I started this drama because I saw a very short edit that kinda looked cute.
Normally I don't watch dramas that I didn't research but I wanted to try this.
I actually have not seen any of these actors before (which is something I really like because it makes the characters more believable to me, since I have no memory of another character/drama attached to their face).

My preference at the moment is a clever, not-hyper tempered FL as well as an aloof ML (aloof = neutral; not interested but also not mean; might appear cold but is not bullying FL or something). - I was pleasantly surprised when both leads seemed to be just that, especially the ML because he seemed very unbothered but also wasn't mean or anything.
But at around ep 10-15 is when things turned bitter (for me)

My critique points (spoilers ahead):

- the story could have easily been told in 12-16 episodes; no need for 24
- superficial / too short of a back story of FL & SML (did not give us enough context to have SMLS)
The SML character was added like a copy & paste because of course every drama like that needs a SML who likes FL and then gets his heart broken (according to the writers)... this drama really really didnt need a SML but they still added him and only gave him the scenes he absolutely needed and not a minute more. He was only there to push the story of FL & ML forwards and get his heart broken. I didnt get Second male lead syndrome at all because he had no uniqueness and his purpose was all too obvious.

- I never realized when and why the FL started liking ML; felt like she just did because the script said so

- Male Lead character + acting
- the weird skinship / body contact between the two leads


Ok, these last two go hand in hand but I don't think I've ever seen such uncomfortable "cute" scenes. The way the ML is touching her (holding hand, hugging, putting his hand on her head, kisses, nose rubbing) were VERY strange... a bit as if he is forcing himself to do so.
I was alright with the height difference, since I normally love that but in those scenes it was if he was a stick and he often starred into random places while performing a "cute" scene. What made this even worse (in a way) is the fact that the FL's acting was good/believable. So in those scenes it felt like she was giving us her all but he was forcing himself to do so. Very strange.
I love scenes like that in dramas but this was sooo off that it started to bother me more and more. It felt incredibly unnatural on his side.

This was my first time seeing this actor and in no means do I hate him or do I just think he a bad actor. At least not in the normal "bad actor" way. I thought his character was just aloof in the beginning but as they show went on he didn't have character development but rather he showed his true colors(character).

- very bad communicator
- controlling

... EVERY ounce of communication was started by the FL and in return he was controlling to a point that it was bothering the viewing experience.
How is this attractive? Why would the writers think we like that kind of ML?
I tried to be civil but damn those last few episodes she was scared to professionally work with a guy that liked her (but she already turned him down) because her BF (ML) forbid it and said she is not allowed to look at him for longer than 5seconds.
I'm not talking about cute jealousy but she was genuinely worried about his reaction and in many scenes she asked ML of permission to meet people or do something. MAJOR RED FLAG

and one more thing...
there were MANY good moments for a first kiss. One that was even started by the FL but the writers thought it was a good idea to skip all of them and then use the most toxic moment for a forced first kiss?? like dayum. From that moment one is when I felt like the drama has turned toxic and bitter. Not all the time but it just had that aftertaste that bothered me a lot. In a way the ML was too realistic but not in "slice-of-life" real but rather... oh he is one of *those* jerks that are aloof but behind that they are just controlling and toxic. I highly doubt this was the intent of the producers but the combo of script and acting made it that way (to me).

END NOTE:

I don't fully hate this drama because it didn't infuriate me. There were no bully characters and it felt drama free.. which was very nice. It had a chill, superficial vibe that wasn't very deep. I'd say it's a good drama if you just wanna turn off your brain for a bit and want something light that isn't overly stupid or cutesy.
But it has sparkles of controlling behavior coming from the ML left and right, but since he is pretty aloof most of the times you can ignore it. I just criticize it so harshly because I am writing a review.

... I also read up on the actor afterwards and found some not so good accusations. I guess I can't be too mad about the character his played here then, right?