More Than Friends (2020)

Ain't nobody got time for that

A classic story about misunderstandings with no twists. It is what you expect. Timing isn't right for the main leads and it only is in the last 2 minutes. But there are 16 episodes of regretful looks, a very annoying second lead that never gets the love he wants (so he is sad and jelous all the time), and second characters also feeling like their romantic lives suck because they are afraid of stable romantic relationships.

The main leads are also very annoying characters. We have a girl that never trusts the guy she likes and treats him like shit because she had a one sided crush for him (when he clearly stated he DIDN'T LIKED HER FOR 10 YEARS). Also the main guy lead is an ass until he decides he's in love with her. And that magically changes everything in his personal relationships. Now he's afraid and fearful of her. It's all about toxicity here.

I finished watching because the actors and the production were really good. But I'm never watching this again. I hoped that the plot would change eventually but it never did.

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K-Drama female leads have horrible tastes in men.

Let me start this by saying - the drama wasn't the worst thing I've ever watched in my life. There have been dramas that have physically hurt me by how bad they were, this is definitely not it, however, this was very boring and repetitive.

My overall rating for this drama is 6 stars. I'll go more in detail by point, so this is easily readable...

1. ) The story gets extremely boring for the main couple.

The whole drama is centered around Soo and Wooyeon, they're "friends" since high school and the writer had tried his best to explain Soo's personality. It didn't work. Soo leaves Wooyeon for 10 years and during that time she feels like she has a curse because she cannot fall in like with anyone she dates. I think you see where this is going. She pines after him for the whole goddamn show, and when a really good man is in front of her, someone who actually cares and recognizes her value, she uses him as a rebound and breaks his heart. Ladies and gentlemen, it is not smart to run after a person for 10 years when they don't show any real interest in you.

There is one thing I can praise this drama for and that's the side story for the 2 side couples. The drama was only able to get me to feel anything was through Sanghyunk and Jinjoo's funny personalities, and Younghee and Hyunjae's very real relationship struggles. In my opinion, if the story was centered around Younghee and Hyunjae, it'd be SO much better.

2.) The acting is decent.

There's not much I can say regarding the acting. I had never previously watched any of Ong Seongwu's dramas, so maybe his acting was iffy just in this one. Shin Yeeun's acting is decent, I don't hate it, and her chemistry with Seongwu was good enough for what this drama wanted to show. I really enjoyed Kim Dongjun's performance and as well as everyone else's. The chemistry inside of the friend group was astonishing and, at some point, it really felt like I was watching real friends.

3.) Music is very aesthetically pleasing. It matches the setting of the drama, and I'm a fan of some of the songs that are in the OST, so I rated it a 9. This may have saved the rating lmao.

4.) Yeah, no. There is genuinely no good reason for anyone to rewatch this. I know for a fact in a year I won't even remember I watched this.

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A drama filled with clichés that were executed horribly

It was painfully repetitive.

The ML and FL were dry as hell and desperate and I didn't care about them whatsoever.

The rich friend was also irritating because she spent the entire time desperate for a relationship just to realise "he was there the whole time".

I did like the story of the other friend and her love interest because it felt realistic but that made it all the more sad (for the most part). I wish it could've been developed better because it fell into the same routine as the leads where there's this back and forth of her telling him she's not good enough and then him saying he doesn't care about her struggles because he loves her, then they break up and get back together. Her story with her family was developed well but their relationship wasn't which is disappointing because they were the only couple I liked.

I get that the relationship of the leads was supposed to be realistic but it wasn't. It was this constant cycle of her confessing and him rejecting. And once they were together, there was a lack of communication. When he was away for that one year, they both messed up their relationship because all he did was ask her questions that a distant relative would at a wedding, and she was too afraid to tell him that she wasn't happy with the relationship and then he felt that she suddenly broke up with him. I don't mind the fact that they broke up but there was no communication or indication that she wasn't happy in the relationship.

And the love triangle? unnecessary. I didn't care for the other guy at all and tbh, he was boring. The 3 in the love triangle had no chemistry and I don't know why the 2nd guy was pining so hard when she obviously wasn't reciprocating the feelings.

Additionally, why was the FL so angry with the ML after spending so much time away from her? I understand that he was annoying when he moved back there, but why was she always drunk calling him and getting angry before that? Didn't he do a good thing by not forcing himself to be with her because he didn't see her like that? He rejected her, unlike when she started dating the other guy when she had no real interest in him.

I feel like it could've been good for the leads to have a convo in which he goes into detail about his fam a bit more to help her understand why he's so indifferent and a jerk. But tbh, I sometimes felt his feeling were uncalled for and he acted out so much instead of confronting them like an adult. That's a running theme throughout this drama: acting like they're still in school.

Also, they got together in the end, but who's to say they won't make the same mistake again?? Their entire relationship was based upon misunderstanding and a lack of communication but how have they suddenly realised that they're going to live happily ever after....?

Lastly, did the characters even like each other, or was it just because they had no chemistry? The 2nd guy seemed to only like her because she reminded him of his ex who left him for his brother. The FL seemed like she was holding onto her school experiences with the ML because it felt like she didn't like him. And ML just smiled more at the FL when they were together and his jerk trope was overdone. I've seen other dramas where the ML was a jerk and cold-hearted but the ML in this was written terribly.

Overall, I hoped that they wouldn't end together. The drama was also too long considering there was so much repetition, so it would've been better at 12 episodes. The last two episodes especially were a drag.

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Various kinds of relationships

As a psychologist I really enjoyed wide variety of relationships shown here. Friendships, difficulties in friendships, being in a friendzone, toxic relationship, naive relationship, grown-up relationships, relationships between parents and children. Sweet love and bitter moments.
I personally liked it, but only music stayed in my heart after finishing credits.

After a few years in k-dramaland, it still surprises me with recurring plot patterns. Can someone please explain to me, whyyyyyyyyy in 21st century, character is not able to get back to Korea to visit his girlfriend once in a month for the weekend? This is so stupid, I simply can't even.

I think it's wasted potential.
But still somehow warmed up my heart.
And SML syndrome is extreme here.

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THE HIGHEST SECOND LEAD SYNDROME YOU WILL EVER HAVE!

i honestly started seeing this drama in the hopes that the FL and the ML liked each other but broke due to misunderstanding or this drama is where friends turn to lovers BUT this is just the very damn opposite.
When in high school, FL is the typical shy girl who is kind and nice but doesnt know how to say no and ML is the typical boy with some trauma and is very handsome yet cocky and rude. He doesnt show he is kind and nice and because of that he goes through a lot of misunderstanding. He keeps saying things he doesnt mean. Just because ML helped FL and says cheesy lines, FL falls for him. It is in the old days so it is typical she would fall for him and i dont blame her. What i blame her for is that she cant bring herself to forget him even after 10 years. LIKE IS THIS KIND OF FIRST LOVE POSSIBLE?!?! THIS IS INSANITY!!
This FL grew up and still misses this stupid fool of a ML. They do meet some time in these 10 years. FL is poor and hopeless but after ML and 2ML shows up, she becomes better of her herself than she did in these 10 years. NOW THE 2ML, he is successful, handsome, kind and even consoling. Even though, he had some regrets and sad past, he doesnt act like the immature ML and takes care of FL nicely but bloody FL is dumb so what can i say...
As usual due to misunderstanding, FL ends up dating 2ML but everyone knows she doesn't like him and she is faking it. But in the end she breaks up with 2ML and follows her stupid feelings and dates ML.
But guess what? They break up. Even tho, this was a cliche move, after so many years and age long episodes of stupidity, they break up cause she cant stand long distance. FL chased ML for 10 years only to break up within a span for months. Somebody get me a drink. You cant watch this without getting drunk.
I am really angry at this whole plot. FL who loves ML for what, 10 years?!?! and breaking up with 2ML to show how much FL loved ML. ML who only cares abt himself. This is inhumane. ML comes whenever he likes, shakes up FL emotions and leaves?!?! THE AUDACITY OF THIS MAN!! FL begs for him to disappear but ML selfishly keeps come back like wth! What kind of lead is he? The 2ML is the obvious choice and no girl in the world would say yes to the ML.
In reality, everyone already knows 2ML is better and will choose him. They didnt have to hurt him so bad.
The other couples of the drama were more realistic and better and i liked the drama better because of them. They made is drama believable. They showed way more believable problems than the main couple.
The actors did a great job. I wanted to see this drama just because of SYE. and when i found out about OSW and KDJ i wanted to see it. The OST was nice and beautiful and the production and visuals were beautiful. they made the drama wayyyyyyyyy better. the plot destroyed it.
This is a drama so it has a lot of misunderstandings, coincidences, self pity and saying things they dont actually mean. and like every other drama because of the dumb FL's pure love, the ML also loves her back and happy ending. But it is not a happy ending at all the same time. Because in this drama YOU WILL LOVE THE 2ML MORE THAN THE ML . In the drama it is a happy ending but for us we may not like it!

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If You Love To Suffer Watch This.

This story if for does people who enjoy suffering. There are 6 characters with mental problems. The lead female is obsess and love to suffer because you don't keep loving a guy who mentally abuses you so much. He degrades you and then plays with your mind. The lead male is an arrogant, conceited, narcissistic jerk who can not show feeling because his parents scar him. Bullshit, just because your parents divorce and then still stay friends you don't treat a women that way. The older best friend has pride issues and is an emotional abuser herself. The was she treats the suppose to man that she loves. Throw him to the curve and then real him back. The poor guy loves her so much but does not know what to do because how aggressive she is and blames him for everything. The other friend is rich and has everything everyone wants except love. She does not want to be like her mom who controls everyone but she is. The guy that she finally gets is an old friend who has always liked her but never felt worthy of her. She becomes controlling and verbal abusive. How they try to tells us in the last episode that these 3 couples become a happy ending, lets us know how little the writer knows about couples and people. If you like to suffer enjoy this drama.

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honest review

first of all acting was good from all cast...music was also good ...but it will make you feel frustrated believe me..

i like drama where romance is not comedic or fluffy...just serious or real...it us portrayed in this drama
spolier!!!
1> in starting ML was not ready to accept the ML proposal because of his parents divorce but it was not portrayed that efficiently..just a 5 second clip of him crying and that changed his whole view on love ...wtf

2>believe me these two leads will make each other confuse at every turn ..they are never sincere enough to be in relationship it will make u frustrate ...and i dont know why suddenly ML starts to feel for FL after 10 years....hello

3> i like the second ML lead better he was patient and sincere but got dumped anyway...

4>FL is such a moron believe me first she runs after him....then then pushing him away. .then again reconcile with him...then breakup with him...then at last again goes back to him..

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Navigating one-sided love has never been this earnest and relatable

Don't get fooled by the kdrama's poster thinking this will just be about a girl continuously pining for her crush and then moving on and starting a brand new life without him. There is more to the More than Friend's story than meets the eye.

The plot revolves around Kyung Woo Yeon having a one sided-love for 10 years over her high school classmate Lee Soo. She seemingly gets over him after meeting the handsome and charming bookstore CEO Ohn Joon Soo. But fate seems to be playing cruel tricks on them as Woo Yeon and Lee Soo are brought together once again and old feelings have come to resurface.

For years, there has been a debate whether a man and a woman can be platonic friends. Is it really possible to maintain friendship without developing feelings for another? This show definitely answered this question although the ending was not entirely what I imagined it to be.

This was surprisingly an easy watch. Finishing an episode feels like you are just overhearing a conversation from a nearby table in a restaurant. Although I can understand if some viewers are not able to stand watching Woo Yeon and Lee Soo constantly crossing paths and eventually ignoring each other's existence. Lee Soo has his reasons but this does not hide the fact that his character is annoying yet intriguing.

As we know there are different flags in dating – red, yellow and green. Lee Soo is a yellow flag. He's not trying to control or manipulate Woo Yeon. But he still wants her to be always by his side. He's made it clear that he just wanted to be friends with her although she wants more. He constantly confuses Woo Yeon so he's definitely a yellow flag, being straightforward with his feelings but his actions are saying the opposite. He also never explains to Woo Yeon why he deeply cares for her which constantly catches her off guard. As someone who always puts malices in people's actions, I can relate to Woo Yeon haha.

Another thing I like on this show is how all of the characters are complex and well-written. Each of them faces struggles which they deal on their own without the ML and FL's inputs. The supporting characters have their own lives and they're not solely existing to just be a side-kick.

The trio of friends was also fun to watch as they portray the different stages of being in a relationship. Jin Joo being single but accomplished in life yet she feels lonely is so relatable. Woo Yeon always mingling and dating and never seems to be moving on from her first love is something that can also resonate with viewers. Young Hee is in a long-term relationship but her boyfriend doesn't have a clue on the real condition of her family.

Each character has their own arcs, own aspiration and their own complex personality. They are all fleshed out and you're never gonna know what their next move is just like how the people we know in real life are sometimes unpredictable. This is precisely why this kdrama is very entertaining to watch. It's a slice-of-life disguised as a love triangle. It has so much to offer and it got me very interested on how these characters will navigate their lives in their 20s.

The conflicts also don't seem forced. They look like a natural product of misunderstandings and selfishness. Nothing looks cheesy or corny because the characters are speaking from their hearts and stick to their personality. We watch them grow and realize their wrongdoings.

Watching how all the characters grow and learn before our eyes is very satisfying. Not that we want them to be perfect and faultless human beings, we just want characters who are sensible and who think rationally.

Another thing why I enjoy this show is because OSTs are not constantly blasting on every scene. It's not playing as if on cue. The way Shin Ye Eun speaks is so relaxing for some reason. Her character is always straightforward and speaks what's her on mind. Not interrupting these scenes with over-the-top soundtracks let us the viewers resonate with her feelings. Her confrontation scenes with the two male leads feels like the centerpoint of this show.

There is lots to love on this show. More than Friends is more than just romance. It celebrates camaraderie of strong friendship, strangeness of familial love, setbacks and bouts of sadness that comes along with it and the long arduous path of chasing your dreams and doing what you love. It is a one of a kind and relatable journey, one that I will be delighted to watch over and over again.

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Good acting but horrible characters

The writers wrote some really unlikable characters. Usually when I watch a drama the writers makes me cheer for the main characters. But not in this story. The female lead is horrible. The main male lead is horrible. The female best friends are annoying. The only really likable character is the side male lead. I’ve watched other stories with toxic male leads like “cheese in the trap” and “nevertheless” and even those male leads were better written where their background story made you at least understand or cheer for them. The only saving grace for this drama was that the acting was good.

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So much regret!!!

I never sign up for such platforms. I only get my information and leave the site but I had to give my review. I just had to. I really love kdramas but this is simply the worst. The worst I have watched. Like for real. Started out okay, yes it did and then started to seem like a complete waste of time. I mean, for a girl to be rejected for 10years and still feel the exact same way???? Especially in the way and manner the male did....Naaah. But let's just assume, the writers are making sense...let's assume. Now you meet such a great man who is handsome , successful and understanding of the fact that you're still wallowing in rejected love but still wants to give it a try...Here's the crazy part. The female lead makes us believe she's getting over the selfish male lead who keeps trying to break her relationship only to end up with him?? . That really is morally wrong. (Any guy who realizes a girl is dating and still purposefully tries to ruin her relationship just becomes unattractive and freakingly annoying.) Long story short, the female lead dumps the nice guy and goes to the egocentric male lead. THEN! the writers decide to paint the nice guy as a stalker and him unappealing to the general public. I really could not continue. I had to end before episode 10 and just could not continue. Really the worst drama for me.

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Don't Bother Wasting Your Time!

I had high hopes for this drama because it reminded me a lot of Because This Is My First Life. Both dramas featured multiple leads so I thought it would be a fun story of friendship. In More Than Friends, we follow the lives of 3 close friends: Woo Yeon, Jin Joo, and Young Hee. However, for this review, let's focus on the main female lead Woo Yeon.

During high school, Woo Yeon fell for her friend, Lee Soo. Because Lee Soo will be moving to the US soon, she felt that she needed to express her feelings. Unfortunately, he friendzones her, which obviously devastates her. She tried confessing her feelings again to Lee Soo after seven long years, and Woo Yeon gets rejected the second time around.

That was the last string for me.... Girl, you already got rejected twice. You already wasted seven years of your life (and so much more.) In high school, you got rejected, and then, even as an adult, you were rejected by the same guy. What more do you need to move on?!

Yes, Lee Soo might had his share of issues... Maybe he is currently going through something, BUT Woo Yeon, girl, you need someone who has balls to fight for you. This goes out for all the girls out there... you deserve a guy who chooses you and who is sure of you.

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Typical drama with amazing results

So More than friends had the typical drama standards but I enjoyed it.
📌 A jerk at first male lead
📌 Crush since highschool (honestly who does that, I avoid some of my highschool classmates as much as I can)
📌 Female lead that sometimes you're wondering what's in her head
📌 A second male lead that is kinda obsessed with female lead
📌 Amazing secondary storylines and couples
I loved the OSTs and especially Ong Seong Woo's (Late Regret - part 6) I have it literarily in repeat. ❤️
The chemistry was oozing out of the screen between Soo and Woo Yeon so they're my OTP. I have to admit that I didn't have second lead syndrome but I wasn't hating Joon Soo.
I will definitely put this drama on my rewatch list, it deserves it's spot.

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