is painful & aggravating. I’m not sure how he is still sane but no one should put through such a suffering. I was also slightly disappointed with the finale, just wish it was more focused on Da-On and Sung-Hyeon. I just feel we didn’t get enough of their romance; I wanted to watch them date and be irrevocably in love. Season Two, maybe?

Rating- 4 out of 5

Streaming on- IQIYI/Gagaoolala