Marriage Contract (2016)

Tell your heart to buckle up for this one!

Started watching Marriage Contract as a filler in between Reborn Rich and Summer Strike episodes.
I'll start with the negatives!
1. Lee Seo Jin's character's family on his father's side are THE WORST!! I just wanted someone to kick the dad and brother in the nuts!
2. BMW badges are missing for half the series. Nitpicking here, but it's probably the easiest car brand to identify.

OK, now that's out of the way - on to the positives. This was a rollercoaster of emotions and if you like that kind of thing, then please watch it. I does have a bit of a daytime soap feel but unlike something like Young Lady and Gentleman, it's only 16 episodes and the production value stays consistent throughout.
The real stand out was the girl who plays the daughter, Eun Sung - an incredible actor. I was really impressed with Uee and having not watched anything with her or Lee Seo Jin before, I'd be tempted to watch some of their other work following this.
The main characters have a real developmental arc which makes you get sucked into the emotions and really feel for our leed, Uee. Like I said if you like that (and getting your heart ripped out and put back again) then watch this drama. I stuck it on 1.5x speed and binged it in a few days.

Lire davantage

This drama is a special gem and one of the best Korean dramas ever crafted. This drama has something other Korean dramas lack, and it is that heart warming quality. The characters are very genuine, and have things to lose unlike a lot of shallow surfaced romantic dramas. In no point does this drama drag; yes, it follows all the cliches but put its own spin on it and makes them genuine to the point where they're fresh. Marriage Contact will steal your heart, by how cute and loving the characters are in this drama. For a drama about tragic situations, its probably the happiest/cutest drama I have ever seen; however, don't worry, there are moments that want to make you cry!

A More In Depth Review:
From a filmmaking stand point, this drama makes me love it more. There is a distinct color scheme (try to figure out what it is!), the lighting is beautifully done, THE SCORE!!, scenes are writing to reveal genuine themes (no pandering!), and the editing is also extremely effective as it utilize moments of silence and it also doesn't cut away at the most rawest moments of the characters.
Speaking of characters, the main actors freaking nailed it! This drama is beautifully acted, and I feel as though this drama was truly Uee's baby! She portrays a role I have never seen her in and really meets its challenge! When I previously stated this drama not cutting away on the character's rawest moments, it's usually Uee's character, Kang Hye Soo. Lee Seo jin did fantastic as well but lets be honest the real star is that cute little girl, Sin Rin Ah that plays Uee's daughter in the drama, who gives Marriage Contract this heart warming quality. Very fine acting from supporting cast as well.
One critique about this drama is the end, which ends abruptly and with a cheap voice over; however, it is still a great end as the main character's goals are met with and every character have their own resolution that is meaningful, psychically and emotionally. There are no lose ends.
Another critique is that I wish they explored some character's relationship a little more, the ones I mean are Ji Hoon's mother and her brother; also Ji hoon and So Na Yoon's relationship. They go into them quite briefly and that is why the character development of Ji Hoon's Uncle and Na Yoon's are so sudden and leave's you going 'wait how did they come to that resolution?' so abruptly. However for me personally I like that there wasn't that much of a focus on Na Yoon, as no one likes to hate the second leads because they steal too much spotlight from the main characters (which Na Yoon doesn't!). There is absolutely no second lead syndrome here, another reason why I love this drama!
Overall a 10/10 (which is high as I usually drop Kdramas at episode 7 as they tend to drag on, but not this one!)

Lire davantage

Scrivo questa recensione dopo ben tre mesi dall'aver visto il drama perché avevo bisogno di tempo per metabolizzare il tutto. Forse la storia non è del tutto originale, ma ciò che questi attori hanno trasmesso è qualcosa di pazzesco. Non è un argomento facile quello della malattia, però nell'insieme il drama risulta per certi versi leggero e divertente e per altri strappalacrime e intenso. Volevo entrare nello schermo e abbracciare i protagonisti.
Ho versato lacrime in ogni singolo episodio, ma sono riuscita ad arrivare alla fine. Non so se farò mai un rewatch perché è comunque un drama un po triste ma lo consiglio a chi cerca una storia romantica, di speranza e di rivincita.

Lire davantage

I never binge watch dramas in one day and I readily drop them if I don't like any of the actors or where the story is going. With this drama, I binged watched all the episodes in one night and couldn't stop. This should tell you a little bit about how special this drama is. to me.

I knew Marriage Contract was worth watching based on the rave reviews I found online but it exceeded my expectations. The main thing that makes it special in my eyes is the chemistry between Hye Soo and Ji Hoon and not to mention the performance of Eun Sung. Although there were some typical Kdrama machinations (I especially disliked the chairman's useless legitimate son), I loved how Ji Hoon slowly fell for Hye Soo and Eun Sung (and vice versa!). It was a delight seeing them as a "family." They fit perfectly together.

Fair warning to all: I had to have a box of tissues beside me as I watched this. Hye Soo's breakdowns and carefully concealed tears at her life going up in flames and her not being able to be there for those she loves me tear up. The relationship between Ji Hoon and Hye Soo in the last 6 episodes is especially touching. I have an aunt who recently died of cancer, so death and saying goodbye is still a raw subject for me.

Lire davantage

This is favourite drama of year 2016 without a doubt together with Signal. The story is very engaging from first episode until the last episode and I thought the writer did a very good job in telling the story of a contract marriage that eventually turn into love and how that love effects everyone around them.

Lee Seo Jin has always been one of my favourite actors. And he reminds me again and again in this drama how good he is in emotional scenes. I always love his speaking voice and even when he’s jerk, I find myself rewinding his scenes just to hear his voice lol. And UEE really outdid herself in this role – I thought she is really amazing. It seemed like she truly become Hye Soo and completely transformed herself into the character by the time the drama reached the end. And the girl who played UEE’s daughter in the drama is so cute! I thought how that little body can cry so well? I’m very impressed.

And the chemistry between Lee Seo Jin & UEE is just magnificent. They really look like a couple and all their heartbreaking scenes are very good. I find myself keep watching the last 2 episodes over and over again since it is full of their scenes together. And the scene where UEE sit on the floor after she burnt her hand while cooking is just very well done.

I give this drama 9/10. The leads are beyond awesome and I love the story, acting, pacing, editing, directing, basically everything. The ratings were great and it really shows in the drama.

Lire davantage

Pulls the heartstrings!

First off... if you are not wanting a tear jerker with almost every episode, don’t watch this show. I am not one to watch them much but for some reason I had to see what this was all about. It was not what I expected but it was a really good show.
I marked “rewatch” down some because I would personally not watch it often because it is a sad heartwarming show. I do like that it teaches us that money and power is not everything. Love and family is.❤️

Storyline - well written and well acted.
The father is a jerk! I felt bad for him because, even up to the end, he still could not see past his money! Even after his entire family left him. I really REALLY wanted to beat him to death when he told the FL to take all responsibility for the contract and organ issue! He told her she was going to die anyway so just do it! I really hated him then and realized he was not going to change even in the end!
This story was kind of close to my heart in the fact that she had a brain tumor. Been there, done that, and deal with it everyday of my life. I am thankful mine was operable. So I can relate to the FL. I think she did an awesome job. And I love that the ML stuck by her no matter what anyone said! I also am thankful it was a somewhat happy ending in that they did not show her dying. They left it up to us to imagine how long they were together. It ended just right.

Acting/Cast - I have seen Kim Yong Gun in many dramas. He really pulls off his acting for a mean guy lol. He did a great job making me hate him!? The ML and FL did an awesome job in their roles. They had me crying half the time.

Music - was really good. Hope I can find it to listen to.

Rewatch - when I want a tear jerker, then yes! I would watch it again. It is good enough to see at least once. Just make sure you have a box of tissue handy.?

Lire davantage

Seen this drama more than twice. very touching, i laugh, cried all in all best drama hands down. the lead actress did what she was paid to do, in all her drama that i have seen this is her best. The emotional and the love of a mother keep me coming back to watch again. the writer did a great job in writing this drama. The story really touches your ????.. the little girl actress is so cute and she really can act..no wonder this drama won many awards.. until the ending, I was hoping there was a cure for her cancer..
The underlying message of this drama is that money and fame are meaningless when it comes to attaining happiness, and love is the only salvation for people.

Lire davantage

Not bad drama overall, would be so much better without his brother, his character was insignificant and had 0 impact on the story imo, was just an annoying manchild didn't even feel like an actual bad guy.

This drama would have felt way better as a 3 hours movie I think, the story was super stretched it felt like only one event happened per episode (1h), with all that stretching the ending was unsatisfying, bad people not punished enough.

I loved the cast and how much feelings they convey with their silent eyes, especially Uee, new fan! The daughter was super cute and smart too.

All in all I think I would have rated this drama 10/10 if the manchild brother didn't exist and they could have wrapped the story in 8 episodes.

Lire davantage

Muito além do clichê, esse dorama é sobre cura

Desavisada! Foi assim que comecei esse drama, não sabia o que me esperava, mirei em um clichê e ganhei uma baita lição de vida.
A primeira parte do drama é o que se espera, o desenrolar de um homem duro por fora e sensível por dentro, a lealdade do prota é admirável, fiel aos seus é a pessoa que não estar sempre perto mas presente quando precisa apesar de tudo. Da prota sensível e resiliente eu só posso falar: Alguém salve essa mulher!!!
Uma criança fofa e uma história comovente.
Um clichê que foge ao padrão, existe? Assiste e confira.
Recomendo fortemente que assista, não desista e se prepara para grandes emoções.

Lire davantage

Este drama não foi nada do que eu esperava e por isto conseguiu me surpreender com quão sem graça foi.

O drama é tão morno e sem sal que foi incrível eu ter conseguido terminá-lo. O roteiro é fraco e a atuação da Uee não convence em momento algum. Este é o quarto drama que assisto com ela e posso dizer que não gosto da atuação dela. Ela não transmite emoção, não consegue se expressar está sempre com semblante fechado, ela é muito sem graça e nunca tem química com seus parceiros. Não sei porque insistem em colocá-la em dramas onde ela precisa contracenar como um casal, não sei se ela é casada ou simplesmente não gosta dos atores com quem contracena mas ela é muito séria e não convence em cenas "românticas" onde exige um pouco mais de contato físico.

Voltando ao drama... a história não cresce, fica na mesma a história toda. Sim, eu sei que não é uma história feliz, mas já vi muitos filmes com esta mesma premissa que foram realmente dramáticos e nenhum foi tão morno como este. Um drama sem emoção, com protagonistas fracos e com uma história extremamente parada, este drama não era para mim.

Enfim, não vou me prolongar mais pois este drama realmente não compensa uma longa resenha.

Lire davantage