This review may contain spoilers
A Lighthearted Romp with a Predictable Plot
This is your classic enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy, filled with familiar tropes and a quirky premise. An average girl and a wealthy heir start as sworn enemies, only to (surprise!) fall for each other. While the concept is fun, the plot is thin, predictable, and doesn't go deep enough to truly hook you. It's a breezy, low-stakes watch that entertains but won’t leave a lasting impression.
The first episode is easily the highlight. The leads meet through an online game, get sucked into a virtual quest as their avatars, and hilarity ensues when the female lead realizes her crush-worthy gaming partner is actually an eighth-grader. His confident love confession versus her mortified reaction sets the comedic tone perfectly. Special shoutout to Moon Woo Jin, who absolutely nails the younger version of Ban Ju Yeon with his goofy charm and energy—it’s a scene-stealer.
Fast forward to adulthood, and we meet the polished Ban Ju Yeon (Choi Hyun Wook), who carefully hides his hilariously immature side from everyone, and the hardworking, relatable Baek Su Jeong (Mun Ka Young). Both actors are great individually—Choi brings dorky awkwardness to what could’ve been a clichéd "rich heir" role, and Mun adds warmth and depth as a breadwinner with a lot on her plate. But here’s where things get more layered: Ban Ju Yeon isn’t just the typical stoic chaebol. Years of emotional abuse from his cold, controlling grandmother have left him starved for love and forced to suppress his true self. Choi Hyun Wook does a great job conveying this vulnerability beneath his polished exterior, giving the character surprising emotional depth. It’s also why his connection with Baek Su Jeong—and by extension, her warm, accepting family—feels so significant. They’re not just romantic partners; they’re his first real taste of unconditional care.
That said, when it comes to their romantic chemistry, something still feels... off. Their banter leans more sibling-like, and while it’s funny, the romance feels half-baked. You want sparks, but you mostly get flickers. Thankfully, the show balances this by pairing the main couple with a more grounded secondary couple who, truth be told, steal the spotlight. Their opposites-attract dynamic—a divorced woman finding her footing and a man experiencing his first 'real' relationship—feels fresh and mature. They bring a nice contrast to the main leads’ journey of navigating their first love.
Not everything lands, though. The male lead’s grandmother, set up as the cold, manipulative “villain,” feels unnecessarily harsh. Blaming Ban Ju Yeon for his father’s death and using the family business as a weapon against him adds drama, but it’s overdone and often feels out of place in a romcom. Her redemption at the end feels rushed and abrupt, with no convincing reason for her change of heart, making it even less satisfying.
Ultimately, "My Dearest Nemesis" is a harmless, easy watch for when you’re in the mood for something light and silly. It won’t blow your mind or reinvent the genre, but the gaming sequences, age-gap twist, and lovable side characters keep things interesting enough. Add in the emotional layers of the male lead’s journey, and it’s a tad more heartwarming than your average snack-sized romcom—not very filling, but enjoyable while it lasts.
The first episode is easily the highlight. The leads meet through an online game, get sucked into a virtual quest as their avatars, and hilarity ensues when the female lead realizes her crush-worthy gaming partner is actually an eighth-grader. His confident love confession versus her mortified reaction sets the comedic tone perfectly. Special shoutout to Moon Woo Jin, who absolutely nails the younger version of Ban Ju Yeon with his goofy charm and energy—it’s a scene-stealer.
Fast forward to adulthood, and we meet the polished Ban Ju Yeon (Choi Hyun Wook), who carefully hides his hilariously immature side from everyone, and the hardworking, relatable Baek Su Jeong (Mun Ka Young). Both actors are great individually—Choi brings dorky awkwardness to what could’ve been a clichéd "rich heir" role, and Mun adds warmth and depth as a breadwinner with a lot on her plate. But here’s where things get more layered: Ban Ju Yeon isn’t just the typical stoic chaebol. Years of emotional abuse from his cold, controlling grandmother have left him starved for love and forced to suppress his true self. Choi Hyun Wook does a great job conveying this vulnerability beneath his polished exterior, giving the character surprising emotional depth. It’s also why his connection with Baek Su Jeong—and by extension, her warm, accepting family—feels so significant. They’re not just romantic partners; they’re his first real taste of unconditional care.
That said, when it comes to their romantic chemistry, something still feels... off. Their banter leans more sibling-like, and while it’s funny, the romance feels half-baked. You want sparks, but you mostly get flickers. Thankfully, the show balances this by pairing the main couple with a more grounded secondary couple who, truth be told, steal the spotlight. Their opposites-attract dynamic—a divorced woman finding her footing and a man experiencing his first 'real' relationship—feels fresh and mature. They bring a nice contrast to the main leads’ journey of navigating their first love.
Not everything lands, though. The male lead’s grandmother, set up as the cold, manipulative “villain,” feels unnecessarily harsh. Blaming Ban Ju Yeon for his father’s death and using the family business as a weapon against him adds drama, but it’s overdone and often feels out of place in a romcom. Her redemption at the end feels rushed and abrupt, with no convincing reason for her change of heart, making it even less satisfying.
Ultimately, "My Dearest Nemesis" is a harmless, easy watch for when you’re in the mood for something light and silly. It won’t blow your mind or reinvent the genre, but the gaming sequences, age-gap twist, and lovable side characters keep things interesting enough. Add in the emotional layers of the male lead’s journey, and it’s a tad more heartwarming than your average snack-sized romcom—not very filling, but enjoyable while it lasts.
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