A great start but ended up not so satisfying of a romcom.
Upon finding out his ex-boyfriend was two-timing her, Hae Young (Shim Min Ah) pursues a fake marriage with a convenience store clerk, Ji Uk (Kim Young Dae), to surpass her ex's position at work and to ensure her financial security. Surely, everything goes as planned, until their feelings grow and their past unfolds…I really like how this drama introduced our leads, Hae Young (Shim Min Ah) is a wild desperate noona, ambitious to win against her ex, while her contract groom, Ji Uk (Kim Young Dae) is a realist and very kind-hearted gentleman. I was entertained by their funny banters, butterfly moments and sweet smiles …while it last. Unfortunately for me, their backstory kills the fun of their romance. Also, I’m not on board with the second lead couple, the second male lead especially, was annoying in the beginning and I didn’t buy his character development. I felt a lot of cringe and forced swoon moments. However, I like her portrayal as a talented romance writer but often struggling with her drafts. I think anyone who’s also a writer or likes to write can find her character a bit relatable.
I appreciate this drama for addressing not-so-mainstream topics, like poly-relationship, foster sisterhood and jealousy of mother’s love. These aspects are woven into the story without drag, but they get too dramatic when their past incidents and trauma get involved. I still enjoyed it, but for sure I would enjoy it even more if we get more moments of our lead couple being passionate, enjoying their happy married life.
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Corporate perks meet fake love... and one very real dildo duel
Noona romances are one of my favorite sub-tropes, and thankfully this is one of the better ones. I’m not really a fan of Shin Min Ah, though I’ve watched some of her dramas and I’m lukewarm towards Kim Young Dae; but in this drama, I think they work and look good together, despite comments to the contrary. I find Shin Min Ah’s portrayal of a woman, who is very calculating by nature, in the sense that is not evil or manipulative, but she measures her life in pluses and minuses. Her enjoyment increases if she thinks she’s ahead in life and decreases when she suffers a setback. So when she finds out that the company gives better perks to married employees, she takes advantage of this by hiring someone to pretend to be her husband.Enter Kim Young Dae as fake groom Kim Ji Uk, who cruises in life despite his wit, seems to be satisfied with working a low-paying blue-collar job, rather than being a corporate slave. An animosity seems to exist between our main characters, perhaps due to a clash of values or some unforeseen circumstance that will be revealed much, much later. But on the get go, the beef between these two hate-birds was so fun to watch.
The only people who are privy to this facade are Hae Yeong’s foster sisters, Ja Yeon and Hui Seong. Each has their own opinion on the matter, but they have their own problems to deal with. Frankly, I couldn’t care less about these two. Sorry, not sorry. And neither was I really invested in their love lives. Although Ja Yeon’s story might be more interesting, only because of the hilarity surrounding her hidden identity as a popular web novelist who writes smut. And coincidences of all coincidences, Ja Yeon encounters one of her detractors who happens to be boss of so and so, who happens be the son of so and so, and she happens to be friends with so and so, who happens to be the secretary of so and so. You know, typical small world.
Speaking of small worlds, Ji UK’s sudden presence at Hae Yeong’s company shocks her. Despite her efforts of keeping a distance from him, Ji Uk turns out to be a quasi-Peterella, wearing all fancy clothes, driving a sweet ass car, living in a snazzy apartment. The scenes of both Hae Yeong and Ji Uk avoid suspicion are funny as heck. And even more so are the instances where misunderstandings pile on other misunderstandings between Gyu Hyun and Ja Yeon. Then there’s a scene where most of the main cast gathers at Chairman Bok’s table, and we slowly see the faint dots connecting each other. Could it be that the already small world could get smaller?
The second half of the show explores this complicated relationship among the characters, with further plot twists thrown into the drama. You would think that by throwing fruit into a veggie salad and it will taste better. Not only we get mistaken identities; we get countersuits; we get a murder mystery that’s not really a mystery; we get polyamory; we also get a Mother who lived in a shoe, She had so many children, she didn’t know what to do.
And whew, I just got exhausted from that, so imagine watching it snowball into a dildo fight. Yes, you read that right. I’m not exaggerating this time. Then, the rollercoaster ended suddenly...wait a minute...is this a joke? They inserted the very dreaded TIMESKIP, because they do not know how to tie a neat bow without it. What the ever loving duck did you do to me???? Who does that??? Then, as easily as they pulled the plug, they just like flicked the switch and said, here you go, here’s your short happy ending. This is like somebody showing me the laborious way they baked a cake for twelve hours, only to just have me taste a smidge. This is definitely NO FAIR, NO LOVE.
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Off-Putting message/Sweet love story
If you like fluffy but mature office romance, noona romance, enemies-to-lovers vibes, a very devoted male lead (he fell first and fell harder), and a drama that’s beautifully edited and easy to binge, then you’ll probably enjoy this one.I honestly didn’t expect to like this drama as much as I did — and that surprised me. Despite my frustrations, I had a really good time watching it. The pacing overall was fun, the chemistry was there, the production was clean and modern, and I love a good office romance, so this already had a lot going for it.
That said… this drama also annoyed me a lot in some very specific ways.
LIKES
The male lead’s devotion. He was loyal, steady, emotionally available, and clearly all-in. I love that kind of ML.
The noona romance was done well. The age gap didn’t feel weird, and the chemistry worked.
The second couple absolutely stole the show for me. Their chemistry was amazing, their buildup felt natural, and the proposal was genuinely one of the sweetest moments in the drama.
The drama was funny, well-edited, and visually pleasing. Fashion, music, and setting were all on point.
I loved the office romance + light thriller combo. You know I like a little twist.
It was genuinely bingeable. I thought I had way more episodes left because I was having so much fun watching.
DISLIKES
The Western ideologies were extremely distracting and frustrating.
Abortion being pushed as the “solution,” polyamory being casually introduced, and the overall anti-family messaging really pulled me out of the story.
The hate-comment lawsuit plot was ridiculous. The way it was handled felt extreme and unrealistic.
The breakup was awful.
Breaking up with him at his foster mother’s funeral — after everything he had already endured — was unnecessary and cruel. It felt like drama for the sake of drama.
They dragged the breakup way too long and then rushed the reunion. I hate that trope.
Some content was not appropriate for the rating.
Sex toys, moaning/panting scenes, and explicit novel excerpts do not belong in something repeatedly labeled 13+. That honestly shocked me.
You can clearly feel the Amazon / Western influence, and not in a good way. It made the drama feel more Americanized than Korean, which I really dislike.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Despite everything that frustrated me, I still enjoyed this drama a lot. The romance, chemistry, acting, and overall vibe were strong enough to carry it. I especially stayed for the devoted male lead and the second couple, who were honestly perfect.
I’m giving this an 8/10 because while I loved the romance and had a great time watching, the messaging and unnecessary breakup knocked off at least two points for me.
Would I rewatch it? Yes, but probably selectively.
Would I recommend it? Yes — with a disclaimer.
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Good watch !! Could have been great !!
This started out amazing !!!I absolutely loved all the imaginative scenarios with our leads.. 😂 The cast delivered 100%..
Then gave lots of angst in the middle (things got crazy & we sort off lost the rom/com part) and finished up just okay… Almost like they gave everyone a deadline and they could barely meet it, so they decided to just wrap it up !!
I didn’t like the ending, feels rushed and just bland.. could have ended better honestly .. you know give us some extended & extra sweet moments, comic relief to ease us from the angst … but nope, jumped from angst to “ok, everybody makeup now, smile for the camera” the end !! If that makes sense … 🙂↔️😂 Even if they didn’t want to make it more than 12 episodes, at least extra 20mins …
In total i still enjoyed watching … but could have ended better …
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Comedy meets heartfelt lessons in this fun twist on fake marriage and newfound family
‘No Gain, No Love’ is an amazing rendition of a rom-com done right. The classic trope of fake marriage is explored from a fresh, new perspective. Originally formed out of mere convenience, as the episodes run on, the leads’ relationship satisfyingly slips into what can only be labeled as a bright, bubbly romance. This transformation allows the leads’ true personalities shine strong, and reveal their most vulnerable and beautiful sides. The series manages to balance serious matters and romcom in perfect harmony, using this blend of genres to bring its hilarious and heart-touching plot to life. It offers its fun spin on fake marriage all while staying true to its core message: that family is not determined by blood, but is determined by the heart.Inspiring, heartwarming, and brought to life with formidable acting, the characters are full of life, and their psychological growth is unarguably a significant part of the series’ forte. It is both refreshingly perfect and realistic as can be. Though the main characters’ true values and motives in life essentially stay the same throughout the 12 episodes, their decisions reveal that their mindsets have evolved into something much stronger, giving them the strength to find confidence in the actions they choose to take. The difficulties they face only strengthen their bond, making the chemistry they share even more appealing to the audience. Enhanced with mature romance, the leads’ relationship forces them to endure trials that make them step out of their comfort zone. Each difficulty they endure together allows them to see each other under a new light and gives them the opportunity to learn about one another in different contexts. Over time, they harbour strength and love in each other through these hard times, causing a strong and genuine connection to form—slowly but surely.
Though the plot is filled with events, the pacing of these exciting and enthralling happenings is perfect, though they could benefit from better closure. Each one of the storyline’s twists and turns all add up in creating a shift in the leads’ personalities, contributing to their growth. Once individuals who had fallen deep into the bad habit of letting their flaws dictate their everyday lives, they learn to free themselves, and the series ends on an inspiring note regarding this matter. Son Hae-yeong and Kim Ji-uk’s relationship is what fosters this growth, as it allows them to stray from the path of their everyday-life routines. Essentially, their initial connection is not only the start of a touching love story, but it also represents the commencement of their own exploration of self. The qualities they bring out of each other allow viewers to grasp a hold on their true personalities, and their depth crafts a sense of realisticness out of the unique relationship they share. This furthermore deepens the series’ essence, proving that love knows no boundaries and can be harbored out of even the most inconvenient situations.
The leads are depthfully crafted, with flaws made clear from the very start. Kim Ji-uk, the male lead, has a low esteem of self and undervalues his worth. This feeling of inferiority he has manifests itself through his selfless actions, his obsessive oath of keeping promises, as well as his nature of always setting his own priorities in accordance to those of the people around him. His relationship with Son Hae-young breaks his usual demeanour. When Son Hae-yeong enters his life, he lets her break into his bubble, and allows himself to crumble away from the strong and lighthearted posture he usually wears. For the first time, he lets someone bear the consequences of his presence, abandoning his fear of being a burden to others in a life where he feels he is only troublesome.
As for Son Hae-young, her long-time fear of suffering losses and consequently missing out on things in life subsides. The principles she had set for herself long ago don’t apply to Kim Ji-uk, who becomes the center point of her attention. Rather than weighing her loss when faced with situations, she starts making decisions for Ji-uk’s sake, acting in accordance to his own needs. This shift in her priorities represents the first time she puts someone, other than her own self, first. These steps that both Son Hae-Young and Kim Ji-uk take toward becoming better people simultaneously push their relationship forward. It may not be evident in the male leads’ case, but sharing your burden with your partner is more than self-liberating. It’s a healthy practice of care, because by voicing your struggles to your significant other, you are lending them your heart and growing your trust in them.
Through the side characters, ‘No Gain, No Love’ also explores the lives of orphans. With ease, the series manages to balance its lightheartedness with seriosity; showcasing the journey of individuals who try to navigate their life despite their past traumas and experiences. It highlights their determination to surmount their difficulties, as well as their will to make decisions that can be benefitted from rather than bring hell into their lives again. The series’ integration of these characters amidst its comedy invites an exploration of various themes; such as parental abuse, parenting, and tests common conceptions of both familial (with the orphan 'sisters') and romantic love (with a polyamorous relationship).
Because of the limits they confined themselves to, the growth of their relationship blossomed quickly and naturally. They convinced themselves that the love they shared wasn’t real, which let them sink into their vulnerability together without the fear of losing each other because of prejudices or judgement. Their fake engagement gave them the opportunity to explore what they truly seek in the world and how they want to seem through the eyes of others. As they spoke about their struggles openly without humiliation or embarrassment under the pretense of being a fake couple, they gave each other room to open up about their true desires in life—their desires that lay bare underneath the cover of their personalities that were crafted by their sad pasts.
Overall, the series is bright, though it ultimately tells the story of broken hearts and forgotten bonds. Interestingly, despite South Korea’s conservativeness, it didn’t steer away from delving into rather delicate themes such as abortion and modern-day femininity, and what this means in the context of marriage. These elements contributed to its depth, and helped shape ‘No Gain, No Love’ into the amazingly entertaining story it is.
12/13/2024
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really fun, really heartwarming
this is so good, but i'm so sad to say that the biggest flaw was that it's 12 episodes long. the acting is great and the characters are complex and interesting. the plotline has the balance between fun and dramatic and i love it. but there are so many interesting stories that seem to be not well solved by the end of the drama... it's kind of frustating to be fed with so many interesting characters but don't get an apropriate end for them. also WHERE ARE THE CUTE MOMENTS OF HAPPINESS OF THE MAIN COUPLE? them getting together at the last second.... UGH but it was really cute...Was this review helpful to you?
Picked it up to have a good laugh, stayed for the secondary romance
A very fun, but also very forgettable contract marriage romance. As I feared, Kim Yong Dae is once again too lifeless for my taste, but props to the show for writing his character in such a way that it doesn't really impact the story. Shin Minah is hard carrying the main romance, and she's helped by a wonderful direction. The plot is okay, but it's trying a bit too hard to be modern and trendy for my taste. I feel like the writer did a better job with the contract marriage in Her Private Life, but that one had the huge advantage of having a very strong couple of lead actors who tend to elevate even mediocre scripts. In truth at a point I kept watching this one mainly for the secondary couple. Their story was way more interesting, and they had lots of chemistry. On that subject, their spin-off Spice Up our Love was a bait and switch, not as sexy as promoted, but it was still very entertaining. Overall No Gain No Love is a good pick if you're missing laugh-out-loud romances, but you can find much better in Shin Minah's catalogue.Was this review helpful to you?
No Gain. No Love Review - ZyKuu
"A fake marriage that benefits both parties" - The story was unique with a bunch of twists and turns that were unexpected. There were moments where I was left confused as some parts of the plot felt forced but overall it was an interesting route taken. One thing I noticed was the amount of sexual talk and innuendo throughout. I appreciated the show for stepping out of the typical comfort zone to talk about such topics whether it was for entertainment purposes or whatnot. The cast was amazing, and upon research I was actually mind blown to discover that the main lead Hae-young is 40 years old in real life. She is very pretty and looks very youthful in the show. Her acting is superb and I can tell she is a true veteran of the industry. I did enjoy the other cast members such as Ji-uk and Gyu-Hyun as they were great in their respective roles and I found them as key components for the comedy aspects. Ja-yeon was a character that I think did spectacular, and her romantic journey in the show was a doozy to watch. The OST is superb, but surprisingly I only began to appreciate it after the series was over as I barely noticed it during the show, which is odd for me. Anywho, this show does not scream out romcom, although it does do enough to be classified as one whilst being entertaining. Therefore you must check it out!Was this review helpful to you?
Interesting, comedy and romance ?
Son Hae-Young (Shin Min-A) is the type of person who doesn't want to lose money under any circumstance. When growing up, she had to share her mother's love with others. She often found her partners in relationships below her break even point. Now, Son Hae-Young faces the possibility of missing out on a job promotion at her workplace. To avoid such a loss, she makes a plan for a fake wedding. She recruits Kim Ji Uk (Kim Young-Dae) to be her fiance. Kim Ji Uk works part-time as a cashier at a convenience store. He is the type of person who can't ignore people in need and tries to do the right thing. He is smooth with every customer at the convenience store, except for one person. That person is Son Hae-Young. When she suddenly asks him to become the fake groom at her wedding, he somehow accepts her offer.Honestly I think this drama was short but interesting to watch. It has everything comedy, romance, suspense. The plot of the drama was interesting, it will make you interested. The cast was good. Every actor acted which was good to watch.
You will also get to see family affection in this drama even if you are not related by blood.
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Happiness
I can't believe it's over. For the past few weeks, this drama has been such a source of comfort and anticipation. Each upcoming episode felt like something to look forward to, but sadly, all good things must come to an end.What really drew me in was how deeply I connected with the characters and their emotions. Their journeys helped me better understand my own feelings. The show beautifully conveyed the importance of self-discovery and keeping promises to oneself before reconnecting with the people you love.
It also showed abandonment and the experiences of orphans, highlighting how much they deserve love and belonging. And, in subtle ways, it provided thoughtful insights into good parenting and responsibility. The layers of emotion and life lessons it offered made it an experience I won't soon forget.
The writing is sharp, with moments of humor and poignancy that resonate deeply. The supporting characters add richness to the narrative, each contributing to the main themes of perseverance and self-discovery. The production quality is excellent, with beautiful cinematography that enhances the storytelling.
Overall, No Gain No Love had me screaming, giggling, kicking feet in the air for the cute fluff romance, laughing out loud because of the comedy, but at the same time warm my heart as I look through the bonding and relationship between all of the characters.
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Ending could have been better , rest is good.
"No Gain, No Beautiful" is a poignant love story that revolves around the challenges faced by the female protagonist, whose mother runs an orphanage. This commitment to caring for orphaned children often leaves the protagonist feeling neglected and upset, believing her mother prioritizes her obligations over their relationship.The story takes a dark turn when the protagonist's father is murdered by the father of one of the foster children, which deeply affects her. In the aftermath, she leaves home to escape her painful memories. During her absence, her mother takes in another foster child, the male protagonist, who also carries the burden of a remorseful past.
The drama intricately weaves their destinies together, exploring themes of loss, love, and redemption. The narrative balances emotional depth with lighter moments, ensuring the story remains engaging.
Overall, I enjoyed the drama, particularly the blend of humor that complements the serious themes.
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This review may contain spoilers
Quirky Characters and Comedic Gold
This drama explores serious themes like foster care, orphanages, children born out of wedlock, murder, dementia, and child abuse. Sounds intense, right? Surprisingly, it's all wrapped up in a romantic comedy that keeps you laughing!I jumped into this show with no expectations. Initially, I found the main female lead, played by Shin Min Ah, a bit annoying with her constant calculations of losses. However, as the story unfolded, I realized she’s just one of many quirky, flawed characters in the mix. What makes this show enjoyable is its self-awareness; it embraces its characters' imperfections and turns them into comedic gold!
With only 12 episodes, the series cleverly finds humor in various situations while delivering a heartfelt message. Instead of shying away from classic rom-com tropes, it engages with them in a refreshing way. Shin Min Ah's character, though a bit calculating, is fair, honest, and goal-oriented—she’s not against losing, just ensuring everyone else doesn’t either. Her antics while making dating videos gave me second-hand embarrassment and made me burst into laughter! Love that modern feminist vibe!
The witty dialogues and interactions among the hilariously entertaining characters, including the quirky secretary and the CEO, kept the laughs coming. And we can't overlook the ex-boyfriend! The scene where they found him in bed the next morning was absolutely side-splitting. Who would have anticipated that this charming K-drama would showcase three best friends—one in a faux marriage, another in a polygamous relationship, and the third writing steamy novels? I certainly wasn’t ready for the box of internationally themed dildos that could also serve as glow-in-the-dark self-defense weapons. Truly a laugh-out-loud moment!
It’s one of those rare cases where I wish there were a few more episodes. Who doesn’t love a bit more screen time for the main couple in the final episode?
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