An Uneven Power Dynamic with a Frustrating ML
My Dearest Nemesis attempts to present a compelling workplace romance, but its portrayal of the male lead (ML) significantly undermines the narrative. The ML, a textbook "nepo kid," has been handed a CEO position despite lacking the skills to run a street vending stall, let alone manage a company. While this setup could provide room for growth, the ML's immaturity remains frustratingly stagnant.Despite being an adult in age, the ML behaves like a teenager at best—obsessed with childish antics, toys, and lacking any sense of responsibility. This makes his dynamic with the female lead (FL) incredibly lopsided. While their physical age gap is only a few years, the FL is a capable and responsible adult, highlighting just how emotionally stunted the ML is. Their relationship doesn't resemble a typical May-December romance; instead, it feels like a mature woman constantly trying to guide an overgrown child.
To make matters worse, the ML awkwardly reveals that his first kiss happened when he was already old enough to have children. He declares this like a badge of inexperience, essentially admitting to the FL that he's a virgin and doubting his own ability to be a good partner. This moment, intended to be vulnerable, instead comes across as painfully childish and embarrassing, further emphasizing his lack of maturity.
On top of his immaturity, the ML behaves like a cowardly little kid who seems as though he might piss his pants if his grandmother scolded him. He constantly avoids confrontation, shirks responsibility, and relies on others to fix his problems, making him an exhausting presence rather than a compelling lead.
Episode 7 further highlights the ML's troubling behavior when he follows the FL to a private meeting with her brother, father, and her brother's girlfriend. This act crosses boundaries on multiple levels—both as her boss and as someone pursuing her romantically. His actions were intrusive, disrespecting her privacy and personal space. It underscores his entitled "nepo kid" attitude, showing complete disregard for basic manners, boundaries, and even legal norms concerning stalking. Instead of demonstrating care or affection, his behavior felt childish and borderline criminal.
By the end of Episode 7, the ML's love confession feels less like a heartfelt declaration and more like a desperate plea for sympathy. Rather than expressing genuine love, he leans heavily on his sad backstory, turning the moment into a pity party rather than a meaningful confession. Even more disappointing is the FL's response—agreeing to a secret relationship in which the ML refuses to proudly acknowledge her because he's afraid of his grandmother's reaction. This lack of courage and respect makes one question if the ML is truly capable of having an adult relationship just because he's physically grown. The FL accepting this disrespect out of sympathy feels absurd, diminishing her otherwise strong character.
The ML's fear of his controlling grandmother further emphasizes his lack of growth. Instead of standing up to her, he remains passive despite her unfairly blaming him for his parents' death. While his tragic backstory could have provided depth, it instead becomes an excuse for his stunted development. Rather than offering him comfort and support, his grandmother cruelly projected her grief onto him, instilling trauma that seemingly froze him in a childlike state.
The frustrating part is that this dynamic isn't played for meaningful character growth or thoughtful commentary on privilege and responsibility. Instead, the ML's behavior is often excused or overlooked, making it difficult to root for the couple or take the relationship seriously. The FL's professionalism and maturity deserve a far stronger counterpart, yet she is left cleaning up the ML's messes more than connecting with him as an equal.
While My Dearest Nemesis may offer moments of charm, its flawed portrayal of the ML's arrested development drags the story down, ultimately making it a frustrating watch for those seeking a balanced and engaging romance.
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A Masterclass in How To Make a Romcom Unwatchable
Let me start by saying: I have never disliked a drama this much. Ever. And I sat through all 12 episodes, every painful, mind-numbing, chemistry-devoid minute of it. I had hope. I tried. I even put it on 2x speed, but honestly, that wasn’t enough. By episode 9, I was begging for a 4x speed option just to get it over with.From the very first episode, My Dearest Nemesis set itself up to be a rom-com, but let me tell you, there is neither romance nor comedy in this show. The so-called comedic moments felt like they were written by someone who had only ever read the Wikipedia summary of what humor is. The jokes weren’t just unfunny—they were awkward, forced and seen so many times. Wow, boyfriend doesn't know how to drill and that becomes a comedic moment. Oh, how funny. Plus, the lack of chemistry between the leads makes every interaction feel like a chore to watch.
Let’s talk about the main couple first. They have absolutely no spark. Zero. The drama tries to convince us that their constant staring contests are romantic, but there’s nothing behind those looks. If someone told me Moon Ka-young and Choi Hyun-wook had just met on set five minutes before filming, I’d believe them. I think they were just hoping the script would do the work for them. Spoiler: It didn’t. Chemistry isn’t just about locking eyes dramatically—it’s about connection and banter. I believe if the show focused more on genuine emotions like the arcade montage scene, rather than Ju-yeon just tying Su-jeong's shoelaces and then, them looking at eachother for 10 mins, the show would have been miles better. I don’t mind clichés when they’re done well, but here? It’s just one predictable, uninspired scene after another, with absolutely no unique depth to the characters. Oh, you think you can guess scenes? Babe, in this show you can even guess the dialogues, to a T.
Choi Hyun Wook (whom i loved in TW and 2521), completely falls flat in this role. Maybe it's because he’s not used to this kind of character, but his performance was painfully underwhelming. And then there's Moon Ga Young. Look, she’s undeniably pretty, but her acting? Mid at best. She struggles to emote beyond a limited range of expressions, which is especially frustrating in a drama where she has to carry emotional scenes. Her upcoming project with Lee Jong Suk? I fear for it. Truly.
Another thing that really irked me is that, Juyeon is supposed to be a 30-year-old man, yet the writers insist on infantilizing him. Drinking chocolate milk all the time? Really? I get that he’s supposed to be immature, but there are better ways to show that than making him look like a literal child. Also, the show tries to push this idea that Su-jeong is more mature because she’s older, but a four-year age gap means absolutely nothing once you’re in your 30s. They act like she’s some wise adult and he’s a clueless kid, but at their ages, that dynamic makes no sense.
Now, onto the second couple. They were supposed to be the saving grace, right? Wrong. They start off kind of promising, but then it gets weird. The male lead of the second couple jumps in to sleep with a person immediately after breaking up with his ex. Like, sir, did you even take a second to process that breakup? His feelings for the female lead start purely from lust in my opinion, how much ever he tries to convince me of "love at first sight", its not going to work. Then, suddenly, after seeing her maybe 5 times total, he’s in “love.” Where’s the emotional development? Where’s the depth? Nowhere to be found. And then—because this drama refuses to make sense—he’s ready to MARRY her after knowing her for what… a few months? The show doesn’t even provide a clear timeline, so we’re just expected to accept this rushed, shallow romance.
The Grandmother. One of the worst characters in the drama. She literally blamed a 15-year-old child for the death of her son and tormented him for years, forcing him to become this ‘perfect’ being. And then, at the very last moment, the writers try to give her some five-minute redemption arc? I don’t know who that worked on, but it did not work on me. She’s a disgusting character, and no amount of forced sentimentality can change that. She single-handedly drags this show down by at least two points.
And let’s not forget the writing. The dialogues are so painfully awkward, the plot moves at a snail’s pace while somehow feeling rushed at the same time, and the whole thing is just riddled with small, irritating flaws. Even the cinematography and editing are uninspired. There’s nothing visually unique about this drama—no aesthetic choices, no interesting shot compositions—nothing. It just exists.
I believe if a drama is marketed around gaming, it should actually embrace gaming aesthetics and themes, not just drop a reference here and there. The first episode gave a tiny spark of that potential, but then they just abandoned it for generic "nerd culture" without making gaming an actual part of their dynamic. If they had leaned into that—like showing them teaming up in a game after getting into a relationship, having a moment in a virtual world, or even some pixel-art-style editing choices—it could have made the drama feel more immersive and unique. The gaming aspect should have been a stronger foundation for their relationship rather than just an excuse to throw in nerdy collectibles. That would have made it feel like a real gamer romance rather than just another rom-com with a sprinkle of gamer buzzwords.
To be fair, the final episode was the best one for me. Most people who watched the whole drama felt it was dragged out, but honestly? It was the only time I actually felt engaged. It had a better pace, and the wrap-up was satisfying enough for those who did enjoy the show. But for me? Too little, too late.
I’ll give credit where it’s due—the OST was actually nice. That’s it. That’s all I can compliment. I’m feeling very generous giving this a 4/10, purely because of the soundtrack and maybe a few scenes that didn’t make me want to rip my hair out. But would I ever recommend this? Would I ever watch this again? Absolutely not. If I could get back the hours I wasted watching it, I would. If you’re thinking about watching it—don’t. Save yourself.
Final Verdict: If you value your time, skip this drama. Run. Don’t look back. If you’re looking for a fun, engaging rom-com, look somewhere else. Anywhere else.
Also can we talk about the blatant One Piece reference??? LMAO, that was so unserious. Just say One Piece if you’re going to do all that. "Pirate King" is literally Luffy’s dream, like come on. Show some respect to the GOAT.
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Just Another Romcom, But That’s the Fun!
So, what do we have here? A rom-com with all the clichés: childhood connection, mistaken identity, workplace romance, and of course, a rich CEO with emotional baggage. But hey, that’s the charm, right? Predictable? Absolutely. Enjoyable? Surprisingly, yes!▫️The Setup
Sujeong and Juyeon first meet as teenagers in an online game, falling for each other without ever seeing each other’s faces. Classic. But young Juyeon (15) makes the questionable decision of lying about his age, pretending to be in his 20s to impress 19-year-old Sujeong. The truth comes out when they meet in real life, and Sujeong—rightfully feeling betrayed—rejects him HARD. Fast forward 15 years, and fate (or drama logic) brings them back together as boss and employee.
▫️Don’t Expect Much Gaming
The drama gives us a few game scenes in the first episode, but if you're hoping for a deep dive into gaming culture, don’t bother. It’s mostly just a cute setup for their history and not a major plot element.
▫️The Leads: Messy, Flawed, and… Relatable?
ML (Juyeon): Your classic rich CEO with a secret soft side—this time, he’s an otaku/gamer/band fan who hides his interests behind a super professional image. Honestly, I loved his hidden room full of collectibles. I want one too! TT But of course, because this is a K-drama, his love for these “childish” things is linked to childhood trauma—his parents’ death, his guilt, and his horrible grandma (we’ll get to her). While that explains why he clung to these interests, I kinda wish he was just a normal 30-year-old geek without trauma being the excuse. Let people like what they like!
FL (Sujeong): Strong, independent, and known as the "Boss Killer" because she takes down any incompetent higher-up. Loved that about her. She had to be the strong one in her family after losing her mom, basically raising her younger brother while dealing with her dad. No wonder she was disappointed when the guy she leaned on turned out to be a lying teenager back then.
Their chemistry? Not the most heart-fluttering, but it worked. They weren’t just romantic partners but also the only ones who truly understood each other, and that was nice to see.
▫️The Side Characters
The Family: Surprisingly wholesome. The dad wasn’t perfect but tried, and the younger brother was great. Their dynamic felt real.
The Second Couple: Hit or miss. Sometimes interesting, sometimes forgettable. I liked the second female lead (SFL) a lot—straightforward and confident. The second male lead (SML) was… there. Didn’t love him, didn’t hate him.
The Grandma: Straight-up evil with zero depth. I couldn’t even bother to hate her properly. Skipped her scenes, no regrets.
Chief Kwon: Glad ML had at least one sane person in his life.
Coworkers were the usual gossiping Coworkers in Kdramas. I adored Nana alot.
▫️The Comedy & Romance
Not laugh-out-loud hilarious, but it had its moments. The romance wasn’t the most swoon-worthy, but it was solid. They leaned on each other, and that was enough to make it work.
▫️Final Verdict?
Not groundbreaking, but not bad either. Just another rom-com that does what it’s supposed to do—entertain. It is OK while you're watching but completely forgettable, I don't have any problem moving onto another title right after this.If you’re in the mood for something fun, light, and full of familiar tropes, this one’s a decent pick.
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My Dear Nemesis: The Drama That Has Me Counting Days for New Episodes!
It’s been a long time since I found a drama that made my heart race like this *My Dear Nemesis (2025)* is *that* drama! I started watching it purely for the main leads, not knowing what to expect from their chemistry, but wow—the chemistry is *chemicing* in all the right ways! Their interactions are filled with tension, playfulness, and just the right amount of romance to keep me hooked.Yes, it’s an office romance, and yes, it follows familiar tropes, but somehow, it still feels fresh, engaging, and absolutely binge-worthy. The witty dialogues, fun moments, and natural flow of the story make it impossible to stop watching. Every episode is a perfect mix of humor, romance, and light drama, keeping me entertained throughout.
I usually wait until a drama is fully released before writing a review, but I *just couldn’t wait* with this one! With only 6 out of 12 episodes out, I already know this is going to be one of my favorites. The wait for each new episode feels *way* too long, but that only proves how addictive it is. If you’re looking for an office romance that keeps you smiling and eagerly waiting for more, *My Dear Nemesis* is the one to watch!
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It all comes full circle
Catfishing is all too common in today's online world. Some are unintentional while others are malicious. In this case, the FL took it really badly even though the ML's intention was pure. She carries that wound with her to this day.Fast forward several years and our leads meet again in an work environment without recognising each other, at least initially. The A-plot is largely based their romantic and healing journey.
As romantic story goes, there is a decent amount of swoon worthy moments in the middle 1/3 of the series. The ML is handsome, savvy and a hopeless romantic. Unfortunately, he is a total noob to dating. It is a blast to watch him deal with his secret life as well as try to win over the FL. Their chemistry is undeniable which gave us some nice skinship.
On the other hand, the FL is all business and a perfectionist. She will speak up against her superiors and has quite a reputation for hanging them by their own petard. Even though she is not looking for love, it came looking.
It is this slightly awkward but delicious tug-of-war of the hearts that sustains much of the run. However, it is not without issues.
The biggest one is the grandma being used as the antagonist. She is a strong willed and stubborn businesswoman. She blames the death of the ML's loving parents squarely on the young ML. It was unjust and very harmful to the little boy, her sole remaining family. Nevertheless, she sustains the resentment for years. In fact, she is the reason why the ML has created a secret life/persona just so that he can escape from the strait-laced upbringing, if only for a few hours at a time.
Unfortunately, she is a poor antagonist. Yes, she did a lot of harm, but she was not evil. It is hard to like her, but it is even harder to hate her. She carries her pain in silence as well. It just needed an external force to reset their orbits. The FL is in a perfect position to do just that. However, when the reconciliation came, while cathartic, is a bit flat because there was no big revelation or grand gesture. It just took a bit of stating the bleeding obvious. I'll take the win, but it was less than impressive.
This brings us to some general observations of the last few eps. Everything came full circle. Fate has spoken. The HEA ending was never in doubt. There was a hint of tension towards the end but it never reached a zenith and before you know it, we are cruising to the finish line. The last EP is largely fan service but in a gentle way. No grand romantic gestures or meltingly hot scenes. Everything falls into place and on with the B-rolls.
Oh, I almost forgot, the 2CP is quite engaging. The characters are flawed but they have interesting backstories. Their journey is fraught but when it clicks, it is smoking. I like them, not enough to ask for their own show but they are a cut above the usual dial-a-2CP mob.
Production value is good. OST is fine. Not quite good enough for my coveted rewatch list but a highlight reel will be more than acceptable. Peace.
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Acting was good but the story was lacking
I did enjoy watching the show I genuinely think that the acting in this the main leads and support roles did a really good job. I really enjoyed the second couple more than the main couple they had such an interesting dynamic that I wish could've gone into more detail. The main couple was cute but I really feel like Baek Su Jeong wasn't a fully thought out character in this drama she was really written to support Ban Ju Yeon which stinks especially for a character who is supposed to be very confident and strong. The grandma plot point was really disappointing and there was no real growth in Ban Ju Yeon relating to his grandmother. I feel like if they wanted to do a grandma redemption arc it should've started earlier. The grandmothers acting felt very forced it really bothered me. I think the best example of there not being growth for Ban Ju Yeon is the last episode not celebrating Baek Su Jeong on her promotion. I wish we would've seen Baek Su Jeong find her hobby and see them share that together instead of it always being about Ban Ju Yeon's hobbies. These are just the biggest problems that stuck out to me I had a fun time watching it and sometimes that is all that really matters.Was this review helpful to you?
A typical office romance but totally worth it!
This drama really gives 2016-2018 drama vibes. It started off very well and has kept me hooked since the very first episode. People saying that the ML is childish and does not fit for the role really need to move on from the ML's previous projects. He is a well grown man and is beautifully fitted in the role. For the FL, she is awfully good too. Their chemistry is definitely chemistrying. To me, the ML sometimes gives Park Seo Joon vibes from What's Wrong With Secretary Kim.This drama is a light hearted romcom with a little bit sweet and a little bit salty times. Maybe the second leads could have a better story but it doesn't matters much until everything goes right. Grandma literally needs to stop getting pissed by everything her grandson loves to do. Either grandma mends her ways or better wait for the white truck.
This drama is totally worth watching. It gives fresh feels vibes and gets the viewers engaged. Should give it a try!
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don’t judge a show off its poster!
When i first saw the poster and casting for this drama, i was worried abt the age gap between the two leads. I thought it would be another drama where one of the leads looks like a baby and the other one looks like they have a 401(k). But I was surprised by the unique story and how they made the age gap cohesive with the story in the best way possible. This drama is meant to be fun and playful and it executes it perfectly with funny scenes and situations. The second leads also have an engaging storyline and I can’t wait to see their dynamic grow throughout the show!Was this review helpful to you?
K standard
There is nothing special about this drama, apart that it seems to target the teens. It has very good looking and experienced actors, good cinematography, some very nice shoots, careful documentation, nice moments, a fully foreseeable but clear story line. I am glad they managed to not ruin it, even if I found it merely boring.You know in advance what you get and the promise is never deceiving.
However, I am not sure if it deserved my invested time.
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Black Dragon doesn't mess around
Summary (tear-jerker warning): Surprisingly gwiyeoounnn! I love that the characters are slightly quirkier than in the usual Asian romcom. The female lead is strong and doesn’t take crap from anyone. The male lead is still full of himself (as most chaebols are portrayed) but in a more comical way than I’ve seen in other romcoms. There’s such upfront romance that I blushed at the end of the first episode. Lol. Most of the misunderstandings were quickly and easily resolved, and they didn’t give up on each other when it counted the most, especially Black Dragon. One of the scenes made me cry because it was so heartwarming. It was also nice that they featured a different genre of music than in the usual dramas. And for some reason, I felt like having a coffee candy after each episode (Kopiko, “’it really wakes you up”). XD I just realized at the end that they were also advertising Chokipong as well. Wow… The ending was a bit weird and disappointing but, sure, I would re-watch it.Details: It was great seeing that Baek Su Jong didn’t let herself be bullied or looked down by anyone, as well as stand toe-to-toe with the “perfect (no mistakes)” but also clueless Ban Ju Yong. I thought it was gwiyeoun (cute) that Ban Ju Yong’s dirty little secret was so innocent (video games, books, glam rock band, etc.) when the other bachelor chaebols were using women and gambling off their parents’ money.
Throughout the movie, I just wanted to give Ban Ju Yong a big hug. Having lost my parents young, I could totally relate. But his haelmoni withheld the only thing he ever wanted or needed: to be loved and accepted by the only family member he had left in this world. I was so livid when she kept blaming Ban Ju Yong FROM CHILDHOOD for his parents’ death (he was only a kid, you freak!). It’s a wonder he didn’t develop any disorders other than a collectors’ obsession and being emotionally stunted/blind. It only took like multiple people, particularly Chief Kwon, talking sense into her for her to finally realize her mistakes. I cried when they finally reconciled.
The love story of the supporting characters Seo Ha Jin and Kim Shin Won was also cute, especially when Ban Ju Yong had to finally give his hyeong advice on love and how proud Kim Shin Won was of Ban Ju Yong growing up so much.
One of my favorite scenes is when Ban Ju Yong drops his most loved and carefully procured possessions to save Baek Su Jong. ^_^ The other one is the mall lights and water fountain special effects when they kiss. Epic. Lol. In a way, she became his #1 obsession, the only person who ever showed him tenderness (like with the chocolate milk) and treated him like a human being. Black Dragon didn’t mess around after he realized what his most prized thing in life really was. Lol.
I also love the manifestation of the video game world in a realish setting and game animation (danger levels) layered onto reality. Wish that could have been expounded on more. His need to keep recording notes on his watch was hilarious, especially at the end. Not sure why the story kept focusing on Baek Su Jong needing to find a hobby and I wonder why she didn’t just go back to gaming. That would have nicely rounded the ending (the leads as their game characters).
One of my least favorite scenes was Strawberry’s (age 19) heartless response to Black Dragon’s (age 15) confession. But I suppose she was also a kid herself and that shocking (age) revelation was the tipping point for everything she had endured in her life. Later, Baek Su Jong kind of didn’t grow up either (super cruel reaction) when Ban Ju Yong was trying to make it work out with her after they discovered their true identities.
The ending was a little strange and disappointing. They dragged on the last episode with at least two video montages of the leads’ love story, one photo montage of the show, and a strange necklace that had nothing to do with anything… And what I thought would be a proposal was a closing voice over. Kind of wish they just did a proposal (with maybe key/lock design rings) instead. Other than that, it was a great watch.
Side Notes: This is the umpteenth show I’ve seen where there’s emphasis on mobile contact profiles (how do you save my name); is that important in Korean culture? None of the Korean family or friends I know ever talk about that…but they’re also Americanized. Lol.
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Enjoying this one
I haven’t seen a typical, good ‘ol romcom like this in a while. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this one at first due to the storyline and the ML/FL but after the first episode I was hooked. It’s lighthearted, funny and the story keeps up at a good pace. I actually needed a “breather” drama as the ones I have been watching or are out there seem to be/ have been heavy/intense/not flirty enough. I was not sure ML was the best choice but he ML seems to be playing his part well. Although we can predict how this all plays out, it still will be interesting to see how it all comes together in the end. Give it a try!Was this review helpful to you?
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Starts fluffy and shallow but it ends as a deep, warm, mature love and relationship
People wonder why I gave 10 to this kdrama.If you are not smart enough to see it :) This drama is about a "new world" where differences are handled without prejudice and the genders are equal. The ML and FL are **** E Q U A L ****. She is not a loser, she is competent, and THEY COMMUNICATE. THEY ARE A FUNCTIONAL HEALTHY PAIR THAT WILL HAVE A LOVING PRODUCTIVE HAPPY RELATIONSHIP ALL THEIR LIVES. I think this kdrama is a pioneer.
The first episodes made me think this was just a fluffy rom-com for youngsters full of hormones. Like sneaking up on him to see his naked back with a tattoo etc. I was like ... omg I think Neflix is ruining kdramas.... ok.... I will just sleep through this... I was using the drama to destress from some ugly legal stuff, so my expectations werent high... The drama has an upbeat vibe bc ML and FL are very rational, adult, responsible characters although they are in their 30s so I watched because I was benefiting from that positive vibe. I am also a fan of the ML actor bc of Twinkling Watermallon, and FL is not a loser, she is highly capable, so I kept watching...
So at the very start, ML and FL were fighting against their own feelings in ways that were ... well... boring :) But ... there was no needless drama. ! I liked that. ML and FL are smart people and did not waste time and very quickly realized they liked each other and went along with it. They are smart and know it is necessary to hold onto your dream to make it happen. They are go-getters. That was fun to watch but still not quite it.
Then they had to resolve a conflict based on their animosity and hatred for each from the past. That was not quite fun to watch either but was getting more interesting. THEN the drama very sneakily took the turn to raise the curtain and for us the audience to watch behind the scenes and see MORE, and to see how it all fits together perfectly.
SUDDENLY we got to see the strength and the depth of ML and FL as individuals and as two lovers committed to each other. That was really impressive.
So everything that looked fluffy and over-the-top exaggerated and shallow, suddenly became a piece in a very nice looking overall picture. The two of them MATCHED with their personality and traits and ways of doing things, and were there for each other. THEY COMMUNICATED CLEARLY. They were committed.
So this drama ends on a note that is deeply satisfying, a very warm, solid, reliable relationship, human and humane note, and a lifelong love in a very positive, solid, reliable, sophisticated, mature way. By the end of the kdrama, ML and FL demonstrated HOW you can achieve it. Both were bossy and perfectionists, and both understood the deeper requirements of human condition and relationships, and both took steps to make it happen. They had arguments and fallouts and always cleared it out and came back together ON THEIR OWN. THis kdrama is not about them meeting by chance somewhere or friends rehooking them. EVerything good that happened in their relationship, happened bc ML and FL were mature enough to think it through , self observe, self correct, and step forward towards the other to fix the mess they caused. IT was very inspiring and positive.
THe underlying story is about accepting ourselves and living our life as we are, creating good karma, and about having loving clear productive family and personal relationships.
So that message that it is possible to pull it off if you try, properly :) and clearly, and bravely, was the message that was so powerful and so warm and educational. I started watching this bc there was nothing else to watch on Mon/Tue/Wed and it was boring at first but by the end, I felt good about watching it. IT LEFT A WARM FEELING IN MY HEART. It showed what is possible if you try properly.
Imo the key was the FL character. She was no-nonsense and relatively mature enough to see what was important, and to ACT on the important stuff before it was too late.
For me the breaking point was when the FL was talking to the evil Grandma and told her that this was not about who is the successor but is about the family of her love, how to keep his family.
As for the ML, his character is complex but the script did not leave room to show him as a complex person. The filmmaker made ML role so flat, always stiff, pompous and kinda grumpy and poker faced, so that really did not show even 0.5% of the actor's ability and made ML boring to watch. Some of his funnest scenes in this kdrama is when he gets kicked out and cooks, etc. I think the drama had to show him more in his HUMAN state, not just cheabol-idol-perfect-successor fake ACTING state. The drama forgot to mention how the ML character acted tough for his cheabol job and how different he was in his normal life. Not at concerts but when he was cooking, etc.
I saw the ML actor in "Twinkling Watermellon" one of the best scenes is when he communicates with the guitar player at the start of their first concert. Also, in My Dearest Nemesis, he had just a few moments where it seems like he ran wild and did not listen to whoever was filming him, and showed some of his fun, flirty, romantic, and charming side.
SO he can act a wide range and for some reason some bozos always put him in rough dumb flat shallow roles. Like Weak Hero Class 1.
I guess filmmakers are scared to lose money so they put an actor in a role he already did well at least once before. Like putting Meg Ryan ONLY in romantic comedies.... But that really messes up the filming and drama. It is boring. I cant even distinguish between Meg Ryan's films, they are all the same thing.
You need to milk the actors for all they got.
Well I understand you have to make money off dramas too so perhaps it is easier to recycle actors in the types of roles they already did...especially if the actor is not capable of acting anything else LOL there are those.... !!!!
But it is better to let the actor show more acting. Imo.
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