Love in Contract (2022)

I don't usually write reviews especially this early but...

WOW! I'm really intrigued as to where they going to take this story because that first episode was amazing! The fact that the main lead is shrouded in mystery like that is amazing. I love the fact that neither the protagonist nor the viewers know anything about him. I'm happy that they didn't introduce the second male lead into her life on the first episode.

I wanna also mention the gay character in this show was presented organically, it was not forced. I'm proud of the writers who have been considerate of that aspect. He's just a good friend who happens to be gay instead of THE GAY BEST FRIEND trope.

Will update the review as the show goes on but I have incredibly high hopes and expectations for it (probably to my detriment).

Update EP8 : The mystery faded very quickly about the ML which is a bummer they could have played further with that.

FL has more chemistry with the second ML. Personally, I think Go Kyung Pyo's acting is mediocre at best. He always seems angry and discontent and his facial expressions barely change throughout. His very deep monotone voice is also getting on my nerves on occasion.

I wish they would do an expectation subversion and the FL would end up with the second ML it would be fun but alas 'tis but wishful thinking.

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An enjoyable watch with a unique premise for a rom-com.

I was all set to give this a 10 rating because(a) the characters were charming, the road to romance was unique and I really looked forward to watching each episode; (b) a happy ending was easy to predict; and (c) the main couple made it all the way through the show as a team w/out a break-up or noble idiocy.
Until the end of Ep. 15 where [SPOILER} Sang Eun (FL) apparently left and abandoned Ji-ho (ML). Ep. 16 tried to explain why she did it but it was incomprehensible (he was “too good” for her). So, a fairly well plotted romance with back-story intrigue and mystery fell flat in the last episode with a phony “break-up” that was strung out far too long. Ep. 16 was a mish-mash of disparate scenes and the final scenes were cute but the charm was missing.
Finally, can’t leave without saying that this is my first time watching Go Kyung Pyo but it won’t be the last – his portrayal of Ji-ho WAS charming throughout to the very last minute.

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funniest romcom of 2022

I’ve been waiting for this drama since I saw the cast. All of it is full of well recognizable names and with them alone it could’ve been bad. Some dramas tend to just have the right people, but that’s all they have going for it. This drama instead has the people , and has an unlimited amount of charm.

So far it’s doing well. It’s not getting boring even with the plot not being the most intricate. It’s really fun to watch because the characters are all so interesting, charismatic, likeable, good looking, it has it all. This show is so funny, the comedic timing is on point. It’s more with the acting and the facial expressions, but it isn’t overdone and is charmingly hilarious

It’s different to see Go Kyung Pyo in an acting role like this. His character is very mysterious and I love how they are handling that. It’s setting it up for him to be a murderer because of all the absurd things he does. Buying bleach and cleaning project did it for me, that was a very clever joke. I am watching Reply 1988 with Go Kyung Pyo being so nice and friendly, his acting is amazing in this because he’s not the same person at all. He is quiet in this, but man is he handsome.

Next we’ve got the second male lead, he is a gorgeous man. I really like his character too. He is an actor and isn’t too arrogant, he’s got the right amount of arrogance, wonder, curiosity. He’s a perfect counterpart when comparing to Ji Ho.Kim Jae Young is doing really well in this rom com, and I haven’t seen him in any before and know he had done his fair share of darker dramas. The versatility with him is amazing.

Now onto the main character. Park Min Young’s character is a million times better than hers in Forecasting Love and Weather. Sang Eun is so likeable, she’s hilarious and independent, love her outlook on life. I love that she just is ready to move on completely and move away. She’s admirable, and isn’t a selfish person. It’s amazing because in her other show she was a bit unlikeable, but that was the writing of her character there. Here she really is amazing with this genre and script.

I was pleasantly surprised with the representation of LGBTQ themes. Sang Eun’s roommate is a gay man who she divorced too out of her job (it’s the plot of the show). It breaks my heart why he had to marry her, but I’m glad they still are together as roommates. He is very fun as a character also and I’m glad that K Dramas are moving forward with these themes without being disrespectful.
What is lackluster is how they handled his character in the end.. honestly kind of an afterthought. Wish he would’ve gotten with someone with all the hints of him going to move to be happy.

It’s over the top with the premise, but it’s all in good fun. Don’t take it too seriously, enjoy yourself because I know I am

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Two Separate Dramas

I am a little late to the game with watching and reviewing this drama, but better late than never. I wanted sooo badly to love this, especially since I am a HUGE fan of Rachel Park and was waiting for her to come out with a new drama, but ultimately, this one was a bit of a flop.

I felt that I was watching two different dramas, but I also feel that what other top reviewers disliked/liked about this show, I felt the opposite. I couldn't get past the first half - I felt that it was overly cheesy and there wasn't a single actor that I was rooting for. I felt that San Eun had a very unique service that she provided, but didn't seem to understand the world and the people in it. She knew she was doing the right thing, but didn't understand consequence whatsoever. Ji Ho was portrayed as a wallflower and mysterious, where a good portion of the beginning, other characters thought he was this neighborhood murderer. We saw that he was going to "speech therapy" but more so for how to conversate with other people. And I hated how they never really explained why and how after finding this out. He was just awkward and shut other people out due to his upbringing and previous relationships. Then we have Hae Jin, who was the youngest son of the Kang conglomerate family, who "ran away," trying to make a life for himself as an actor as well as trying to find his first love.

In the first 8 episodes, it takes a while until we get to the point where Sang Eun signs a contract with both men - being the wife of Judge Ji Ho and helping him build work relationships with his co-workers AND being the hidden fiance of actor Hae Jin to help with his family trying to pressure him into marrying other daughters in high positions.

It was rough watching these first 8 episodes because right off the bat in ep one, we know that Sang Eun has a crush on Ji Ho, her fake husband of 5 years.. so we knew that was the end game. But what made it rough for me personally, was that in the first 8 eps, I knew Hae Jin's first love was Sang Eun, and I was more into him than Ji Ho.

Then we get to ep 9, and it felt that the script switched.

I found myself really liking Judge Ji Ho all because his character became this new person, who was talkative, straightforward, swoony, hilarious, and overall this cute inexperienced man. I felt myself falling for Hae Jin more and more, but ultimately ugly crying because I felt so bad for the guy in his love life, family life, and professional life. He went through soooo much character development, but at what cost? All the people around Sang Eun went through some development because of her and her love for each of them, but she herself didn't go through much change. I think she started to better understand how actions have consequences, but at the same time, even to the end, she refused to ask for help and always wanted to suffer alone and separate herself from people to do it. And it ultimately made me not super like her character... but at the same time, she did help a lot of people.

I very much enjoyed the second half of this drama, but at the same time, it really didn't have a strong plot and this HUGE situationship everyone was tied into because of Project Jamie, had such a simple and lame solution. Some of these side characters were about to throw away their lives and careers in order to solve this issue, but ultimately...and obviously that was something Jamie had to solve herself... in a VERY simple manner. I was like... that was disappointing. Did I miss something because of how she reacted after everything happened? Because it felt like a simple fix.

Usually, after a drama, I will look up an actor or two that I really enjoyed watching something else they were in... and I feel that the ONLY person that I truly enjoyed in this was Woo Gwang Nam. He was quirky, funny, sweet, and a solid best friend/brother character and I felt that his situation was the only one I could get behind / I think I ugly cried for him the most, almost tied with Hae Jin. I actually found myself very attracted to him when he became a bodyguard. I honestly think that I would LOVE to see a spin-off drama with him and Hae Jin finding love while working in their company. As long as Hae Jin isn't falling in love with his lawyer. HELL NO.

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Park Min Yeong doing what she does best

My first introduction to Park Min Yeong was in drama What's wrong with secretary Kim. That takes me back to my humble beginnings to Kdrama world. And we digressed.

Anyway, Love in Contract is a rom-com with serious issues thrown here and there. Those serious issues were sort of the down points for it. I mostly skipped serious parts of it as they as cliches as it can get. Barring these serious scenes this drama is pretty light rom-com with excels in execution of story.

Jung Ji Ho is a veteran judge who has been in contract relationship with Choi Sang Eun for 5 years. In their contract the only clause is to eat dinner and stare in silence. As time for expiry of this contract comes near, things start happening. And these things are the highlights of the show.

Kang Hae Jin is also in contract with Sang Eun started due to different motivations. Since, Sang Eun is in 2 contracts simultaneously, a love triangle (naturally) develops. The transition of phases of love triangle is handled very smoothly. Most love-triangle dramas fail in this aspect.

Episode 1-6 are best. 7-13 are okay. It fails in last 3 episodes. Nonetheless, it was an entertaining watch. Little let down in OST department.

If you are into any or all of these give it a try - Park Min Yeong, love-triangle, Go Kyung Kyo.

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Some Contracts need to be Voided

There were some funny moments but having watched four episodes of this, it has fallen flat. I just could not get into it. My GF will likely finish this without me. The FL is attractive but her character is one dimensional and robotic. She's perfect in everyway: she a martial arts guru who can kick any creep's butt, she attended a prestigious overseas university, she's smart, she's fluent in English, she's cooks like a Michelin chef, and she's HOT. Her career choice with all these qualifications is to be a fake wife to men desperate to get out of some rut by bringing in a contract wife? Is it all attributable to a bad childhood and her sketchy relationship with the mother?

I'm not sure what to make of the SML and how that relationship is supposed to develop with the FL. It's another typical Asian drama cliche of teen love persisting into adulthood. There was a complete lack of chemistry between SML and the FML. The relationship chemistry between the ML and FL isn't much better. ML is supposed to be socially awkward guy who struggles with relationships. He has a mysterious background (it's revealed later on what he does for a living) who hires the FL so he can cook for her on the days she is supposed to be his wife. The show reveals the reason why he does it but it didn't make any sense to me.

It could have been executed better with a better plot and storyline.

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Surprising

This was an unusual story. At first i was irritated but also intrigued. I found the old boyfriend overly clingy and needy and a bit of a pain. The Judge was severely socially awkward and created a bit of an atmosphere but I really warmed to him. He is also gorgeous, The female lead is highly versatile but like most K dramas actresses she is a bit overexposed. I hope i will be able to see the final episode tomorrow before i leave on my flight overseas. I have enjoyed this Drama very much. It deserves top marks for having a creative storyline. He mother was dark and a bit creepy.

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It could have been much better but it's not bad

You can enjoy this show but it could have been much better.

A lot of things bothered me. Some things were rushed too much and some others were just dragged that wasn't necessary at all.

FML was fine. Not the best work of Park Min Young but if you like her she's good in this drama as always. Both ML and SML were good too but the way the show just forgets about SML that fast is very dislikeable.

I loved Kang Hyung Suk as Gwang Nam and I would have enjoyed it a lot more the drama if his story was more important and they had given him more screen time.
I loved Lee Joo Bin but the fact that the drama tells that little about her story and her marriage with the ML is disappointing. I like the way she quickly gives up and supports the FML and ML relationship.

A lot of things were rushed at the last episode and I disliked that too.

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Revenge of the Chaebols

9/10 is my rating. This is a 2022 South Korean romantic drama series with 16 episodes approximately 65 minutes run time each.

First I provide a synopsis then I will review

Synopsis

Choi Sang-Eun/Jamie (Park Min-young) becomes the spouse for single men in need of a partner for events or so their family will quit forcing relationships on them. She has been divorced many times as a result but never had a serious relationship. As a chaebol she was raised to be the perfect bride and feels she is using her skills to help others who are trapped by societal rules as she was. Her goal is complete emotional detachment but she find that hard with one long term client, Jung Ji-ho (Go Kyung-pho), a painfully introverted man who is drawn to the spunky and vivacious Sang-Eun. Kang Hae-jin (Kim Jae-young), fell in love with the girl he knew as Jamie when he observed her reject the chaebol lifestyle in a very visible manner. He also hated being a chaebol and used her as inspiration to break away and become a very successful actor and businessman in the entertainment sector. But she disappeared so he never got over his first love. He was so enamored that he even named his beloved cat after her and he talks to the cat like a girlfriend sparking all kinds of fan rumors of a live in girlfriend. Scandal follows the chaebol turned hallyu star as when he is not accused of having a live in girlfriend, he is categorized as gay since he never dates. He moves into a building where Ji-ho lives and does not realize at first that the girl he could never forget, Jamie, has a long standing contract with Ji-ho and he thinks she is now married and living right next to him. He ultimately figures out what she is actually doing. When his family grows tired of the scandal they bring up an arranged marriage, Hae-jin implores Sang-eun to accept him as a client. Sam-eun thinks she has love and life all figured out and is perfectly positioned to counsel and help others but the mirror is double sided and she finds, through these close interactions, she has a lot to learn. As she draws closer to the two men on a much more personal level, will she discover that love is possible for her as well?

Review

I found her job very interesting because it seemed to run so counter to what I know of South Korean culture. Love and marriage are taken very seriously so her being a "single helper" seemed like a very bizarre thing for a cultured young lady to do. I also wondered how she thought, in such small social circles, she could take pictures and leave other traces and not have future friends and relatives recognize her from those past relationships. In the USA the only job similar to that would be an escort but that has cross over with prostitution and is very marginalized. There were a couple of times when the stigma associated with what she was doing was brought up, typically from questions from those closest to her and she acted very offended that people viewed what she did as something less than helping and a service to society. I thought she was a bit unreasonable to think others might not view her activity in a favorable light. But it was interesting, and definitely different, and added a unique spin to the story. Overall it was a well paced, interesting and heart warming story. I liked the characters, there was great character development, and it ended well.

Spoilers* I had serious second lead syndrome in this one. Hae-jin sacrificed so much for Sang-eun, to protect her and because he was completely loyal in his love. I thought they were a very good match as they understood, all too well, each other's motivations in the way they currently lived. He was so kind to everyone around him. There was such a deep sadness in him I wanted to see him fully happy. Ji-ho's ex-wife ultimately becomes Hae-jin's close legal counsel and it is suggested they may develop a romantic relationship but I never found her character very redeeming. Ji-ho apologized to her but I found, in what they showed of their relationship, she was emotionally cruel to him. I wanted Hae-jin to find someone who would shower him with the kind of love he never had and she was not the type of person that would ever be able to offer that. So I was disappointed they implied a romantic connection developing there. There was another relationship between Ji-ho's gay roommate and Hae-jin's manager where a relationship implied but never explored. I thought they would have been a good couple and they indicated they would team up as talent and manager but not much beyond that. I liked those character so much I would have loved to have seen that fully developed. I felt rather than have Sang-eun go through this "I don't know if I am worth it period" they could have spent that time giving us more to those stories.

In general Park Min-young rarely disappoints. Her character was cute, pretty and compelling. The wardrobe they put her in was very pretty and she has such a perfect form pretty much everything looks good on her. I was not a fan of Hae-jin's sloppy looking shirts that were high fashion. But it did fit with what is considered fashionable. I am just not a huge fan of that over sized look. I would have liked for them to officially claim her as a daughter of the conglomerate because it felt like she had more than paid her dues in terms of the training she went through for the "Jamie project." I loved the double proposal at the end. I affectionately called Ji-ho little robot because he struggled with the emotional aspects of having relationships but he was so pure and cute about it. So, his proposal was surprising but very heart warming. Sang-euns proposal was just like her and I think was a great way to show her deep love for Ji-ho. I would recommend this series for those that like Romantic dramas and would say this does have a unique twist that makes it a bit more compelling than the ho-hum.

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"Petals with many wounds smell sweetest"

"Love in Contract" takes the basic relationship contract trope to the extreme with Park Min Young as the ideal bride for hire to dozens of men over the years. There's a wide range of reasons these men need a wife and much like her role as Secretary Kim (which I loved) here she plays Choi Sang Eun, a practically perfect and always-prepared companion who's avoided love in her own life while focusing on her work.
I think the concept could've easily just been cheesy and is played up to be exaggerated and not very realistic, but I think Sang Eun is an interesting character, and her backstory and her desire to change her life was a way more unique and engaging story than I expected it to be. However, the true star of this drama for me is Go Kyung Pyo as Jung Ji Ho, her Monday-Wednesday-Friday client, and the one she plans to be her last contract husband. I loved them together, but it's his performance that kept me caring.

Like Park Min Young, Go Kyung Pyo is in a few of my favorite dramas ever BUT in those dramas, he was always the 2nd lead. I finally get to see him as the main love interest and even with such a socially awkward and often blank-faced character he did not disappoint. Ji Ho is clearly depressed and at times close to robotic but his charisma shines through making it hard not to empathize with him. The leads have a straight-talking banter similar to what was so great in "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim" but instead of the classic arrogant male lead Ji Ho's softspoken low voice is more reminiscent of Eeyore from Winne the Pooh. There is an initial mystery to his character's social awkwardness and cold directness so I won't reveal too much but he made me laugh, brought me to tears, and gave me butterflies while always staying true to his character. I love actually getting to see a character's growth and he delivers that.

As for the true 2nd lead, we have Kim Jae Young as Heartthrob Actor Kang Hae Jin. Anyone who hates love triangles will certainly be annoyed by his character but I found him to actually be likable and empathetic as well. I also found his rivalry with Go Kyung Pyo pretty hilarious. Sang Eun is the classic woman caught between two great men, but her real plan is just to go off on her own and live her own life. I thought it was nice to have a female lead whose ultimate goal isn't falling in love but instead finding herself but know that this is still 100% a romance drama. There are melodrama elements too, and a convoluted conglomerate families war plot, but it's the relationships in this drama that made me like it as much as I did. There are so many great performances including Kang Hyung Suk as BFF Gwang Nam, Ji Ho's boss, and his wife (#goals), as well as his quirky coworkers. Then there's Jin Kyung as the classy and calculated Svengali Ajumma from hell Yoo Mi Ho! This is a drama where the cast makes the story work!

Would I watch this drama again? Yes! The greedy family scenes repeated ad nauseam are definitely skippable, and those characters are pretty cartoonishly bad, but thankfully they don't take up too much time. The story is all over the place, changing focus several times throughout, but I liked how things resolved for most of the characters by the end. I would probably want to skip to scenes with the main couple but I liked most of the other characters enough to rewatch some of their antics again too.

Overall, "Love in Contract" is a modern open-minded version of an old-school cliché rom-com. One where marriage is a little less idealized. Watching two people eat dinner may seem pretty boring but I think it was a nice benchmark for their journey together. Shout out to Tiffany for finding a great way to do product placement for so many rings, but the Kopiko candy scenes were too much! If you want a love story with some light drama and laughs then I would give this a chance. This may not be a favorite of mine but it was different and I absolutely loved Go Kyung Pyo as Jung Ji Ho. He is enough of a reason to make me recommend this drama. There's a line that says "petals with many wounds smell sweetest" which is a perfect analogy for this drama. This drama is also imperfect but the sweetness shines through.

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I wasn't too happy with the storyline. Park Min Young (Choi Sang Eun) played a gold digger for money and prestige in a sense but the storyline changed her to a woman who is willing to be hired for a short term to solve problems. I hope that doesn't give these women out here any ideas, so I will not be recommending this drama to anyone. Go Kyung Pyo's (Jung Ji Ho) acting didn't impress me in this drama. I have viewed his acting in other dramas so this drama won't destroy how I feel about his whole career. Kim Jae Young (Kang Hae Jin) was the best in this drama. I love this actor. I felt he had better chemistry with Park Min Young. Thanking all the other actors, male and female in this drama.

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