"I need something cute and brainless" were the words that inspired me picking up Ugly Duckling Series: Perfect Match. At first I thought it was too brainless. Instead I discovered that this particular genre of drama is something I can enjoy. When it's done in small doses and paced right. AKA I could have enjoyed Full House, Boys Over Flowers and so on, if they hadn't dragged it on forever. No really. 9 episodes is more than enough to not only establish the story and plot, but to build great character development. Maybe that's why I've started to enjoy J-dramas so much more. Though to give credit where it's deserved Ugly Duckling Series: Perfect Match actually tried to give more to the basic drama tropes it starts out with.

Rant: This drama is going for the light and bubbly. The cute concept behind the original ugly duckling story. Yes, this drama is cute and bubbly indeed! Though I need to address its dark side: the woman shaming. The concept is that the lead girl becomes ugly, so now she's free to find love without the restrictions of being beautiful and rich. Though it's clear this drama woman shames. The mamma duck in the story is called "a fat mamma duck", because why not shame the cute female animals while shaming the human women? The lead basically gets a bad case of cystic acne as an allergic reaction to a treatment she should have never needed to get. Instead of people just chilling until it's gone everyone is freaked out. Not to mention they know it's not contagious, but even her own mother (basically everyone in her life) treats her like a plague victim. The only person who knows she's gorgeous under the acne turns out to be a perv/creep. So that's not cool. The thing is I don't believe the drama is addressing this as a problem of society. They don't even know they're doing it. So my dramatic rant is over. I feel entitled to rant about all this not to mention as a cystic acne sufferer I can't believe how crappy people would push you over the edge about it. Severe acne is common in the States so I guess that's why most people are pretty "whatever" about it.

Despite my huge rant this drama is one you don't take seriously. That's the fun of it! It's blast and I was smiling and laughing during most of it.

There's plenty of laughs like the leading lady, Joo, bending the story of the Ugly Duckling to her needs. It's not inner or outer beauty and "accepting one's self" kind of tale. It's a lesson in making sure you don't sit on the wrong eggs! Ha-ha!!! Joo does finally learn what makes people decent and the real world of being a "ugly girl with no money".

Suea is a legit poor person. The penny counting and down to his falling apart sandals. A lot of dramas say the characters are poor, but they dress and spend money like cray-cray people. I enjoy that Ugly Duckling addresses this realistically. Not to mention that Suea is "handsome and brutal". He defends Joo and even makes people apologize to her. Just as a decent person. You calls EVERYONE out on their stupidity.

What really makes Ugly even better is that Joo and Suea are true friends. They both get to know each other and call each other out on their bull. It's fabulous to have REAL friendship before things start to turn romantic.

Even better and what makes Ugly Duckling Series: Perfect Match more. Is that Joo and Suea have real flaws. Suea is a bit of a flirt and slut, which everyone talks about. It's even a factor in Joo not immediately taking Suea's perusal of her for real. That and the annoying bit that she's also still hung up on her being "ugly". Suea has to deal with some of his own ugly personal truths, his pride, and eventually jealousy of Joo becoming beautiful and other men pursuing her. I did overall love this drama and it's pacing. It was just hard to watch as Joo's old self and new self merging. Despite her big words Suea's lack of money and family is a big deal. (Not just because her family won't accept him.) She even dates her old boyfriend at the end. All while Suea gets even more intense about what she does when she becomes beautiful again, even complaining about her dress. It all feels like a take back, but it's also very real. Except for that ending twist stuff which would be the hugest take back ever! (Though it also felt like a wishful fantasy sequence.)

Ugly Duckling Series: Perfect Match deals with social class. Addressing Joo's healing on the inside as she experiences life of the middle class. Joo finds out who her real friends are and what that type of bond means. I also like that Suea realizes his feelings first and is bold in letting her know. (Though he got pervy a few times. It felt real.)

There is an openly gay best friend here, Bee. I love the relationship Joo and Bee have. Joo does so much for him and I love their love for each other. True Bee is at times mostly the comedic relief, it was still great.

I have to be honest the music is nothing mind blowing, nor is it bad. However: ***WARNING*** If you're annoyed by bad sound quality this is the worst I've ever listened to for a drama. I know Bromance had some issues, but this drama makes the sound issues on Bromance seem like A+ work. Because it's bad. Background noise isn't even the worst of it. The actors dialogue gets loud and then drops. At one point what the female lead said was lost, thank you subtitles for the save. It happens none stop through out the drama.

Despite some of it's flaws I would/will definitely be rewatching Ugly Duckling Series: Perfect Match. Ugly tries to be more and despite the "take back" of the rich girl and poor boy story it feels right. I love the feel of this drama and it is a great breath of fresh are for someone who is fried. On life or dramas. It's fun! Sometimes that's all you need. This is actually the third entry in the series, but I had no issue jumping right in. The connection isn't strong. Mainly just the concept. Though I did go and promptly watch the 2nd entry to this series which I loved! Even more than this one!

I also have reviewed every episode so if you want to follow along it's there.