dreamlovewrite
New Zealand
I'm a few years late to watch this drama, but I am so glad I made time to do so. I forgot that 2014 was one of my favourite years for k-dramas, and so it makes complete sense that Marriage, Not Dating didn't fail to impress me. All the same this drama alone regardless of the year, was well developed, with a strong cast and storyline, so whatever year you watch it in, you'll find it relate-able (except maybe the cellphones, I had to giggle at how that was the style back then).
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
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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