3
This review may contain spoilers
A Stellar Start, But the Second Half Struggles, still an enjoyable watch
This had such a strong start, and for the first 5 episodes, I was totally hooked. From the very beginning, the contract marriage premise was executed so well, blending sweet romance with comedic moments. Watching the couple play the "fake couple" for content provided so many hilarious situations, but it also gave them a lot of opportunities to develop their chemistry and bond naturally. It was so refreshing to watch their relationship grow, especially with all the moments that made me laugh and root for them.
But honestly, the true heart of the drama was FL’s family. I can’t get over how amazing they were. The siblings were all adorable, and the parents? Total couple goals. The family dynamics were the highlight for me, and they added so much warmth and depth to the show. The way Riku (the brother) narrated the story was another touch I absolutely loved—it made everything feel so personal, and I loved hearing the story from his perspective. I could honestly watch a whole drama just about their family!
The ML’s friendship with his best friend also stood out to me—it was great seeing the bond between them. Their interactions felt real, and it was nice to see the ML have a solid friendship in addition to his growing relationship with FL. It really added another layer to his character, and I loved how their moments brought both humor and warmth to the story.
And Negi, the dog? Total scene-stealer. Every time she was on screen, she just added to the charm of the show.
The acting was also solid throughout, with the leads bringing so much emotion and sincerity to their roles. There were so many moments that really made me feel for them, and the growing tension between them as they navigated their contract marriage was executed beautifully.
Another thing I loved a lot was the friendship between FL and SML. Their bond was so pure and natural—it felt like a friendship built on mutual respect, understanding, and care. It was one of the highlights for me, and I wish the drama had focused more on that relationship. They could've been the perfect first love to friends duo, but the show ruined it for the sake of an unnecessary conflict.
It had every potential to be one my favorite list, but Unfortunately, the second half of the drama didn’t quite live up to the promise of the first half. The unnecessary conflicts, especially with the MIL and SML’s actions, took the show in a direction I wasn’t a fan of. The handling of some sensitive topics felt poorly executed, and it left a bad taste that was hard to shake. I can’t help but feel disappointed that such a great start was weighed down by unnecessary drama.
Pros:
The first 5 episodes were chef’s kiss—funny, sweet, and so engaging.
The fake couple dynamic was hilarious and gave them time to develop their bond.
FL’s family was everything. The sibling relationships and parents were a joy to watch.
Riku as the narrator added a personal touch that I really enjoyed.
Solid acting from the cast, and great chemistry between the leads.
Negi was a total scene-stealer!
Decent ending.
Cons:
The second half felt dragged down by forced conflicts and unnecessary drama.
The handling of sensitive topics (especially involving SML) wasn’t done well and felt out of place. Although I'm glad he apologized, it was just not it.
MIL’s villainous storyline was too one-dimensional and took away from the charm of the show.
Final Thoughts: While I would rate this drama a 8/10 overall, it’s hard not to feel that the first half truly shone above the rest. If you’re looking for a fun, heartwarming rom-com with amazing family dynamics and great comedic moments, the first 5 episodes are definitely worth watching. But, be warned—if you decide to stick around for the entire series, the second half is a bit of a letdown. Even though the last few episodes were frustrating, the early moments were strong enough to make the show still worth checking out.
But honestly, the true heart of the drama was FL’s family. I can’t get over how amazing they were. The siblings were all adorable, and the parents? Total couple goals. The family dynamics were the highlight for me, and they added so much warmth and depth to the show. The way Riku (the brother) narrated the story was another touch I absolutely loved—it made everything feel so personal, and I loved hearing the story from his perspective. I could honestly watch a whole drama just about their family!
The ML’s friendship with his best friend also stood out to me—it was great seeing the bond between them. Their interactions felt real, and it was nice to see the ML have a solid friendship in addition to his growing relationship with FL. It really added another layer to his character, and I loved how their moments brought both humor and warmth to the story.
And Negi, the dog? Total scene-stealer. Every time she was on screen, she just added to the charm of the show.
The acting was also solid throughout, with the leads bringing so much emotion and sincerity to their roles. There were so many moments that really made me feel for them, and the growing tension between them as they navigated their contract marriage was executed beautifully.
Another thing I loved a lot was the friendship between FL and SML. Their bond was so pure and natural—it felt like a friendship built on mutual respect, understanding, and care. It was one of the highlights for me, and I wish the drama had focused more on that relationship. They could've been the perfect first love to friends duo, but the show ruined it for the sake of an unnecessary conflict.
It had every potential to be one my favorite list, but Unfortunately, the second half of the drama didn’t quite live up to the promise of the first half. The unnecessary conflicts, especially with the MIL and SML’s actions, took the show in a direction I wasn’t a fan of. The handling of some sensitive topics felt poorly executed, and it left a bad taste that was hard to shake. I can’t help but feel disappointed that such a great start was weighed down by unnecessary drama.
Pros:
The first 5 episodes were chef’s kiss—funny, sweet, and so engaging.
The fake couple dynamic was hilarious and gave them time to develop their bond.
FL’s family was everything. The sibling relationships and parents were a joy to watch.
Riku as the narrator added a personal touch that I really enjoyed.
Solid acting from the cast, and great chemistry between the leads.
Negi was a total scene-stealer!
Decent ending.
Cons:
The second half felt dragged down by forced conflicts and unnecessary drama.
The handling of sensitive topics (especially involving SML) wasn’t done well and felt out of place. Although I'm glad he apologized, it was just not it.
MIL’s villainous storyline was too one-dimensional and took away from the charm of the show.
Final Thoughts: While I would rate this drama a 8/10 overall, it’s hard not to feel that the first half truly shone above the rest. If you’re looking for a fun, heartwarming rom-com with amazing family dynamics and great comedic moments, the first 5 episodes are definitely worth watching. But, be warned—if you decide to stick around for the entire series, the second half is a bit of a letdown. Even though the last few episodes were frustrating, the early moments were strong enough to make the show still worth checking out.
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