A Bold Premise That Plays It Safe
Divorce Insurance sets out with a refreshingly bizarre premise. That kind of dark humor and social satire is a solid hook, and for the first few episodes, the drama leans into it well. But as the series progresses, it struggles to maintain that satirical sharpness, often trading its unique premise for safer, more conventional drama beats.-> What It Gets (Almost) Right:
1. A Unique Tone: Briefly, Before It Chickens Out
The first few episodes are weird in the best way. There’s a sly, deadpan humor, the kind that makes you think, Maybe this show is actually onto something. The actors get the assignment, the writing's clever, and the whole “divorce as an industry” thing feels biting. And then, poof! It remembers it wants to be heartfelt and relatable, and any trace of teeth gets politely brushed away.
2. Characters With Just Enough Quirk to Be Marketable
Ki-jun and Han-deul are awkward and emotionally damaged, aka perfect TV protagonists. They have an unresolved history, which the show dangles just long enough to be interesting before shoving them into a rushed romance. Dae-bok and Ah-yeong start off as quirky sidekicks and actually evolve into real people, which feels like a miracle considering how often they’re used for punchlines. Credit where it’s due.
3. Real Feelings, Occasionally
When the show stops trying to be cute or clever, it sometimes stumbles into real emotion. Seon-hee’s storyline, for instance, is actually moving. It’s the kind of subplot that makes you think, Why isn’t the rest of the show like this? And the answer, apparently, is because that would be too interesting.
-> Where It Trips Over Its Own Premise:
1. Remember That Whole “Divorce Insurance” Thing? Neither Does the Show
The hook is gold: morally questionable, ripe for satire, bizarre enough to stand out. Naturally, the show throws it in the trunk and drives off without it. A couple of episodes later, the business model is basically background noise. No messy ethics, no biting commentary - just cute coworkers trying not to cry at their desks.
2. Pacing? What Pacing?
The second half is like a montage in a movie where someone’s life spirals out of control, except without the music or the emotional payoff. Things happen too fast, characters make decisions that feel unearned, and big moments come out of nowhere. It’s not so much building tension as it is skipping steps and hoping no one notices.
3. Romance On Fast-Forward
Ki-jun and Han-deul clearly have history, and by the time the show explores any of it, they’re already halfway to coupledom. It’s the classic “we have chemistry, so let’s skip all the work” strategy. The result is a romance that feels less like a natural evolution and more like a checklist item the writers were eager to tick off.
4. From Satire to Sentimentality: A Speedrun
Once the show decides it wants to be “sincere,” it abandons the very thing that made it interesting. The bite is gone, the satire neutered, and what’s left are neatly wrapped plotlines. It’s emotional, sure, but safe, and not in a good way.
-> Final Verdict:
Divorce Insurance sets out to be sharp, strange, and subversive. But after a promising start, it quickly trades its edge for something safer and more familiar.. It is disappointing for me, who was hoping for something sharper, weirder, and more consistent.
At least you can’t say it didn’t try... for a little while.
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Meant to be a perfect package, but felt more like a rough draft with a hint of chemistry!
This had a unique and promising premise, a group of divorcees coming together to create an insurance policy for one of life’s emotionally and financially taxing experience. With the ever-increasing divorce rate as a backdrop, the idea of treating divorce like an unpredictable disaster was sort of intriguing and fresh.Unfortunately, while the drama had its good moments, it didn’t quite live up to the boldness of its concept that it promised. The narrative felt muted and at times, downright dull and boring if I am being honest.
The plot often settled for surface-level storytelling, weighed down by repetitive boardroom scenes, overly sanitized and clean conflicts and a reluctance to explore anything too emotional. There were so many arcs that could have been fleshed out but everything was at surface level and packaged pretty.
The writing felt hesitant, as if it was trying not to ruffle feathers, resulting in a story that lacked a bite.
Let’s start with the strengths. The main leads, No Gi Jun and Kang Han Deul were the heart of this story for me. Their relationship was built on mutual respect, empathy and most importantly, excellent communication. It’s rare to see a romance so subtle portrayed with no dramatic grand declarations, just lingering glances, stolen touches and quiet meaningful actual conversations that slowly build a healing connection. It felt mature and grounded, and it’s this sincerity that makes their chemistry work. Their dynamic is what kept me watching. Their relationship was not "on your face romance."
Another highlight was the third couple. They brought a lighthearted, chaotic energy to the show without slipping into childishness considering they were the youngest. They didn't have much screentime but I wasn't bored seeing them! Their relationship could have been explored more though.
Alternatively, they could have explored more single life monogamy dynamics of A Yeong. I thought they will give it more attention because it was introduced quite a few times in the story!
However, the drama slowly begins to fall apart as it starts.
The second lead couple was a complete mismatch. Their chemistry didn’t just fall flat, it barely existed for me. Every scene they shared felt exaggerated to the point of parody, like they were stuck in some over the top skit. The dramatic reactions, the awkward attempts at romance felt like filler with no real emotional weight.
As individual characters, they did have something to offer to the overall plot whether it is drama or comedy but the second they were paired romantically, it was like all that potential vanished. They would have been better off just being part of the main circle, adding value without the forced love line.
Also Jeon Na Rae’s behavior was honestly more annoying than anything. Her constant confrontational vibe was just exhausting for me. Instead of adding tension or drama in a meaningful way, she just stirred things up for no real reason. What made it even more confusing was that she had her own thing going on with An Jeon Man, yet she was still acting like she had a say in everyone else’s business especially No Gi Jun. It felt totally unnecessary the way she kept poking her nose in his life even though he was married twice after her.
The business-heavy plot, while very ambitious on paper, often felt bogged down by business jargon and unrealistic portrayals of this whole Insurance corporate world. The 12 episodes felt too stretched! The different divorce cases every few episodes also was a hit or miss for me. A couple of them were interesting and emotional, while others felt bland or underdeveloped.
The comedy in the drama was a bit uneven too. There were moments where the humor worked, but a lot of the time it felt overdone. Thankfully, the show dialed it down in the latter half.
The acting was decent, all things considered. It is not something you would run home about or hand out awards for, but it was passable and had its moments. The script itself was pretty weak and didn’t give the cast a lot to work with, but the actors still managed to deliver grounded performances. Honestly I came in expecting more, from both the story and the cast so maybe that is why the letdown feels stronger.
Overall, this whole thing was kinda all over the place. From uneven storytelling, pacing issues and some pretty underwhelming subplots made it fall short of what it could have been. Recommended only if you are here for the main couple, Lee Dong Wook or any of the cast but if you're not, you are not missing much by skipping this. I kind of
stayed for the leads, tolerated the rest.
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if You have time to WASTE... be my guest...
personally.... this was one of the disappointed dramas that i have watched recently... i was expecting some thing from drama because of LD wook, 2bh none of the actors fit for the role... the story was nothing but a huge pile of BS!!!.... actors did their best but these role are really not meant for these actors... it may have hit different if this was done by some fresh faces instead of these actors... just my opinion.. anyway i dropped this drama a few times, but i was curious about what exactly happened to his sister, thats the only reason i completed the drama ... otherwise i would have dropped this after the 4th episode.. i'll give a 4* for this rating...Was this review helpful to you?
Saved by Lee Dong Wook
EDIT: my first review was after 4 eps, now i've seen 11. frankly, i don't get all the negative reviews. this is a perfectly nice kdrama about a topic that is still considered taboo. i like the subject matter and the characters. LDW is a kind and gentle everyman and has great chemistry with lee joo-bin. then again, he has chemistry with everyone. i like the music, i like their slow progression towards being a couple. divorce insurance has no love triangles or miscommunication. it's just a nice, slow story. if you're looking for something relaxing with LDW while waiting for ASFK 2, this is a good choice. original review is below.Its fun to watch this charming little drama after shop for killers. I know some people dont like the subject matter or secondary couples, but that doesnt affect me. LDW has chemistry with a paper bag and i'll happily watch him read a phone book. Also props to any kdrama that tries to destigmatize divorce.
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But I’m in it for the second couple, they’re quirky cheesy
Tho I don’t like 2fl trying to get mls attention, while the fl looks on like a deer caught in headlights
Tbh insurance is just such a scam, they want “many ppl to buy”, but they don’t want many ppl to “claim it”
Sure it’s realistic, but wouldn’t someone more prone to divorce get the insurance? Why would a happy 50 years of marriage candidate buy insurance and pay for years in case they might get divorced
Like a reverse prenup, I mean isn’t alimony a thing anyway? So only men would want to buy a divorce insurance and it’s the same as writing a prenup and saying he won’t pay the ex, so he’ll “win” not paying
The dancer guy is super creepy chasing 3fl like that, he’s not a cute puppy type, she keeps telling him no and he literally ran after her
Kwangsoo and dahee are fun cuz they’re not trying to be impressive and romantic, in the meantime the unnecessary love square is so unnecessary
Having forced myself to hate watch, I will say i didn't capture any essence but the fact that they didn't sparkle anything is their fault
the stories could've been heartwarming, the fl did not need to act so "airheaded", ml was just oily, and nothing was worth it
dahee and kwangsoo had better potential but it was also wasted they became really bland
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Lee Dong Wook is Charming!
it’s pleasant, relaxing, funny, charming. I love Lee Dong Wook, but usually he does a lot of fantasy, which is not my thing. A rom com with him as a star is a gem. Not the deepest story line but many memorable scenes. I loved all the actors and the characters that play. I thought divorce would be depressing as a theme but it does give you a lot to think about. I would recommend this for an easy watch that won’t stress you out. I’m sorry the ratings in Korea were disappointing but hopefully the global audience will like it.Was this review helpful to you?
Like buying insurance and realizing it only covers emotional damage—done by the show itself
"Three Divorces, Zero Plot, and a Premium You Can’t Refund." 📉The Divorce Insurance (2025): 5.5/10 – A Policy Full of Promises That Never Paid Out
✨ THE GOOD:
The concept? Genius.
Divorce insurance? It's giving Black Mirror: Marriage Edition.
Lee Dong-wook in a suit – Carried the entire drama on his back (and cheekbones).
Office romance vibes – Brief flickers of chemistry that made us believe. For a minute.
🙃 THE “WHY ARE WE EVEN HERE?” MOMENTS:
The pacing – Slower than a couple pretending to be happy at dinner.
The writing – Plot holes big enough to drive your ex’s moving truck through.
The vibe shift – Quirky? Serious? Melodrama? The drama didn’t even know.
💔 THE “JUST BREAK UP ALREADY” FACTOR:
No tension. No payoff.
The leads had all the spark of a corporate training video.
We weren’t rooting for love—we were rooting for the credits.
🎯 VERDICT:
“Like buying insurance and realizing it only covers emotional damage—done by the show itself.”
Watch if: You’re a Lee Dong-wook completionist with lots of patience and snacks.
Skip if: You expect your rom-coms to actually rom or com.
Best paired with: 🧾 A voided marriage license and expired snacks from a breakup box.
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The Divorce Insurance Is Fire Stop Listening to the Haters
the bad reviews are absolutely pissing me off because The Divorce Insurance is straight up 🔥🔥🔥. It’s clever, emotional, and so damn real. The couples, the insurance workers every story hits hard. If you think this show sucks, you seriously need to check your taste at the door. Don’t sleep on this masterpiece. Watch it now and thank me laterWas this review helpful to you?
♥️♥️
I really enjoyed this drama. The story is pretty simple but it was executed so marvelously. As usual Lee Dong-wook does not fail to give it his all and his performance is superb, he truly is the best! I enjoyed the dynamic among the task force members and loved how organically the romance developed. I am so happy that Na-rae was not an antagonist in the end. She got the closure she needed from Gi-joon and moved on. I loved that she became friends with everyone. I laughed and cried while watching this drama. I loved how supportive Gi-joon and Han-deul are of each other and how slowly their romance blossoms. I really liked the concept and simplicity of the plot. Not every drama needs a very complicated plot. Slice of life is an amazing genre, too. I am sad that this show is over. I want more!!! ♥️♥️ Can't wait to see Dong-wook oppa in his upcoming shows. I am in love with this man. He is so perfect!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️Was this review helpful to you?
Weak Story
The storyline for me is the weakest part, I wouldn't mind the cast even with the same relationships in a completely different show. It would be more enjoyable if the plot did not revolve around divorce insurance. Also, this was apparently supposed to be a comedy like Gaus Electronics. It stopped being funny around episode 3-4.Was this review helpful to you?
fair
The story is relatively shallow and very well foreseeable, yet I must give credit to the writer, no big mistakes or goofs are there, hence overall it is a nice and pleasant story. Actually, it is a collection of stories, like in a criminal series, yet instead of solving a crime per episode, one help with acute conjugal conflicts, beside the background conflicts/situations of the leads. All actors are cute and of course everything is highly professional. The OST is also nice. Overall I found it a fair series, yet not one that one has to watch in any case.Was this review helpful to you?
Lee Dong-wook shines as the complex protagonist, seamlessly transitioning between dry humor and emotional depth. His performance is the cornerstone of the series and showcases his versatility in taking on diverse roles. In contrast, Lee Joo-bin’s performance falls short; her portrayal often feels awkward, with mismatched expressions and blank stares that weaken the credibility of the central romance. The supporting cast, particularly Kim Won-hae, brings much of the series’ humor and charm.
Despite its originality, the series suffers from stagnant pacing and underdeveloped plotlines. The great idea never quite takes off.
Strengths
• Bold, original concept
• Standout performance by Lee Dong-wook
Weaknesses
• Underdeveloped plot
• Weak lead chemistry
• Uneven pacing
In short: A promising concept that ultimately falls flat due to poor execution. A missed opportunity.
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