2. The acting was soooo much more than I expected in this. From the machiavellian ML Yoo Jung, who skirted the edge of darkness brilliantly, to the thoughtful FL HongSul, the batshit crazy InHa (I watched weightlifting fairy not long ago and it was the antithesis of her character in this one), to the SML InHo, who was a mood in and of himself.
3. It had a lot of funny and entertaining moments which had me rofl. I love how the ML got into the FL’s head in the beginning. I honestly don’t know if a ML has entertained me more from the very start. He is not angelic. He is not the stereotypical bad boy. He is so not boring.
4. The characters are varied and real. None are perfect, they all have flaws. Towards the end it went on a sort of psychological bender with a deep dive into that dark and twisty. Again, not what you’d expect.
5. The ending is not as satisfying as I would have wanted though you have to pay attention- it isn’t a bad or depressing ending. It just leaves you wanting more. I really enjoyed this one, and I’m seriously considering watching it again much sooner than I anticipated. Like, maybe right now.
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But All in all, there is passion in team production, that make up for all the flaws. heck the writing.
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The drama was consistently good despite some cliches. I definitely thought some could be avoided but in the end I did find most characters either relatable to me or someone I know.
I can understand many viewers got second lead syndrome after watching it an a due to that. But this is my take on it. The whole story is basically about how two the main lead has a mysterious side and the female lead grows to accept and love him despite the conflicts. If female lead and second male lead got together, there would be literally no essence to the story. I’m going to refrain from spoilers because I want this review to encourage people to watch it. I hope you aren’t put off by the negative reviews like I was. This drama delves into many deep issues and it not your typical fluffy romance. It will make you think, laugh, cry...
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This review may contain spoilers
I know a lot of people did not like the ending, but although it bothered me, it didn't ruin the drama for me. If anything, I just thought of it as a kind of messed up ending for a kind of messed up story. This kdrama felt so unique compared to all the other ones I've watched. The show showed all of the different sides of the story and how the plot points affected everyone. Like many watchers, the real stars of the show were In Ho and In Ha. Their storylines of broken friendships and what was lost brought so much emotion where I almost burst into tears for them. I never knew who to feel bad for in this show, which was really frustrating, but also shows you how good it is. The ending for the main couple was kind of eh (I hate it when the couple breaks up but comes back together because how unrealistic is it that they have spent all those years just waiting for each other! Also, In Ho cut ties with Seol and her family which was so sad because it was so heartwarming when they accepted him as almost family! And I wish the ending was more like Seol helped Jung change rather than Jung changed by himself away from Seol. Except I liked how the In Ho and In Ha sibling bond was saved.) Was this review helpful to you?
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There Is No Greater Enemy Than Yourself - A Cheese in the Trap Review
As this story unfolds and Yoo Jeong (Park Hae Jin) finally comes into terms of how his life was ..starting from a longing affection and acceptance from his dad and family, people whom he thinks are his friends and will be with him no matter what his personality is, to being misunderstood as a growing teenager.First two episodes, I grew angry at Hong Seol (Kim Go Eun) for not taking care of herself and allow herself to be this vulnerable . I think I have this woman complex that woman can be strong and can survive in a very harsh environment. I am glad that eventually, she’d learn to say “no”, stand up for herself and learn to say things that she usually kept bottled inside. I can definitely relate to her about talking to the many version of yourself to the point of arguing and talking to herself (very true and happening, believe me)
CHARACTERS
Our female lead depicted her character effectively so that I can relate to her somehow. About doing things yourself if you want things done but then again the assignment/ project calls for team effort. I see myself in Hong Seol sometimes that I began to realize how pathetic i can be sometimes .
Our male lead was true to his character as well ... there is no greater enemy that yourself. I think a lot of people can relate to Yoo Jeong and what his world’s like. In my opinion, judging people upfront is what divides us sometimes. A little understanding goes a long way just as Hong Seol is to Yoo Jeong. There are a lot of powerful episodes in this Kdrama and I recommend people watch this and have an open mind and heart while watching this and your experience watching this will really take you to a much higher heights…beyond their love story.
Baek In Ho ( Seo Kang Joon). There is no greater sadness than an unreciprocated love. Being rejected is another powerful emotion that not a lot of people can survive. I hope viewers can draw inspiration from the character In ho Baek that starting from his family, he was rejected too but someone showed him something that he can be good at like playing the piano and draws strength from that. I like that he was able to survive it all and find his own happiness and luckily finds someone that will love him back as well.
Episode 4 made me smile all the way up to my tears. The first experience of attraction by a guy is something that a girl wants to experience over and over. For someone who had gone far through life already, the thought of going back to that moment where life is simple as deciding whether you like a certain guy or not or whether to agree to go out with that guy is something of far memory now . Ahhh the taste of youthful love and crush. This is how this tv show is trying to get us to.. to that experience ... to that first moment ... to that sweet confession and ... to the sweetest question a guy can ask a girl...
Two people not able to communicate their feelings either towards each other or towards how they feel about their situation. They just kept it in their thoughts and bottled up. They talk to themselves and not to each other.
How can this relationship (whatever this is) survive when it didn’t start off with honesty.
The punk or the nerd ??? hahahaha
Episode 12 about honesty. A much powerful episode if one tries to dissect every word that Hong Seol said to Jeong. For people who isn’t keen on admitting some hard truths and letting their significant others know that is something more than mustering your feelings. As the character of Yoo Jeong portrays its is really difficult to admit things where you are most vulnerable . It takes more than a confession of feelings to admit that and make you come into terms of everything that is bottled up inside.
The only flaw I see in Cheese in a Trap is why they have a different ending compared to the webtoon version. I really want to know what the scriptwriter was thinking. As much as the ending frustrates me, I just want to imagine that there is hope for Yoo Jeong and Hong Sol as they deserve to be happy and that their love can survive in our sometimes harsh reality. I just hope that viewers can see beyond what is in mere surface of this K drama
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ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE KDRAMA I HAVE WATCHED
If you like realistic stories and characters that have depth, unique characteristics of FL and ML, this one is for you. Most people won't like it ofc since majority of the ppl like corny, cliche kind of dramas. But this one is good. I rarely even watch kdramas nowadays because of how corny, cliche, unrealistic, and slow paced it is BUT I really liked this one. Go watch it and don't look at the negative reviews. Especially if you are a college student. You can relate to Seol's characteristic a lotWas this review helpful to you?
Story: 7.5/10 because it had a very strong start! It would of been the best drama of the year if they took a different turn from what was given. Some of the sub plots felt rushed, but was interesting. I'm glad the drama had a faster pace to it. It was a very realistic slice-of-life romance drama about 2 college students who started dating despite their many flaws & the people who were against it. The story felt original until the second half. The subplots, despite some of them were rushed, were realistic as well.
Cast: 9.5/10 because it was the best part of the drama and the characters wanted me to watch more. Kim Go Eun did an amazing job as Hong Seol. She was very realistic & I was able to relate to her so much. She was the best character in the drama. Yoo Jung(Park Hae Jin) was an enigma, dark, mysterious, but interestingly adorable character. I had fun with being cautious with liking him as a character. I haven't seen a drama or movie with this type of character. He's cold, but lovable. He's character was realistic as well, flaws and all. I also enjoyed In Ho as a character too. I really liked that he was friends with Hong Seol through thick and thin. I love Eun Taek & Bora so much. They had cute chemistry & loved their friendship with not only Seol, but with each other. The chemistry between Go Eun & Hae Jin was amazing. I like the chemistry between In Ho & In Ha despite being very distant to each other. In Ha would of been more of an interesting character if the writers wrote more scenes. Lee Sung Kyung was good as In Ha.
Music: 8/10 I really liked most of the music in the drama, but some were not as memorable.
Re-watch value: 8/10 because despite the conspiracy, I really liked the character development. Love the friendship, the family moments, realistic story-line & the romance between Yoo Jung & Hong Seol.
Overall, it was a good drama that would of been the best drama of the year if the drama team kept withe the original script. If you are going to watch this drama & know the conspiracy, then be very open minded about the realistic story line, the chemistry between the cast, the comedy & the friendship that happen in this drama.
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Really good
The drama was really interesting and fun. I thought many times about watching this drama because I really liked the synopsis, but as the rating was low, I gave up every time... But now I feel I really did well that I decided to watch it..Not just plot but the main leads were also superb.. I never got bored watching the drama, I always was curious what was going to happen between them.
Each and every one's character was unique and cheerful. I will start with Park Hae Jin.. I always have seen him as the second lead in the dramas.. This is my second drama seeing him as main lead.. His role really suited him very well. I had seen him in FOREST, but that wasn't something to be praised.. But here I can't help but praise , admire him.. He wasn't a good friend, but to me he was a perfect boyfriend..With his good looks, acting skill and charming role he really won my heart.
There is nothing to say about Kim go eun.. She always does a great on her every role.. She did let my expectations down.. Her role was also very special and tough.. It was really a great experience watching them together..
I nearly had second lead syndrome.. seo Kang joon's character, and his superbly well suited look with the role made me angry to the makers of the drama.. They placed two excellent main lead together with two unique and wish-to-watch more character. In Jo's smile, way to handle things, sense of responsibility were not something one can ignore. So I loved it..
And then comes In Ha, Lee sung Kyung, was not a joke anymore... Her scary, arrogant, funny, trouble maker character ,I don't know how she did, really suited her...I couldn't imagine her in this role after dr. Romantic 2 and weightlifting fairy Kim bok joo.
The drama was really excellent and well plotted. I don't know why everyone is giving it low rating.. But try watching it.. You will never regret for sure.
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While I love the realistic nature of the show, I think the biggest issue with the show is the character development throughout the show rather than the ending. I do think the ending left me unsatisfied, but I don't think it was the worst part of the show. Throughout the show, Hong Seol and Yoo Jung as a couple was quite odd to me. The weirdness of their relationship was entertaining and I was intrigued to see how their relationship would progress, but I was left disappointed towards the end of the show. Hong Seol was always angry with Yoo Jung because of his inability to be more open to her. Every fight they have is just her being mad at him for not being honest. Because of this, I expected him to be more honest with her. However, towards the latter part of the show Hong Seol just gives up and Yoo Jung continues his way of being passive aggressive with everyone. I also disliked In Ha. I wished she had better character development because towards the end the show dismisses her selfish behavior instead of evolving her to be more mature.
Overall, the show was good and I would recommend to watch the drama. I would say the beginning of the drama is way better than the latter part. Most of my disappointment is due to the potential I see in this drama. If they fleshed out the characters more in the latter part of the drama, I believe it wouldn't have left me on an unsatisfied note.
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the show is pretty good
i watched this back in 2022 on hitv. this show was so amazing and i’m not even exaggerating. as someone who really likes romantic, comedy shows, i’m inlove. i don’t really remember everything but this show would never get out of my mind😭 if was like the first k-drama that i watched and actually liked. i’m not sure why but i wouldn’t rewatch that, it’s really good, funny and all but. i just think it’s me that i don’t wanna rewatch it😭 i recommended this show to literally everybody, but not everyone watched it because they were like- it’s made in 2016 it can’t be THAT good, and that’s the reason i would really love a remake, i think it would actually make NUMBERS. prettysure that’s it.Was this review helpful to you?
Second lead syndrome hits very hard, my warning to viewers!!!
Second lead , Baek In Ho is one of my fav characters in this show!! I prefer second lead and main female lead moments the most here. In my opinion , i didn't felt attracted to the male lead's character. Baek in ho has much more likable character.The casting of Park Hae Jin felt quite wrong, not because he is a bad actor, just cause he does not look like a college student . He looks much older than other main characters. The acting was perfect, everyone did their character perfectly.
I personally didn't liked the main character's relationship , i didn't feel anything tbh. Sometime the scenes get so boring but i still watched it .
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