A Japanese drama series titled "Hirugao," which starkly depicts the extramarital affair of a housewife, is currently airing and gaining popularity. Many viewers have become fans of the actors Kazuki Kitamura and Takumi Saito. The series also draws considerable attention to the sense of dread surrounding their clandestine relationship.
So how do other countries view infidelity? Do different values lead to different perspectives? The website Cocoloni PROLO previously conducted a survey in Japan, as well as in countries such as South Korea, France, and Italy, and published the results in an article.
1. Japan
Infidelity is generally not allowed in Japan, but there are still quite a few people who want to cheat. According to a survey on the official website of the drama "Hirugao," 32% of respondents agreed that "infidelity is absolutely not allowed," while 67% disagreed; 69% of respondents said they "have someone cheating in their lives," while 30% said they did not; and 80% of respondents said they "have ever had feelings for someone other than their partner," while 19% said they had not.
It's reported that many of those surveyed had watched the drama, but the results were still surprising: a whopping 70% of respondents condoned infidelity. Besides "Hirugao," several other novel adaptations, including dramas and films like "Lost Paradise" and the drama "To Friday Wives," were once wildly popular. It seems Japanese works depicting infidelity always generate discussion. This also shows that while people know infidelity is wrong, they are still very interested in the issue.
2. South Korea
It is understood that having an affair used to be illegal in South Korea, but it seems to have been abolished now. However, there are still frequent news reports of actresses being prosecuted for adultery.
Furthermore, South Korea seems to have a considerable number of films and television dramas depicting infidelity. A recent drama, "Secret Affair," which portrays an affair between a woman and a man 20 years her junior, has generated a huge buzz. It seems that the common trope in Korean dramas, the "secret background" of a woman's past, is largely due to infidelity. In South Korea, dramas about infidelity have even been broadcast in the mornings, specifically targeting housewives. This might be somewhat unimaginable in Japan, where morning dramas typically feature cheerful, positive, and hardworking female protagonists.
3. France
France is known as a country with a high rate of infidelity. Numerous scandals involving the country's heads of state have contributed to this reputation. However, the French generally maintain a clear distinction between public and private life and do not consider political infidelity a major issue.
The French are relatively tolerant of infidelity. When ordinary people cheat, it is considered that "it's unavoidable to fall in love," "it's wrong to interfere in other people's private affairs," and "good and evil are a matter of personal judgment." Therefore, infidelity has gradually become a trend of freedom.
4. Italy
How does Italy, the "land of passion," view infidelity? Is there no legal constraint? After careful investigation, it turns out that the views are indeed consistent with Italian customs.
While some Italians are devoted to their partners, their strong curiosity makes them easily attracted to attractive things. Even married individuals may not resist pursuing beautiful members of the opposite sex. Some may even adopt a "pacifist" approach, completely concealing their infidelity from their partners. However, most will happily confide in friends, who will not blame them, and even if it leads to a broken family, they will not inform on them. For Italians, infidelity is not only not destructive to families, but is actually a positive thing. In general, infidelity is not considered abhorrent in Italy.
