Wol Soo Geum Hwa Mok To (2022)

Lack of chemistry and unlikeable characters were the downfall for me

I was excited to see Park Min Young again, I've always thought that she was a good actress and I've enjoyed most of the things she's been in. Go Kyung Pyo, honestly, I'm on the fence about him. I've seen him shine in a couple of things, but he seems more like a second lead actor. He just doesn't have the charisma needed to be the main actor. However, the acting wasn't the problem, the story was, and the way the actors were written. I found that I couldn't root for any of the characters, so I was unable to invest totally in the story.

Park Min Young and her character - first, has she been ill? She did not look well in this show. She looked almost frail she was so thin. Add to that, there was no "spark" to her character. I didn't like her or her motivations.

Go Kyung Pyo and his character - I'll say again, he just doesn't have the magnetism to carry off a lead role, especially here. A lot of shows are throwing in socially awkward characters, which is fine, but I'm thinking he was on the spectrum somewhere? His flat affect, his mannerisms all led me to believe that which is fine, but he's no better at the end than he was at the beginning. I didn't see or feel any growth in either of the characters.

There was no chemistry between the two leads. Add to that, there was an inordinate amount of time where nothing was happening, too much staring without dialogue, and the storyline was weak.

For me, this was one I kept watching, hoping that it would get better, but it never did.

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Fraco - Weak

Tenho primeramente que te dizer que não espere muito desse drama, talvez com esse pensamento em mente você não fique muito desapontado.

A diferença entre o primeiro protagonista masculino e uma planta é quase nula, que as plantas me perdoem a expreção, ele simplesmente tinha a mesma expressão o drama todo, a quimica dele com a protagonista feminina era horrível também embora a história deles tenha sido interessante .

A protagonista feminina apesar de sabaer atuar bem nesse drama ela deixou a desejar.

Teve momentos engraçados e cativantes principalmente no inicio porém depois vai ficando cansativo.

Em fim é um drama mediano ou um pouco pior que isso, mais se você não for exigente serve para passar seu tempo.

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First I have to tell you don't expect too much from this drama, maybe with that thought in mind you won't be too disappointed.

The difference between the first male protagonist and a plant is almost nil, may the plants forgive the expression, he just had the same expression throughout the drama, his chemistry with the female protagonist was horrible too although their story was interesting.

The female protagonist despite knowing how to act well in this drama, she left something to be desired.

There were funny and captivating moments mainly at the beginning but then it gets tiring.

In the end it's an average drama or a little worse than that, but if you're not picky it's good to spend your time.

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A witches' brew that turned into banana milk

EDIT: My original review was a little rant after watching the first 12 episodes. I have since completed the series. The following is an edited version of my original review plus my final thoughts on the last 4 eps and the Show as a whole.

I start watching this show because of Park Min-young (PMY). I loved her in Secretary Kim and Her Private Life is one of my favourites. Her more recent projects have been a mixed bag.

The first few episodes got me excited. PMY was front and centre showcasing her many talents. The zany plot looks like fun! This could be the PMY starrer I've been waiting for.

However, after the promising start, the plot became quite makjang by mid way and got more so as the show progressed.
Part of the problem is that the FL is a martyr to everyone's cause except her own. She sometimes sends the wrong message to the wrong people unintentionally. She can be very straight talking or very obtuse depending on the script. No wonder we are perplexed by the hole she is digging for herself.

Madam Yoo is an opaque and unsettling character at this point. Her concept of identity and affection is totally warped. She ruined PMY’s life 13 years ago and she seems to be doing it again. It beggars one's mind when you consider the FL is 30 years old.

The 2ML is a man-child. An entitled, low EQ, ill adjusted top star. His idea of love is a crush which turned into an obsession. His earlier actions and behaviours made him unlikeable.

Parachuting the ML’s ex-wife into this witches' brew was the last thing we need. Even after ruining their marriage, she still thinks he has feelings for her, and they deserve a second chance.

I cringed when the Show drops moments of comedy in the midst of piled on angst and horrible machinations. There is an unpleasant and dissonant note to the script.

This is my impressions up to ep.12 and I was considering dropping the show.
Then ep.13 happened.

It is like the writer-nim had an epiphany and realised that the show is heading to story hell and hit the brakes. Within the span of several scenes, the Show has flipped on its axis and gone full rom-com again.

All the funny, sweet and swoon-y bits are back in the show. Almost all the characters are realigned. I don’t mean the usual redemption arc but a full rehabilitation. Madam Yoo became a caring but eccentric lady who was just misunderstood. The 2ML became an obedient son and a top business executive without a trace of his top star baggage. The ML’s ex is now his biggest supporter with no hard feelings. The list goes on. Even the main antagonist is bundled out of the way without making a fuss. It was as if nothing nasty ever happened and no serious repercussions to all concerned.

I’m happy that the OTP’s love line remained sweet and engaging. The ML is no longer deadpan and their growing love filled us with joy. Their skinship is heartfelt and swoon worthy. It won’t be a k-drama if we didn’t have a mini breakup but it didn’t last long and both characters grew from the experience.

The FL’s gay flatmate is sensible and sensitive. Unfortunately, he usually ended up being the punching bag. What really annoyed me though is that he is not allowed to be gay openly, he is in limbo. His sisters still harangue him and his parents considered him their failure. That is until they found out that he might become an idol singer. What kind of message is that? He is still living a lie. There is potential for greater harm to befall him once he is famous.

In the end, this Show is better than Forecast Love but the Show as a whole doesn't sit comfortably with me. The tonal shift and character rehabilitation later in the show was jarring. I’m glad that I didn’t drop the show, but it did leave me with a sour taste that is only partially remedied by the last few episodes and the sweet HEA ending.

As a fan of KMY, I loved her performance but as a jaded drama viewer I am disappointed. Her recent script choices is also concerning.

While the makjang plots took half the show to develop, they literally disappeared with the snap of a finger. Those plots were troubling and uncomfortable to watch but they were there for a reason . . . I hope. Am I short changed? It is good to end on a high note, but the path there feels inelegant and forced.

The production quality is high, but the number of PPL is also high which can be irritating. OST is good. I can’t sit through the whole show again but a swoon-y highlight reel would be nice.

I have increased the show's final score. :)

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Boring

Have to admit that I started it because of the actors and since I've seen some of their other work, I really expected a lot, but unfortunately it's boring, after episode 10, I started having issues to keep up with it and I'm still trying to finish it, but I feel like I'm wasting my time and honestly just finishing it out of commitment.

Main leads have no chemistry to be honest. Wouldn't recommend it or rewatch it.

I think the only thing that i joyed here were the coworkers at the courthouse and the roomie, I really loved him and felt bad for him, because that friendship is so one-sided, but anyways I give it a 5.

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It’ll pass the time…

Look, it’s not that this drama is bad it’s just really not that good. If you’re in a lacklustre mood and want to curl up on the sofa in your jarmies and stuff your face with chocolate whilst lamenting the state of your work life, then this show might be a sucky blanket to help you through the week.

To describe this as a comedy is not really accurate. Yes there are a few smile moments, but this is a romantic drama with a classic romcom set-up that takes itself seriously. And that is both its strength and unfortunately its weakness.

The script isn’t quite up to delivering the impact which the story demands. It’s sitting on an edge of seriousness but trying to keep itself light. It’s not sure whether it’s a drama or a romance and consequently the more serious themes sit uncomfortably with the sometimes superficial and cliché dialogue. It really wants to explore the characters but doesn’t have sufficient skill or gravity to give them the required depth and it turns into a long drawn out inching forward.

Although the Single Life Helper starting point was original and interesting, the plot gets caught up in trying to make the standard chaebol arranged marriage theme fit with it and it doesn’t quite work. You could see the plot twists in episode 13 from 15 episodes previously and there is also insufficient plot to give the story dynamic impetus.

The antagonists are stereotypical and not carefully enough drawn, with a single mode of operation that conveniently causes trouble. Neither are they important enough to have any real impact. For most of the drama they hang around like flies, creating an annoying buzz and then get unconvincingly swatted at the end.

There are three ok leads, but they could have been better given more in the script. The best performance came from Kim Jae Young as Kang Hae Jin, who had the most opportunity to create a rounded character. Park Min Young dusted off her acting skills again and displayed a little of her talent but nothing outstanding and she was beaten in the showing-credible-emotions stakes by Jin Kyung as Ji Mi Ho. I’ve seen better performances from Go Kyung Pyo who tried to do something with his character, but acting the classic buttoned-up ML is always a challenge. (My vote for the best rendition of this character type goes to So Ji Sub in “The Master’s Sun”.) Kang Hyun Suk was the best of the supporting cast with a lovable performance as Woo Gwang Nam.

What my rating means: 7+ A watchable drama, but nothing exceptional. Good enough to qualify for the race, but finished with the pack. The sort of thing that promises more than it delivers.

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Why make it so complicated?

I will never understand why Korean writers are so obsessed over adding so many external conflicts to every drama ever, while also making them so over the top and not relatable for the majority of their audience. Love in Contract is a rom-com, not a business politics drama, we do not need this much focus, or even any focus on the shenanigans of the chaebols.

I honestly think removing the whole aspect of the “rich elites” from this show and making it at best 12 episodes long would vastly improve the quality. The whole second half was just a dramatic mess. All the important bits about learning how to rely on others, trust them, move on from past traumas, heal, find your own dreams and goals - drowned in the pool of misogynist powerful men and overprotective mothers.

That said, the first half of the drama was a blast to watch. Choi Sang Eun is a great female lead with a strong personality, clear views that impact her behavior, but also a solid dose of insecurities that we get to explore as the drama progresses. Jung Ji Ho, being one of the most unique male leads in dramaland, had some of the most solid character developments - improving his communication skills, creating social connections, improving his understanding of other people’s views and perspectives, while still keeping the core of his persona true.

Out of all the supporting characters, I for sure enjoyed Jung Ji Eun the most. Appreciated her understanding nature and willingness to improve and not just be a menace to the main couple. And it would be a crime not to mention Woo Gwang Nam. I have to say, that’s honestly a solid representation - a character that is gay, but his whole existence, personality, internal and external conflict do not only resolve around his sexuality. He was neither comedic relief, nor the typical tortured soul. Easily the most complex and well established supporting character this drama had to offer.

Would be lying if I said I was impressed by any of the performances, since I feel I have seen similar characters from these actors in their previous roles. I’d even say it’s impressive how type-cast the drama was.

I have little to nothing to say about the production value. There was nothing bad, nor outstanding about the directing, editing, soundtrack, set design. Sure, the female lead’s outfits were amazing, but that’s not enough for me to praise the overall quality.

Overall, the show was simply basic. It had great moments, nice supporting characters, but when it’s surrounded by mediocrity, I question if it’s worth watching the whole show for scraps.

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It's quite messy and frustrating but there are merits to it

Choi Sang Eun (Park Min Young) has a unique job as a single-life helper: where she contracts herself to be a wife. She is a master at adapting herself both to her clients and the situation she needs to be in. After 10 years, she decided to retire and leave the country. She easily ends all contracts except for one long-term client, Jung Ji Ho (Go Kyung Pyo), who she’s been visiting every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for dinner together. Will she be able to end her contract with him and cut ties with no feelings?

I appreciated how quickly I got invested in the characters and the story from the first episode. Then I found out that the story wasn't all fluffy romcom, it has an unsettling dark mystery surrounding Sang Eun's past. Someone was also being portrayed to be potentially dangerous, but it was obvious that it's a red herring. Those twists gave an unpleasant and dissonant note, so I put it on-hold for months before being convinced by a friend that it gets better...

So I came back to give it a second chance, mainly for our stoic, awkward and endearing Ji Ho, I like that his speeches are really on point! I also like how his companionship developed, I even like how the love triangle played out. Both Go Kyung Pyo and Park Min Young were very well casted in their roles and I love their chemistry. Their relationship is one of the healthiests and their growth together was great. That being said, I never like the messy family story, uninteresting and too dramatic. I also disagree on some characters’ redemption and some did not getting what they deserved. So whether I like the drama overall, is questionable XD. I guess the romance and Go Kyung Pyo makes it worth watching!

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Meh.

The only good thing about the show is the dynamics between the leads. The plot of the story is pretty much nonexistent and survives on cliches. It gets dragged after a point, such shows would do better with 8-12 episodes max, but the writers drag it until 16. The SML is super annoying throughout, all he does is hinder the FL. And even the kiss that he initiates when she’s drunk which she ends up for apologising was ridiculous. I want to see PMY in a good drama, but I guess this was definitely better than her previous drama. There were some good comedy scenes, but for most part it falls short.

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Disappointed....

Some people might not agree, but this turned out to be a disappointing drama for me.

I had been waiting for a new drama worth watching from Park Min Young but like Forecasting Weather, I ended up dropping this one as well. (is it just me or does Park Min Young look haggard and old in this drama?)

The plot is actually absurd. Yes, she has a job acting as wife and girlfriend for men; and by doing so, people she came into contact with are bound to know of her. The INA group angle where she was being groomed to be a chaebol's wife is also weird.

The only moments worth mentioning are her interaction with the ML, Go Kyung Pyo. It would have been nice if the story focused on them more.

Hopefully, she makes a new drama just as interesting as Secretary Kim

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Disappointing script

I love the leads in many of their roles, so I was excited to see the pairing in this promising drama.
No fault to the acting but the script is too absurd.
Matched up with some overly annoying support characters like the Madam Yoo , the ex wife of ML, the Mother of 2nd ML, Female office worker.... it was really hard to watch.
The plot of raising an orphan child bride just served no purpose.
Then pops in the ex wife adding to the annoyingness of the whole story

The few parts I did enjoy:
ML's character in general. His awkwardness and comments in the beginning episodes were hilarious. The more awkward he got the more FL finds him cute.
Gay roommate/BFF/BF/Husband. His character is the most lovable.
Pretty much those are the only factors why I continued with the drama.

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Wasted potential

This drama had a superb first half - I was hooked the moment I started, and waiting for the next episodes gave my life purpose. The first half had all the elements that promised a classic, even with the occasional detour into heavy territory. (Let’s just say I watched Ep 6 five times.)

But it had to take the melo route and blow up into a hot mess before ending with a whimper. Eps 10 onwards were wildly uneven and weak. Examples include the strange decision to centre the drama’s plot around the 2ML at one point and excessive makjang that no viewer cared for. We’re supposed to believe the FL is a strong lead but it seemed like she was just responding to events most of the time, rather than having any agency in them. The ending was satisfactory but underdeveloped.

Looking back even the main couple’s romance disappointed me somewhat considering the expectations it had built. Many moments were merely spent on them staring at each other lovingly (which is fine) but they underdelivered on the sexual tension. If they had eliminated all that makjang there could be so much more that they could’ve done together. That being said their relationship is one of the healthiest you’ll find in kdramaland and their growth together was great.

The show’s saving grace is really Ji-ho. Oh Ji-ho, Ji-ho, Ji-ho… I did not know it was possible to love a character so much. I joined MDL for him (check out my username). I made stickers of him. He single-handedly defined my ideal type. He is the greenest flag. He is everything. I can’t go back to childish male leads anymore after this.

The cast was fantastic. The breakout star is indisputably Go Kyung-pyo. His acting is phenomenal down to the micro-expressions. He managed to make a stoic character funny, sexy, and complicated all at once. Kang Hyung-seok is a close second with Gwang-nam, who stole every scene despite his disappointing plotline. Park Min-young, Kim Jae-young, and Jin Kyung also did great with whatever they had. The actors who played Ji-ho’s colleagues were hilarious.

Despite all my criticisms I’m still giving this a 7.5 because I love Ji-ho too much to be rational about this. And I did have a lot of fun chasing it. I guess I’m like him after all. <3

tl;dr worth watching if you fast-forward all the scenes with Kang Hae-jin and the makjang. Then you’ll get the best of both worlds: a shorter drama and a fun romance.

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