My Lovely Liar

Dude Can't Catch A Break

I'll be honest... my feelings are a mixed bag with this drama. I reposted my same review that's on Viki with more add-ons on here.

First off, I'm tired of the majority of K dramas where there's always a very clingy girlfriend or female friend to the point where they're suicidal over the dude. It's sooooo annoying. Like the SFL is a straight up stalker with obsessive traits. She just cannot take no for an answer no matter what her manager or the ML tells her. She either refuses to listen or twists the ML's words so that she can continue living in fantasy land and justify her obsessive and possessive traits. The two men raise their voices at her and nope, she gets scared but doesn't change. Ugh. I just roll my eyes now with this overused trope.

It's time to write women better and stronger especially in any Asian drama because women deserve some empowerment without coming across as a stalker who can't live without the man she wants, or a woman of "lower class" pursued by a rich dude or a women who IS rich but then she's a cold-hearted b*tch. I wish some writers would read the book, "Why Men Love B*tches" and write about a drama about THAT. (Btw, every women should read that follwed by 'He's Just Not That Into You'". I assure you, it's a game changer.)

Another reason that I'm struggling with this show because like another reviewer stated, "There's too many obnoxious people on this show." Yes I get it, that's dramaland but this ML just can't cut a break. If it's not the ex's brother, it's a reporter, then the singer, then it's the exortionist, and the plagiarizing composer. Then the FL's ex will soon come into play too and let's not forget her mother. Anyways, someone is always invading the ML's privacy or space. Don't even get me started on when the FL took off the ML's face mask. O.M.G. That made me so livid. Can you imagine if the roles were reversed and the ML did that to a FL? I was so disappointed in that scene. Anyways, with all these toxic people, sometimes viewers just need a break from all them too.

Mind you, I like the ML and a huge fan of the FL but I gotta admit, the ML acts the same as he did in Alchemy of Souls. Same lost look at times and shy demeanor. But he did show some range when he was angry, so that was good but still could've been more pissed off. When he turned down the SFL, he had his mask on so you couldn't really feel the weight and seriousness behind his words.

There's a part where the FL finally catches the ML in a "lie" but I had to wonder why the writers didn't show the FL distancing herself from the ML after hearing what he "lied" about? That would've been a natural reaction. Instead, HE pushed her away.

Also, I'm not a fan of the way K dramas always use drunken scenes to bring the leads closer together. Like seriously? Getting black out drunk on a date is the biggest turn off. Then there's the trope where the lead has to carry or go with drunk person home, get passcode access to their place, and puts them in bed. If they're not drunk then they have a passed out kind of fever and of course, the opposite lead stays overnight to make sure they don't die. Lol. I mean, alcoholism can be a big problem folks. In some countries, we call that a "red flag" if you're getting drunk on the first three dates.

Anyways, I'll try sticking it out til the end but some parts seem draggy to me. I may change my rating later but so far it's a solid 8 from EP 6.

Update:
I dont know when I started to watch this in fast foward but it was getting really draggy. There just wasn't enough "oophm"... that extra mysterious-ness around the death of the ex or even enough excitement between the two leads. Not enough chemistry IMO. It just got messy because everyone was lying except the ML and SML. On top of that, it becomes difficult to tell the difference in sounds when the FL could hear the truth and the lie. You were basicallly waiting her "that-person-is-lying-look" or slight nod or the button press. It was becoming tediously repetitive. At this point, I was just waiting for the answer to come on who the murderer was.

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Interesting Story

The drama starts off pretty awkward. FL's dress style at that time was really bad. The stylist was not able to make the FL look like an in-character. The acting however was great, I'm a big fan of Kim So Hyun and I know her capacity as an actress, the ML, Hwang Min Hyun portrayed his character well. I'm satisfied with the actor's performance, the only thing that upset me is the story progression. The story progression is terrible, the plot is becoming uninteresting for 16 episodes. It would have been better if the drama only had 12 episodes. But since it has 4 episodes that still remain I will look at it in a positive way since so much can happen in that 4 episodes and the plot may still have some twist that can reverse the terrible story progression. I'm just hoping that the drama ends up well since it included great casts.

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Pretty Good So Far !!

I'm writing this after finishing episode 9. Honestly wasn't expecting this series to be all that good but it's very entertaining & with a good plot. It starts a little slow but they're just setting up the story first few episode then it starts getting interesting. Honestly would recommend it for anyone that's on the fence about watching it. I'm interested to see where the story goes for the last 7 episodes. The ML & FL have great chemistry. The characters are well written so far every character has ''character''. I'd give it a solid 8.5 - 9 so far. Hopefully the story doesn't fall off as it goes towards the end.

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The main leads were cute together

Likes
1. I loved the relationship between Doha and Solhee. I think without the 2 actors' chemistry i probably would have dropped this drama early on.
2. I liked the part when Solhee lost her ability and had to live without it for a while. And when it came back, she still made a decision to stop using her abilitu and instead learn to love and trust the people around her.
3. Minhyun lived a sad life, people around him either didnt trust him or were obsessed with him. Good thing he met Solhee and it changed his life. I wish he continued playing piano at the jazz club.
4. Too bad for Kangmin, he is a nice guy but he didnt trust Solhee enough to tell her that he is sick. Hope he finds someone else too.

Dislikes
1. Disappointed that the ending still focused on Eomji instead of the friendship between Deukchan and Doha, which i thought deserved more appreciation.
2. The neighbors weren't interesting, except for the baker. Wish they paired Kassandra's with the baker instead.
3. Solhee's mom and her dad's story was cringey.

Rating: 8.25/10

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A healing and comfort drama, the chemistry between Male Lead and Female Lead very good

This drama offers you everything you need. Romance, healthy relationship, thriller, comedy, enjoyable music & more.
Doha and Solhee present to us one of the greenest, most healthiest relationship between the male & female lead character in K-Drama land & not make the female lead as a damsel in distress. They present the importance of communication, trust, showing sincerity, being honest, making an effort, protect, help & understand each other & love unconditionally.
Hwang Min Hyun and Kim So Hyun great pairing. Their chemistry on & off screen is one of the most wonderful i have ever seen. Endearing & magical. They were more than phenomenal in my eyes.

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Its OK, but its a bit , do we care?

The negatives, the tropes of tramatic past, you can not get over, the fantasy premise, and the very stupid females charector that acts like a spoilt brat in her pursuit of a man she sees as hers. The there was not need for most of this because being hounded by your 'fans' and antifans is pretty traumatic enough for you to run away, this theme would have been more interesting, than the repeat childish adult wanting a man who has no romantic interest in her.

The plot meanders along, which no real tension, when they did start to write the ML part, by then he was basically boring, even if you did feel sorry for him, a bit. The ML continued to have virtuall no personality throughout the whole drama, and little growth, never really says what he wants.
FL , appeared to have common sense but also pretty boring, the mother was more interesting. The FL should have had judging on the back story of her life more attitude and drive.
The couple has no UST, in any way, it was a child like relationship.
As the main driver of this drama is the pop industry, not one memorable song or tune, a big failing
It passed the hours but did I care about anyone, not really.

Failed my lift test. If you stuck in a lift for four hours, no matter how obnoxious the people are would you be interested in their story, in this case no, because not matter how extrodinary their tale, this lot would make it sound like a shopping list.

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An okay romance with a dull mystery

This is the kind of drama that would be much better as a pure romcom, as the mystery just drags it down. It's hard to balance these two genres, and this drama didn't have either the writing or the acting to pull it off. Some of this is to be expected - it's hard to write a mystery show when you give the FL the ability to tell if people are lying. That just makes solving problems way too easy.

The main reason I watched this in the first place was because I was curious to see how MinHyun's character would be, it seemed it would be different from his previous shows with a darker element. But it's more of the same, he's a nice, somewhat bland lead, and the FL is more of the same. Here it makes the mystery part of the show even more dull to watch. Neither of them seemed to be able to show passion in general.

The positive is that some of the side characters grew on me. I liked the other characters who work with the FL, and I found the characters in the ML's life generally interesting as well. All of them just seemed more lively/interesting than either of the leads. It's not exactly good when you finish a show and wish you could replace both the leads with the side characters instead.

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She hears lies. He hides truths. Romance hit mute.

What can I say about this show is that it’s unremarkable. I wanted to watch it because of Hwang Min Hyun, who was great in “Alchemy of Souls,” and the premise of someone who can hear through people’s lies, piked my interest. But the execution fell short, perhaps due to the flimsy source material, budget constraints, lack of inspiration, or whatever ailed this sad excuse of a drama that could have been great, but settled for mediocrity.  

As individual actors, Kim So Hyun and Hwang Min Hyun were not too shabby. As Mok Sol Hee, she was spunky and conflicted at the same time because of her supernatural ability to detect lies. It’s no surprise that she has trust issues, which explained her backstory with her previous fiancee.  

On the other hand, the male lead was as mysterious as he gets, hiding his identity from almost everyone because of a past incident that pegged him as a suspect in a murder case. Because of this intrigue that I kept watching this drama, to see how it unfolds. The first half of the drama was decent until it lost steam. Speaking of which, there’s not even a semblance of heat between the two main characters to justify a romance. Not even a tiny spark to light a fire. But you know who has chemistry? Mok Sol Hyun and Lee Kang Min. So much so that I wished they gave Do Ha’s role to Seo Ji Hoon instead. I would have rooted for this ship, hands down.  

As for the secondary characters, they are even less memorable, except perhaps for Yun Ji On, who plays a complex character. I was really impressed by his portrayal of Jo Deuk Chan, the ML’s best friend, who happily plays second fiddle. But the rest of the cast were technically just props, perhaps to fill a body count, and move around to make the drama look substantial when it’s not.  

Then the plot twist and the whole fake-out at the end was disappointing. And coupled this with the fact that two of the female characters here used emotional blackmail as manipulation is very unsavory for me. I’m not really one to justify this, but in the end, this is not a romance story or even a murder mystery, but a drama about obsession, whether it’s for a one-sided love or a love lost, for misplaced justice, for a twisted truth or for greed of money. So while there’s a semblance of a message is there, it failed to deliver.

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Simple RomCom with a hint of Mystery and Murder

I usually take notes while I'm watching a drama so I can remember what happened throughout, but I went through this one so fast I forgot to to leave myself a single note. I don't have much to say about this. I was watching this the last few weeks while also dealing with the untimely passing of my father. It was a nice little escape.

The cast was great. There wasn't anyone I disliked except for the FL's mom, but that was the whole point of her character. She plays terrible mom really well.

ML was cute. My mom, who wound up watching some with me, pointed out he does a lot of acting just with his face and eyes and I couldn't agree more.

It was nice that this drama had a little extra with the whole murder story line. Definitely a curve ball or two when it comes to that. Overall, an easy and exciting watch.

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When the second male lead is 10 times stronger than the male lead.....

Romantic K-drama that brings viewers into a world of love, deceit, and the complexities of human relationships. While the series has its strengths, it's important to acknowledge that there's room for improvement, particularly in the portrayal of the male lead, Hwan Min Hyun. However, amidst these challenges, Seo Ji Hoon shines brilliantly as the second male lead, stealing the spotlight with his exceptional acting and emotional depth.

Hwan Min Hyun, cast as the male lead, unfortunately, falls short of expectations. His acting, while possessing some charm, is found lacking in depth. One noticeable aspect is the limited range of facial expressions he brings to his character. This lack of emotional diversity makes it difficult for viewers to fully connect with his portrayal. In a romantic drama, it's crucial for the male lead to convey a wide spectrum of emotions to establish a strong connection with the audience. In this regard, Min Hyun's performance leaves much to be desired.

In stark contrast, Seo Ji Hoon's portrayal of the second male lead is nothing short of remarkable. Ji Hoon infuses his character with extraordinary depth and authenticity. He masterfully navigates the emotional complexities of his character's tragic backstory, bringing every nuance of sadness, joy, and pain to life. Ji Hoon's immersive performance draws viewers into his character's world, making it impossible not to empathize with his struggles and triumphs.

The love triangle, a common trope in K-dramas, takes on a different dimension in Useless Lies. While some dramas may fall into the trap of predictability, this series manages to breathe new life into the trope. It's true that from the outset, it's evident that the second male lead won't have a chance with the female lead. However, Seo Ji Hoon's compelling performance adds depth to the storyline. His character's endearing yet heartbreaking journey serves to tug at the heartstrings of the audience in a way that feels genuine and emotionally resonant. While the outcome may be expected, the emotional journey of the characters keeps viewers invested and emotionally engaged.

The story is its own unique strength. In a landscape of K-dramas that often rely on familiar plotlines and clichés, this drama stands out with its originality. The central narrative revolves around complex characters and the web of deceit that surrounds them. While the story maintains its originality, it's worth noting that, as with many dramas, it becomes somewhat predictable as it unfolds. To elevate the series further, introducing more unexpected twists and turns in the later episodes could have maintained the intrigue and kept viewers on their toes.

The chemistry between the main couple is a vital factor in any romantic drama's success, and the drama doesn't disappoint much. The interactions between the female lead and the male lead, despite the challenges posed by Min Hyun's acting, carry a certain charm. Their moments of vulnerability and connection are touching, making it easy for viewers to root for their relationship. While Min Hyun's facial expressions may lack diversity, the chemistry between the leads helps compensate for this, drawing viewers into their emotional journey.

The drama commences on a strong note with comedy scenes that infuse humor and levity into the story. These early moments of humor effectively hook viewers with a smile. However, it's worth noting that as the story progresses, the comedic elements become less prominent. A sustained dose of humor throughout the series, especially in the later episodes, could have enriched the overall viewing experience and provided moments of light-heartedness amidst the emotional intensity.

In conclusion this is filled with heart and potential. While it may have its shortcomings, particularly in the portrayal of the male lead, it remains a compelling series that offers a fresh and original storyline. Seo Ji Hoon's exceptional acting elevates the drama, and the love triangle, though seemingly predictable, is made more poignant by his performance. With a commitment to refining its comedic elements and introducing unexpected plot twists, could have been even more exceptional. Nonetheless, it remains an entertaining and emotionally resonant drama that captures the complexities of love and deceit in a unique way, making it worth the watch.

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The first one was good, but we could have done better.

A very confusing narrative plot, but with very profound features. It must be said that the theme of sexual identity is increasingly present in Korean dramas, a giant step forward in a closed and very "homophobic" world. Here the theme of obsession was adopted, to deal with something dramatic, identifiable. The two protagonists are very in tune, the classic love story of two very different people, but very similar to each other. Then there is the fantasy component, that is, her ability to know whether the person in front of her is telling a lie or the truth. The obvious ending, and the extra episode that wasn't needed. But all in all, she wasn't too bad, in fact quite the opposite. I know Kim So Hyun well, loved by the undersigned in every interpretation of her. Most of all, "Who are you", which deals with the topic of bullying that is so dear to me.

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Yun Ji On is the best!

(It contains only a slight spoiler). At the beginning, the series introduces you to the life of the main woman character, who lives with the ability to hear when someone is lying. That would sometimes suit everyone but only sometimes. She hears the lies all the time. And this causes problems in the family, she basically isolates herself from other people and friends, except for the two who work for her. She cleverly builds a business on her skills and uncovers lies for clients as a so-called shaman. This job of hers brings fun scenes. However, a new inhabitant of the neighboring apartment intervenes in her life, who is mysterious and always wears a veil covering her face and avoids people. To her surprise, she discovers that he is not lying to her. But gradually it is revealed that her new neighbor is a publicly known person, a music composer who is hiding from the world because he was suspected of murder in the past. In the series, we also encounter the corruption of a policeman by a politician. And we have another policeman (a very nice actor), an ex-boyfriend of the main character, who doesn't like something about the main character. And it happens that both the protagonist and the policeman investigate the past and look for the real perpetrator. And as usual, the ex-boyfriend suspects the current one, and the current one suspects everyone, except the real one, because sometimes we don't see what's in front of us. Everything would be great. The main character, Kim So Hyun, is pleasant and the role suits her. Hwang Min Hyun was sometimes super mysterious, and confident, but sometimes reserved, and scared. I couldn't move a little in it. I liked him so much in the role of mysterious, charismatic, but self-confident with quick reflexes and with a sword behind his belt (yes, I guess I can't get rid of his fight scenes from Alchemy of Souls :D). The chemistry between the main characters is okay but I needed somehow more and what bothered me was that the creators did this again: after the main characters get close, the first kiss falls....and then they treat each other as if they are 15 years old and they look like as if nothing happened, or they are shy and it's embarrassing. Why do this with adults? oh ... for this, I'm lowering the rating, they could have grown up to this... but what I appreciate the most is Yun Ji On (the main character's best friend). I saw him for the first time in the series Tomorrow, where he impressed me so neutrally and I thought, hmm, quite an interesting actor... But here he wiped my eyes out. Brutal acting, and charisma, he looked so great there. Perfect. I was so captivated by him. Every movement, gesture, look, tone of voice, sentence ... everything was elaborate. I went through everything with him and I kept thinking to myself, how could someone live such a life and suffocate everything? What was it good for? This character in the series has led to many questions and controversies, and because of him, this series is worth watching.

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