Tanky Toon

With a title like this, I already know not to expect greatness.

I normally don’t like to watch revenge dramas, but after “The Glory”, I became less reluctant to watch this sub-genre. I don’t like time-travelling shows either, unless it is done well. So I went into this drama with not much expectation, except I haven’t seen Min Young since “Her Private Life”, so I thought I should give this a chance, and boy, I’m glad I did.

This drama asks: what would you do with your life, if given a second chance to relive it? Ji Won travels back in time to do just that, after dying not from terminal cancer as she was pre-destined to do, but from an argument with her husband and her best friend about their infidelity. Ji Won uses this second chance to turn her life around, refusing to become the doormat she once was, and using the knowledge she gained from her future, to mitigate her losses and transfer them to somebody else.

It was also during this time travel that she learned about her unrequited boss’ feelings for her. It turns out that Ji Hyeok has been quietly supporting her all along despite her obliviousness.

This drama was filled with so much angst and intrigue that I relished every moment of it. I also liked the brooding Na In Woo when he shoots heart eyes at Park Min Young’s character. It is the first time I’ve seen In Woo as a main lead in a drama and he didn’t disappoint. I’ve loved Min Young since "Sungkyunkwan Scandal" so I already knew what I was expecting and she delivered.

Perhaps the only thing that prevented me from throwing a bottle at the TV is my hope that justice will be served in the end. It was frustrating to see Min Hwan and Soo Min acting so entitled and devious, as if the world owed them something and both blaming others for their misfortunes. Min Hwan’s mother is no better. I wanted to rip her hair out for treating her daughter-in-law so badly.

Despite these frustrations, “Marry My Husband” is a highly entertaining watch.

Just by the premise alone, you can tell that this drama will be full of tropes, including, but not limited to: Rich Man/Poor Woman, Boss/Employee, Fake Relationship, Contract Marriage, etc. So, going in, I already expected that it would be a show filled with cliches, and probably have ill-timed laughter that serves no purpose except to be adorable. And this show just does that in the beginning.

We are presented with a female lead who had to grapple with so many false accusations because of her looks. It was one problem that is supposedly plaguing someone so pretty that you are supposed to feel sorry for her, and thus a young, handsome man (not to mention rich) falls on her lap to solve all her issues. It’s all fine and dandy until the latter half of the show.

Here, the drama tried to incorporate heavier topics like the implication of infidelity, implied abuse and other conflicts that came out of left field, that I wonder whether even if it’s the same story we are dealing with. We also see Ayaka’s family being supportive of her despite their financial struggles. My only gripe here is that they seem to be happy despite their dire situation, with so many mouths to feed and a baby on the way. Haven’t they ever heard of condoms?

Nevertheless, it is a decent effort by the production crew, especially by the main leads who carried most of the drama weight on their shoulders.

I have mixed feelings about this drama, not because of the large age gap between the two main characters, but how it’s being presented.

We learn that, in order to save their restaurant, Ichika’s family arranged a marriage of convenience for one of the daughters. In the beginning, it was Ichika’s younger sister who was supposed to enter that marriage, but at the last minute, she backed out because 1) she was also older than the groom 2) she did not want to be stuck in a loveless marriage 3) somebody else who liked her proposed to her. All good reasons NOT to agree to a contract marriage.

But then we see Ichika agreeing to this contract marriage because of her outdated (and perhaps believable) concepts compared to her younger sister, who had a more idealistic view of the world. Being a widow in 50s Japan, Ichika basically consigned herself to a lesser role in the kitchen despite her excellent culinary skills. Her belief that a woman in a patriarchal society will never amount to being a head chef, let alone operate a business, is one that is valid considering what is the norm at that time. However, just because society has traditionally accepted a certain thought does not mean it couldn’t be changed for the better. And this is where Amane, her new husband, comes in.

Despite his young age, Amane is very sensible and has the business acumen to support Ichika in her dreams of managing her own cuisine. He quietly does things for his new wife without her awareness. Amane’s contribution to Ichika’s efforts later came to fruition when she finally salvages her family restaurant from ruin.

If you are expecting romance from this drama, don’t. This show is mostly about the food and how one woman’s dreams came true despite the obstacles in her way. Amane’s growing affection for Ichika looks very one-sided to me. I am not sure if it’s because of how the characters are written or the lack of chemistry between the two actors is the reason for this. The most I can see between Ichika and Amane is like how a big sister dotes on her much younger brother.

This drama is more like a PSA for food or for feminism, or both.

Nope

I agree. This is drama logic flaw.

Ep 1 and I'm just laughing at the tacky scenes like

1) San smearing blood all over during the police chase
2) San hiding under a basket like an ostrich hiding its head in the sand.
3) San and Vad running to the most obvious place to be found.
4) San dodging the sword from the groom was so ridiculous like a bad choreo.
5) The praying to the stone, I almost thought that the bullet would appear on the other palm like in magic shows.
6) The red string of fate scene felt so contrived that it's so comically funny

After all these points I lost count and should resign myself not to take this show too seriously.

Hahhaha. I thought the same, the stone was wasted for something so trivial. He was not in a life or death situation, only his arm got wounded. The bullet could have been taken out by a set of forceps. The stone could have been used for something more important like saving Vad's life, but sadly it could only help the living.

I also found it ridiculous that the stone supposedly has limited powers and yet can make someone live to a hundred without aging.

200% this!

Yes that point is true. I am not sure YJ wants any explanation from MK especially since he's the one who "ended" things. However, YJ feels that despite MK saying he (mk) doesn't care either way what YJ does, why ask him that question about his (yj) sincerity? Also he's making snide remarks about YJ not being his true self. If he were to let things be, I believe that YJ would have also left him alone. What I DO commend MK on is that he didn't join YJ's chat. In this instance, I'm glad he didn't try to antagonize YJ. Contrarily, YJ barged in MK's chat room with guns blazing. I'm not sure why YJ needs justification on something that happened in the past. Clearly, both have unresolved issues they need to hash out before diving into a relationship with other people. Some people said it's perhaps MK still have lingering feelings for YJ, but I think it's his ego that is preventing him from acknowledging that someone lost interest in him. And not the other way around.

I've been on both ends (ghosting and being ghosted) and let me tell you it's not a big deal as some people make it out to be. I don't feel obligated to tell someone I am in a casual non-relationship with, the reason I don't want to continue it anymore. Likewise, if someone ghosted me, I can take a hint and not dwell on why I was ghosted and move on. There's a lot of fish in the sea to be wasting time on such trivial matters especially when they even said they were NOT in a relationship. I'd rather be ghosted than someone stringing me along and wasting my time when it will lead nowhere. I'd rather use that time and find someone who truly gives a damn about me and not play stupid mind games.

Yes, either MK doesn’t know how to read the room, or a masochist, or a shit disturber. My bet is on the poop.

Hahahah. That's what I first thought when MK called Hanmin on the first night.

Exactly. I find MK to be a shit disturber. Why follow YJ clearly knowing YJ's pissed at him. And later be surprised when YJ tells him to leave?? Is he an idiot or just enjoys riling people up??? I think he's the latter. Then he cries and plays the victim card and basically achieved his goal of making YJ looking like the bad guy. You (MK) are not fooling me dude.

Agree. I would be like YJ and be frustrated at MK regardless of what happened in the past. MK said he didn't want to bring it up, but he's the one to ask anonymous question to YJ. And I find MK more rude when he yawned and looking bored during the entire conversation, than YJ when he was almost yelling.

MK is Exhibit A of a master gaslighter at work

My take away so far after 8 episodes, keep in mind that these are subjective:

- Seungjin - I know I would be sad too if nobody seems interested in me, but he should remember that 7 people are only a micro percent representative of gay men in Korea and someone out there could be better suited for him.

Also, ever since the beginning SJ shows himself a true introvert, choosing the single room at the get-go, hardly interacting with others except in a friendly way with Hwi, cries and panics when he has to room with other people, clearly values his "me" time, I'm not sure why he even joined the show.

- Hwi - I liked him sinced the beginning. He's sweet and wears his heart on his sleeve. Also he did not waver ever since he chose Seongmin as his first and (most likely) only choice

- Minseon - I feel the same about him as I do with Hwi. Both are adorable and loyal to that one person but the people they like are hard to read

- Hanmin - I am really indifferent to this guy, except kudos to him that he expresses his interest in Yoong Jun right off the bat and he's considerate towards others despite wanting to spend most of his time with YJ

- Jaesung - I think he's probably kicking himself for rooming SM & Hwi in the first episode. He's not as calculative as SM separating the men he likes and that could probably be his downfall. Also, though he refused to admit it, I believe he would choose Hwi over SM if Hwi was closer to his age. Well, his loss.

- Seongmin - in the beginning I never saw his appeal, but his interaction with Hwi changed my mind until the day he found out Hwi's age. It was like a dark cloud hovered over him and because of it, his attitude towards Hwi seem to waver. His back and forth between JS and Hwi is giving me whiplash.

I think SM is the type to do spreadsheets of potential partners to see see their pros and cons and calculate total points to see who would benefit him the most on paper. We already see this when he was assigning rooms, instead of rooming with the 3 people he was interested in (like I would have done), he chose to segregate them from the group to prevent the others that he's sure of who have feelings for him, from changing their minds. He's approaching dating as a strategist as if he's on Survivor and is afraid that he would get kicked out of the island.

- Yoong Jun - he's certainly a fire cracker, but I prefer him over MK because at least he lays his cards on the table, as far as I can see, of course we are only shown what they show, but it's hard to disguise a personality like his. I don't think he's being confrontational with Myeon Gyun if MG wasn't provoking him. He was staying in his lane until MG brings up stuff in the anonymous Q&A. Although why would YJ also be so pissed about what MG does if he didn't have any residual feelings for MG? I could care less about someone who I don't have feelings for, and he supposedly moved on.

I know he ghosted MG in the past, but it is YJ's belief that MG was just stringing him along and wasn't really into a real relationship. I would also cut my losses if I was looking for something serious and the parter I'm with wasn't on the same page as me. Of course, he could have told that to MG too back then, but probably he didn't think MG warranted any explanation if they were not dating. I've been on both ends (being ghosted and ghosting someone) but I justify ghosting if you've been in less than 3 "dates" or just casual hookups where you are not obligated to each other. Any more than that, I believe a note is or a simple "Let's not meet again" or "I'm too busy to date you" would suffice and it doesn't even have to be the truth. At least give the other party closure and a chance to move on.

- Myeong Gyun - I didn't really want to stereotype this guy since the beginning, but his comments (though he may be joking) don't come across as funny but actually self-centered. I believe that MG thinks he's God's gift to men and his ego couldn't take it when other people "dump" his ass like YJ did without explanation. He wasn't clear with what he wants and seems to me that he enjoys getting a rise out of people. This maybe his idea of a joke, but YJ looks like he needed assurance of his partner's feelings. And with the way MG seems indifferent, I could see where YJ may have misunderstood MG's disinterest in him.

All I see is MG being a shit disturber; he wants his ego flattered and gets upset when he gets misunderstood when he didn't want to even say anything. He twists his words, agreeing on one hand that he was only at the flirting stage with YJ in the past and not really dating, while later says to SM that he was in a relationship with YJ and didn't even know why they broke up. How could they even break up when they claimed they were not technically together?

I was already miffed at MG when he seemed bored out of his mind when YJ was talking. YJ was trying to sort things out but MG seems so blasé about the whole thing. It's no wonder that YJ thought that MG wasn't really into him if the person I'm interested just tunes me out when I'm talking.

Yet MG still follows YJ, to do what? To check out and make sure that YJ couldn't be happy with other people and questions YJ's feelings for Hanmin? I would be asking the same question as YJ: "What does he really want from YJ?" He's being given the opportunity to voice out his opinion bit he doesn't do so because he said he would be exposing his weakness if he does. He doesn't want to be vulnerable but he expects others to be. He thinks that YJ is controlling but MG is a master at gaslighting and that's even worse. Emotional manipulation ain't getting you any points from me. I mean I do like a classic rivals-to-lover's trope but this ain't it. I feel sorry for MS who seems to be really hung up on this guy.

Anyway, let's see how the show goes. As of today, my prediction since the first episode stands: Only endgame I see is Hanmin-YJ. The other couple that I thought would be together was Hwi and SM but for Hwi's sake, I hope not. SM seems to me that he wants his cake and eat it too. Hwi will just get hurt because SM is so wishy-washy. He tells Hwi that he wants to go on a date with him but later approaches JS to ask him out.

My advice to the lads if they're listening: take all this experience as a grain of salt. If it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger.

As of now, for Historical Chinese dramas: Mysterious Lotus Casebook, Who Rules the World, The Untamed and Word of Honor.

Agreed. I preferred "Exclusive Fairytale" much more, with the same Female lead. And the story is closer to Hidden Love, but it's the guy who fell first.

I really should look at the tags more carefully and ran when “Female Chases Male First” popped up. The high rating blinded me and my friends’ suggestions swayed me into giving this one a try. After watching the first episode, I was ready to drop it, but I didn’t since I did like the FL in “Exclusive Fairytale.” But as the story progressed, the more I got pissed because it gave me a serious case of ISWAK vibes, and I seriously dislike people (not just females) who don’t have the dignity and follow a guy around just because you saw him for like five seconds and decide that he is your forever after.

On top of all that, I hate the disparity of a clueless, clingy female chasing an apparently good-looking, smart guy who thinks he’s too cool to be with regular folks. Dropped, as this ain’t for me.