A cute story, but dragged out too much

I am currently watching this drama for the first time - I know, I'm late to the party - and I can't help but agree with the other reviewers who found the story overall cute but too dragged out.

Personally, I liked (most of the time) the two leads and their interactions. It felt quite refreshing, even today. The whole story would have been, in my opinion, adorable if the writers had stuck to the rom-com side of the story. Instead, they decided to ridiculously complicate things with all possible obstacles that might come to mind, especially the two exes. Well, the SML more than the SFL, to be honest. It really gets on my nerves how the two leads run into issues every time they are alone or trying to let their story progress.

But what I really can't understand, for the life of me, is how any woman in her right mind could possibly find the SML a good character or even feel flattered by his constant attentions and find his attitude romantic, which is something I read in several reviews (not here on MDL, luckily). The fact that there are women who would date someone like him makes me really wonder what these women or girls think a safe, healthy relationship really is.

Let's do a short recap:
1. SML was supposed to wait for FL (the way she did wait 5 years for him) and respect her time, but he keeps following her around and running into her on purpose.
2. He often threatens the ML simply because he has reciprocated feelings for the FL.
3. He constantly manipulates the FL by making her feel guilty, unfortunately, successfully.
4. Whenever she tries to keep him at a distance, he manipulates her again with questions like, "Why are you killing me with these words?" These instances where the FL falls into these traps every single time are weird, because she's intelligent most of the time.
5. When he realizes that making her feel guilty is the only way to keep her close, he attempts suicide, pointing out that it was HIM (not the ML) who even tried to keep his own life for her. It was HIM (again not the ML) who protected her father (it doesn't matter if nobody asked him in the first place). And most of all, he wants her to marry him so that he can see her suffer. Yes, you read it right. He "wants" her so bad that he wants her by his side no matter what, even though she doesn't love him and would, therefore, be trapped in an unhappy relationship forever. He believes it's the right punishment for her for basically not loving him anymore.

These are just a few moments that popped into my head, but please, fellow women, if you think this is romantic, you really have some issues for real. Talk to a therapist! This is what a TOXIC relationship is. He's the typical portrait of a man who might kill you to prevent you from leaving him.

Again, women who think those interactions were romantic should question their sanity.

My rating is therefore mostly for the two main characters and some beautifully portrayed relationships (besides FL+ML, I particularly loved FL relationship with her best friend, a character in a wheelchair that did not feel forced at all like some other show currently do; I also loved FL relationship with her father, the President).

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Too long to be enjoyable, unless you're a fan of Mary and Gary Sue characters.

Oh my, where should I start?

PROS
The actors playing ML and FL are really good looking, I was glad to find out they are husband and wife in real life! They’re also overall good - considering the material they’re given - along with a few others. Costumes and makeup are gorgeous, as well as the set locations and the score.

CONS
This show is unbelievable, and not in a positive way.
54 episodes are waaaaay too much for a story that could be told in… 10/15 episodes? The others are just very little variations of the same storyline over and over again.
Screenplay is ridiculous and dumb, saying that it’s repetitive is an understatement.
The lovely FL (but the ML is not different) is written as the epitome of the Mary Sue: she can do no wrong. She is the most beautiful, the most brilliant, the smartest, funniest… but also capable of healing just with her breath and her tears (I kid you not… that’s how she heals Jun’er once, and also by massaging his fingers, something she’s “very experienced with” according to the Royal Doctor… of course! :D) she’s the greatest detective ever, she can foresee every little detail, she’s “the only one who can make the Emperor laugh” (I guess she’s a comedian as well), she’s also some kind of an immortal - she easily survives literally EVERYTHING - and either everyone is in love with her or hate her and blame her for anything… for no real reason. ^^'
On Mondays, she’s usually framed for something, on Tuesdays, someone attempts to kill her, on Wednesdays, she and her love interest fight because someone else got in the middle, on Thursdays, she’s sentenced to death… the list can go on! o_O
Villains have no dimension, they’re villain because screenplay says so, not because there’s an actual reason (they tried to give some background only to the Nan’an Prince character, which is probably the most interesting one). Also, whenever something bad happens, you should know that is Li Wei Yang’s fault. Bad weather? Someone mutters: “Li Wei Yang!” You had a bad night sleep? Yes, that’s probably Li Wei Yang’s fault too. :D
Generally speaking, characters are not well written, and honestly even acting is disappointing with very few exceptions.

However, for some reasons, you’ll find yourselves watching till the end. Probably just because you’re curious to count how many times Li Wei Yang is framed (not sure, but I think more than 20 times o_O) but you’ll watch. I know I did, just to feel finally relieved it ended! :D

Also, skip opening and closing credits: they’re VERY spoilerish!

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I am well aware that Fated To Love You may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is one of my favourite KDrama, the first one I ever watched and probably the one I'm most attached to.
I already watched it twice and, upon second viewing, I was surprised to find many, many funny moments I didn't remember at first.
It can be a be a bit (voluntarily) over the top sometimes, but the truth is that this show has many qualities: a solid plot, amazing acting, two perfect leads (Jang Hyuk and Jang Nara have an incredible chemistry) and comedy and drama are very well balanced.
Last but not least, the score is beautiful, especially "Destino"... it breaks my heart.

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One of my favourite K-Drama ever.
Marriage Not Dating is basically a pure rom-com (yes, there are a couple of sad moments, but only towards the end and they get solved very quickly), which is great.
The acting is very good. The plot, though simple, will engage you thanks to its peculiar way to develop (each episode begins with a certain scene that will lead you to believe into something, but as the episode unfold it will turn out to be something entirely different), and it will make you laugh out loud on many occasions.
Considering it's been filmed in 2014, I found surprising that it also shows real physical interactions between two adults, making them act according to their age.
I personally loved the OST, too.
100% recommended!

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When this show ended, the first thing I thought was: "Bummer". And no, not because I was sorry it was finished, but because it was the clear example of a missed opportunity to make a good drama.
This show was very promising at the beginning (the first 2/3 episodes were very funny, mature, even a bit spicy, with some sort of Sex And The City vibe) but, IMHO, it loses its sense of humour along the way, to the point that I started to find it really boring: too repetitive and the story drags itself out too much, particularly towards the end.
The two leads, for me. were the only saving grace. especially Jang Nara: she is definitively one of my favourite Korean actresses. Love her!

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This show has a unique and addictive plot, with amazing cinematography and special effects.
I can't give a 10 though, for 2 reasons:

1. The first show, for me, with Lee Jong Suk. At the beginning, I simply thought that I didn't like his acting choices most of the times. However, I saw him in other shows after this one and he grew up on me a lot, as an actor, therefore I guess that the problem lies in the way he's been directed in certain scenes. The same goes for Han Hyo Joo.

2. While absolutely captivating in the beginning, the plot gets quite convoluted towards the final episodes, and not always organically. It's like writers felt the need to make it pointlessly complicated.

Even so, I recommend it because it's something really uncommon to watch.

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The show where I found out Seo In Guk as an actor, who is really versatile.
I loved this show for many reasons: because the plot was well done and convincing; because the cast is amazing; because all relationships are believable; because it's been very funny and moving at the same time; because even though they used some sort of "How I Met Your Mother" narration, they didn't ruin the ending as HIMYM did and yes, because I was 18 too, back in the 1997, and I miss the 90s so much! The show's vibe made me feel nostalgic. :)
Great, great show that deserves a re-watch.

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When this show came out, it became immediately super popular, for several reasons: the cast (especially for Song Joon Ki and Song Hye Kyo), the setting, the pre-production. Basically, you couldn't even dare to try to find a flaw without risking to be virtually crucified.
In my opinion, it has many good points. Song Joon Ki and Song Hye Kyo have lots of chemistry (no wonder they became a real-life couple afterwards) and are simply perfect. They're also supported by an amazing cast. The setting (aka mostly the Greek island of Zante) is obviously beautiful and cinematography is quite good. All the characters are very much enjoyable. The bromance is adorable.
My biggest complaint, though, is the plot. The show drags itself out quite a lot, sometimes it's even openly boring. If you remove the special effects and all the aforementioned reasons, I agree that what you get is a lame story which, acted and directed by someone else, probably would have never get the same attention.
Overall, a good though overrated show. Nothing that will make you write home about.

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I liked this show quite a lot.
The plot is not 100% captivating per se (specially the subplots), which is the reason I can't give a 10.
But what is really engaging is the acting (and chemistry) of the two leads, a strong supporting cast (second lead syndrome alert, here!) and most of all:

1) the portrayal of a real relationship, the best and worst moments included, between two adults who have spent almost their whole life together, no sugar coating;

2) these people share believable kisses and love scenes, which is kind of refreshing considering most of the k-dramas show people over 30 acting like they're 12, as far as sex is concerned. That's what I wish more k-dramas could have: can you see, writers? You can show believable love scenes without turning your drama into a porn movie! It can be done! :)

Lovely OST too.

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Usually, this is not my genre (the show is a bit on the horror side and, except for vampire stuff, I get scared quite easily), but I was so attracted by the cast (I love both So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin) that I decided to give it a chance.
The show is overall lovely, although in my humble opinion it drags itself out too much.
So Ji-Sub and Gong Hyo Jin are simply amazing together, all my stars are for them. They really have great chemistry but, most of all, they're so good. The same story acted by someone else could've been much worse, but they can make any plot believable and enjoyable.

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I find this show simply amazing to the point that, back then, I subscribed to Viki-pass just to watch this one.
First show for me with the super popular Lee Min Ho: I loved his character and how he played him.
But I absolutely ADORED Jun Ji Hyun: she is probably one of the best actresses I've ever seen and the way she goes from drama to comedy in a bit is unbelievable (though I already had the chance to appreciate her in You Who Came From The Star). Great chemistry between them.
Drama and comedy are quite balanced, too. Probably it could've been a bit shorter, but I don't complain, I liked it a lot.

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I have the feeling this show is quite underrated or, at the very least, it deserves much more success: it's simply amazing. The whole cast is really, really great and the story is compelling. Twists and cliffhangers are endless!
First show for me with Park Bo Geum, while I already had the chance to appreciate Seo In Guk's performance in Reply 1997. As for Jang Na Ra, she's one of my favourite Korean actresses, here in a quite different role.
They definitively left the door open for another season, but I don't think there's going to be a season 2, unfortunately,

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