Color me surprised. There are only four episodes left, and Iām just as invested as I was in the very first week. (How rare is that for long-time drama viewers?) It has been a long time since an airing series got to me like this. Such a fun show, and never shallow. I feel a bit sad for those who canāt look beyond the humor or consider it beneath them, but to each their own, right? There a lot of highly rated dramas I simply didn't enjoy.
Now onto our lead couple: I just adore Hae-yeong and Ji-uk so much. They TALK and that's why I feel confident about next week's makjang shenanigans. They both know they like each other and they both know each other well enough to understand their actions. Hae-yeong is someone who knows what she wants and is honest to a fault; and Ji-uk meets her every step of the way. He is never not gentle.
And Ja-yeon and Gyu-hyun... I mean, the chemistry? *That* scene in the alley? So good. It was one of my favorites so far. I like them so much as characters and I like them just as much as a potential couple. Fingers crossed.
As for Woo-jae, well, old habits die hard :) I hope he gets his due.
You'd think the comment section of such a feel-good show would be filled with normal stuff, but... I mean, you are obviously allowed to have your opinions, whatever they may be, but why even come here to spill a big load of nothing when you could just not waste your time on a drama you so clearly dislike? There are plenty of "serious" or "pure" shows out thereāso why not enjoy those instead? Seriously, why even bother? Just curious.
Iām sorry, but this series is literally a cooking show. I understand if youāre here for the second lead, but…
I get that itās a cooking show (and I actually like dramas that involve food), but I just thought the plot got a bit too contrived at times, especially with the competition and everything. This is just my opinion, of course.
Short and easy series. JJ and Methas were the best part of the show, as I found myself increasingly annoyed with Plawan and Oab and all the restaurant drama.
Cute but draggy. Way too many ads (I was especially annoyed by the yellow drink and the contacts lol) and lengthy, half-baked comedic scenes. Aoki and Ida from Japan's Kieta Hatsukoi seemed to have much more vibrancy and chemistry as a couple compared to Atom and Kongthap here. I also thought the first half of the show was much better than the second, though my favorite scene was in the last episode, between Atom and his mom.
Yay, another great episode! Weāre halfway through already, though :( But I actually really enjoy that it has 12 eps. Many dramas seem unnecessarily long these days.
One thing Iām really appreciating about NGNL is how it just keeps things moving. For example, the elevator scene with the questioning co-workers was a good way to just break the tension and move the plot along. I also love how straightforward Hae-young is! With her, thereās no classic K-drama trope of dragging out misunderstandings for episodes. Itās consistent with her characterābeating around the bush would be a waste of time, and we all know she hates any kind of loss.
What a great pleasure it is to have such intellectually superior minds among us lowly, romcom-enjoying peasants here in the comment section š (Just to clarify, Iām being ironicāI just think hate-watching is a funny, if not curious, thing to do imo)
Episode 5 was great as usual. This drama makes me feel spoiled as a viewer.
I can't wait for the fake marriage trope to intersect with the office romance trope. Hae-young and Ji-uk are such great characters that you canāt help but cheer for them, both individually and as a couple. SMA and KYD are absolutely killing it (special kudos to KYDās micro-expressions; he plays them so well)! The second leads are also becoming more compelling by the minute. Really curious about how their story is going to play out.
It's just a fantastic romcom. The 1h+ long episodes feel like 20 minutes they are so good. Itās impressive how this show balances being both a romantic comedy that makes you laugh and swoon, while also offering real depth and societal critique without ever coming across as preachy or pretentious. Well-written characters and important topics and true emotional impact AND (this one might be the hardest to achieve) great humor. A romcom with depth, if you will.
I wonder how Hae-young is going to take the revelation that Ji-uk was probably (I mean, is it even probably at this point? It's totally implied) one of her mom's foster kids.
Hashimoto was my favorite in the Japanese Kieta Hatsukoi and I have to say Mudmee is just as endearing. They are definitely very different characters, but then again it's an adaptation, so it's fine. Kudos to the actress.
I hope Zuer is able to make a comeback as soon as possible. Sheās a talented actress and a classic beauty, probably the top among the 95 flowers in these terms.
Why do people who clearly dislike noona romances always seem to be the first in line to watch them? If it makes you that uncomfortable, why even bother? Make it make sense.
What a pleasant surprise! Iām absolutely loving this show.
I had actually forgotten this drama was a thing until Prime reminded me of it. I immediately thought, well, a romcom starring Shin Min-ah could never be truly bad (as in she's probably one of the most charming actresses around). But, yes, my expectations weren't particularly high. However, as you cam probably tell by now, this drama sweeped me off my feet.
It's light and fun, but never shallow or superficial (I hope this makes sense). The characters are easy to root for, and our main couple feels right and natural together. The actors are also doing a superb job ā Shin Min-ah is great as always, Kim Young-dae is a nice surprise (I'm not familiar with his work), and the supporting cast is fantastic. I especially enjoy Lee Il-hwa's raunchy novel-loving rich woman and the relationship between Hae-yeong and her foster sisters.
And, of course, the #1 most important aspect... it makes you feel damn good! No Gain, No Love makes you smile and laugh like an idiot and that's what all great romantic comedies should be able to do. Thumbs up!
This was great! Well-balanced mix of comedy and mystery with a solid cast and production team. Such a breath of fresh air amidst so many similar dramas.
The rating here is way too low, but that's MDL for you.
Now onto our lead couple: I just adore Hae-yeong and Ji-uk so much. They TALK and that's why I feel confident about next week's makjang shenanigans. They both know they like each other and they both know each other well enough to understand their actions. Hae-yeong is someone who knows what she wants and is honest to a fault; and Ji-uk meets her every step of the way. He is never not gentle.
And Ja-yeon and Gyu-hyun... I mean, the chemistry? *That* scene in the alley? So good. It was one of my favorites so far. I like them so much as characters and I like them just as much as a potential couple. Fingers crossed.
As for Woo-jae, well, old habits die hard :) I hope he gets his due.
One thing Iām really appreciating about NGNL is how it just keeps things moving. For example, the elevator scene with the questioning co-workers was a good way to just break the tension and move the plot along. I also love how straightforward Hae-young is! With her, thereās no classic K-drama trope of dragging out misunderstandings for episodes. Itās consistent with her characterābeating around the bush would be a waste of time, and we all know she hates any kind of loss.
I can't wait for the fake marriage trope to intersect with the office romance trope. Hae-young and Ji-uk are such great characters that you canāt help but cheer for them, both individually and as a couple. SMA and KYD are absolutely killing it (special kudos to KYDās micro-expressions; he plays them so well)! The second leads are also becoming more compelling by the minute. Really curious about how their story is going to play out.
It's just a fantastic romcom. The 1h+ long episodes feel like 20 minutes they are so good. Itās impressive how this show balances being both a romantic comedy that makes you laugh and swoon, while also offering real depth and societal critique without ever coming across as preachy or pretentious. Well-written characters and important topics and true emotional impact AND (this one might be the hardest to achieve) great humor. A romcom with depth, if you will.
I had actually forgotten this drama was a thing until Prime reminded me of it. I immediately thought, well, a romcom starring Shin Min-ah could never be truly bad (as in she's probably one of the most charming actresses around). But, yes, my expectations weren't particularly high. However, as you cam probably tell by now, this drama sweeped me off my feet.
It's light and fun, but never shallow or superficial (I hope this makes sense). The characters are easy to root for, and our main couple feels right and natural together. The actors are also doing a superb job ā Shin Min-ah is great as always, Kim Young-dae is a nice surprise (I'm not familiar with his work), and the supporting cast is fantastic. I especially enjoy Lee Il-hwa's raunchy novel-loving rich woman and the relationship between Hae-yeong and her foster sisters.
And, of course, the #1 most important aspect... it makes you feel damn good! No Gain, No Love makes you smile and laugh like an idiot and that's what all great romantic comedies should be able to do. Thumbs up!
The rating here is way too low, but that's MDL for you.