Love in Contract

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

Read More

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.

Read More

I don't think this is a bad drama as what others think. The drama is pretty solid with it's theme and also how it portrayed it's leads. The drama did get boring at the latter parts, since the climax part did not really have that impact that it suppose to give. As I get to the episodes one by one, I came to appreciate the drama and how it unfolds. I also appreciate that they wanted the characters to have a proper ending, almost significant character in the drama is given the spotlight in the end. One downside of the drama for me is the downfall of the excitement or the interest of the drama.
I like the main leads, their acting is great for me as a watcher. The chemistry is also there. I also like the OST. I think this is a pretty decent drama, and I would still recommend this one.

Read More

A love contract with more plot twists than a soap opera and less paperwork than expected!

"Love in Contract : 7.8/10 – A Quirky Rom-Com That Almost Sticks the Landing"

THE GOOD:
Park Min-young’s charm – She could sell a "marriage of convenience" plot in her sleep (and basically does).

The fake marriage chaos – A classic trope, but with enough twists to keep it fun.

Go Kyung-pyo’s awkward CEO – Dorky, rich, and weirdly endearing.

THE "MEH" MOMENTS:
The love triangle – Felt like a last-minute "wait, we need more drama!" addition.

Pacing issues – Some episodes sprint, others nap.

That one villain – Less threatening, more "annoying neighbor who won’t return your Tupperware."

THE "WHY DIDN’T THIS HIT HARDER?" FACTOR:
Chemistry? Cute, but not "rewatch their scenes 10x" level.

Ending – Rushed like a K-drama character late for work.

VERDICT:
"Like a B-tier rom-com you’d binge on a lazy Sunday—enjoyable, but forgettable by Monday." Watch for: Park Min-young’s wardrobe (flawless) and the light, easy vibes. Skip if: You demand depth or logical plot progression.

Read More

I don't usually write reviews especially this early but...

WOW! I'm really intrigued as to where they going to take this story because that first episode was amazing! The fact that the main lead is shrouded in mystery like that is amazing. I love the fact that neither the protagonist nor the viewers know anything about him. I'm happy that they didn't introduce the second male lead into her life on the first episode.

I wanna also mention the gay character in this show was presented organically, it was not forced. I'm proud of the writers who have been considerate of that aspect. He's just a good friend who happens to be gay instead of THE GAY BEST FRIEND trope.

Will update the review as the show goes on but I have incredibly high hopes and expectations for it (probably to my detriment).

Update EP8 : The mystery faded very quickly about the ML which is a bummer they could have played further with that.

FL has more chemistry with the second ML. Personally, I think Go Kyung Pyo's acting is mediocre at best. He always seems angry and discontent and his facial expressions barely change throughout. His very deep monotone voice is also getting on my nerves on occasion.

I wish they would do an expectation subversion and the FL would end up with the second ML it would be fun but alas 'tis but wishful thinking.

Read More

An enjoyable watch with a unique premise for a rom-com.

I was all set to give this a 10 rating because(a) the characters were charming, the road to romance was unique and I really looked forward to watching each episode; (b) a happy ending was easy to predict; and (c) the main couple made it all the way through the show as a team w/out a break-up or noble idiocy.
Until the end of Ep. 15 where [SPOILER} Sang Eun (FL) apparently left and abandoned Ji-ho (ML). Ep. 16 tried to explain why she did it but it was incomprehensible (he was “too good” for her). So, a fairly well plotted romance with back-story intrigue and mystery fell flat in the last episode with a phony “break-up” that was strung out far too long. Ep. 16 was a mish-mash of disparate scenes and the final scenes were cute but the charm was missing.
Finally, can’t leave without saying that this is my first time watching Go Kyung Pyo but it won’t be the last – his portrayal of Ji-ho WAS charming throughout to the very last minute.

Read More

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

Read More

Two Separate Dramas

I am a little late to the game with watching and reviewing this drama, but better late than never. I wanted sooo badly to love this, especially since I am a HUGE fan of Rachel Park and was waiting for her to come out with a new drama, but ultimately, this one was a bit of a flop.

I felt that I was watching two different dramas, but I also feel that what other top reviewers disliked/liked about this show, I felt the opposite. I couldn't get past the first half - I felt that it was overly cheesy and there wasn't a single actor that I was rooting for. I felt that San Eun had a very unique service that she provided, but didn't seem to understand the world and the people in it. She knew she was doing the right thing, but didn't understand consequence whatsoever. Ji Ho was portrayed as a wallflower and mysterious, where a good portion of the beginning, other characters thought he was this neighborhood murderer. We saw that he was going to "speech therapy" but more so for how to conversate with other people. And I hated how they never really explained why and how after finding this out. He was just awkward and shut other people out due to his upbringing and previous relationships. Then we have Hae Jin, who was the youngest son of the Kang conglomerate family, who "ran away," trying to make a life for himself as an actor as well as trying to find his first love.

In the first 8 episodes, it takes a while until we get to the point where Sang Eun signs a contract with both men - being the wife of Judge Ji Ho and helping him build work relationships with his co-workers AND being the hidden fiance of actor Hae Jin to help with his family trying to pressure him into marrying other daughters in high positions.

It was rough watching these first 8 episodes because right off the bat in ep one, we know that Sang Eun has a crush on Ji Ho, her fake husband of 5 years.. so we knew that was the end game. But what made it rough for me personally, was that in the first 8 eps, I knew Hae Jin's first love was Sang Eun, and I was more into him than Ji Ho.

Then we get to ep 9, and it felt that the script switched.

I found myself really liking Judge Ji Ho all because his character became this new person, who was talkative, straightforward, swoony, hilarious, and overall this cute inexperienced man. I felt myself falling for Hae Jin more and more, but ultimately ugly crying because I felt so bad for the guy in his love life, family life, and professional life. He went through soooo much character development, but at what cost? All the people around Sang Eun went through some development because of her and her love for each of them, but she herself didn't go through much change. I think she started to better understand how actions have consequences, but at the same time, even to the end, she refused to ask for help and always wanted to suffer alone and separate herself from people to do it. And it ultimately made me not super like her character... but at the same time, she did help a lot of people.

I very much enjoyed the second half of this drama, but at the same time, it really didn't have a strong plot and this HUGE situationship everyone was tied into because of Project Jamie, had such a simple and lame solution. Some of these side characters were about to throw away their lives and careers in order to solve this issue, but ultimately...and obviously that was something Jamie had to solve herself... in a VERY simple manner. I was like... that was disappointing. Did I miss something because of how she reacted after everything happened? Because it felt like a simple fix.

Usually, after a drama, I will look up an actor or two that I really enjoyed watching something else they were in... and I feel that the ONLY person that I truly enjoyed in this was Woo Gwang Nam. He was quirky, funny, sweet, and a solid best friend/brother character and I felt that his situation was the only one I could get behind / I think I ugly cried for him the most, almost tied with Hae Jin. I actually found myself very attracted to him when he became a bodyguard. I honestly think that I would LOVE to see a spin-off drama with him and Hae Jin finding love while working in their company. As long as Hae Jin isn't falling in love with his lawyer. HELL NO.

Read More

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.

Read More