I'll admit to dropping this drama during the first episode several months back, right after it finished airing. I didn't care for Han Groo's character, and to be honest, I didn't find Yeon Woo Jin that appealing. The only reason this drama was saved from my drop pile is because one of my friends picked it up and kept texting me that I needed to watch it. And as with most dramas that make it to my reviewed list, I am happy that she convinced me that this drama was worth it.
Though I have a relatively low score for this drama, it is still such a cute little story. Joo Jang Mi is a strong character with a big heart, who has a hard time saying no to the people she cares about. She has a slightly dysfunctional relationship with her parents, who have spent her whole life fighting and now don't even speak to each other. Gong Gi Tae is a stubborn jerk of a character in the beginning, who cares more about his own wants than anyone else. He also has a dysfunctional relationship with his parents, in particular his mother. At its heart, this is a drama about relationships, and how letting someone into your life can completely change your entire world.
The romance in this drama was enjoyable, even though it had the dreaded love triangle. Han Yeo Reum, the third point of this drama's triangle, was ridiculously adorable. While his character was not very well-written or fleshed out, Jin Woon did an adorable job playing him. He had this smile that could completely melt your heart. And abs that could make you weak in the knees.
The story kept moving along at a good pace throughout, and I never felt bored throughout any of it, even when it kept repeating some of the same themes and tropes. It was fun to see what new disaster the families would create for our fake couple, and even more fun to watch them realize that maybe they weren't so fake after all. When the story got heavier though is when it started to fall apart. While I genuinely came to love Jang Mi and Gi Tae, I was completely pulled out of the story when either of them would cry or yell or get upset. It was just awkward and kind of wooden to watch them do anything other than comedy.
Overall, this drama is something I could definitely recommend to anyone who loves romcoms. It was fresh enough that you didn't get bored, and cute enough that it just left you feeling great after the end. And a special shout out to Heo Jeong Min. I hated his Hoon Dong at first, but after the first few episodes, I really looked forward to his scenes. He was legitimately more and more hilarious as the story progressed.
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The typical story line of a poor, kind and naive woman falling for some rich, successful, commitment issues man is highly overdone in Korea, especially with the marriage contract turn real deal. But MND stands out to me for its consistency of personalities, even through the storyline's growth. All the characters in this story don't suddenly change, but ADAPT to their situations, and I really was impressed that this was maintained throughout. Gong Gi Tae starts out as an arrogant asshole, and he finishes as one... much like Joo Jang Mi's naive kindness is still present in the last episode. The difference is, both have allowed themselves through experience to accept the bad/what they dislike about each other, and still manage to love each other greatly. Their relationship is very organic, they grow together through experience, not through lavish events. Their special moments are very unspecial, a term Gi Tae uses in the end and I completely agree with it. The times spent as his home were the best, and really built up their connection... Gi Tae's special home environment became the constant for this couple and I really enjoyed that aspect in this drama.
Of course it wasn't completely normal... this is a drama full of dramatic people and ways of being. We have two families with two very distinct situations, one rich, one poor, one putting on a show to the world, one on the brink of destruction. I liked that there was no perfect family life in this drama, and even in the end it remained the same... minor characters too had their own share of issues, that for only two did things change, through sacrifice of giving their hearts up for the main couple. Otherwise the others, such as Gi Tae's best friend Lee Hoon Doong (whom provided great comic relief throughout this drama) ended very much so how he did start out, frightened of his Mum, and balancing out his love life/work life.
In fact, if we step aside from the main couple, my two favourite characters are the ones with the most happening or dramatics involved. Hoon Doong destroys Jang Mi in the beginning, and yet they can successfully have a friendship and cry on each others shoulders in the end. Hoon Doong is genuine, even if he was a play boy in the beginning, and actually cares for all those around him... making him a formidable character throughout. Gi Tae's mother is my other favourite character, despite her controlling, and wicked ways towards Jang Mi and Gi Tae, she has put up a lot with her cheating husband (whom is portrayed well as the scum of the earth, which I highly appreciate the drama doing), and playing the perfect housewife/daughter in law. Her revival and acceptance of who she should be in the end really makes her strength throughout the storyline amazing. I especially like her connection to the family, even though in the beginning she was nothing but a witch to them - or so it seemed.
There was a lull period towards the end, where it dragged out a little, but it's to be expected, most dramas have them... otherwise this was a drama that I binged on over a couple of days, avidly getting caught up in the love affair, watching the subtle changes of Gi Tae to Jang Mi, and believing in their love. We need the return of dramas with simple storylines such as Marriage, Not Dating! I can see why this drama was added to a top 5 list of romance dramas to watch that made me pop it on my list.
The cast was perfect, Yeon Woo Jin is a favourite of mine ever since Introverted Boss (I'm late to his acting it seems) and Han Groo was excellent as Jang Mi. Jinwoon always puts his best into his acting roles and he wasn't a let down here either. It was my first time watching Sunhwa act and I enjoyed it... there was no weak actors in my opinion.
I highly recommend this drama, it definitely has rewatch value!
10/10
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I love the chemistry of the main leads. As a rom-com lover, I can say I got more than what I expected. There's so many cute and cuddly scenes.
The OSTs are good too.
Don't even think about not watching this drama cause I think you'll miss a pretty good one.
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The chemistry of the cast was amazing, especially between Han Groo and Yeon Woo jin. I was looking forward to Han Groo's acting since I really liked her already in 'can we get married' and, even though her characters are kind of similar, she pulls of a completely different charm and shows a lot of fresh acting with her co-workers.
The idea of a rich guy who doesn't want to get married...this is a very new but fun plot for a drama for me and I feel kind of sorry for him since he has such a pressure to get married and have kids fastly.
For the supportive characters, I enjoyed the grandmother's, Jeong Jinwoon's and Lee Hoon Dong's acting the most. The least I liked Kang Se Ah and Yeon Woo Jin's mother. Everyone did a good job, don't get me wrong, but Kang Se Ah was just annoying after a while, not to mentoin his mother. I didn't really know what to think of Jinwoon's character until episode 13 or something since he was a little sneaky at first but also cute and I just didn't know how I should think about him (really I'm sorry). Lee Hoon Dong was being a douchebag to be honest, but his comedic acting made me enjoy this character even more.
For the soundtrack, it was very nice. Not too overplayed and a good choice of cute and mood fitting songs. Of course, some songs weren't that great but well, that's just personal preferrence^^.
What I really have to say about this is the very obvious but also kinda sneaky product placement. Not just with the LG phones but also with all this delicious looking food they had in this...it made me cry a little inside. They are literally eating 24/7! I want to have something of it too! Haha jkjk^^
For the rewatch value thing: I'm sorry I don't have the time to rewatch dramas (but if I had I would!! I finished this drama within 1 week^^)
Overall it is a lovely drama with great actors who have great chemistry between them and I can only recommend it to watch:D!
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Cliche but very well worth it
Hands down one of the best Rom Com I have seen in a loong time.I started writting this review in a unbiased , retrospect way so I can make a calm , not so over the top professional review , well... fork that. Im gonna let my emotions do the talking , as the drama did for me.
I loved marriage, not dating from start to finish, I went in for the casual rom com breather drama , what I got 16 hours pure unadulterated k drama manic fun.
I fast forward a lot , like when dramas get into a particular pattern and you know whats gonna happens next , so youre like well what the hell... onwards , with this one I did not even think of doing that even once.
it is definitely not saying this was a revolution in the rom com genre , this is me saying I fell in love literallly with the show. For whenever the plot and story lacked the substance , the characters and pure levels of comedic acting bliss made up for it big time , there was hardly an episodes where I couldn't contain a laugh.
what you get is a complete package of fun romance and tear running comedy , blended in with extremely well done production ( tvn duh ).
Just give it a try lols
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Friendship <3
This is my first review. I choose this drama 'cause I think it's a little underestimated. It brought me lots of laughs during quarantine. Whatever, It's a drama that we dont see any expectations at the beginning and feel happy at the end. It has everything. Love, comedy, betrayal and, the most important thing, FRIENDSHIP.The main actors made it very funny. They transmitted everything very lightly. Without those nitpicking, rivalries and nonsense of female competitions for men that every drama has. The relationship of the characters with the course of the drama is built in a very cool way.
So, If you guys want a show to laugh during these depressing quarantine days, you need to watch it (Marriage, Not Dating (2014)). 10/10 <3
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Totally unlike other Kdrama with the fake illnesses, the screaming mother inlaw, the lips touching but not moving kisses, the chaebol, the poor girl, the no talk of sex......basically all the fake-ness and overly dramatic-ness. This drama was a great combination of Korean culture mixed in with a hint of western.
Not to say this drama didn't have it's cliches but it was more bearable and realistic than what other kdrama portrays.
I really liked the character Joo Jang Mi and Han Yeo Reum. Jang Mi was a sincere and honest girl, always true to her feelings and never wavered. She's super caring and understanding of others, she's also independent and hilarious. Yeo Reum was mysterious but also really honest and sincere. He was a loving, fair and honorable guy.
I also liked the moral of the story. If you love someone and want to be with that someone, you have to love or at least understand their relationships and accept their past. The drama was realistic in the sense that they aspire for a "forever love" but they also knew that it doesn't exist but you strive for it anyways when you love someone. AND shit happens ALL the time, the murphy law, you just have to be prepared to deal with it and your relationship needs to be strong enough to survive.
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama is refreshing to watch and it lightens my mood! Another heartwarming dramaLet me start with the plot. From the first look of it, you will know the bad-guy-pities-the-poor-girl or the rich-family-controls-marriage cliches and I already know what the ending will be. But those cliches are "worth watching" to this drama. What I admire most is the comedy, I laughed most of the time because it was so good. I cried at some points of the story. The pacing was spot-on and the development of the characters is very well, everything was explained like I wanted it to. (LITTLE SPOILER I GUESS: I did not expect for the marriage in the ending to be like that LOL)
The casts... Speechless... They did so well. From being sad, angry, happy, funny, everything!, Everyone did so well! Bravo!
I love the OST, of course. SOME ARE CUTE AND SOME ARE SAD AND I CANT STOP LISTENING TO THE SONGS HELP ME!!! The sound effects of the comedy scenes really adds the hilariousness of the drama.
I would re-watch it again. I'm going to miss this :)
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Story:
At first I didn't like the Story, but fortunately I used to like it with every episode. This was my reason to watch it till the end. Now I can say, that the Story is funny and in my opinion every episode grows. The story shows us a Romance with many funny aspects, so I would recommend this drama to those viewers who like romantic with comedy. But please don't have hope, do view melodramatic aspects.
Acting/Cast:
Like I said before I began this Drama because of Yeon Woojin. He didn't disappiont me in this Drama. He shows a wonderful acting, so I liked him in here. I saw him in An Ordinary Love Story, Ojakgyo Brothers and the shortfilm Just Frieds?, before and had high expectations. In my opinion he plays the role of Ki-tae in a way, that not anybody can do. The female Lead was played by Newcomer Actress Han Groo. I didn't know her before, so I didn't sxpect very much. I think she can grow in the future, because in my opinion she is a great actress. She plays the role of Jang-mi very nice, although sometimes she got me on my nerves. Han Sunhwa's role...I don't know what to say. She was so...two faced. In one episode I liked her...in an other episode I hated her. The same goes for Jeon Jinwoon. Furthermore I think the two of them did their best and I hope they get more roles (Rosy Lovers is one of the Dramas, I am currently watching.)
Music:
I like the music, but I don't know why. It is...happy I think. The Song 'Stop the Love now' by Ben is a happy Song and was played at the end oft the episodes. In many Dramas the ending Songs are dramatic and I like dramatical songs more that those, who shows happiness. But I liked the Music of this drama.
Rewatch Value:
Yes, I am sure I will watch this Drama again, but first I have a long list with other dramas.
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Marriage, not Dating is a fun show that knows itself really well. It's sweet, hilarious, and slightly over the top for most of its run. The cast and directing really gave it a heart even when the story bordered on frustrating, and it was an ultimately satisfying watch, though I think I might have loved it more under different circumstances.
Overall Story:
Marriage, not Dating starts with a bang and a really fun premise. It centers on two characters with vastly different views on marriage and dating that fake a relationship. But ultimately it was drawn out too long to really stay with me. There was a lot of back and forth. At least once an episode, the female lead would decide that she needed to tell the truth only for a change of heart to occur minutes later. I would have loved if she had fully committed to it, without it seeming like she was dragged along for the ride.
Our main characters are my favorites, largely due to the cast (more on that later), but some of the side characters are incredibly frustrating and occasionally nuts. This story is rooted in the real world and feels realistic in some ways, but a lot of the conflict was contrived. Romantic angst is unavoidable in dramas, and didn’t last very long, but it still frustrated me.
Family is a big theme here, and I think this show does a good job of fleshing out the stories of our main characters’ families and how neither is exactly what they seem. The scenes with them weren’t always my favorite, but they led to some tear inducing moments, and everything came full circle.
Episode Format:
Each episode starts out with an event happening, and then the episode backtracks to tell you how we got there, often subverting expectations. I really liked this device, especially early on, where the anticipation was on screen in the form of a countdown to disaster. Although, some of them were fake-outs and that was annoying. A lot of the later episodes continue subverting expectations in this way, but the anticipation leading up to the event was a lot less emphasized, which I thought was sad. Some of the starting scenes also weren’t very impactful and it felt like the writer just chose one because she had to.
Production:
One of the things I loved about this show was that it was a rom-com that was both romantic and funny. The comedy landed really well, and that was in part due to the directing and the sound effects.
Cast:
In my opinion, Marriage, not Dating is worth watching for the cast alone. Even if it was frustrating at times and I felt disconnected, these leads always won me over, and they’re part of the reason I’ll remember this fondly.
Han Groo is hilarious and pretty great at physical comedy, but she also brought a lot of emotion when she needed to. She was so believable, and she made me love what could have been an annoying character.
Yeon Woo-jin is my new favorite person, and I’ll probably watch everything he’s done after this. I’m pretty sure this was his first lead role, and he was great. His character, the rich jerk, has been done before, but the writing and his delivery made him lovable from the first time he showed up on-screen.
The rest of the main cast was fine, but my favorite of them was Heo Jung-min as Lee Hoon-dong, the female lead’s ex. He was so dumb and hate-able, but I really liked watching him. To be honest, his character in Another Miss Oh was basically the same guy (if my memory is right), but he’s good in these roles, and with this director.
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