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That darn door keeps chirping!
This is unexpected. It's a rom-com supremacy. I'm so glad that I started the series and ignored the naysayers about the show (the so called moral polices and judge virtues). I was drawn to it mostly because of Han Ji-hyun and thankfully just by 2 episodes, its enough to say that this series looks strong and promising. Looking forward to the upcoming episodes, especially to that darn door's chirping.Story
Pretty interesting take on encouraging marriage in our society. This is a not-so-typical marriage-contract setup between a head-strong heroin and a kind-hearted-angelic hero. The vibes in this one are super duper fun and so unserious, making it a joyful ride. It's like a box of chocolates, you'll never guess of what's coming and as of now I'm having a blast with their reality versus expectation scenes. Yes, keep em coming.
The introduction of the main couple is intriguing. Love, love, love with the animated graphics/ titles on certain scenes that help to amplify the antics of each character. What makes it stand out even more is the clash/ contrast of both leads which I find pretty unique on its own. The dynamics of the relationship is unexpectedly natural and exciting. Added with a stellar supporting casts whom I thought were also really appealing but doesn't feel overshadowing the main couple. Each of them was introduced subtly but made an impact, causing me wanted to see more of them.
Big kudos to the writer, it's been a while since I'm being impatient waiting for new episodes in each week and wished that I could get more than just 12. Although the story may seem unserious, the writer manages to highlight heavy issues like cyberbullying, domestic abuse/ neglect, office discrimination, to name a few. It's amazing that the writer is able to take us on cloud 9 with it's romance, whack us with it's humour and educate/remind us at the same time.
But I have to give the highest credit to the director and the visual/sound editing team, for every little detail in every scene coz their effects are totally working and amplifying the storytelling. And not to mention that convenience store's door, it never fails to annoy me every time.
Cast
Main Couple
Shin Min-ah is brilliant as Hae-young, a daughter who grew up yearning for her mother's attention from her foster siblings. The show starts with her upbringing, serving as an explanation as to how and why she is what she is now. Hae-young's character isn't likeable/lovable to begin with. She is driven about what she wants and calculating that she won't lose out in anything whether in her career or relationship. Her biggest flaw is her lack of empathy towards other people. What she understands are purely based on her own observation and life experience, shaped from her parent's lack of attention, thus making her insecure/ incapable of trust to others. She is confident in her own assumption, and sets out her goal as the most beneficial to her; and to other people, regardless of how she makes them feel or how they perceived her. In other words she seems like a selfish/ greedy/ calculative/ heartless person. But underneath it all, she is actually warm and kind in her own twisted unique way. Her strength lies in her confidence, as she is willing to do her best in any sort of situation. For example, when she was fake-dating or when she decides if she is going to be a criminal, might as well do it all out. Unbeknownst to her, such action is actually a mirror to what her mother's deed all along. Although she might not be as angelic as her mother, they share the same values/ principles in life. We can see her growth and her kind nature slowly emerge in a subtle way. Amazingly SMA was able to make an unlikely likeable character to be relatable and it made me adore her even more.
Kim Young-dae as Ji-uk really rose to the occasion in this setup as his comedic timing is so spot on. I'm sold at his portrayal of this angelic-persona as a good samaritan. I just love his witty exchange with Hae-young, creating lots of embarrassing moments that she wishes she could erased. Ji-uk stands on the opposite end of Hae-young's calculative nature spectrum. He is an angelic figure, shaped from his upbringing of not having a normal parents. He was raised thinking that his existence is pointless; a curse instead of a blessing, and he lived his life as an act of service to the community, just to fill his void (his sense of belonging). The same innocent intent as to what he had promised to Hae-young's mom; my guess is for him to look out for Hae-young. He was her secret guardian, working at the convenience store nearby as a covert just to keep an eye untill she got married and settled down, and IRONICALLY, he got married to her instead. He couldn't bear the thought of Hae-young being married to anyone else under those contract/ fake circumstances. So in order to honour his promise, he'll be her groom instead to reassure himself that she'll be in good hands. It brings me back to what Ji-uk's grandma had said earlier; "Whatever you said, is bound to happen later on". It implies that you'll do whatever your heart desires the most, which in Ji-uk's case, a family. A family which doesn't mean perfection; a family which is a home, a sense of belonging thus making his existence matter.
Their chemistry is naturally amazing as both leads initially disliked each other; and each time both of them learn something new about each other, the sense of awe sparks their curiosity and eventually care. So how did they fall in love? Well, opposite does attract. And what solidifies their relationship is the trust that they have build up steadily throughout the course of their time together. Ji-uk is able to love Hae-young unconditionally, knowing her nature for not being in a self-destruct relationship. Thus eliminating his biggest fear of ruining other people's life. As for Hae-young, she is able to love Ji-uk freely as he is an independent, kind hearted person who always does things without any need of reciprocating, defeating her biggest fear of losing out. The two complete the puzzle, no matter how disjointed it may seem to others.
I just love watching them grow fond and be comfortable around each other. The push and pull effects with this couple is sizzling. SMA being maturely expressive somehow matches up with KYD's shy-aloofness. I'm not saying KYD is super-great but he's not all bad either. It works. Why? Because as of now I'm all giddy, anxious and excited to see their development. (Fake marriage/office romance trope, here we go!)
Second Couple
Han Ji-hyun is an amazing actress. A room lights (steams) up whenever she is around. She plays Nam Ja-yeon/ Yeon Bo-ra, a +19 web-novel writer who lives with Hae-young. She is the glue that hold Hae-young and Ms Cha together if any sibling bickerings or fight breaks out. Her easy-going persona shines as this innocent looking person who likes to gain opinions/ life experiences from others, as expected for her being a writer. And judging by her comic reaction from seeing her high-school crush/ muse, it's going to be a bumpy rollercoaster for sure.
Lee Sang-yi as the insecure CEO Bok Gyu-hun is marvellously funny and charming. His brief intro with his family are amusing as it alternates from seriousness to opposite naturally. And then he pairs up with Yeo Ha-jun, his reluctant secretary play by Lee Yoo-Jin, forming a chaotic dynamic duo that will keep us entertain till the end. Their chemistry and interactions with each other never fail to make me laugh and I look forward to whatever turmoil coming their way.
The second couple (Ja-yeon and Gyu-hun) only started to cross path in episode 4, thus their chemistry is still a work in progress BUT it's brewing steadily. Chaos will definitely ensues as both entangled in a lawsuit-battle-identity-crisis. (Enemy turn to lover/redemption arc trope, here we go!)
*Note : I'm not so keen on romancing cyberbullying, but I love to see how the storm subsided. So please be kind to others ^__^
Other Cast (Overall)
Omg where do I start? Coz all of them are amazing.
Ms Cha - Love her deep tone voice and as the third sister, she is the normal one that keeps the other two sisters (Hae-young and Ja-Yeon) on the ground.
Kkulbee Education staffs - Pretty solid, fun and entertaining. Big kudos to Ms Gong, never have I like a nosy co-worker with lovely comical expressions. Even Hae-young's two-timing ex-boyfriend, who I anticipate to see his downfall. It's never going to be a dull moment in that office.
Gyu-hyun's parents - Intriguingly funny. Their dynamics although was shown briefly, is enough to set the tone of how interesting the progression will be.
3 Favourite Scenes (so far)... too many to choose from >___<
1) Ji-uk sits and offers a cigarette to Hae-young quietly.
2) The fake convenience store marriage proposal; including the jelly ring.
3) Their wedding night, when Ji-uk opens up about his mother; and the hand (with rings) placement part.. the fluttering was insane.
3+1) Ji-uk confession at the 'family' dinner table and the chaos that follows. (Including the morning after LOL)
Music
Again. Kudos to the sound director/ editing team. They did an awesome job to match and amplify the effects of a joyful storytelling. As for the OST;
1. Possible Love - Sondia
2. Someday - Kassy (my fav)
3. Weathering on My Side - Hui (Intro)
4. Falling Into You - Kim Jae-hwan (my fav)
5.
6.
As usual, should I rewatch it as a whole?
YES. Even if the show could crash and burn, I still have that annoying door to go back to.
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we need more rom coms like this
Viewers comments"this drama is the definition of cliches done right"
"contains the perfect balance of ROMANCE and COMEDY"
"The best romcom since business proposal"
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This entails the story of a woman who doesn’t take NO for answer. She HATES wasting time and she’s going to find a way to get what she wants. She realises that in order for her to truly achieve her goals and ambitions, she has to be a married woman.
This drama depicts the world of corporate Korea as a place that only hands women benefits and opportunities if they are married to a man. It addresses the misogyny of the workplace while, of course, doing it in a comedic way.
The female lead grabs the first suitable man she can find, who turns out to be the cashier in a convenience store. But, is there more to him?
1. Plot/Storyline: 9/10
The story line had the potential to be an absolute disaster. I mean a fake marriage? This could have gone downhill really fast, especially because it’s a popular trope in the romance world. However, this is where the writers/producers vision really comes to light. They executed this perfectly. From the lines, to the sound effects, each scene was crafted to perfection.
2. Acting Performance: 9.5/10
I honestly thought that the pairing of this ml and fl may have been award. But they have insane chemistry. I think it’s safe to say the male lead was made for romcoms.
The side characters, such as the female leads younger sister also really know how to portray emotional depth. Key emotions such as "betrayal" and "sadness" were expressed almost to perfection.
3. Direction: 8.5/10
Although you can half expect what direction the story line will take most of the time, it depart bore you. It makes you wait in anticipation. And they have a way of throwing in unexpected scenes (eg: the end of episode 6). Like I said, cliches done right.
4. Cinematography/Visuals: 9/10
I love the brightness of this show. It definitely uplifts your mood and it’s a great way to unwind after a long day.
5. Script/Dialogue: 9.5/10
The script flows naturally. Even when they have to say “cringey” things, it doesn’t feel forced or awkward. It’s cute and makes you feel giddy.
6. Character Development: 8/10
The writers managed to show us the dynamic of these three women who are indeed "friends by chance, sisters by choice". They came to know eachother through a foster mom. But, they chose to work hard at loving each other.
7. Pacing: 10/10
Honestly love how straight to the point the storyline is. The confession was at a perfect time and there really is no beating around the bush. They cut the bullshit and didn’t give us unnecessary scenes.
8. Entertainment Value: 9/10
Description:** How entertaining or enjoyable was the overall experience? Did it meet your expectations?
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Favourite moment:
The entirety of episode 6. This is the PEAK of romcom.
More like this:
Business proposal
Strong woman do bong son
Perfect marriage revenge
Marry my husband
What’s wrong with secretary Kim
Her private life
Sh**ting stars
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A Great and Wonderful Premise With A Badass FL.
Did I have high expectations for this? No. Is this among my most anticipated drama of the year? The answer is still no. However, despite the fact that "No Gain, No Love" wasn't my most anticipated, nor did I have high expectations for it, I'm actually impressed by the premise. To be honest, I only added "No Gain, No Love" to my watchlist because of the FL "Shin Min Ah". I've watched many of her dramas, and each time I do, she always impressed me. Hence, I decided to give this one a try, which I'm glad I did. For a drama I didn't have high expectations for, the premise was really great.Synopsis;
"No Gain, No Love" tells the story of Son Hae Young, someone who hates loosing money. In other words, she doesn't like what she can't gain from. As a child, she had to share her mother's love with countless kids, which she didn't like. She felt her mother prioritized other people more than she cared about her. Now, Hae Young is an adult who works at a company. She wants to get a promotion and also get back the money she donated at her ex's marriage. But all this comes down to one answer, "Marriage." One of the requirements for her to get a promotion at work is marriage, the former is also marriage. And thus, that's where Kim Ji Uk who works as a cashier at a convenience store comes in. To many Kim Ji Uk is known by two names, "an Angel and Living Buddha". He was given that name because he helps almost everyone. But the only one he didn't quite get along with is Son Hae Young.
Thoughts;
Well, the drama is quite young and a lot is yet to happen, judging from the episodes that's has been released, I must say it kicked off really strong. Son Hae Young start off as a really strong character. I was only a few minutes in, but her outfit, wearing white socks with wearing black heels, oh boy! I almost threw up. Also, her contemplating on the amount she should donate when she attended her colleague's marriage who also happens to be her ex really depicts what's written in the synopsis. Indeed, "No Gain, No Love" didn't betray its plot. Furthermore, that scene when she learned her ex two timed her at his marriage, her reaction, oh my! I'm just loving her character. Such a badass FL! After Son Hae Young leaned her ex two timed her, the way she makes him nervous and retaliated, oh, I'm speechless! This drama has got me hooked. I never knew a drama that I didn't have high hopes for could be this good. Shin Min Ha made me laugh so hard that I almost had a heart seizure. I can't get enough of her character!!
It didn't just end there. I'm also loving the chemistry of Shin Min Ah and Kim Young Dae. I've tried quite a number of Kim Young Dae's drama, but I've never been as impressed by him as I am now with his role as Kim Ji Uk. I never knew his role in this drama would impressed me so. I'm really enjoying the bickerings of Son Hae Young and Kim Ji Uk. This is no forced interaction, nor is it some forced chemistry. It's an utterly unique, natural, and insane chemistry. Their bickering makes me laugh. Not to add, the other two second leads, Lee Sang Yi and Han Ji Hyun. Especially, Lee Sang Yi, I'm loving his character. All cast are delivering in their respective roles. I don't know how it's going to end, but I'm living in the moment and enjoying this drama. Such a great premise is rare to come by when watching a drama. This drama is delivering in all aspects so wonderfully. If it continues this way, it's going to be among my most favorite romcom of all time. 10/10? Not yet. But it deserves 9/10. Whether I'm going to give it a perfect score all depends on the upcoming episodes. I just can't wait!!
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The synopsis makes Son Hae Young seem like someone who cares about nothing but money, a selfish person, but that's not who she truly is. As a child, she didn't like her parents running a foster home not just because she felt neglected, it's more because among the many foster siblings she had, none really actually stayed, most of them ended up leaving after they became grew up. Son Hae Young despised that, that went on for some time until she finally got two sisters from the many children her mother raised. Although she doesn't show it, she became happier when she finally got two sisters who actually stayed.
Yes, she does love money, but she loves her mother and her two sisters more. The drama itself has proven that. I figured out who she really is when she entered into a fake marriage, and organized her wedding ceremony. It seemed she got married because she wanted promotion at work, and for the donation money, but that's not what I saw. The real reason she entered into a fake marriage was because of her mother who's ill (she's diagnosed with dementia). Her wedding was her first funeral. There her mother was able to meet all of her foster children who she hasn't seen for years. At that time, I saw how much she cared about her mother, and her two sisters, how much she values them.
Also, I've got to add the close relationship Son Hae Young has with her two foster sisters "Nam Ja Yeon/Yeon Bo Ra and Cha Hui Seong." The bond these three share is a strong one, one of the strongest bond sisters ought to have. Their relationship is as close as biological sisters. No, they are much more closer than real sisters. I love their close relationship. Everytime these three interact, I just love their interaction. They're fun to watch.
Plus, Bok Gyu Hyun and Yeon Bo Ra are one of the reasons I love this show. Bok Gyu Hyun as a CEO is fun to watch, the way he acts, him dropping those comments, I just love how funny his character is. There's also Yeon Bo Ra who writes romance novel, she's also one of the funniest. Lee Sang Yi and Han Ji Hyun as the second leads are also delivering greatly in all aspects. Especially the funny aspect, plus, the natural chemistry is also there. Here, it's not just the first leads who has chemistry, the second leads do too. I'm loving how this drama is unfolding. The episodes just keeps getting better and It just keeps me hooked and excited for what's to come next. The chemistry of the leads is insane. There's also the beautiful OST. With all the fun that's going on, I can't help but give this a perfect score. I don't know how its going to end though, but for now it's a double digit drama.
Recommendations: Are you in a bad mood? Or are you down or depressed? Give "No Gain, No Love" a try, you're sure to laugh your heart out. "No Gain, No Love" is a drama that'll make you forget about your problems for a while. I know it cuz it made me laugh my heart out. It's a drama that'll cheer you up. Don't miss out on this one.
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An unexpected addiction!!!!
I started this drama on a whim, with zero expectations and mostly for the cast....and I must say Iam sold to the point that waiting for new episodes weekly is killing me.Romcoms this year have been a tad bit disappointing considering they later on turn into something else which can be off putting but this drama is doing everything right atleast so far and I hope it maintains it.
It's light, cute fluffy and definitely funny and entertaining, the story is written to be funny but also with depth...the characters are interesting and each adds a specific charm to the series.
The leads chemistry is amazing despite the age gap which I believe is what worries most people well don't be scared, the leads have this natural cute and yet a bit chaotic chemistry, their conversations flow naturally, their characters compliment each other perfect and their interactions are absolutely wholesome in short I love them.
The acting is good too, Iam enjoying how the characters are written and how they are being bought to life by the different actors and actresses.
overall this might as well be crowned my ROMCOM of the year that's if it maintains the quality and keeps being good to the end.
do I recommend it?
for now absolutely yes!!!!
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This drama will definitely grown on you so...don't come to conclusions just by watching 1st ep..
Directly going into the details........This drama is written in such a modern way, a non offensive way and the way the sibling trio talk about sex like it's nothing is very funny and insightful I should say. At first I only rated it an 8.5 but after watching half the drama my expectations are increasing and I am liking this drama even more.The plot is quite unique. The first four episodes effectively cover the synopsis on MDL , and I’m eager to see how the story unfolds and how the leads come together.
The portrayal of FL's character, her relationships, and the reasons behind her breakups - all these things are portrayed very well. Even the reasons(for breakups) and justifications give by the FL seem so relatable and you can't find any flaws even if you want to. The office rules portrayed in the drama seem reasonable given the explanations provided. I have no issues with the actors and the acting. Initially, Ji-Uk’s wig and glasses were a bit distracting, but from ep 5 I have no complaints regarding this.
Now coming to SML with whom most people are concerned about.....trust me he is also one of the most likeable characters in this drama. And I feel that he is not as dumb as he seems to be in the drama. At first I felt that his character could have been improvised a little bit and they could have made a competition b/w ML and SML but yeah I totally trust the writers in this and I am more eager to know how their relation unfolds.
Now I am pretty sure that the SECOND LEADS are growing on me so much. I thought it was very cringey when they first met, but after episode 5, I no longer feel that way..............and I am more than looking forward to "The CEO's Menu" their exclusive drama <3 3
Last but not the least, a standing ovation to the production and the writing team and the actors. I definitely (really) needed this kind of k-drama after all these years of watching asian dramas.
Overall, I would like to say that just by watching the first episode if you feel like this drama is not for you or you're not interested in watching the further episodes - I will definitely say you really are missing out on such a wonderful drama.
PS: I don't see any reason why someone shouldn't watch this drama.!!!
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Absolutely Fun Packed
Fake marriages are no new trope in KDramaland, but somehow the crew has succeeded in making the plot refreshing.The marriage here is justified with real socio-economic challenges faced by South Korea, and a business firm that attempts to eradicate such crisis through exclusive employee incentives. What one must remember is how they shouldn't seek logic or relatability in this drama as it is clearly over dramatised for the comedy aspect. Regardless of that, it does succeed in keeping the audience engaged, and had multiple scenes where I burst out laughing. This is my favourite airing drama at the moment. It is an easy watch, as it is straightforward, fast-paced, and doesn't make one overanalyze things. The second lead couple also has a fresh storyline, it doesn't feel forced in without a purpose. It is only the third friend's story that hasn't really offered anything substantial [or proved it's potential] to the plot yet, hopefully this will be resolved in future episodes.
Eagerly waiting for upcoming episodes.
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The best of 2024
God I can't express how much I'm enjoying this show with words. I don't pist reviews that often but lord I couldn't hold it in. I freakin love the plot and story-line. The thing that I enjoy the most is how much it's relatable and realistic, like the relationship between hui seong and her bf. Some parts of it set a good example on people like the CEO and the hate comments.The comedy aspect is on FIRE. I barely laugh when watching show but this one is really good, it keeps you entertained throughout the whole episode. I'm the type of person who has the habit of skipping so many times but with this one I insist on watching the whole epidose from the start to the end without skipping a bit of it.
The acting and chemistry is soooo on point. Y'all Shin Min-Ah is eating and leaving no crumbs, And the ML is hot and funny as well. Things aren't dragging too much and I love how things are moving with an on-point pace, not too fast not too slow. Your brain has the time to function and think about stuff happening. It keeps you on hook and gets you excited for the upcoming episodes.
The story... I've never seen this type of concept before and I'm here for it. the writing is geniussss. The idea is not like something you've watched and seen in other kdramas it is fresh and full of suprises.
And I love how Son haeyong is honest with her feelings, and not acting cringe, I enjoy how mature her character is.
If you are looking for a kdrama with a non cliché story, this is right for you❤️
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I love this drama ♥️
I started 1 episode and I knew that I follow in love ❤️ beautiful chemistry between main characters and funny history . Really nice plot second couple. I think this is my next comfort drama after The King Land. I can't wait for more. it's only 4 episodes left but I hope storyline will be still beautiful as well. Kiss scene are so romantic. I don't even feel that between them as actors is a 10 years difference. They acting so good and they like it :) this drama for sure will be high raiting. please watch it !Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
WHATCH IT!!!
This drama is really very unique and I am not talking about the plot. We have seen many shows with similar plot (especially Japanese ones who are obsessed with this idea). But it is the way they interwoven the comedic aspects and the real life problems so subtly and effortlessly without imposing anything on viewers is really commendable. It has been a while since I enjoyed any Kdrama without yawning or feeling irritated with their stupid storylines. This show is definitely a breath of fresh air. The characters feel so real and relatable. Plus the comedy is not too much or too stupid. It balances out everything with the serious and emotional scenes that will bring tears in your eyes to all the banter of the main leads. Even the sub plot and the the rest of the cast is so enjoyable and fun to watch that you would either smile ear to ear or laugh your as* off through out the episode. I was little worried about the chemistry of the main lead but man... it is sizzling hot.I have watched 7 episodes so far and for now I highly recommend this show.
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Same Old Tropes, Missed Opportunity!
I was very excited when I first read the concept of this drama, about a girl that wants to get ahead but the company only promotes married people so she decides to find a fake groom. That sounded fresh and exciting.I wanted to see more of the struggles of a working class female or females. I was thinking they could talk a bit more about the problems Korean women face with the glass ceiling.
I thought this would be a normal workplace drama, with a woman challenging the patriarchy as she tries to climb to the top or gain recognition for her hardworking. Wait, that was only two episodes of the drama.
It was pretty obvious that he was hiding something & I was praying it wasn't the chaebol secret. After that it's back to the old kdrama trope of chaebol's secret son. Disappointed!!!
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IT'S AMAZING
I will just say one thing... Watch it... You will enjoy for sure... Don't try to be oversmart and don't think...oooo it's so cringe.... and all... just after a long day.... tk some good foods and cold drink... and watch it.... You will feel good.....It's a really good story.... A bit overdramatic.... It will give u feeling like u are watching dramas from 2016.... funny romcom dramatic... that's it
Take care all... ?
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A Sassy Calculating Female Lead with An Angelic Male Lead
Once in awhile there comes a show which is unassuming and yet it hits the mark!There was absolutely no reason to start this show, except for Shin Min Ah. She is one of my favorite actresses and I’m bound to watch any drama that she stars in. The same couldn’t be said for her co-star, Kim Young Dae. Despite his handsome looks, I was quite disappointed by his last drama, “Moon in the Day”. I guess he wasn’t comfortable enough with his co-star to form a lingering chemistry; because that’s not the case in “No Gain, No Love”. His chemistry with Shin Min Ah is spot on; I was pleasantly surprised because Shin Min Ah is a phenomenal actress and being paired opposite someone like her can be jarring. But Kim Young Dae takes this aspect into stride and matches her tempo. Humor is Shin Min Ah’s stronghold, she is well-known for her comedy acts, this show is no different. The fact that Kim Young Dae is actually in sync with her makes this show so much more entertaining. Their bickering are epic and the contrast in their personalities is so vivid, it makes you question the fact- how will these two fall in love? We will try to answer in this question in our review!
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/08/28/no-gain-no-love-first-impressions/#more-1153
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