potatocouch

That's sooo cute T . T

Exactly. You'll have a good time, maybe even squeal once or twice, but your sanity will be in tact, which ISN'T what we want from these role reversals 😤 At least, the FL loses her bite because of another intimidating woman, not a man. That softened the blow a bit.

This is a good 'looks dom but is a sub' drama. ML is a big bottom who's DYING to be 'punished' by FL.

Good to know you use the same rating system. I think MDL is a bit harsh with everyone only considering dramas above an 8 good (and then they're the most generic story ever lol). Love & Leashes is goated, but My Boss, My Rules is a nice, diet version.

Thank you for the flower <3 What do they mean again? Hahaha.

I usually don't, but even people who love the drama are confirming that the FL doesn't have much self-respect (which I totally understand since it's due to childhood trauma) and has an anxious attachment style. I may have been able to grit my teeth and bear it if ML was warm and sweet, but since he’s cold and emotionally unavailable, that's all I need to hear to know it's not for me personally.

This far into my drama-watching journey, I'm way past the point of just giving everything a try and seeing what sticks. If I did, I wouldn't have time to watch stuff with tropes and relationship dynamics I actually enjoy.

A solid 6.5/10. That’s slightly above average for me even though it’s bad by MDL standards. But I use the traditional 1-10 rating system as in 1-4 is bad, 5 is average, and 6-10 is above average to great.

So, this drama was slightly above average, veering into good, but ultimately fell short. It was a solid RR with some good moments, but those moments became too sparse toward the end of the drama. I’ve been spoiled by how intense Chinese shorts can get, so Korean shorts can feel reserved by comparison. But this one was spicier than other Korean shorts I’ve seen. The characters are interesting, but the FL kind of loses her spunk by the end, which was part of the storyline, so I get it, but she still annoyed me because we could’ve gotten a good alpha female vs alpha female fight. The FL redeemed herself in the end, but it was a bit lackluster.

I’d still recommend it for the good spanking/flogging scenes 🙈, the ML’s cute micro expressions, and the fact that he’s a team lead getting manhandled by a little intern. It’s basically Love & Leashes in vertical form. You’ll be satisfied, but in the back of your mind you’ll know the drama could’ve been better. It’s like having an appetizing chicken dinner instead of a flavorful steak dinner.

Characters can be complex and still be emotionally connected, and progress instead of going back and forth.

I felt the need to point that out. Just because someone is critiquing these two characters’ relationship, it doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy complex characters. There are tons of complex characters whose relationships make sense to people. I understand we all have our opinions, but we can’t be saying stuff like, “If complex characters aren’t your thing…” just because someone doesn’t like something we like.

I added this drama to my PTW only to remove it after reading your comment 😭 I don’t usually let one comment sway me, but if the plot of the drama is the FL having very little self-respect and an anxious attachment style, I simply cannot do it. I didn’t realize that was going to be her issue after reading the summary. I am also one of the few people on this earth who don’t generally like tsunderes, esp. tsundere MLs since they’re overdone, and I didn’t see the tag until now.

Phew! Just saved myself some time. I’ve been watching dramas for a very long time so I already have a strong sense of what I’ll like and what I won’t like.

Ah…so it’s not even really a reverse harem. The FL just has multiple love interests. Sometimes I forget that the tags can be completely wrong lol. I’m glad you pointed that out because it may have affected my viewing experience negatively if I had gone in thinking it was a legitimate reverse harem.

I added the drama to my PTW.

Edit: Oh, I almost forgot. Are you able to answer my question about if the FL is actually good at deceiving people? Or do the MLs kind of humor her and let her think they believe her lies when they’re aware all along? Just another thing I want clarification on since it’s a dynamic I dislike. The MLs should be better than the FL at certain things and the FL should be better than the MLs at certain things. Simply a preference.

I don’t know when it happened, but I now officially have LDF (law drama fatigue). I used to love them, but I simply can’t get into them anymore—even for Lee Jong Suk. I guess we’ll meet again for Remarried Empress.

I appreciate your response. It made me even more curious.

Is the FL skilled at lying to others? She would have to be in order to fit the definition. I’ve seen some FLs in C-dramas lie and scheme, but the ML is always one step ahead of her, and that’s no fun. Especially if he’s stronger than her too.

I know the FL being kind to her enemies doesn’t equate to a reverse harem. I was just asking to see if she was a White Lotus FL (aka “pure”, always does the right thing) or more human/morally gray.

Thanks for confirming that the FL sets the rules in the relationship because that’s missing from a lot of reverse harems, but is constantly present is traditional harems. In trad harems with one man and multiple women, the man generally sets the terms of the relationship, not the women in the harem. If a show is claiming to be a reverse harem that aspect of the dynamic/trope needs to actually be reversed as well, not removed.

I saw the arguments about whether the FL is strong or not, and they’re pretty split down the middle, which is why I’m trying to get more clarification. You’ve provided some, so I appreciate that.

Active Dailymotion link:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9puwlg

Just finished it. What did you think?

Never seen a man with more perfect lips.

Ahem, with that said, I have high hopes for this drama. IU usually picks good projects.

Cunning (definition): having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.

I wanted to post the definition before I ask my question because I don’t think a lot of people actually know what “cunning” means. You can be smart and not cunning.

With that said, is the FL actually cunning? Or does she largely play by the rules? Is she kind to her enemies? I don’t mind FLs who aren’t physically strong, but if they’re not I’d prefer it if they were cunning. I’m disappointed by most reverse harems because the FLs are usually never in control of their harems. The men in the harem control the FL. So, I wanted to see if this one was going to be like that before I decide whether to give it a chance. (And by “control”, I just mean her having them where she wants them instead of the opposite. I feel like it only makes sense for a decisive, strong-willed person to have a harem).

The people who are criticizing Min gee are probably more comfortable with passive aggressiveness instead of directness. Personally, I’d take directness every time so there’s no room for misunderstanding.

Mina has said different variations of “I don’t know what I’m doing/I can’t decide” throughout the show, and I’m sure the other girls have heard it. After saying those things, and acting the way she does, of course people are going to think she’s flighty and doesn’t know what she’s doing. Of course people are going to question if she’s self-possessed. Min gee didn’t say anything wrong.

LOLLL

Same, I was LIVING. Someone needed to tell Mina about herself. The hosts want to do it so bad, but they have to be nice, so I'm glad both Seungil and Min gee said something. It was almost cathartic.

They deserve each other lol.

That was so satisfying!!!

(But the funny thing is she still thinks she has a chance afterward XD)

I'm so glad Min gee said that to her even though Mina's going to try and make excuses.

Mina Sue DEFINITELY doesn't know herself...