Wol Soo Geum Hwa Mok To (2022)

A fresh concept with lot of cute moments and angst!

Okay, hear me out first. I loved this show and I feel like I’m a minority view here, lol. But, I just couldn’t find much too hate.

I have actually not seen this concept before even once in a k-drama so that was the first selling point for me. I enjoyed how they handled the concept of a woman's agency to do whatever she wants, in this case make marriages/dating her career. While doing so they very nicely depict the kind of outlook Korean society has on such things where they start evaluating her mental health basis her work, harsh reality women in such situation face. Never have I seen such an evaluation for all the chaebol men who have 3 wives, often the age of their grand daughters, and 2-3 mistresses. Goes to show very beautifully just how patriarchal the Korean society still is. So that was probably one thing I enjoyed the most.

The second thing I absolutely loved was Kang Hae Jin. I can’t recall a character I’ve loved as much as I loved Kang Hae Jin. He's positive, a major green flag, respectful of the FL's wishes and also not vengeful like your usual second leads in most East-Asian dramas. Like, there are 2-3 episodes where he hangs onto her and tries his best, but once its absolutely clear to him who the FL chooses, he does not push her or use cheap tricks to make her his when he has numerous opportunities to do so (through their family, the lawyer who wants to do it, excuse of public image since he's an actor and she's selfless, etc.). The way he looks at her and thinks of her before doing anything has me swooning and I'm definitely looking for my own Kang Hae Jin now, possibly at he main character, lol. :P

I also enjoyed how PMY was her usual cheerful, bubbly and pretty self. They've shown her as this selfless, easygoing and perky woman that although seems impossible but is a dash of energy to this otherwise quite heavy show as we see the ML (and also the second lead) struggling with his personality a lot. The show is not dark in the sense of how we use that genre but like the feelings are so heavy that it feels like a layer of gray coating everything, so, PMY's character brings a dash of light to their everyday lives and conversations. Also just a side note, but she's still so pretty and wears such great clothes , I love it!

Lastly, Jung Ji Ho was a depiction of a real man and the problems one faces in life. My main issue here was that throughout the show nothing has been revealed as to what made him the way he is today. I know there were previous marriage issues but we don't know the issue or what he was feeling. Like, we don't know any relevant background to understand his character more. I enjoyed his blankness but it would've been better to know why he was being so. At first, this ambiguity put me off and I dropped this show for a year. Rewatched it and was able to get over this monotonous aspect thereafter. This might be a dealbreaker for many people.

Other than the leads, my favourite characters were of Gwang Nam and Mi Ho. What stellar acting. The relationship between Gwang Nam and Sang Eun is gold. I love how they support one another and stand up for each other. That is how we describe bond more genuine than even blood bonds. Absolute magic.

In the end, I would definitely recommend watching this show. It's been a really enjoyable and great watch for me.

Lire davantage

Uma boa comédia romantica

Love In contract conta a história de Choi Sang Eun (Min Young), uma especialista em casamento por contrato super talentosa que há anos presta serviços para homens que precisam apresentar uma esposa para amigos, família, etc, mas que por alguma razão não querem ou não conseguem estar em um relacionamento. A história começa quando a mesma decide se aposentar.
A personagem Choi Sang Eun não se envolve emocionalmente com nenhum de seus clientes e graças às suas habilidades - ela tem formação acadêmica em diversas áreas - consegue oferecer um serviço de ponta para cada um deles, e por isso é muito bem sucedida. Porém, Choi San Eun tem um cliente especial, um cliente fixo que ela atende todas as segundas, quartas e sextas, e sobre o qual ela não sabe absolutamente nada, pois há cinco anos, três vezes por semana, ela vai até sua casa para um jantar silencioso e nada mais.

Minha opinião: Acho que o dorama é bom para o que ele se propõe, ser uma comédia romântica leve que definitivamente não vai mudar a sua vida, mas é gostosinha de assistir. Eu sei que eu posso ser suspeita para falar, mas para mim a Park Min young foi a estrela e jóia desse dorama. Ninguém, nenhum personagem brilhou mais do que ela. Já vi inúmeros comentários por aí sobre como todas as personagens dela são parecidas com a Kim Mi So (Secretária Kim) - aliás, bem injustas, na minha opinião - mas eu desafio todo mundo que repete esse tipo de coisa a encontrar qualquer traço da secretária Kim nessa personagem. A Choi Sang Eun é segura de si, divertida, montada na grife, dança, é sua própria heroína e conseguiu fazer a sua própria vida sem precisar da ajuda de ninguém. E essa segurança e liberdade fica bastante clara nas expressões e movimentos da Min Young em cena.

Pontos altos:
O protagonista masculino é muito reservado e nos primeiros episódios é muito misterioso. Eu realmente gostei desse mistério em volta dele, achei uma pena terem resolvido isso logo nos primeiros episódio, acho que poderiam ter estendido um pouco mais essa parte, mas foi bom enquanto durou.
Bom, a história propõe uma tentativa de triângulo amoroso, eu chamo de tentativa porque os protagonistas principais já começam a história meio apaixonadinhos, lamento o possível fim do contrato. Para alguns é ruim, mas eu amei, porque pra começar a gente não corre o risco de shippar errado, é porque quando eu shippo dois participantes de um triângulo acho muito chato ter que ver uma das pessoas com outra (laudo médico: maluca).
O casal principal é MUITO fofinho, é muito gostosinho assistir a evolução deles. É aquele tipo de romance que você se apaixona junto.
A OST é ótima e combina bastante com a história. Sabe aquela OST que você adiciona as músicas na sua lista de favoritas e escuta até cansar? Essa é exatamente assim.
Os figurinos da Min Young são PERFEITOS. A gata só usa grife, e todos os lookinhos são muito estilosos, e dá até pra usar de inspiração.

Pontos fracos:
Já falei muitas vezes sobre a importância dos personagens secundários, certo? Pois nesse dorama eles são totalmente sem graça e nada envolventes, não geram nenhum apego. O que te mantém preso a história são só os protagonistas.
Achei o roteiro meio confuso. Até o episódio 10 tudo funciona e faz sentido, mas a partir daí eu achei que a história perdeu um pouco.
O protagonista masculino é broxante, principalmente depois do décimo episódio. Eu me perguntei várias vezes se o problema era o personagem ou o ator. O personagem tem uma enorme dificuldade em socializar, no começo eu até me perguntei se ela tinha alguma condição específica como ser neurotípico, mas como isso nunca foi abordado eu concluí que não. Mas o problema é que depois de um tempo o Jung Ji‑ho não desperta mais nada em você, só tédio. Isso me incomodou muito porque já vi diversos personagens com questões reais que foram capazes de despertar empatia e outras emoções, mas nesse caso não. Partindo disso eu assumo com o problema estava no ator que parecia uma porta.
Nos pontos altos eu mencionei que o casal principal é muito fofinho, e é mesmo. Acho que a produção soube elaborar cenas muito românticas, PORÉM, em alguns momentos o Go Kyung‑pyo parecia não saber o que estava fazendo. Eu até pensei que fosse falta de química, mas não acho que seja o caso, o cara só não tem pegada mesmo. Ou seja, as cenas românticas são boas, mas se fosse o Seo Joon ou Kim Jae Wook seriam cenas 10/10.

Considerações finais: É um bom doraminha para quem quer assistir algo leve e divertido se você não for com grande expectativas. O começo foi realmente empolgante e o final não é ruim. Queria que os personagens secundários fossem mais interessantes, mas acho que no fim da tudo certo, não sinto que perdi meu tempo assistindo, pelo contrário, foi bem divertido. E vocês, assistiram Love In contract? O que acharam?

Lire davantage

I don't think this is a bad drama as what others think. The drama is pretty solid with it's theme and also how it portrayed it's leads. The drama did get boring at the latter parts, since the climax part did not really have that impact that it suppose to give. As I get to the episodes one by one, I came to appreciate the drama and how it unfolds. I also appreciate that they wanted the characters to have a proper ending, almost significant character in the drama is given the spotlight in the end. One downside of the drama for me is the downfall of the excitement or the interest of the drama.
I like the main leads, their acting is great for me as a watcher. The chemistry is also there. I also like the OST. I think this is a pretty decent drama, and I would still recommend this one.

Lire davantage

QUESTO NON è UN ROMCOM

Dobbiamo partire dal presupposto che questa non è una commedia, ma una storia d'amore tra due personaggi estremamente diversi che combattono con i propri demoni. FL ha un passato turbolento e particolare che l'ha portata a scegliere un lavoro singolare. Un lavoro con cui cerca di aiutare chi ha bisogno del suo supporto, e che la porterà tra le "braccia" del coprotagonista, ma che anche la metterà sotto i riflettori. ML mi è piaciuto tantissimo, per la prima volta abbiamo un personaggio maschile che sì ha dei problemi personali e una back story brutta ma rimane fedele a se stesso per tutta la durata. E' un uomo timido, asociale, introverso, con un muro intorno a sè che esclude tutto il resto e a volte sembra proprio tonto. Però è anche questa sua particolarità a farmelo amare perchè diverso dal solito e la sua crescita all'interno del drama si vede ed è sempre più interessante. Ho apprezzato molto anche il migliore amico della protagonista e il fatto che ci sia dimostra anche quanto la corea del sud stia facendo passi avanti.
Apprezzato anche se meno degli altri personaggi, l'attore. Diciamo che su di lui potevano lavorare meglio soprattutto su alcuni elementi ma alla fine si fa piacere quindi va bene anche così.
Nel complesso come storia mi è piaciuta molto e non capisco come mai ci siano così tante recensioni negative a riguardo.

Lire davantage

Actually pretty good

I actually really enjoyed this drama and here's why:

1. I thought the character development was really nice. In the beginning, they didn't reveal too much about the characters, and as the show went on they slowly started to reveal more and more, especially for Jung Ji Ho and Yoo Mi Ho. In the first episode or so I was like "what is going on is this man going to kill her" like they really had me thinking that lol. Same applies for Yoo Mi Ho, she seemed like the villain in this story but by the end you see that she was trying her best (although she wasn't perfect obviously). Also with the FL and the ML, I know it's a little strange that she "fixed him", but the idea is that they grew as people together, which I think they executed well.

2. I liked the LGBTQ representation. They touched on topics of homophobia in the show, which is actually a real and present issue.

3. I thought that the chemistry between them was there, and I liked that they had already known each other for 5 years at least. A lot of times in Kdrama's they fall in love in like 3 months and I don't care if they have chemistry or whatever, you can't be obsessed with this person after only knowing them for a short time. I liked the FL's relationship with the second lead as well, and also HE'S SO HANDSOME both of the two main male leads are I just had to say that lol. The men in this show were green flags and I loved that, I'm tired of these toxic men not respecting women's boundaries.

4. I thought all the side characters were like-able and funny. They were all very relatable. I especially loved the senior manager and his wife, they were so cute and they supported Jung Ji Ho when no one else did.

This is not to say that there weren't issues with the show, because there definitely were, but for me it wasn't that serious of a show. I didn't have high expectations for it going in, and I just watched it because I wanted to see where it went. I thought it was an enjoyable show overall, just a cute and chill romcom.

Lire davantage

I don't usually write reviews especially this early but...

WOW! I'm really intrigued as to where they going to take this story because that first episode was amazing! The fact that the main lead is shrouded in mystery like that is amazing. I love the fact that neither the protagonist nor the viewers know anything about him. I'm happy that they didn't introduce the second male lead into her life on the first episode.

I wanna also mention the gay character in this show was presented organically, it was not forced. I'm proud of the writers who have been considerate of that aspect. He's just a good friend who happens to be gay instead of THE GAY BEST FRIEND trope.

Will update the review as the show goes on but I have incredibly high hopes and expectations for it (probably to my detriment).

Update EP8 : The mystery faded very quickly about the ML which is a bummer they could have played further with that.

FL has more chemistry with the second ML. Personally, I think Go Kyung Pyo's acting is mediocre at best. He always seems angry and discontent and his facial expressions barely change throughout. His very deep monotone voice is also getting on my nerves on occasion.

I wish they would do an expectation subversion and the FL would end up with the second ML it would be fun but alas 'tis but wishful thinking.

Lire davantage

An enjoyable watch with a unique premise for a rom-com.

I was all set to give this a 10 rating because(a) the characters were charming, the road to romance was unique and I really looked forward to watching each episode; (b) a happy ending was easy to predict; and (c) the main couple made it all the way through the show as a team w/out a break-up or noble idiocy.
Until the end of Ep. 15 where [SPOILER} Sang Eun (FL) apparently left and abandoned Ji-ho (ML). Ep. 16 tried to explain why she did it but it was incomprehensible (he was “too good” for her). So, a fairly well plotted romance with back-story intrigue and mystery fell flat in the last episode with a phony “break-up” that was strung out far too long. Ep. 16 was a mish-mash of disparate scenes and the final scenes were cute but the charm was missing.
Finally, can’t leave without saying that this is my first time watching Go Kyung Pyo but it won’t be the last – his portrayal of Ji-ho WAS charming throughout to the very last minute.

Lire davantage

funniest romcom of 2022

I’ve been waiting for this drama since I saw the cast. All of it is full of well recognizable names and with them alone it could’ve been bad. Some dramas tend to just have the right people, but that’s all they have going for it. This drama instead has the people , and has an unlimited amount of charm.

So far it’s doing well. It’s not getting boring even with the plot not being the most intricate. It’s really fun to watch because the characters are all so interesting, charismatic, likeable, good looking, it has it all. This show is so funny, the comedic timing is on point. It’s more with the acting and the facial expressions, but it isn’t overdone and is charmingly hilarious

It’s different to see Go Kyung Pyo in an acting role like this. His character is very mysterious and I love how they are handling that. It’s setting it up for him to be a murderer because of all the absurd things he does. Buying bleach and cleaning project did it for me, that was a very clever joke. I am watching Reply 1988 with Go Kyung Pyo being so nice and friendly, his acting is amazing in this because he’s not the same person at all. He is quiet in this, but man is he handsome.

Next we’ve got the second male lead, he is a gorgeous man. I really like his character too. He is an actor and isn’t too arrogant, he’s got the right amount of arrogance, wonder, curiosity. He’s a perfect counterpart when comparing to Ji Ho.Kim Jae Young is doing really well in this rom com, and I haven’t seen him in any before and know he had done his fair share of darker dramas. The versatility with him is amazing.

Now onto the main character. Park Min Young’s character is a million times better than hers in Forecasting Love and Weather. Sang Eun is so likeable, she’s hilarious and independent, love her outlook on life. I love that she just is ready to move on completely and move away. She’s admirable, and isn’t a selfish person. It’s amazing because in her other show she was a bit unlikeable, but that was the writing of her character there. Here she really is amazing with this genre and script.

I was pleasantly surprised with the representation of LGBTQ themes. Sang Eun’s roommate is a gay man who she divorced too out of her job (it’s the plot of the show). It breaks my heart why he had to marry her, but I’m glad they still are together as roommates. He is very fun as a character also and I’m glad that K Dramas are moving forward with these themes without being disrespectful.
What is lackluster is how they handled his character in the end.. honestly kind of an afterthought. Wish he would’ve gotten with someone with all the hints of him going to move to be happy.

It’s over the top with the premise, but it’s all in good fun. Don’t take it too seriously, enjoy yourself because I know I am

Lire davantage

Two Separate Dramas

I am a little late to the game with watching and reviewing this drama, but better late than never. I wanted sooo badly to love this, especially since I am a HUGE fan of Rachel Park and was waiting for her to come out with a new drama, but ultimately, this one was a bit of a flop.

I felt that I was watching two different dramas, but I also feel that what other top reviewers disliked/liked about this show, I felt the opposite. I couldn't get past the first half - I felt that it was overly cheesy and there wasn't a single actor that I was rooting for. I felt that San Eun had a very unique service that she provided, but didn't seem to understand the world and the people in it. She knew she was doing the right thing, but didn't understand consequence whatsoever. Ji Ho was portrayed as a wallflower and mysterious, where a good portion of the beginning, other characters thought he was this neighborhood murderer. We saw that he was going to "speech therapy" but more so for how to conversate with other people. And I hated how they never really explained why and how after finding this out. He was just awkward and shut other people out due to his upbringing and previous relationships. Then we have Hae Jin, who was the youngest son of the Kang conglomerate family, who "ran away," trying to make a life for himself as an actor as well as trying to find his first love.

In the first 8 episodes, it takes a while until we get to the point where Sang Eun signs a contract with both men - being the wife of Judge Ji Ho and helping him build work relationships with his co-workers AND being the hidden fiance of actor Hae Jin to help with his family trying to pressure him into marrying other daughters in high positions.

It was rough watching these first 8 episodes because right off the bat in ep one, we know that Sang Eun has a crush on Ji Ho, her fake husband of 5 years.. so we knew that was the end game. But what made it rough for me personally, was that in the first 8 eps, I knew Hae Jin's first love was Sang Eun, and I was more into him than Ji Ho.

Then we get to ep 9, and it felt that the script switched.

I found myself really liking Judge Ji Ho all because his character became this new person, who was talkative, straightforward, swoony, hilarious, and overall this cute inexperienced man. I felt myself falling for Hae Jin more and more, but ultimately ugly crying because I felt so bad for the guy in his love life, family life, and professional life. He went through soooo much character development, but at what cost? All the people around Sang Eun went through some development because of her and her love for each of them, but she herself didn't go through much change. I think she started to better understand how actions have consequences, but at the same time, even to the end, she refused to ask for help and always wanted to suffer alone and separate herself from people to do it. And it ultimately made me not super like her character... but at the same time, she did help a lot of people.

I very much enjoyed the second half of this drama, but at the same time, it really didn't have a strong plot and this HUGE situationship everyone was tied into because of Project Jamie, had such a simple and lame solution. Some of these side characters were about to throw away their lives and careers in order to solve this issue, but ultimately...and obviously that was something Jamie had to solve herself... in a VERY simple manner. I was like... that was disappointing. Did I miss something because of how she reacted after everything happened? Because it felt like a simple fix.

Usually, after a drama, I will look up an actor or two that I really enjoyed watching something else they were in... and I feel that the ONLY person that I truly enjoyed in this was Woo Gwang Nam. He was quirky, funny, sweet, and a solid best friend/brother character and I felt that his situation was the only one I could get behind / I think I ugly cried for him the most, almost tied with Hae Jin. I actually found myself very attracted to him when he became a bodyguard. I honestly think that I would LOVE to see a spin-off drama with him and Hae Jin finding love while working in their company. As long as Hae Jin isn't falling in love with his lawyer. HELL NO.

Lire davantage

Park Min Yeong doing what she does best

My first introduction to Park Min Yeong was in drama What's wrong with secretary Kim. That takes me back to my humble beginnings to Kdrama world. And we digressed.

Anyway, Love in Contract is a rom-com with serious issues thrown here and there. Those serious issues were sort of the down points for it. I mostly skipped serious parts of it as they as cliches as it can get. Barring these serious scenes this drama is pretty light rom-com with excels in execution of story.

Jung Ji Ho is a veteran judge who has been in contract relationship with Choi Sang Eun for 5 years. In their contract the only clause is to eat dinner and stare in silence. As time for expiry of this contract comes near, things start happening. And these things are the highlights of the show.

Kang Hae Jin is also in contract with Sang Eun started due to different motivations. Since, Sang Eun is in 2 contracts simultaneously, a love triangle (naturally) develops. The transition of phases of love triangle is handled very smoothly. Most love-triangle dramas fail in this aspect.

Episode 1-6 are best. 7-13 are okay. It fails in last 3 episodes. Nonetheless, it was an entertaining watch. Little let down in OST department.

If you are into any or all of these give it a try - Park Min Yeong, love-triangle, Go Kyung Kyo.

Lire davantage