Love in Contract

funniest romcom of 2022

I’ve been waiting for this drama since I saw the cast. All of it is full of well recognizable names and with them alone it could’ve been bad. Some dramas tend to just have the right people, but that’s all they have going for it. This drama instead has the people , and has an unlimited amount of charm.

So far it’s doing well. It’s not getting boring even with the plot not being the most intricate. It’s really fun to watch because the characters are all so interesting, charismatic, likeable, good looking, it has it all. This show is so funny, the comedic timing is on point. It’s more with the acting and the facial expressions, but it isn’t overdone and is charmingly hilarious

It’s different to see Go Kyung Pyo in an acting role like this. His character is very mysterious and I love how they are handling that. It’s setting it up for him to be a murderer because of all the absurd things he does. Buying bleach and cleaning project did it for me, that was a very clever joke. I am watching Reply 1988 with Go Kyung Pyo being so nice and friendly, his acting is amazing in this because he’s not the same person at all. He is quiet in this, but man is he handsome.

Next we’ve got the second male lead, he is a gorgeous man. I really like his character too. He is an actor and isn’t too arrogant, he’s got the right amount of arrogance, wonder, curiosity. He’s a perfect counterpart when comparing to Ji Ho.Kim Jae Young is doing really well in this rom com, and I haven’t seen him in any before and know he had done his fair share of darker dramas. The versatility with him is amazing.

Now onto the main character. Park Min Young’s character is a million times better than hers in Forecasting Love and Weather. Sang Eun is so likeable, she’s hilarious and independent, love her outlook on life. I love that she just is ready to move on completely and move away. She’s admirable, and isn’t a selfish person. It’s amazing because in her other show she was a bit unlikeable, but that was the writing of her character there. Here she really is amazing with this genre and script.

I was pleasantly surprised with the representation of LGBTQ themes. Sang Eun’s roommate is a gay man who she divorced too out of her job (it’s the plot of the show). It breaks my heart why he had to marry her, but I’m glad they still are together as roommates. He is very fun as a character also and I’m glad that K Dramas are moving forward with these themes without being disrespectful.
What is lackluster is how they handled his character in the end.. honestly kind of an afterthought. Wish he would’ve gotten with someone with all the hints of him going to move to be happy.

It’s over the top with the premise, but it’s all in good fun. Don’t take it too seriously, enjoy yourself because I know I am

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Park Min Yeong doing what she does best

My first introduction to Park Min Yeong was in drama What's wrong with secretary Kim. That takes me back to my humble beginnings to Kdrama world. And we digressed.

Anyway, Love in Contract is a rom-com with serious issues thrown here and there. Those serious issues were sort of the down points for it. I mostly skipped serious parts of it as they as cliches as it can get. Barring these serious scenes this drama is pretty light rom-com with excels in execution of story.

Jung Ji Ho is a veteran judge who has been in contract relationship with Choi Sang Eun for 5 years. In their contract the only clause is to eat dinner and stare in silence. As time for expiry of this contract comes near, things start happening. And these things are the highlights of the show.

Kang Hae Jin is also in contract with Sang Eun started due to different motivations. Since, Sang Eun is in 2 contracts simultaneously, a love triangle (naturally) develops. The transition of phases of love triangle is handled very smoothly. Most love-triangle dramas fail in this aspect.

Episode 1-6 are best. 7-13 are okay. It fails in last 3 episodes. Nonetheless, it was an entertaining watch. Little let down in OST department.

If you are into any or all of these give it a try - Park Min Yeong, love-triangle, Go Kyung Kyo.

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Endearing lead characters with their cute story but the rest is flat.

1/ STORY:
Young, pretty and multi-talented young woman offers service of contract marriage to men in need of having a wife for a certain period of time renewable. After 13years of activity, she decides to quit but she is soon embroiled in two situations that she has to manage until things "get better".

The first part of the story was interesting as we get to know her background story and how she ended in that line of job. Her past and the remnants of her past made her character endearing and lovable. The ML also has a touching story even if we just learn enough to explain his lack of social skills. SML is annoying. These three try to sort their true feelings and finally make their choice. Then the story doesn't seem to know where to go anymore. It creates new confusions and challenges from a very old situation just to show that these people care for each other. In the end a deus ex machina stunt arrives from the past and saves the day.

2/ CHARACTERS - ACTORS:
- FL : Choi Sang Eun was endearing considering her past since childhood and she still managed to make a living using her talents. She dealt with the sad part of her upbringing by bottling things. Loved that she and the ML gradually opened to each other. PMY was ok in this drama. Better than her previous ones that I dropped. Still sometimes she had to carry the scene and she kind of overdid it. Still like her tho.
- ML: Jung Ji Ho: His lacking and flaws were properly explained and he did improve and developed into a brighter more open guy. First time seeing GKP as lead actor. He did the part.
- SML: Kang Hae Jin : Deluded kid stuck with his infatuation that turned him into a weirdo talking on the phone to an even weirder interlocutor. He is very annoying but finally turns decent guy when he finally knows where his place is.
- SFL: Jung Ji Eun. Not the evil ex. She went from great evil spouse to clingy ex then good lawyer, understanding rival and finally helpful friend.
- The Roommate: Good friend but what a waste of talent and of a character. Very underused and underdeveloped.
- Mme Yoo: weirdly written character who did things very questionable.

3/ OST: Pretty good

4/ Rewatchable Value : Probably will never watch it again

5/ OVERALL: Starts well with weird but endearing characters who try to deal with their own sad past, to fight their own difficulties to give a new direction to their life and make it better. The main couple is especially endearing. Their relationship, how it starts, develops and how they find a way to become a couple is really cute funny at times and nice. They are the best part of this drama. In the end for them, all is not well (contract couple) that ends well (real couple). 7.5 /10.

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I'm not sure how I feel about this show, I feel like it started off better and got worse.

The drama started off being a mix of romance and suspense/mystery and then the suspense element sort of disappears. You start off learning about Choi Sang Eun, who has a really interesting job as a "single life helper" and this one client of hers who she has been seeing for five years now who just might be a serial killer......or is he? There's also hints at a troubled past, like Sang Eun paying off a 13 year old debt. Her backstory is really sad, and I'm glad that you do end up being able to see the full picture of what happened in the past that is hinted at in flashbacks throughout the story.

There are a few big reveals towards the end, like finding out who her real mom is, but I feel like the way they wrapped up everything was disappointing / anti climatic compared to the buildup. Eena Group literally tries to run over Madame Yoo and people break into their home and things seem very serious and it is resolved super easily once Sang Eun steps in. I get that the brother was the "enemy" and with him out of the way things are easier, but it just didn't really make sense to me. And then the chairman of Eena Group turns over on a new leaf and retires and decies to donate everything? What on Earth is happening. Even more ridiculous, the superstar's mom spends years pressuring him and pestering him and then after one conversation with the FL, she decides to let him do what he wants. And all of a sudden, Gwang Nam's family is fine with him being gay because he's going to be a celebrity. I think that was probably the most unrealistic part, because throughout the show, Gwang Nam's character shows the discrimination that LGBTQ people face and repercussions from coming out... and then at the very end, it's like oh well everything is okay since you're going to be a celebrity now. *face palm*

7/7.5 not bad but not a must watch, with an unsatisfying conclusion

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Bland

Dec/Jan 2025
An "Oh dear" from me, I'm afraid. Whilst there were aspects I liked, they were far and few between, as I found the story hard to get into and stick with. So disappointed.
The 2 main themes of the plot were overly contrived and far fetched, with some laughable characters.

Over acting, although not by the main cast members, and a gay character arc that could have been so much more.

I just didn't get, or like it, and the character of Choi Sang-eun really irritated me for the most part. No amount of (hear violin accompaniment) sad background story could change that, unfortunately.

I found the multiple marriages angle ridiculous, especially considering the attitude towards divorce, which is depicted in other dramas and S.Korean culture itself... maybe they were attempting to make a serious point.

Hope others enjoy/ed it, but not one I'll remember or revisit. Bland best sums it up for me.

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Enjoyable for the most part

I actually enjoyed this show for the most part, but it has a lot to be desired. A lot of it was unnecessary... Let me get the bad stuff out of the way first...

The story had so much potential, but I think the execution was a bit mediocre. They had me in the beginning but it quickly turned to confusion; unless I don't understand the law, you usually can't get married a second time unless the first is nullified. I am always sickened by people treating their children like cattle to be married off to some family for power plays, that is sick. Get a hobby. The acting was a little forced at times but it wasn't horrifying, just mostly over the top at some cringy moments. Also, no way the legal team wouldn't recognise the name that frequenting the documents in their office as the wife.

Honestly the best character in this show is Woo Gwang, I honestly wish I had a ride or die friend like him. Always looking out for everyone's best interests, despite always being treated like he isn't good enough. So many people did him dirty, but he still smiles and supports everyone. Most of them didn't deserve him. I hope he finds happiness.
Ji Ho was kinda hilarious to watch, I don't think he ever fully became human and that was a nice touch to his development. It would have been nice to know why he has no social skills, the small flash backs didn't really do anything to support his character but at least we know he was like this from young.

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frankly? boring.

this serie had potential. we meet our protagonist a perfect wife... who works as wife. our FL is a skilled professional "dater". single men in need of a wife hire her to impersonate the perfect couple.

everyone comes and goes but one man is sucked in our protagonist life.

and that's where our story begins... and where it ends.. it so so obvious that they LL end up together it is painfully to watch.
there was potential for a good triangle Story here. the second lead has a lot in common with our FL but no... that's a drama with no love drama.

I don't even know why she cares that much about a man who barely talked to her in 5 years. i get it if someone is being mysterious but he is just plain.
no offense to the actor who played his role perfectly. but I feel there is not really a reason for them to be together.. but maybe it is just me.

the main flaw is that the serie is too much predictable. I started skipping a lot after episode 12... the whole company drama wasn't really that interesting. it didn't hold any weight.

frankly, at the end it was just boring.. I wouldn't rewatc it

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Muddled But Sweet

Go Kyung Pyo really carried this for me. The premise is fun, but the plotting really goes astray and some of the side characters were wildly annoying. This series has plot holes and abandoned storylines galore. Particularly with her profession involving contract marriages, you’d think there would be more drama around her clients, but we spend a lot of time on thinly-written chaebol backstories. Still, the central romance is sweet. Ji Ho was so precious the entire time. Also loved Gwang Nam, who frankly deserved better than he got for most of the series. If you can put up with some less than stellar plots and pacing, the central romance is still worth the price of admission.

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Actual 2ML syndrome

Overall I enjoyed this show. It was quite fun and didn't ask too much of me. What I did find refreshing was that I couldn't tell who the 1M & 2M leads were going to be until the beginning of the third episode. Normally I identify 2MLs and dislike them straight away. But I really liked the 2ML and would've been happy with that result too.
Generally I like Park Min Young. I liked her in this too.
I enjoyed how the cadre of good guys were all working together against outsiders. The love triangle was fun and not overly dramatic. The villains were villainous.
My main metric for any drama is whether or not it's fun to watch - even the unhappy parts. And this was mostly fun if a little slow at times.
Then of course the third act break-up / noble idiocy trope. My least favorite of all the bad K-Drama tropes. I was already checking out when it started but it played out with a tenderness that was actually very bearable.

Also... Korea definitely needs to come and get its Chaebols. They're drunk and getting out of hand.

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Boring

I really wanted to give this drama a fair chance because I like the actress and usually enjoy her work, but this one is just not it for me. The storyline feels dull and predictable, and I found myself losing interest very quickly. There’s no real spark or chemistry between the leads, which makes it hard to root for the romance or get emotionally invested in their relationship. The pacing is slow, and the plot doesn’t build any excitement or tension, it just drags along without any standout moments. I kept hoping things would pick up, but after several episodes, it still feels flat. Overall, it’s disappointing because the cast had potential, but the writing and execution fall short. Sadly, I don’t think I’ll be able to finish it.

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Maladroit male lead. plot device fails. warm fuzzies were " Meh"

the bad :
a Glut of extended blatant Product placement.
I like the actor playing the Male lead , but his character was portrayed in such a way that his maladroitness ceased to be funny because it was really an undiagnosed form of Asperger's. A blank look can only work for so long before it becomes a detriment to the story.
2nd male lead: lacked character development.
Irritating female court worker-the actress plays the same character in every drama-super chatty, crazy, intrusive.
LGBTQ character felt contrived
The reveal of female lead's mother. It did not work. The resolution of thier relationship did NOT work.
The break/time skip-where the couple are apart is for THE dumbest reason ever.
Last 3 episodes were particularly dull.
Happy ending: on the scale of warm fuzzy to meh it was a Meh.
A disappointment overall, but not a flop.

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