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Not your typical romance K-drama
Cheese in the Trap appears to be a light-hearted, simplistic college-life romantic drama at the first glance. The true essence (and vision) of this series explores the complexity of human relationships and how each person's inner motivations and past life experiences influence their emotions, state of mind and finally, actions and choices in life. This exploration is done through the lens of the protagonists.The male lead was written as someone who has sociopathic tendencies. Sure, but honestly, I don't think it's fair to say that he's the sole individual who is "problematic". Each character has his or her idiosyncrasies and personality flaws, which drive them to make ambiguous life decisions. What I found weak in the drama. perhaps, is that instead of SHOWING us the growth or inner conflict of each character after a traumatic experience, oftentimes, they were TOLD to us by the characters verbalising those experiences. This left me somewhat unconvinced of the message the drama was aiming to convey.
In my view, I thought the one with the true psychological issue might just be Baek In Ha. I mean, seriously, who acts like that on a day-to-day basis? Her persona seems to fit the criteria of someone diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (I've worked in psychiatry before), and even in the flashbacks of their childhood, the kid actress also portrayed that eccentricity. I don't know how Yoo Jung was able to tolerate her for so long. She needed the most professional help in my opinion. She was actually also my most disliked character in the series.
Cute stuff in the drama included the supporting characters' love arc, and the friendship of the Hong Seol and Baek In Ho. After this drama, I am a new fan of Seo Kang Joon! Park Hae Jin was also great in his portrayal of Yoo Jung; there was a lot of subtle emotions that he was able to convey very well.
I think it is good to go into the drama knowing that it is more than meets the eye. Good for those who want a drama that requires some reading between the lines. So, if you're looking for your typical feel-good K-drama, this is not it.
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the fact that it made me furious is a sign of how well-made it was
I wanted to write this review because so many people adore this drama but it has a pretty bad rating.Ok so I've never seen a pack of annoying characters huddled in one story like this in one go and that's really saying something. The character arcs were very realistic and well portrayed as in I've met people like this before. Which was why it was infuriating to see the male lead get ultimately chosen. All those annoying characters at uni and In ha, they're shown as people trying their best to get better, which I loved seeing. But I couldn't help but group them together with the male lead. Let's face it, realisitcally speaking, these are the type of guys that end up hurting girls the most, even the girls they love and care about. The fact that he was offered redemption again and again was not great to watch. I get it, he's actually a good guy, but to what extent? The fact that this drama made me feel all these emotions and think all these thoughts is the reason I gave it such a high rating. Because Kdramas with a good prodction value usually always connnect with the audience we take it for granted. This drama really did do a very good job of keeping me engaged even though I was extremely annoyed with the plot points. Kudos to them for a good production and most of the actors for a great performance, honestly.
Now If I actually get into what else there is to bite into besides the great production value - eh not much. It's a romance genre so there some sweet moments between but nothing that particularly illicited a response from me ( in comparison to other dramas in the genre which realltymake me FEEL you know). I'm not one to go on about the second lead usually but I have to say, the second lead and the female really did give me more feels than her with the ML. As much we love second leads, we have to admit the director always makes sure to make the ML shine more. But somehow that's not the vibe I got from this as an audience. I don't if it's because the ML's character but the SL and the FL gave a lot more romance and feels. So that was a bit awkward. But like I said, becausethe production was so good, the romance is notable and worth watching if not a little mediocre.
Obviously it's not a comedy, but the uni friendship dynamics did have some light, fun elements to it. As always, Kim Go Eun's great acting and expression kept me amused enough that I didn't feel like it was missing comedy. As a uni student, I quite enjoyed the uni life portrayal. I wouldn't watch it again though and unless someone asked me to reccommend them a drama which'll make them angry and annoyed, I wouldn't reccommend this to my friends either.
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Was good till the end☹️
I REALLY wanted to like this series. I really did. But my BIGGEST hang up is the ending. So that is my honest opinion and reason why I rated the “Story” and “Rewatch Value” lower.The story in itself was really good! I thought it was well written and executed. (All but the ending)
The actors did an amazing job! Especially the Main Lead! For one, he is cute!😉🤪 And two, he did a really good job at playing a bit of a psycho! Everything flowed and came together just right.
Rewatch? I might if I really want to. For now... I will watch the movie version even though it is lacking all the important stuff the series has. At least it has an ending that does not leave you hanging.
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The focus is not only for the main character, but also focus on anyone else. A drama with having good ensemble cast like this would be waste if you focus only the main character arc, And I'm glad PD and writers took that route (Though some actor just has that limitation that at times unable to explore the complexity of their own character, that sometimes makes me wonder what could have been if they cast a more capable actor).
Let the original writer of the webtoon do her job to write the main character arc more depth and detail because she has a freedom to do it. PD and writer only have 16 eps on their hand to complete the series! and Other than Love Triangle storyline that might be taken away the quality of the drama, everything else is fine. They cover the overall message from the webtoon. I like the fact they explore all Jung's victim and how Jung or Hong Seol action affect them, and how their action affect our lead.
That's the reason I find it worth to rewatching. Watch the first time and we will normally see through our main character point of view. And watch again for the second time, and this time you are in our victim main char point of view, and you will see a different light.
IWhat I found interesting about this drama is writers refuse to take aside any of the character, and let audience judge the char choice and pointing out the mistake they made and the consequence they have to face. Many drama just like to take aside especially for their lead and afraid to make their leading take a darker route. Many drama fail to potray their anti hero, they don't want to take a risk afraid the audience won't accept their char, seems abit taboo for them to acknowledge their leading flaws. Several drama that are suppose to bring up an anti hero as their main theme fail to move forward the issue and conflict into something more interesting and meater because of this and fail miserably. ( I can't believe this writers is the one who write that mess stairway to heaven. Even if the idea mostly from Soonki, seems to me they are deliver a different message. And She is still the one who wrote the script, screenwriter and mangaka storytelling has different concept.)
For that, thank you Cheese in the trap
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Expectations were low and I finished within days
I'm a huge KGE fan so I *had* to watch this to see her first drama, and based on other reviews, I went in with super low expectations, thinking I'm going to hate this...and I absolutely loved this. I had no idea how the love triangle was going to end, and I loved both couples chemistry and story. I would have liked more of the history between the boys, but still...super enjoyable story with some novel twists and turns I hadn't seen in a k drama before. Wonderful acting from Park Hae-jin playing a romantic lead with a sinister twist and Seo Kang Joon as a bad boy you want to root for. and I loved Nam Joo hyuk and Park Min ji as adorable side characters who were never unwelcome distractions from the enemies to lovers story here.Was this review helpful to you?
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This drama was definitely entertaining. The plot was unique specifically the personality of the main character. A combination of romance and mystery with a little slice of life thrown in. My rating is an 8.5 but I would have given this a 9.5 if not for these “flaws”; first- I don’t have anything against open or implied endings but still the ending could have been made better feeling somehow rushed; second- the ML looked old for a college student role although his acting was great for the role; and third there were a few plot holes that were left unexplained in my opinion. I admit, I came here for SKJ and having a bad case of second lead syndrome after watching this drama but in summary, I recommend this drama as a must watch. Was this review helpful to you?
The drama, as a whole was good. While some of the acting could be over the top and stiff sometimes, everyone was generally good. The plot moved quickly in the beginning so I was sucked in immediately. I felt like a woman possessed, consuming episode after episode. The story progressed well, the plots and characters enticing and the romance gave me butterflies. For the first time, in a long time, I was so excited to watch a show.
And then my feelings changed. I think it happened around episode 10 or 11. I just felt... tired. I think it had something to do with the characters and their developments. They did not develop in the way I had hoped - which both pleased me because it made things more interesting, but also, kind of pissed me off.
When I had finally reached the end, I felt like I was irritated with every single character. A lot of the issues I was having with each character was a reflection, I think, of my own personal morals and beliefs. I could not relate to any of them anymore, nor could I understand (or want to understand) their motives. You know, when you have a friend, who has these quirks that, in the beginning you were just able to except, but then as you mature and change, that person does not and you start losing patience with them? That's how I felt at the end. It was an unexpected feeling. I don't think I've ever had that kind of a reaction to a drama before.
I really enjoyed this drama and I would probably re-watch it down the road. But for now, I need a break from these "friends".
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I put this drama on hold for a long time and finally decided to watched this drama. From the beginning to the last episode it was really good. But I didn’t like the ending. I know, sometimes not every drama should have a happy ending. But Atleast some closures. I kept looking for a happy ending since he was suppose to find himself. Also whats the point of the after 3 years, it didn’t really say much or explain except they're working. Hayyy... I really like the story up to the very end but it left me hanging and looking for who sent those email. Hopefully, there is a season 2 or not. Was this review helpful to you?
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After reading a few reviews on MDL, although skeptical, I decided to give it a go, and I was in for a nice surprise. Two main leads did their job really well and you can really feel the chemistry. Second male lead, was absolutely wonderful in every aspect, he is the guy any girl would be lucky to have, yet, I was rooting for Jeong (the main lead), the whole time, because Park Hae Jin did such a marvelous job portraying seemingly cold and distant, but a seriously sensitive and misunderstood character. Vulnerability he showed in front of Seol, really made me understand him as a carachter.What I really loved about this drama is great understanding of characters and what motivates them. There were no unnecessary dramatic ploys, because drama can be found in everyday situations.
That being said, the finale was more than a disappointment and that's the reason that overall score is this low.
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Story: 9/10 - I loved this drama and its story so so much. For me, this take on college life and its struggles was the freshest idea out there. I am a person that, by default, does not enjoy dramas with a high school setting, and though I tolerate college a tiny bit more it still cringes me beyond belief. But surprisingly, this story was not all what I was expecting. The normal cliches we normally have to put up with were, THANK GOD, discarded from the story, and things like stalker behaviour, obsessive behaviours, gang bullying, senior entitlement were dealt with in an amazing matter.
Acting/Cast: 9/10 - This cast was great. I think they could not have chosen better actors to portray the characters! Hong Seol was the perfect lead, confident but slightly awkward. This was my first Kim Go Eun drama, and more and more I appreciate her as an actress. The way she changes and adapts in every situation and character is very impressive. Park Hae Jin, the man himself, was probably the best antagonist in a "college" drama I have ever watched. He was delightfully bad, but still managed to make us questions ourselves everytime he captured our hearts! Seo Kang Joon was also incredible and got me feeling some type of way everytime he played that piano.
Music: 9.5/10 - This OST was just delightful!
Rewatch Value: 8/10 - This criteria is a bit hard to judge for me, seeing as I am a person that doesn't enjoy rewatching things that much, so I have decided to judge this based on how much I predict I would enjoy it in case I did rewatch this drama. I am back with my usual 8 mark because even though I did love this drama, I don't think rewatching it would benefit my high expectations and memories of it.
Overall: 9/10 - Overall this drama was amazing! It was very well thought out and very well executed. The cast was incredible and made the drama more relatable and compelling. I still do not understand people's problem with the ending, that in m opinion was perfect for this kind of drama. People need to realise that even though this is a drama and none of this is real, not every story needs to end with an happy ending (in peoples' standards).
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As for the issues dealt in this story, they are dealt with sensitivity. The psyche of a person and how they would deal with different circumstances have been shown beautifully in the show. Everything about this show is brilliant but overall it is a 9.5 because of its ending. I wished a happy ending for them both but there was no confirmation.
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