A makjang melodrama with incongruous moments of comedy

A foray into old dramas I regret - started watching it for Bae Doona and finished it only to fulfill a promise to myself to write a review for every drama I watch.
This is not a rom-com! I was sorely misled by the description, the tags, the poster and initial comic moments, although I should have suspected something when a crime scene was shoehorned into the first episode.
I liked certain ideas from the story such as a rehabilitated playboy, a deeply unhappy chaebol son tortured by his family and obligations, a female lead who is lead by her compassion for others, a rural bumpkin with a son who finds love in an unexpected place - but they all in the end were underdeveloped and fell flat, and the story felt as a condensed 120-episode daily soap. Not to get into spoilers, but this show had everything - murder, attempted murder, attempted suicide, arranged marriage, crazy parents willing to pay off the unwanted lover, secret child, second female lead whose motivations and actions are absolutely not understandable but who insists on getting the man she wants, etc. Those who like such shows may enjoy this one, while I felt the story just became more and more incredulous and repetitive.
As for actors, I thought Bae Doona did what she could with her role of a sunny and uncomplicated but compassionate secretary that unraveled into a woman that loses all her agency and just reacts to whatever others do around her, while the main lead was sorely miscast. I can understand why the public was invested into the chaebol son, as I felt no chemistry between Yoon Hee and Soo Chan, even though the writing was actually there - I could see why he would be the better choice, how and why they became friends, and I liked their bickering and how relaxed they were with each other. Yet they felt to be just that - only friends. I believe that with another actor's interpretation the relationship could have worked - I mean, e.g., their scenes where they playfully hit each were just so awkward.
I don't think Park Si-hoo dazzled in this role, but felt he clicked much better with BD, even though it's a mystery how they fell in love (though his motivations are better presented than hers), and in the end his character was much more interesting (there is a scene where he breaks down in front of YH that was really well acted!). However, I wish it wasn't, really, as the love story between the chaebol and Yoon Hee is just ludicrous, from the Julia Roberts dress (I hope the writer knew she was a prostitute in Pretty Woman, and implied that on purpose) and the first of many humiliating for YH scenes to the very end. There were so many moments where I just couldn't understand why she is clinging to him. His motivations were actually understandable, due to his totally insane mother, but she had a loving family and friends and options, and just, what, decided she couldn't live without him because he needs her? Despite all the crap she had to go through? I couldn't understand what exactly she is getting from him to remain in such a relationship. At least he and YH were not secretly childhood friends, perhaps the only cliche missing.
Bottom line - a makjang melodrama with an uninspired story for those who wish to kill some time and are either BD or PSH fans.

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