The negatives first- Most of the characters are either extremely irritating or just really boring. The second male lead was just boring and I’m tired of pointless love triangles that make no sense. I actually enjoyed the main couple I didn’t need this boring other guy pining over this psycho woman- like dude I get it I love her too- but it added nothing to the story and I didn’t like them as a ship. The second female lead was also really weird??? She had major baby fever and I also get that but there are many ways to get a baby idk why she was so adamant on having one with the male lead. She was just a boring character who also didn’t add anything. And then there was the female leads ex who was just an annoying prick most of the time.
And now to the negatives- THIS SHOW IS SO FUN AND WACKY LIKE 🤭🤭 it’s actually SOO campy and zany so if that’s not your type of humor you’re probably not going to like this. There’s lots of physical humor and Han Groo commits so fully to all of it like her character is this constantly emotionally involved, really sweet character who’s constantly drinking and trying to get involved with everyone’s business (cause she cares) and she plays into it SO WELL. Jangmi is so INSANE and I love how Han Groo plays her like I adore this psycho so much. And her and the male lead are actually so cute! I love a good old fake relationship and these two play into that trope in such a fun way. It’s your typical, they bicker all the time but the more they hang out with each other they more they understand and empathize with one another and then they fall in love ofc and they’re actually so cute. I love their bickering and chemistry and idk they really made the show I loved watching them fall in love. The male lead is your regular arrogant male lead idiot and I wasn’t crazy about his character but he was a good match for Jangmi and all her chaotic energy as this guy who likes to think he’s got it all together but in actuality he’s just as insane.
But as cute as this show is, my favorite thing about this show is the queen herself Kim Haesook, who plays the male leads mom. She’s knees deep in marital trouble of her own and Jangmi with all her good intentions is always trying to help out while Kim Haesook just stares at her like ok girl 🤨. But as the show goes on ofc the two start to bond and genuinely their relationship is SO SWEET. I loved seeing the two of them grow closer and Kim Haesooks character start to accept Jangmi. Augh, it was just a lot.
Overall, there’s a lot of weak elements to the show, but the leads slay, the romance is cute, and Kim Haesook steals the show as always <33 I had a really fun time with this show but it is REALLY campy so it’s def not for everyone
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Refreshing Rom-Com
Having found the drama by accident, I started watching Marriage, Not Dating without any expectations. Maybe it was because of those low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised by the drama.Story: The story was chock-full of cliches, yet the writers managed to make it so refreshing. In most rom-com dramas 90% of the story is so predictable, but in this one, even with all the cliches, the drama was full of twists and turns and managed to write the cliche storyline with surprising plot twists. Marriage, Not Dating was a refreshing story full of all the kdrama cliches we're used to.
Characters/Acting: The acting in this drama was just amazing. I've never cheered and rooted for the main couple this so much. Han Groo managed to perfectly portray the funny, quirky, and cute sides of her character. Yeon Woo Jin beautifully acted his character who had a painful life. And together they were one of the cutest couples I've ever seen. Even though Jung Jin Woon and Han Sun Hwa didn't really appeal to me, I don't think the writers meant for them to do so. I think they were made to be unappealing so we viewers would root so much more for the main couple. Not only that, Heo Jung Min and Yoon So Hee were so great that they made me forget the less than appealing second leads.
Music: Though there wasn't a very memorable song, the reason I gave it a 9 was because of the amazing sound effects that enhanced every scene, making every funny scene so much funnier. Overall, every song and every sound effect match each scene perfectly.
Rewatch Value: I don't know if I'll rewatch this drama, but it was funny and cute enough to maybe rewatch it so I gave it an 8.
Overall: If you like rom-com and easy-to-watch dramas that make you laugh at one moment and cry at another or dramas that have refreshing plots, you will love Marriage, Not Dating.
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*chef's kiss*
The thing with "Marriage, Not Dating" is that I've just re-watched it but if you asked me to restart the series again, today, I'd gladly oblige. The re-watch value is insane.The lead actors do a fine job of portraying two of the most endearingly memorable characters in kdramas, as far as I'm concerned.
The supporting cast was given enough screentime to depict intriguing & genuinely amusing characters; which they more than managed to do justice to.
The drama isn't free of cliches but they don't overstay their welcomes. Various themes such as love, cheating, relationships, and family are covered in a well-rounded manner.
I just gave it a 10/10 rating from my previous 9/10 rating.
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Melodrama trying to be funny
When you watch some dramas, you just question the judgement of the makers wondering why was this drama made the way it was and who allowed it to be aired. This drama could have ended in maybe 8 episodes, but it was dragged on unnecessarily becoming frustrating by the minute.The story was not new, fake relationship with unbearable family and add some childhood trauma to it as well. The FL has to be the most flaky character in the history of K dramas. She was mostly undecided and often self-contradictory. The ML was your regular rich guy with a family the does not understand the concept of BOUNDRIES. There was water dumping, cat fight, faking illness, real illness, extra marital affairs, a web of misunderstandings, a really annoying mother-in-law , unwanted pregnancy, an ex lover (comedic relief) amongst other things. There were second leads who frankly never stood a chance. The side characters were annoying with repetitive dialogues and predictable deliveries.
However, if you ignore the complete ack of logic, the situations warranted a few laughs across the drama.
The production quality was alright, this is an old drama. The OST was unremarkable. This drama is skippable.
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I Definitely Recommend!
Story: Pretty good but I only gave an 8/10 because some things frustrated me along the way. But maybe that's just personal preference. I really don't like love triangles or miscommunication as themes in a story. However, as frustrating as it was, it was done really well and never got to a point where I got too frustrated (enough to drop it). It was the right amount of frustration, if that makes any sense. It kept the show suspenseful and exciting, I suppose. There were some parts that dragged a bit for me but I didn't find myself fast forwarding too much. Although, I did fast forward the start of every episode when it shows the flash forward because I don't like that sort of thing. I prefer to just watch everything develop and lead into each scene, rather than seeing the outcome first. Again, that's just personal preference. Overall, I loved the characters and felt for every one of them. They were all really human and realistic. I especially loved the ML and FL; they weren't annoying which I appreciate. The ML had the right amount of coldness to him. The only character I didn't like at all was Hyun Hee or whatever her name was. I didn't care much for Kang See Ah or Yeo Reum either but they had redeemable and interesting qualities to their characters - plus good character development. Oh and the story was pretty funny and light-hearted too which made it that much better.Acting/Cast: Honestly, no complaints here. Everyone did a great job and the two leads had amazing chemistry.
Music: Pretty good. Only gave an 8/10 because I low key hated hearing the traditional wedding song all the time lol.
Rewatch Value: Also high because of how fun and cute this show is. But I didn't give a 10/10 because I personally won't rewatch it for a while and it's a 16 hour long show.
Overall: I highly recommend giving this a go to anyone who hasn't! This is a gem and despite it being from 2014, it doesn't feel very old when you watch it. It's aged well and honestly, I love it.
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Supernaturaless
It's a bit refreshing to see a romance drama not relying on super powers, ghosts, supernatural events, vampires and the like to add to the love story. And since this one here is quite simple, that's exactly what makes it - in my opinion - a little bit special.I had a really good time trying to figure out what would come next in each episode : since the setting of the show is close to our every day life, you don't feel the distance others K-dramas tend to put on their viewers as unnatural forces get involved. While for some shows there's a real "plus-value" to get 'bigger than life', I'm sure you've also experienced some amazing train wrecks along the rail ^^
Here's a tv-drama with a simple setting, and some colorful characters trying to get along and getting hurt, loved, hated and everything in between in the process.
This kind of show is perfect to renew some love for K-dramas (if it is ever needed). If you're feeling a bit bored, this drama is offering a nice change of pace.
I can only recommand this show since it came at the right moment for me, maybe it could do the same for you ?
Then your only conclusion will be, hopefully, the same : that was a good show, I had a good time and I hope others will have, too, watching "Marriage, Not Dating".
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female lead was too fickle
Difficult for me to rate. There was a LOT of humorous stuff in this one, which was great. My problem came with the main girl being "in love" with three different guys. She just wanted to get married, it didn't seem that she cared who she married. There were basically three men and three women and they were all involved with one another in one way or another. I didn't like the idea that she had slept with one guy, was kissing the other guys, etc. I had to rate it lower for the premarital sex as well. That's why I like to watch Korean dramas, as long as they don't kiss like fish, I like the chaste relationships. Main girl's comedic timing was excellent. HATED the ex-girlfriend of the main guy, just unnecessarily scheming. His mother? What an absolute nightmare! But when he comes to terms with his mother - one of the most emotional scenes I've seen in awhile. I did have a problem watching Yeon Woo Jin, just from the standpoint of not understanding how someone could possibly be that good looking! Later in the episodes when he started smiling??? Oh my gosh!Was this review helpful to you?
As far as the acting goes i was not as impressed with every single part of the cast. I liked everyone buuuuut i can't say i fell in love with anyone as it has happened with other kdramas.
Overall, it is a great show that depicts honest and real situations of everyday life, with its ups and downs, gives us a glimpse of married life as it really is: with the good , the bad and the ugly that comes with saying "i do" and i trully reccomend it
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I hate it when the girl got hurtful words from her fake in laws and she don't do anything. I became bored and skipped some episode.
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Everyone is right in their own way about this show
This show really conflicts me.Firstly - its a fresh take on a rom com and it actually wears well for a drama that is almost 10 years old. Its fun , snappy , sexy and jazzy. Enough to pull you in. It has your very OTT silliness with a great balance of seriousness. It becomes strikingly clear that there is a sound commentary on family trauma etc. So when people praise this drama for its high emotional IQ- it is very much deserved.
Now , for the conflict - the ride to resolve was highly aggravating. The female lead and the second male lead contributed to this aggravating ride. Furthermore , the story exposition was just off. Too much unnecessary suffering for the female lead . She took waaaaay too many emotional L’s and the concept of her whole self sacrificial schtick went on for far too long . Sure there is more than meets the eye with this drama and that is enough currency to watch but I felt the exchange rate was not fair . I didn't truly get my money’s worth though it pushed valiantly on.
So in the end , I watched on fast forward until an eventual drop to an indifference of even seeing how it ended.
Overall- would I recommend ? No . But for those who like their rom coms to have a spin , a realism and maybe even a sexy , there may be something for you.
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