Jaymson

Look, the drama tries to imply that she is sickly. The actor has a choice to either commit to the character or not. For me it is intentional choice and it shows that the actress has fully commited to the role. You either like it or not, but I think that body transformation deserves at least some respect. It doesn't mean that it is supposed to set a body standard. Overall Asians have different diet and metabolism so from western perspective it looks even more drastic when they need to look anorectic.
What I say here is only my opinion, but I believe that in SK it is hard to find person with higher BMI. When they talk about beauty then I understand it as "She has attractive face, great skin, good hair and it doesn't bother me that she is thinner than average, because the difference is not as noticeable" and I can see that. In case of Our Universe actress it is also implied that she skips her meals so it makes sense that she is skinny. It doesn't change the fact that I feel concerned when actor is too thin, but even then I can see other factors that can qualify person as attractive.

I can somewhat agree with that, but in this case I think it is intentional.
Overall she always was skinny person, but she has so little body fat that you can see quite a lot of definition of her cheekbones. It implies not a lot of buccal fat. It is either achieved by very low body fat percentage or fat pad removal surgery. In her case I'd say it is the first option as you can also see how skinny her legs are.
She did have a lot of plastic surgeries, but in her previous drama (Confidence Queen) she has much more facial fat than she has here so I think it is intentional(unless she has done the surgery too, but we don't know yet).

I'm pretty sure that the show establishes she is on tranquilizer and possibly anorectic (vomiting the food she ate with her boss). It is not supposed to be attractive, she is supposed to look somewhat sickly.

Maybe the writer wants to do so, but it doesn't change the fact that it is frustrating to watch and unnecessary for overall plot about raising a child. There are better ways to fill the time in episodes, starting with replacing this love triangle with more relationship building with Woo Joo.

It sounds like unique and interesting plot. The only things that comes remotely similar is movie You're So Precious to Me.
But I'd definitely watch what you described.

On the other hand I think that even though you are right about plot improvements, I don't think that removing FL is nesesery (but removing 2ML is). However I have to admit that she is poorly written character. She decided to take responsibility for the child and now she does overtime with her ex-boyfriend, leaving Woo Ju with Tae Hyeong. 2ML is actively taking her time like she has no other responsibility. EVEN THOUGH he knows that she doesn't have privilege of much free time. And instead of refusing she goes along with it like she has no assertiveness.

I’m pleased that you asked. :)
In no particular order, jut those I enjoyed the most:
Worst of Evil, Trauma Code, Hospital Playlist, D.P., The Glory, Signal, My Mister, 25-21 (except last episode). Maybe also Flower of Evil and Mouse, but I plan to rewatch those two so my opinion might change.

To the second part:
I like reading varying opinions and it is fully understandable. There are shows that I enjoy, because the MC is morally upstanding against odds - (non-asian) Knight of Seven Kingdoms is good example.

With Dynamite Kiss I have problem with every main character, but it is still due to bad writing in my opinion. I dropped it on 12th episode so my opinion might have been worse.
Going from least annoying to the most:
1. ML would be unbearable, if not for the actor (not the looks, I think he is a good actor with his subtle expressions and body language). The drama tried to make him romantic... by showing him taking it out on FL? Like ok, I get it, it is rom-com, I get the intention and subtle expressions by ML, but it made me frustrated and I started skipping those scenes. Writers clearly didn't thought how it could be interpreted by different people. It's quire ironic considering his second plot with his mother (btw. I hate One-Dolar Lawyer cameo in this context).
2. Yoo Ha Yeong is quite simple character and can be compelling, but I believe that she was overbearing towards 2ML. If a man were to do the same as she, it would be clear s.xual harassment, but in this case they portray it as romantic. Also it rubs me the wrong way when she quickly hops from feelings towards ML to 2ML (although I get her justification, even if poorly written in her meeting with FL somewhere around 9th episode).
3. This is probably least controversial in terms of morals. FL has no character arc. After episode 4 I started wondering what the writers want to do with her... and they decided to do "She's perfect as she is, but the rest has to realize that". Least compelling character.
4. Villains are pathetic.
ML's father is ok as villain, because he serves his role, he is unlikable by design and there is not a lot of him.
Ji Hye is nepo-baby that thinks she is smarter than she truly is (I get that she has inferiority complex, but it doesn't justify her behavior).
2FL's brother is disgusting. His clinginess towards ML's sister is uncomfortable to watch and his grudge towards ML is pathetic.
5. 2ML - writers tried to portray him as nice, kind and good person and failed on every step (maybe except his relationship with his kid). He comes off as arrogant towards ML and entitled towards FL. He behaves as if FL was promised to him. He clearly cannot be more assertive towards 2FL and it makes generally unlikable.

I despise this show because I remember first two episodes as enjoyable (with some issues) and thought it could go in really interesting direction, but each next episode made me more and more angry.
I thought they will make ML ignore FL until he has more interactions with her and he will slowly warm up to her until they realize the misunderstanding. But no, they made him vindictive.
I thought they will make 2ML just go with FL's plot because he feels like he owes her and no feelings attached. Well, no, not this time. Then 2FL
imposes herself on him not aware of the optics, making trouble for both 2ML and FL. And with how the plot goes with main couple, she is also catalyst for further misunderstandings.
And with FL I said my part already, but I don't have a clue what her arc could be. She is too flat of a character to actually think about it.


With oppa_ take about every ML/FL being role model - I disagree. I watch k-dramas expecting interesting characters or engaging plot (ideally both). It is possible to make anti-hero compelling and the show nuanced with good writing (Worst of Evil is my primary example). I can turn a blind eye to some issues with shows, but not if there is overwhelming amount of bad plot devices and badly written cliches. I tend to focus on how shows are written, not how morally good heroes they portray (however it is good starting point to make show engaging).

Thank you for your input :)
I just found it. I didn't go to comment section last week and only saw scraps that don't encapsulate the problem correctly. I though they were just hate that she cheated and that's it. I watched 4th episode and I read oppa_'s comment and he is mostly right.
One disclaimer: I don't think this drama tries to portray main characters as role models as oppa_ tries to imply. IMO they are supposed to be just compelling characters, but the show fails to do so.
My point about cheating was that I don't care about mentioning/showing it on screen and I thought that was the criticism around it. But I was wrong. oppa_ has a valid point about main characters.
After watching 4th episode I realized that Kang Sin Jae tries to make coup inside her mother's company, which I don't know if is legal (possible conspiracy), but I don't think it is justified enough.
Yun Ra Yeong on the other hand is just flat character with trauma to supposedly make her more compelling. Also another lawyer that makes some illegal things to cover up her past.
About Hwang Hyeon Jin I agree 100% with oppa_.
I could discuss those characters more deeply, but I don't like writing extensive comments and I'm done with this show.
Even with those characters I don't find this intrigue interesting enough to continue watching:
- main villain seems like another sociopathic douchebag;
- the story has tendency for showing random information to viewer when it could be handled better as mystery to be uncovered (scene with cleaning lady in Cho Yu Jeong's room), which is just bad writing

There is not enough good qualities about this show to keep me engaged in the story so I'm dropping it.
P.S. You mentioned Dynamite Kiss. Don't get me started on that, because I have some bold takes on this drama and they are not positive.

There is something off about this drama and I can't figure out what. I don't care about cheating part as others, it's part of Hwang Hyeon Jin's character.
First episode got me hooked, but throughout second and third ep I started skipping some parts. I cannot finish 4th and I don't know why. I usually like this kind of dramas, but this one doesn't work for me.

I agree with "hate the character, not the actor", but I have to disagree that that he is doing great job, because the character is hatable. Nope, in this case it is completly fault of writers. This character is supposed to be seen as kind and caring, but a lot of people see him as annoying.
Writers wanted him sympathetic and he is just nuisance.

There are cosmetic procedures go do so like laser therapy or chemical peel. Quite popular in South Korea. It also can be due to make-up, camera filter or lighting.

Goddamn it. This drama really would be much better if there wasn't love triangle.
At least 2ML shouldn't be in love with FL and it would cut most of the frustration in this show.
Sure, 2ML can be kind to FL, but it would be much better for the plot to just agree to the fake marriage, because of feeling indebted and him going for 2FL.
It's so frustrating.

I generally enjoy this drama, but can someone explain to me what is character arc for 1FL and 2FL?
For both male leads it seems to be accepting their feelings of love.
Ji Hyeok is accepting how he feels about Da Rim - from "dynamite" love, through frustration to getting softer and accepting his feelings towards Da Rim.
2ML - him slowly realizing his feelings for Da Rim and understanding them through Ha Young.
But both FLs seem to not really have one?
Da Rim is getting better at her job through determination, but I don't really see character growth.
Ha Young on the other hand is inconsistent. First two episodes she goes for Ji Hyeok... until she's not. Maybe her realizing what she really wants from partner? But it feels like she just snapped and that's it.
Am I missing something?

You are not the only one and I think the problem is execution and directing.
In episode 10 the male lead comes clean with female lead and the scene is just bad. It hit me right then what the issue is.
Some aspects are flawed and done in somewhat unimaginative ways. This drama doesn't really have much depth and doesn't focus on drug business as much as I though it would.
Character progression is rudimentary and unsatisfying.
The reason is that director or writer has basic idea on what he wants to do, but doesn't really know how to show it in satisfying way. A lot of scenes are truly saved by good acting which solves the issue on surface level, but leave bad aftertaste. A LOT of events could be done in better fashion with more lead up and it is truly a shame that such interesting premise got done dirty.

mkv drama

I'm not generally someone who enjoys romantic comedies, but this one feels more like light-hearted drama more than comedy. It's hard to satisfy me with common comedy gags so this one feels kinda refreshing.
Few years ago was this makjang drama called The Real Has Come. It has simillar vibe to first half that I enjoyed quite a bit (later it fell off pretty badly). Both are not really serious, but they know what they are and are fun to watch because of that.

I agree, but I think there is more to it. The photo from mother's wallet had two girls in it. We don't really know if Me Ri is actually the childhood friend so I'll give it a pass for now.

I watch it because there is nothing better really airing and I needed some background noise. First few episode were just ok when I binged them, but now that I don't have much drive to watch it weekly.
For some it might be entertaining, but I don't find it particularly good.
As much as acting and relationships between characters are good, the cases and characters are so cartoonish that they can turn off some people.
The overarching story about kidnapping was what hooked me somewhat, but the longer I watch it the less I find it engaging, especially when it is so fragmented.
Overall this series is slop that looks pretty, but has no real substance.

Judging it as independent piece of media it is still solid. Not as good as first season, but I still binged and enjoyed it. I knew it would be completly different vibe and I am pleased what they did even though I think it could be done better (like adding more backstories for Si-eun's new friends).
So overall I don't think it is terrible, just not as good as first season, but I expected it.
I am reader, but I have different opinion about this season than the rest.
First season adaptated best arc in whole manhwa in my opinion, but it was placed somewhere in the middle of the series.
They skipped some really good stories and loosely adaptated the main plot, completly cutting out my favourite character - Gerald (they gave his skills to Hyeon Tak, but nothing more).
The manhwa had some pretty goofy aspects about itself like fighter rankings, almost supernatural skills and unrealistic depictions of fighting that are impossible to adaptate into TV series. I'm glad that they didn't lean into it.
But because of all that I wished that they would change some stuff and made second season tighter than manhwa. They kind of overdid it and all characters are not as fleshed out as they could be.

I have some theories simmilar to sachapz in comment above when it comes to interactions between ML and FL, but the 10 minutes limit is bullsh*t. It's plot device more or less. This is not how VPNs work. If it's some kind of darkweb off-the-grid VPN then it is almost imposible to track. If it is commercial VPN then request to operator would be enough, time comsuming but possible. Normally without VPN you don't need any time (like at least one minute call) to track cell tower that is connected to the device. It is almost instant.
It is what it is, but I still enjoyed those two episodes.
When it comes to voice modulator - they said it was "salted"/encypted. I mean yes, but simpler explanation would be AI voice changer.
Funnly enough, I just am surprised that ML didn't recognize that kidnapper was stuttering in first calls and did not during the party. For a second I thought there are at least two people involved, but we saw what happened later.