By the End it Was A Lovely Story

Well I came back and changed my initial rating, the headline, and adding an updated review after finishing this Kdrama. I left my initial review below which you can read if you want, or not. In the end, I enjoyed this story. While my connection with the two main leads ebbed and flowed, I really enjoyed the secondary plots the most, especially between Ji Seung and JaeWoon. Lee Kyung Han's Jae Woon was amazing. I really liked his character and thought he brought a lot to the drama as a whole. Although Jae Shin was made out to be such a cad for using the FL, I still liked his character especially as his story unfolded. I thought Yun Seung's support of her husband as he finds himself was amazing. How many people in real life would actually do that? What a great message. I loved the KLAR team, and how fun they were at work. I loved the three siblings and how much they supported each other.

I won't repeat my initial impressions about the two main leads and the beginning of their storyline. Most of the way through I was at odds with these two. I chalked it up to just a lack of chemistry between the two actors. However, around episode 12, I began to change my mind. I think seeing them in more playful scenes made the romance more believable. In the end I was rooting for them to get back together for that happy ending.

Two main things I loved about this drama were the fashions and the weather. I loved the clothes!! The costume director did an outstanding job here. I loved that it was set in the winter, so we saw lots of sophisticated winter fashion. Loved the long coats and scarves!! Loved the setting....I'm sure most was shot in Gangnam, I know the last scene was. The offices, the shops, the restaurants, the coffee places!! I really didn't like the advertisement they did for McDonalds. That added nothing to the storyline. There are still aspects of the story I didn't like because to me they didn't make sense, but overall it was a sweet story of coworkers falling in love.

First 4 episodes:
I've only watched the first 4 episodes, and although this felt like an interesting story at first, by the 4th episode it's turning into the same old thing. I'll add more to this review as I progress through. That is, if I do continue watching it. Just a few things that are bothering me.

First, the script. It appears so far this is the typical Kdrama trope that has been used a million times over. A tall, strong, handsome, wealthy ML falls for a pathetic FL and they have some sort of adventure together. This storyline plays out in the workplace where the FL is having a secret relationship with her boss who (unbeknownst to her) is getting married to another woman. As co-workers, the ML has a puppy-dog crush on the FL, but finds out about her relationship with the boss. Almost simultaneously he finds out the boss is engaged and getting married to another woman. His crush and protective instincts kick into overdrive. While his protectiveness sounds romantic, it really isn't coming off as such. It is more stalker-like, which I do not like a series projecting toxic behavior into something romantic and normal.

So why is the writing a problem? Believability and toxic masculinity
The ML, played by tall and handsome Ro Woon, is from a wealthy family who owns a department store (?? I think---nope, it is a wedding business). Why is this person working for another company instead of his family's business? This doesn't make sense.
He meets the FL while in college where he attends a career fair for the cosmetic company she represents. He is filling out an application when her stomach rumbles. Apparently he falls in love at this moment, sprints to a convenience store to buy her food, then while she is eating he guards the door so no one can disturb her lunch. So, stomach growling is now an aphrodisiac?? This doesn't make sense.
The ML is hired by the cosmetic company and the FL becomes his "trainer." His crush progresses to the point of obsession. He follows her around and this is how he finds about her relationship with the boss.
He engineers it so that she finds out that she is in fact the "other woman." Talks her into a fake relationship with him, and then proceeds to stalk her every move (under the guise of protecting her). The scene in the nightclub where he goes down on the floor to protectively stand behind her while she is dancing is awkward, stupid, and completely unbelievable. This really doesn't make sense.
I'm having a hard time with the level of obsessive, controlling, and stalking-like behavior in the ML being presented to the viewer as a loving, protective person. The way this role is written is toxic, and not loving by any stretch of the imagination.

A little about the FL. I saw this actress in Just Between Lovers with Lee Jun Ho and absolutely loved her, and loved the drama. For this part, she is doing as well as she can considering the unrealistic storyline. Her role is smart and career driven, which I like, but the pathetic side she has to carry out in order for the ML to "rescue" her stands in too much opposition to her role's personality. So, it doesn't make sense. Also, although I like both Won Jin Ah and Ro Woon as actors, I don't think they go together very well. I feel like she has more connection with the actor playing her boss, Lee Hyun Wook. I have a hard time hating him even though he deceived her because the two have more chemistry. Her wardrobe in the drama is superb---I love how they are styling her. Except for the shoes. So far she has been in high heels the entire time. I don't know if they don't fit her feet well, or if they are incredibly uncomfortable, but in some scenes she is walking very awkward. High heels can be tricky. Instead of walking where the heel meets the pavement first following by the foot and toe (the typical human gate), a female in high heels will plant the entire foot down all at once. This produces an abnormal stomp motion, rather than a smooth natural walk. That's what she is doing.

All in all, at this point its a bit of a disappointment.

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