Patches

Contract marriages are my favorite!!

^_^

Thank you for making such a great list of some of my favorite dramas! LOL. I know a lot of people want to see these storylines disappear completely from dramaland. However, for those of us who grew up reading our momma's bodice rippers, these plot definitely don't scare me away. Many are actually quite tame. Also, I think context adds a lot. You might see a certain clip of only negative actions and think "OMG! That guy is terrible!" etc. But if you watch the scenes leading up to a certain event, it oftentimes will seem much less excessive than you originally thought.

Please don't think that I'm promoting rape or abuse of any sort. I'm just of the opinion that rape in the real world and a forced kiss or being held against the wall in dramaland is sort of like comparing the artist Michaelangelo to Daffy Duck. In that there is literally no similarity between the two.

Then why doesnt she fight back? Get angry? Get even? That's my problem in the first episodes. She doesnt start to show that she has a backbone until 12, which is the first episode I actually liked her in. Until 12 her attitude is more 'well my life sucks but I guess I will just bend over and take it'. Previews for 13 looks like she will keep standing up for herself, if she keeps that up I might actually start shipping the main couple.

there's always a breakup phase lol

I loved Ashes of Love and Perfect & Casual. Love Me If You Dare was good. I got bored and couldn't finish My Sweet Liar, Maiden Holmes & You Are My Hero. Under the Power I'm only 3 episodes into & My Little Happiness is on my to watch list.

I definitely prefer the more serious or melodramatic types typically and tend to be quite picky when it comes cdramas heavy in comedy. I don't mind the domineering ceo plots depending on how it's done and how the FL reacts to the ML. It's rather enjoyable to see a cold, aloof domineering ceo type fall head over heels and do a 180 when he meets the right girl. ^_^

I really like the contract marriage plot. But the leading female's character is so very weak. It's very annoying to watch her next to a male lead who is so perfect at everything and constantly cleans up her messes. I feel like she would be more relatable if the writers could give her something that she did better at than her pretend husband. Right now she's just being constantly led around by the nose and doesn't seem to care a bit about it.

even when they have dates they can be delayed. Nothing is sure to air in Cdrama land until you see the first episode out. LOL!

Lord how can you survive those back to back?

Absolutely. Every time he supposedly does/says/avoids something negative/wrong I feel like so many people (viewers and side characters) are ready with pointing fingers to justify they were right about all the bad things they thought about him. But then it cuts to his eyes or face or gives up a teeny tiny glimpse of something that makes me feel there is an entire story or explanation we are completely missing just dying to get out. It annoys me to death when he stays quiet and doesn't speak up to defend himself. I want to shake some sense into him LMAO. It's probably half the reason this show is so engaging to me. ^_^

Yes! Yes! Yes!

It drives me nuts how everybody is quick to throw his character in the trash and put hers on a golden pedestal. Hello! Girl is helping to create half the problems they are facing. This fascinating relationship is made up of 2 flawed characters, not just one.

I also think it's funny how everyone is obsessed with calling Jae Eon the bad one and Naebi the innocent one who's being taken advantage and had no idea what he was like. She literally walked up and kissed him seconds after he was making out with another girl. She knew EXACTLY what she was getting into LOL.

You indeed do have some points I agree with. As a Westerner, it's no doubt part of the reason I like this drama so much. That said, I'm still shocked I'm watching a K-Drama, because this is NOT the type of storyline/characters that Koreans want to see in their dramas. They had to have known the only real market they had for this series to have a shot at for survival was the international audience and it's right up Netflix's lane in the type of show they go for.

I enjoyed your article. I also think many of the reasons you listed as 'warning signs/issues/toxic behaviors' could also be used in my review of why I LIKE this drama and especially his character so much. After watching hundreds of Asian dramas almost all English/American shows fall flat for me. However, watching so many dramas with similar cookie cutter male lead characters does indeed get old. Their rich, their a CEO, they chase after the female, they have some tragic past of some sort which is why they are overbearing, but they all end up turning into prince charming. Don't get me wrong, I could speak for an hour naming dramas with similar storylines that I absolutely love.

Jae Eon however, has major flaws and is so perfectly imperfect. He is the Anti Korean Leading Man, and I absolutely love it. This drama has been such a breath of fresh air from the typical stuff out there. People say the relationship is toxic, and I guess my question is, so what? We are not allowed to watch a drama with 2 flawed characters if it's labeled as romance? Why? Because it will teach people that behavior is okay? Total nonsense.

Entertainment is designed for people to be entertained. It's definitely keeping my attention and I'm enjoying watching it, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But I have gotten lots of hate simply because I think it's a good drama and love the interactions of the 2 main leads being together in a non traditional (non committal) relationship.

I'm assuming, because it's a K-Drama she will not end up with Jae Eon. More than likely she will settle for potato boy, who is totally sweet, kind, gentle, funny, 100% committed to her, would never cheat and is super good for her and completely boring.

BTW - this small rant is in no way aimed at the poster of this article or any specific commenter, it's just my frustration with so much negativity against such a well made drama with such great actors playing very out of the box characters.

Thank you for your honest thoughts! ^_^

So I've finished episode 3, and I truly have mixed feelings about whether or not I should continue the drama. I really like the storyline, the OST, the pacing/editing and I really like the ML. I started off liking the Female Lead as well. But I honestly feel like I'm watching a saesang's dream happen before my eyes. I don't mind a FL or ML who acts a little crazy going after their crush, but this only feels like stalker behavior. Every time she forces him to be around her or touches him he seems SO uncomfortable. I'm not getting a cute vibe, I'm getting a that's disgusting and I hope she gets put in jail vibe. I don't know how they can redeem her character unless terrible happens that forces her to do a complete 180.

Anyone else feel this way in the beginning? The previews and clips I watched seemed so cute, I was really excited to see this. I'm sort of at a loss now about if this mess of a creepy stalker is salvageable as a leading lady in a romance.

Thoughts?

Agree about the FL. She gives new meaning to the term "doormat", ready and extremely willing to be walked on by anybody and everybody. I think they could have swung this without a BL if they focused on the friendsip between the 3 better, but I've got no idea how they could ever pull of a so called romance with such a weak female character.

Ah. Thank you. Cuz I was like ah hell no LOL

Just finished episode 2. Does the female leads character get any more likable? Because if she stays acting like a stuck up princess there's no way I'll be able to finish this.

same. 10 is not enough for me. But at least they are long episodes and not just 20 or 20 minutes!