Useless Lies

Nothing amazing or unique about this romcom, but it's an enjoyable light watch with some crime elements and intrigue.

The show focuses on a woman with a superpower of being able to detect lies, which she makes a good living out of, but has affected her trust in the people in her life and she's isolated. She meets a man who is accused of a crime and similarly isolated, and hijinks ensue. It's a simple but interesting premise.

The main leads are likeable and both have well developed backstories. The show does a good job developing the plot at a decent pace, with some well written twists and turns. Everything comes full circle by the end, and whilst not a super deep emotional show, it does have some interesting concepts about lying, when and why people choose to do it and the particular effects it has on how the main character perceives the world and her relationships. The romance is cute and wholesome, and doesn't rely on tropes - the communication of all the characters is refreshingly honest which suits the theme.

Would recommend for a light watch, just enough problem solving and mystery to keep you interested, and pretty cute and fluffy as a romcom should be.

Romantic K-drama that brings viewers into a world of love, deceit, and the complexities of human relationships. While the series has its strengths, it's important to acknowledge that there's room for improvement, particularly in the portrayal of the male lead, Hwan Min Hyun. However, amidst these challenges, Seo Ji Hoon shines brilliantly as the second male lead, stealing the spotlight with his exceptional acting and emotional depth.

Hwan Min Hyun, cast as the male lead, unfortunately, falls short of expectations. His acting, while possessing some charm, is found lacking in depth. One noticeable aspect is the limited range of facial expressions he brings to his character. This lack of emotional diversity makes it difficult for viewers to fully connect with his portrayal. In a romantic drama, it's crucial for the male lead to convey a wide spectrum of emotions to establish a strong connection with the audience. In this regard, Min Hyun's performance leaves much to be desired.

In stark contrast, Seo Ji Hoon's portrayal of the second male lead is nothing short of remarkable. Ji Hoon infuses his character with extraordinary depth and authenticity. He masterfully navigates the emotional complexities of his character's tragic backstory, bringing every nuance of sadness, joy, and pain to life. Ji Hoon's immersive performance draws viewers into his character's world, making it impossible not to empathize with his struggles and triumphs.

The love triangle, a common trope in K-dramas, takes on a different dimension in Useless Lies. While some dramas may fall into the trap of predictability, this series manages to breathe new life into the trope. It's true that from the outset, it's evident that the second male lead won't have a chance with the female lead. However, Seo Ji Hoon's compelling performance adds depth to the storyline. His character's endearing yet heartbreaking journey serves to tug at the heartstrings of the audience in a way that feels genuine and emotionally resonant. While the outcome may be expected, the emotional journey of the characters keeps viewers invested and emotionally engaged.

The story is its own unique strength. In a landscape of K-dramas that often rely on familiar plotlines and clichés, this drama stands out with its originality. The central narrative revolves around complex characters and the web of deceit that surrounds them. While the story maintains its originality, it's worth noting that, as with many dramas, it becomes somewhat predictable as it unfolds. To elevate the series further, introducing more unexpected twists and turns in the later episodes could have maintained the intrigue and kept viewers on their toes.

The chemistry between the main couple is a vital factor in any romantic drama's success, and the drama doesn't disappoint much. The interactions between the female lead and the male lead, despite the challenges posed by Min Hyun's acting, carry a certain charm. Their moments of vulnerability and connection are touching, making it easy for viewers to root for their relationship. While Min Hyun's facial expressions may lack diversity, the chemistry between the leads helps compensate for this, drawing viewers into their emotional journey.

The drama commences on a strong note with comedy scenes that infuse humor and levity into the story. These early moments of humor effectively hook viewers with a smile. However, it's worth noting that as the story progresses, the comedic elements become less prominent. A sustained dose of humor throughout the series, especially in the later episodes, could have enriched the overall viewing experience and provided moments of light-heartedness amidst the emotional intensity.

In conclusion this is filled with heart and potential. While it may have its shortcomings, particularly in the portrayal of the male lead, it remains a compelling series that offers a fresh and original storyline. Seo Ji Hoon's exceptional acting elevates the drama, and the love triangle, though seemingly predictable, is made more poignant by his performance. With a commitment to refining its comedic elements and introducing unexpected plot twists, could have been even more exceptional. Nonetheless, it remains an entertaining and emotionally resonant drama that captures the complexities of love and deceit in a unique way, making it worth the watch.

I understand that people may have two different camps in seeing how Min Hyun's acting on screen but I strongly, i repeat, I STRONGLY, believe he delivers of what Do Ha/ Seung Ju is supposed to be as a character. His awkwardness but direct personality shines through his acting. He perfectly portrays how years of distrust actually shaped him as a person and that is why trust is really the currency that he responded to. So Min Hyun, if you ever come across to this comment section, believe us that YOU DID WELL!

The plot twist from Deuk Chan's motive is not really the best shot, it would be more intriguing if the pas GF was really killed herself and everyone was just doubtful of Seung Ju because of the circumstances and easily dismissed all of his background an track records. It is a hard situation and therefore really intriguing to explore.

But setting aside the above, kudos to the production team who breaks all the KDrama rom com trope that I did not like: Miscommunication between the leads!!

Kdrama romcom usually spends a lot of time just to make us frustrated of why the leads does not have an open and honest conversation and deals with it cool headed. They like to throw the typical trope - I love you so it's better for you to stay away from me, kind of thing which is so 2010 man.

Here they spent less than 2 episode of some quick truth checking and our main leads back on track without any presumption and annoying will they wont they thing which can easily drag the drama. That's how big trust and open communication are placed in the front and center theme of this drama.

Few more details that I love as decades long of a Kdrama fan here: They did not make the ML good at cooking! 😂 well he did his best but the thoughts and effort that counts! Not everyone has to be perfect! And the FL is so confident and far from a damsel in distress type of girl which I love.

I do figure some gaps in writing and my guess is bcs they added some details on the spot. It may be unpopular opinion, but I ADORE THAT APPROACH. It is so refreshing and that is what makes this drama extra special! How often you see the NG scenes are actually included in the final cuts, the casts and the director must have the same braincells that their humor works.

So again overall if you are looking for an easy breezy romcoms that will give you butterflies - and not the kind of I am a rich heir and therefore I am here with all my staff to save you kind of thing - go watch this! They really have the GREENEST relationship in a KDrama land where you both know you need each other and you placed trust and communication as bridge to keep the relationship healthy.

They promise us a romantic comedy with a dash of mistery, and sure thing they delivered it!

Drama had great potential but they didn't execute well. The main storyline was great but the supporting character's storyline was just there to occupy time for the episode. It felt like lazy writing to me. If they made the other character's plotline more relatable, it must've made the series more of a masterpiece than it already is. Other than that drama felt dragging after ep 7, if the episodes were cut down to 12 rather than 16 then really I'd be more satisfied. Regardless, the drama explores the point that the main characters had serious relationships before they met each other. It didn't hesitate to deliver the message that loving someone doesn't have to be your childhood crush or your first love. You can fall in love again, maybe with the right person. Also giving the message of communication is the key, don't assume things of your own both leads did that and faced big consequences. In the end, lying isn't a good thing but rather than just looking for honesty or truth, you should understand other people's perspective, which was my biggest takeaway from this show.

I'm actually very surprised how ratings go on most k-dramas and how some very good storylines are underrated. I immensely enjoyed the mystery throughout. I wasn't bored and found each character played well. The actors did a great job. Some dramas like family by choice, love next door are so overrated and the fact they have a higher rating truly upsets me. This k-drama deserves much love compared to a lot of others, that are hyped without any reason. I will totally recommend anyone to watch it. The fact that I could watch it in one sitting itself says it's a good plot. You cannot do it with most of the kdramas.