9/10 is my rating. This is a 2024 South Korean romantic comedy series with 10, 45 minute episodes.


First I provide a Unique Synopsis then Review


Synopsis


Shin Jae-rim (Pyo Ye-jin) lives in the typical Cinderella type household with a stepmom and two step-sisters and a father who unfortunately dies.  But that is where they fairy tale similarities end.  In fact, her stepmom is very kind to the point that “Cinderella” feels she has another mouth to feed.  Her father was a worthless bum who did not leave any of them anything but debt.  And her two step-sisters aren’t all that bad.  In fact, as expensive as the world is she needs them as roommates.  One piece of crazy advice her father left her was to not struggle in life but find someone wealthy and marry them.  At first she chalks it up to just more worthless advice from her do no good parent but as life continues to kick her down she decides what would be the harm in exploring that option.  Which is what leads her to seeking a job at Cheongdam Heaven, a social club for the wealthy.  She figures if she positions herself to interact with wealthy people she might wind up with a wealthy husband.  Which is what puts her in Moon Cha-min’s (Lee Jun-young) line of site.  An unlikely Prince if there ever was one, he is the head of Cheongdam Heaven who experiences dislike at first site with Jae-rim.  But the spunky, tells him how she really feels, Jae-rim is intriguing to the born with a silver spoon Chaebol.  Most people “kiss up” to him so her take me or leave me attitude has him intrigued.  He doesn’t like most people and any woman with the Cinderella complex in particular.  Will the untraditional “Cinderella” and the grouchy “Prince” find their own happily ever after?

 
Review

It has its slapstick moments but that does not detract overly from what is a heart warming romance. There is good chemistry between the leads and their romance is believable. Their banter in the beginning just builds the friendship aspect of what seems it would develop into a very healthy and lasting relationship. I liked the play on Cinderalla where none of the traditional roles were as you would expect. I loved this. Would readily watch it again. And highly recommend it for its pure romance.


Spoilers

I know a lot of people wonder about the ending and this ended very happy. He produced a ring and it was very clear they were on the path to permanence. You could tell she had really brought joy into his life and filled all the lonely corners for him by bringing his mom back to him and providing him with new people (her family) who were already showing signs that they would pull him into the fold.

There is quite a bit of cartoonish level slapstick that you have to wade through. Some may lie it but I don’t prefer it because it breaks the 4th wall for me.

An added bonus was Cha Min’s martial arts abilities. It was enjoyable to watch the fight scenes where he used his trusty umbrella to clobber the bad guy.

I liked that his mom came back. And she explained why she left in the first place. The fact she was pushed into it made her actions less egregious. And I could see where that family would be able to heal so it was a happy story with them.

There was that underlying deeper message on what constitutes a family. I loved the the “evil” step mother wasn’t at all evil she was in fact very kind. The dad wasn’t some wonderful person that passed he was sort of a bum. And the sisters were just your regular pick on the younger sister family type sisters. It was a fun spin on the story.

Some reviewers did not like it this at all and I think it was largely due to that super slapstick element. But, if you can see past that, you will definitely love this one.


#DreamingOfAFreakingFairyTale  #PyoYeJin #LeeJunYoun