Don't be fooled by this show's uninspiring premise: it is a total GEM! It somehow manages to take a number of improbable K-Drama plot features (fake dating, chaebol guy + normal, hardworking girl, complicated love triangles, horrible mother-in-law, etc.) and set them against a psychological backdrop to create a story that feels all too realistic. However, thanks to a liberal dose of comedy and a witty, engaging script, even the heavier moments never get too heavy.
Additionally, despite the familiar K-Drama elements, there was so much that felt new about this show. It was the first time I thought fake dating (in context) seemed reasonable. It was the first time I thought a love triangle was adorable (rather than a source of irritation or angst). It was the first time I thought that a love rival was truly admirable (rather than attractive but shallow). It was the first time I got to see a mother-in-law's ruthless behavior given such human and relatable context. And it was the first time I've seen a K-Drama female lead with not 2, but 3 overlapping romantic entanglements...yet somehow it never crossed my mind to find her annoying or wishy-washy.
While most of the cast aren't among the most popular Korean A-listers, they all played their parts to a T. I particularly have to give props to Han Groo. She was truly amazing in this role! When her character hurt, I could feel the wounds, and when she flipped out, I laughed my head off (and OMG, her spastic dancing is the best)! But most importantly, no matter the scene, she never ceased to be relatable. And that's probably the word I would use to sum up this film: relatable.
In summary, if you are looking for a fresh spin on the usual K-Drama standard, go for stories that are emotional and introspective but still upbeat, and enjoy watching characters discover themselves, I think you'll love this one. Highly Recommended!
ROMANCE RATING: * * * 8.5/10. This wasn't a bad show as far as physical romance goes, but the focus was definitely more on the mental/emotional aspects. HG and YWJ had excellent chemistry together, and there were 5+ kiss scenes, most of which were quite long and had plenty of emotional investment. As with many K-Dramas, the passion did take a bit of a backseat toward the end, however, even without the red-hot sexual tension I myself usually prefer, this show was still extremely rewarding!
