No Gain, No Love (2024)

Good watch !! Could have been great !!

This started out amazing !!!
I absolutely loved all the imaginative scenarios with our leads.. 😂 The cast delivered 100%..

Then gave lots of angst in the middle (things got crazy & we sort off lost the rom/com part) and finished up just okay… Almost like they gave everyone a deadline and they could barely meet it, so they decided to just wrap it up !!

I didn’t like the ending, feels rushed and just bland.. could have ended better honestly .. you know give us some extended & extra sweet moments, comic relief to ease us from the angst … but nope, jumped from angst to “ok, everybody makeup now, smile for the camera” the end !! If that makes sense … 🙂‍↔️😂 Even if they didn’t want to make it more than 12 episodes, at least extra 20mins …

In total i still enjoyed watching … but could have ended better …

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Comedy meets heartfelt lessons in this fun twist on fake marriage and newfound family

‘No Gain, No Love’ is an amazing rendition of a rom-com done right. The classic trope of fake marriage is explored from a fresh, new perspective. Originally formed out of mere convenience, as the episodes run on, the leads’ relationship satisfyingly slips into what can only be labeled as a bright, bubbly romance. This transformation allows the leads’ true personalities shine strong, and reveal their most vulnerable and beautiful sides. The series manages to balance serious matters and romcom in perfect harmony, using this blend of genres to bring its hilarious and heart-touching plot to life. It offers its fun spin on fake marriage all while staying true to its core message: that family is not determined by blood, but is determined by the heart.

Inspiring, heartwarming, and brought to life with formidable acting, the characters are full of life, and their psychological growth is unarguably a significant part of the series’ forte. It is both refreshingly perfect and realistic as can be. Though the main characters’ true values and motives in life essentially stay the same throughout the 12 episodes, their decisions reveal that their mindsets have evolved into something much stronger, giving them the strength to find confidence in the actions they choose to take. The difficulties they face only strengthen their bond, making the chemistry they share even more appealing to the audience. Enhanced with mature romance, the leads’ relationship forces them to endure trials that make them step out of their comfort zone. Each difficulty they endure together allows them to see each other under a new light and gives them the opportunity to learn about one another in different contexts. Over time, they harbour strength and love in each other through these hard times, causing a strong and genuine connection to form—slowly but surely.

Though the plot is filled with events, the pacing of these exciting and enthralling happenings is perfect, though they could benefit from better closure. Each one of the storyline’s twists and turns all add up in creating a shift in the leads’ personalities, contributing to their growth. Once individuals who had fallen deep into the bad habit of letting their flaws dictate their everyday lives, they learn to free themselves, and the series ends on an inspiring note regarding this matter. Son Hae-yeong and Kim Ji-uk’s relationship is what fosters this growth, as it allows them to stray from the path of their everyday-life routines. Essentially, their initial connection is not only the start of a touching love story, but it also represents the commencement of their own exploration of self. The qualities they bring out of each other allow viewers to grasp a hold on their true personalities, and their depth crafts a sense of realisticness out of the unique relationship they share. This furthermore deepens the series’ essence, proving that love knows no boundaries and can be harbored out of even the most inconvenient situations.

The leads are depthfully crafted, with flaws made clear from the very start. Kim Ji-uk, the male lead, has a low esteem of self and undervalues his worth. This feeling of inferiority he has manifests itself through his selfless actions, his obsessive oath of keeping promises, as well as his nature of always setting his own priorities in accordance to those of the people around him. His relationship with Son Hae-young breaks his usual demeanour. When Son Hae-yeong enters his life, he lets her break into his bubble, and allows himself to crumble away from the strong and lighthearted posture he usually wears. For the first time, he lets someone bear the consequences of his presence, abandoning his fear of being a burden to others in a life where he feels he is only troublesome.

As for Son Hae-young, her long-time fear of suffering losses and consequently missing out on things in life subsides. The principles she had set for herself long ago don’t apply to Kim Ji-uk, who becomes the center point of her attention. Rather than weighing her loss when faced with situations, she starts making decisions for Ji-uk’s sake, acting in accordance to his own needs. This shift in her priorities represents the first time she puts someone, other than her own self, first. These steps that both Son Hae-Young and Kim Ji-uk take toward becoming better people simultaneously push their relationship forward. It may not be evident in the male leads’ case, but sharing your burden with your partner is more than self-liberating. It’s a healthy practice of care, because by voicing your struggles to your significant other, you are lending them your heart and growing your trust in them.

Through the side characters, ‘No Gain, No Love’ also explores the lives of orphans. With ease, the series manages to balance its lightheartedness with seriosity; showcasing the journey of individuals who try to navigate their life despite their past traumas and experiences. It highlights their determination to surmount their difficulties, as well as their will to make decisions that can be benefitted from rather than bring hell into their lives again. The series’ integration of these characters amidst its comedy invites an exploration of various themes; such as parental abuse, parenting, and tests common conceptions of both familial (with the orphan 'sisters') and romantic love (with a polyamorous relationship).

Because of the limits they confined themselves to, the growth of their relationship blossomed quickly and naturally. They convinced themselves that the love they shared wasn’t real, which let them sink into their vulnerability together without the fear of losing each other because of prejudices or judgement. Their fake engagement gave them the opportunity to explore what they truly seek in the world and how they want to seem through the eyes of others. As they spoke about their struggles openly without humiliation or embarrassment under the pretense of being a fake couple, they gave each other room to open up about their true desires in life—their desires that lay bare underneath the cover of their personalities that were crafted by their sad pasts.

Overall, the series is bright, though it ultimately tells the story of broken hearts and forgotten bonds. Interestingly, despite South Korea’s conservativeness, it didn’t steer away from delving into rather delicate themes such as abortion and modern-day femininity, and what this means in the context of marriage. These elements contributed to its depth, and helped shape ‘No Gain, No Love’ into the amazingly entertaining story it is.

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really fun, really heartwarming

this is so good, but i'm so sad to say that the biggest flaw was that it's 12 episodes long. the acting is great and the characters are complex and interesting. the plotline has the balance between fun and dramatic and i love it. but there are so many interesting stories that seem to be not well solved by the end of the drama... it's kind of frustating to be fed with so many interesting characters but don't get an apropriate end for them. also WHERE ARE THE CUTE MOMENTS OF HAPPINESS OF THE MAIN COUPLE? them getting together at the last second.... UGH but it was really cute...

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No Gain. No Love Review - ZyKuu

"A fake marriage that benefits both parties" - The story was unique with a bunch of twists and turns that were unexpected. There were moments where I was left confused as some parts of the plot felt forced but overall it was an interesting route taken. One thing I noticed was the amount of sexual talk and innuendo throughout. I appreciated the show for stepping out of the typical comfort zone to talk about such topics whether it was for entertainment purposes or whatnot. The cast was amazing, and upon research I was actually mind blown to discover that the main lead Hae-young is 40 years old in real life. She is very pretty and looks very youthful in the show. Her acting is superb and I can tell she is a true veteran of the industry. I did enjoy the other cast members such as Ji-uk and Gyu-Hyun as they were great in their respective roles and I found them as key components for the comedy aspects. Ja-yeon was a character that I think did spectacular, and her romantic journey in the show was a doozy to watch. The OST is superb, but surprisingly I only began to appreciate it after the series was over as I barely noticed it during the show, which is odd for me. Anywho, this show does not scream out romcom, although it does do enough to be classified as one whilst being entertaining. Therefore you must check it out!

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Interesting, comedy and romance ?

Son Hae-Young (Shin Min-A) is the type of person who doesn't want to lose money under any circumstance. When growing up, she had to share her mother's love with others. She often found her partners in relationships below her break even point. Now, Son Hae-Young faces the possibility of missing out on a job promotion at her workplace. To avoid such a loss, she makes a plan for a fake wedding. She recruits Kim Ji Uk (Kim Young-Dae) to be her fiance. Kim Ji Uk works part-time as a cashier at a convenience store. He is the type of person who can't ignore people in need and tries to do the right thing. He is smooth with every customer at the convenience store, except for one person. That person is Son Hae-Young. When she suddenly asks him to become the fake groom at her wedding, he somehow accepts her offer.

Honestly I think this drama was short but interesting to watch. It has everything comedy, romance, suspense. The plot of the drama was interesting, it will make you interested. The cast was good. Every actor acted which was good to watch.

You will also get to see family affection in this drama even if you are not related by blood.

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Happiness

I can't believe it's over. For the past few weeks, this drama has been such a source of comfort and anticipation. Each upcoming episode felt like something to look forward to, but sadly, all good things must come to an end.

What really drew me in was how deeply I connected with the characters and their emotions. Their journeys helped me better understand my own feelings. The show beautifully conveyed the importance of self-discovery and keeping promises to oneself before reconnecting with the people you love.

It also showed abandonment and the experiences of orphans, highlighting how much they deserve love and belonging. And, in subtle ways, it provided thoughtful insights into good parenting and responsibility. The layers of emotion and life lessons it offered made it an experience I won't soon forget.

The writing is sharp, with moments of humor and poignancy that resonate deeply. The supporting characters add richness to the narrative, each contributing to the main themes of perseverance and self-discovery. The production quality is excellent, with beautiful cinematography that enhances the storytelling.

Overall, No Gain No Love had me screaming, giggling, kicking feet in the air for the cute fluff romance, laughing out loud because of the comedy, but at the same time warm my heart as I look through the bonding and relationship between all of the characters.

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Ending could have been better , rest is good.

"No Gain, No Beautiful" is a poignant love story that revolves around the challenges faced by the female protagonist, whose mother runs an orphanage. This commitment to caring for orphaned children often leaves the protagonist feeling neglected and upset, believing her mother prioritizes her obligations over their relationship.

The story takes a dark turn when the protagonist's father is murdered by the father of one of the foster children, which deeply affects her. In the aftermath, she leaves home to escape her painful memories. During her absence, her mother takes in another foster child, the male protagonist, who also carries the burden of a remorseful past.

The drama intricately weaves their destinies together, exploring themes of loss, love, and redemption. The narrative balances emotional depth with lighter moments, ensuring the story remains engaging.

Overall, I enjoyed the drama, particularly the blend of humor that complements the serious themes.

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Quirky Characters and Comedic Gold

This drama explores serious themes like foster care, orphanages, children born out of wedlock, murder, dementia, and child abuse. Sounds intense, right? Surprisingly, it's all wrapped up in a romantic comedy that keeps you laughing!

I jumped into this show with no expectations. Initially, I found the main female lead, played by Shin Min Ah, a bit annoying with her constant calculations of losses. However, as the story unfolded, I realized she’s just one of many quirky, flawed characters in the mix. What makes this show enjoyable is its self-awareness; it embraces its characters' imperfections and turns them into comedic gold!

With only 12 episodes, the series cleverly finds humor in various situations while delivering a heartfelt message. Instead of shying away from classic rom-com tropes, it engages with them in a refreshing way. Shin Min Ah's character, though a bit calculating, is fair, honest, and goal-oriented—she’s not against losing, just ensuring everyone else doesn’t either. Her antics while making dating videos gave me second-hand embarrassment and made me burst into laughter! Love that modern feminist vibe!

The witty dialogues and interactions among the hilariously entertaining characters, including the quirky secretary and the CEO, kept the laughs coming. And we can't overlook the ex-boyfriend! The scene where they found him in bed the next morning was absolutely side-splitting. Who would have anticipated that this charming K-drama would showcase three best friends—one in a faux marriage, another in a polygamous relationship, and the third writing steamy novels? I certainly wasn’t ready for the box of internationally themed dildos that could also serve as glow-in-the-dark self-defense weapons. Truly a laugh-out-loud moment!

It’s one of those rare cases where I wish there were a few more episodes. Who doesn’t love a bit more screen time for the main couple in the final episode?

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Cute, funny, romantic, and a lot of k-drama references

Honestly when the show ended I was a bit disappointed because it felt like it ended in the middle of an episode. You know how at the end of a show they show everyone’s endings and wrap it up so you could assume what happens next with the characters, but everything felt so open ended? I don’t know if that was the intention but it didn’t feel like it was. I genuinely watched the last ep fully convinced there was gonna be an ep 13 and 14 cause I was curious about the second leads and main leads future. Oh well. I guess this shows that the show was good since it kept me interested and invested in everyone’s plotlines.

The story itself was new, I never really saw a concept like this where I wouldn’t find the trope weird. (When they somehow involve the ‘sibling’ title to love interests) I really hoped they wouldn’t make it look morally wrong by making the ML consider the FL’s mother like his. And although he did, they atleast kept it distant from the FL so the couple never considered each other siblings (unlike Her Private Life trope..).

Overall, I would say my favourite part of the show was the second couple(CEO and Writer), I swear they were the reason I wanted to continue watching. They were so cute albeit their scenes would sometimes look awkward, but I sweaaarrr their trope is so adorable!!And I didn’t expect them AT ALL!!Which is why they intrigued me the most.

The third lead couple wasn’t really my cup of tea but I did root for them. They’re one of the main reasons I wanted atleast 2 more eps so I could see how their story pans out.

Overall I loved most of the characters there. I didn’t like the ending much but it’s worth watching.

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No Love fr fr

If you love the contract Marriage trope then you'll enjoy this show.

I'm also reviewing this show 3 weeks after I finished it to gather my thoughts and write my accurate feelings regarding the show.

But objectively speaking here, I thought it was a solid drama that has a good plot and amazing second leads.

I think the biggest thing for me on why I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked is the main leads but mainly the FL. I had trouble connecting to her character even though I understand her motives. The Male leads character was also quiet boring, and there wasn't anything memorable about him. It's not a knock on the actors but rather poor writing. Another think I disliked is that there was no "magic/spark" between the main leads. And they way they fall for each other was so anti-climactic that you're just sitting there thinking "huh.......I guess they like each other now." Don't get me wrong there were definitely swoon worthy moments between the two of them that are worth rewatching, but It's not enough to carry their on screen romance. The show also throws an unnecessary curve ball in their story that was completely unnecessary and was just used to increase the run time.

On the other hand the second leads were great! I thought their story was solid and they had great chemistry between the two of them and they definitely had that spark. Those two should definitely star in their own drama!

I feel like I'm bashing the drama and giving off an impression that its bad. THATS NOT THE CASE! I actually think it was a solid series and worth watching if you're looking for a light romance drama and are a fan of the contract marriage trope.

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Fun to watch but later eps were disappointing

There were a lot of things I liked in this drama. However, there were many I didn't as well.

The leads were good together, they had chemistry. I like Shin Minah and I like that they put her in a more outgoing character, where she can use her funny side. Kim Youngdae is also good in a quiet and nice ML. They formed a great pair. The second leads won me totally. Lee Sangyi is handsome af. And so fun to watch as well. Mr. President and Ms. Yeon were the cutest throughout the whole thing.

The sexual references were refreshing given Koreans are very conservative about it. Basically, the charaters didn't seem like a bunch of teenagers living their first love. The comedy was on point. Just like the writing was for the most part. However, the last episode ruined all the good choices that were being made so far.

- Firstly, I think the break-up didn't make much sense. Her feeling like he was with her bc of a promise was totally understandable. But him doing nothing to change that and prove that he loves her for real was stupid. In the end, Ji-uk was almost absent during the whole episode, so we had little of our leads. That reconciliation in the end was bittersweet. She was completely resignated that he was marrying another. She even wished him happiness. I respect that but the fact that she is not able to man up and try to get him back disappointed me.
- The fact that Hae-young ended up being fired and was not able to work her ideas, which were kinda robbed by her ex, was the worst. I thought the finale would show the president correcting that, since he made peace with Ji-uk and Hae-young, and even started dating Hae-young's sister. But that didn't happen and, instead, she opened her own company with the help of the president. Wouldn't it be simpler to just rehire her?
- The president and Ja-yeon had too few moments in the last episode. What was the purpose of putting him on a date with another woman and her being caught in the arms of another guy?! Instead of exploring their chemistry now that they're a couple, they just made a stupid sequence that was neither funny nor useful. Seriously, a total waste of time.
- I didn't get why Hui-seong broke up with her bf. This only served as a last minute drama and a late reconciliation in the last ep. She should've understand that maybe he needed some time but that he really wanted that child. And what were the writers trying to show with Hui-seong's story? Open relationships are a valid form of love but that didn't seem the message they were trying to convey. Just as her not wanting kids is a valid choice as well but of course sHe Had to hAvE tHat ChiLd.
- The time skip was unnecessary. No one needed that really. Hae-young and Ji-uk didn't need to break up, and them taking months to make amends wasn't coherent. We even lost the president's and Ja-yeon's dating phase.
- There was no confrontation between Ji-uk and his father. Were they on good terms in the end? What was Ji-uk doing? Was he working in his father's company? The president never confronted his father either. Did he start imposing his will upon his family? Did his father accept his relationship with Ja-yeon? Too many plot holes.
- What about Yi-lin and Hae-young's ex? Did they divorce or not? I think they didn't but they lacked closure. They barely showed up in the last episode. And he ended up working on Hae-young's place and gaining credit for her work. That was so unfair.

To conclude, I liked this drama in general. The couples had chemistry and it was really fun to watch. However, the later episodes were disappointing. Some plot points lacked closure while others ended badly. The writers didn't know how to end the show and blew up everything trying to create some kind of wow situation instead of just closing up the stories that were already being told.

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